Did you recently get your Kia engine fixed under recall? Well, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) isn’t so sure about that. It’s performing an audit to ensure that over 137,000 SUVs were properly repaired. 

NHTSA reviews Kia SUV recall for faulty repairs 

Earlier in the year, over 137,000 Kia SUVs were recalled due to having engine problems. The recall for 2021 – 2023 Kia Soul and Seltos models was released in February 2025. These models are equipped with the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. 

The piston oil rings may have been incorrectly manufactured. As a result, they could cause the engine to stall or catch on fire. While the piston oil rings degrade, they can cause cylinder wall damage and increased oil consumption. 

To fix this issue, owners were asked to take their SUVs to a local dealership for service. Technicians inspected the rings and replaced the engine as necessary. 

However, according to the NHTSA, the repairs might have been faulty. It has received 47 complaints between April 28 and June 27, 2025, about the remedy. 

Owners report that the recall remedy was ineffective, with inconsistent inspections to determine if a replacement engine is needed. Plus, there is an unavailability of recall remedies. Some problems were related to the availability of replacement parts. 

The NHTSA shared that the purpose of this audit is to evaluate the effectiveness of Kia’s remedy program and understand Kia’s response to owner complaints of difficulties experienced due to changes to procedures used to remedy vehicles. 

It’s unclear how long the investigation will take or what investigators will find. However, your Kia Soul or Seltos might have to make another trip to the dealership.