This bulletin provides information related to the Technical Service Bulletin previously published under SC336 titled “Engine Inspection/Replacement and ECM Logic Improvement”.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2022 Kia Seltos engine problems
moderate 30 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
30
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
What stands out
Engine accounts for 45% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 4 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 30 engine complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This bulletin provides instructions to perform an engine vibration inspection using the Kia Diagnostic System (KDS) tablet on certain Kia engine/model vehicles. The piston oil ring(s) in certain Kia engines may, over time, damage the surface of the engine cylinder wall. This may lead to increased oil consumption which will eventually result in abnormal noise from the engine and/or illumination of the oil pressure warning light. The applicable vehicle may or may not have the Piston Noise Sensing System (PNSS) software installed at the time of an engine vibration inspection. The PNSS software may detect engine noise triggering a DTC P132700.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PISTON NOISE SENSING SYSTEM (PNSS) INSPECTION - This bulletin provides instructions to perform an engine vibration inspection using the Kia Diagnostic System (KDS) tablet on certain 2020 - 2023 MY Kia Soul (SK3) 2021 - 2023 MY Seltos (SP2) Kia vehicles equipped with 2.0L Nu MPI Engines. The piston oil ring(s) in certain Kia engines may, over time, damage the surface of the engine cylinder wall. This may lead to increased oil consumption which will eventually result in abnormal noise from the engine and/or illumination of the oil pressure warning light. The applicable vehicle may or may not have the Piston Noise Sensing System (PNSS) software installed at the time
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: MAINTENANCE REMINDER FEATURE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area.This bulletin provides information on setting the "Service Interval Reminder" feature available on most 2014-2023MY Kia vehicles (refer to model list on page 2). If the service interval reminder is set, the customer will be informed to have the next maintenance service performed, which can positively affect vehicle longevity and performance. Refer to TSB ENG241 for 2023MY~ vehicles equipped with the Oil Life Management System (OLMS) feature not included in table on page 2.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia America, Inc. is conducting a Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign to replace the C-Recirculation Solenoid Valve Hose Assembly on certain 2022 MY Kia Seltos vehicles equipped with 1.6-liter T-GDI engines (SC230).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2022 Kia Seltos engine defects fall into two overlapping patterns: accelerated oil consumption tied to piston ring failure, and unexpected stalling. Owners report burning a quart of oil every 1,000–3,000 miles with no visible leak and no warning light until the problem becomes severe. Several owners found metal shards in the oil when finally checking. The stalling happens unpredictably—at intersections, highway speed, while turning, or ascending hills—and in one case three times in succession, creating collision hazards.
Kia issued recall 25V099000 (Engine and Engine Cooling), but it remains largely unexecuted. Dealers report parts unavailable, software on hold, or manufacturer orders halting repairs entirely. Multiple owners took vehicles in for recall inspection, failed the test (requiring full engine replacement), then were told the recall was suspended and forced to pick up their unrepaired cars. One owner's vehicle passed a revised test after initially failing, with no documented repair performed. Kia has denied warranty coverage in several cases, claiming oil change records or other reasons, and refused to honor recall obligations. Owners have paid thousands out-of-pocket for engine replacement when Kia declined responsibility. The manufacturer has confirmed it lacks replacement engines and cannot provide repair timelines, leaving owners driving known-defective vehicles with no solution in sight.
Same Kia Seltos engine reports on nearby years: 2021
Failure modes owners describe
Excessive Oil Consumption / Piston Ring Failure
Engine burns oil at abnormal rates — owners report burning a half quart to a full quart every 1,000–3,000 miles, or losing 3+ quarts between oil changes. No visible external leaks or smoke detected initially. Some owners report metal shards or filings found in oil during service. Dealership inspections sometimes revealed failed piston rings, oil buildup, and moisture accumulation in cylinders. Kia recall 25V099000 addresses this defect.
When: Occurs throughout vehicle life; often first noticed between 25,000–84,000 miles. One case at 206,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Rapid loss of oil between service intervals; Metal shards or filings in oil; Grinding or ticking noise from engine; White smoke with oil droplets from exhaust; No external oil leak visible; No early warning lights (Low Oil warning absent or intermittent)
Codes mentioned: P1327
Repairs/costs cited: Full engine replacement required in multiple cases. Some owners report dealerships requesting payment for engine cleaning or oil testing despite recall applicability. One owner paid approximately $6,000 out-of-pocket after Kia refused to honor recall. Piston ring replacement mentioned but full engine swap is the stated remedy.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 25V099000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) issued. Recall placed on hold multiple times due to software issues and parts unavailability. Initial inspection protocol changed mid-recall; some vehicles that failed first test passed second test under new protocol without apparent repair. Kia corporate stated engines on back order and unable to confirm repair timelines. Some dealers instructed not to perform repairs while recall on hold.
Engine Stall / Unintended Shutdown
Engine shuts off without warning while driving at various speeds, from 25 mph to highway speeds. Occurs most frequently while slowing down, stopping at intersections, accelerating, ascending hills, or making turns. Vehicle can be restarted but failures are intermittent and difficult to reproduce. In one case, stalling happened three times in succession on a busy road, creating collision hazard.
When: Intermittent; some cases at 44,000 miles, 50,000 miles, 52,000 miles, 84,000 miles, and others unspecified. One case reported at 36,000 miles during hill ascent.
Symptoms owners cite: Complete engine shutdown while driving; Vehicle hesitation during acceleration; Loss of power when depressing accelerator; Engine restart possible after shutdown; Occurs at varied speeds and driving conditions; No warning lights in some cases; Check Engine light in others; Abnormal knocking or grinding sounds while idling (in some cases)
Codes mentioned: Check Engine light (code not specified)
Repairs/costs cited: One case: unknown sensor replaced by dealer, but failure returned soon after. Most cases undiagnosed or unrepaired. One dealer noted 'parts distribution disconnect' preventing recall repair. No specific repair costs cited in narratives.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 25V099000 issued. Multiple dealers informed owners recall was on hold due to software updates and parts unavailability. Manufacturer exceeded reasonable timeframes for repair according to several complaints.
Unintended Acceleration / Cruise Control Malfunction
While cruise control is engaged, vehicle accelerates without driver input. Owner observed speeds reach 80 mph and 100 mph unintentionally. Reported as infrequent but severe safety hazard. Only one narrative mentions this defect.
When: Infrequent occurrences; two documented occasions on open, straight roads.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle accelerates without driver input while cruise control active; Rapid speed increase (to 80–100 mph observed); Driver must apply brakes to regain control
Repairs/costs cited: Not repaired; issue reported to dealership but not yet addressed or reproduced.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented for this specific failure in narratives.
Transmission Shudder / Low-Speed Lurching
Transmission stutters or shudders at low speeds, causing the vehicle to lurch. One owner reports this as ongoing since purchase, a few times per month. Another narrative mentions transmission overheating to the point the vehicle must cool for 45 minutes, attributed to dual-clutch system and start-stop function, but this appears separate from stall/oil-consumption cluster.
When: Ongoing since purchase; few times per month in one case. Transmission overheating case at 25,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission stuttering at low speeds; Vehicle lurching during acceleration from stop; Transmission overheating (separate case)
Repairs/costs cited: Not repaired in reported cases; dealership informed owner the recall was fixed by software update despite symptoms continuing.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One dealership claimed recall fixed via software update, but owner reports symptoms persist.
Loss of Power / Hesitation During Acceleration
Vehicle loses power or hesitates when driver depresses accelerator, particularly when ascending hills or during normal acceleration. One case involved complete loss of power and engine damage attributed to oil depletion despite no warning signs.
When: Reported at 36,000–44,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of power when accelerating; Hesitation when depressing accelerator pedal; Inadequate power response on hills; Engine damage possible from oil depletion
Repairs/costs cited: One case: engine damage not covered by warranty. Owner had to manage repair timing to prevent catastrophic failure.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No specific response documented; case involved warranty denial.
Synthesized from 30 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
My Seltos transmission heats up to such an extent that I have to get out of the car and park it for 45 minutes to have it cooled down. Has only 25k miles in it. Took to the dealership and they say nothing is wrong. Numerous reported issues of the same kind on Kia message boards regarding the same issue. Something to do with the dual clutch system and start/stop function
My 2022 KIA Seltos with 52000 miles shut down on me completely in the middle of a road while I was going full speed limit causing the car behind me promptly to change lanes to avoid the collision. It happened 2 more times until I got to my destination l. After I googled what could cause the issue I saw the recall info which I didn’t get any notification about. I brought my car to a dealership and…
[XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] 2022 Kia Seltos [XXX] 54,000 mileage I am reporting two serious safety defects with my 2022 Kia Seltos: Engine Shut Off / “Push Engine to Start” Warning: Date(s) of occurrence:[XXX] Location: Throughout Portland, OR Description: While slowing down and stopping at intersections, the vehicle starts beeping very fast, then displays the “Push Engine to Start” warning,…
My engine is malfunctioning. My safety has been at risk when I am driving on the highway 50 miles per hour and it just shut off, when turning the steering wheel to make a turn, the car will shut off and it has shut off while waiting at a red light. However, It will start back up after I switch the gauge into park and restart the car. I have taken my vehicle in to the Kia dealership, and they have…
My car was part of the piston ring recall. It burns over half a quart of oil per 1,000 miles. When I took the car in for the recall inspection, it was deemed that it needed a new engine. They then called me and told me that they “revised” the test, and it no longer would be getting a new engine. The car is still burning oil and makes a ticking sound. The recall issue was not resolved, and my car…
Had engine trouble with your 2022 Kia Seltos?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2022 Kia Seltos?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 30 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Based on the 30 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 88,000 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2022/Kia/Seltos.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.