Use cautionVehicle recall · NHTSA · Published April 13, 2021
Kia 2020-2021 Soul Engine Recall: Risk of Crash or Fire
Kia recalls certain 2020-2021 Soul and 2021 Seltos with 2.0L engines due to potential engine damage causing stalls or fire risks. Owners must have engine inspected or replaced free.
Kia is recalling specific 2020-2021 Soul and 2021 Seltos vehicles with 2.0L engines because the piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which could cause engine damage. This increases the risk of the car stalling and potentially causing a crash or fire. Read more at govinfonow.com/recall/79804-kia-2020-2021-soul-engine-recall-risk-of-crash-or.
“Kia 2020-2021 Soul Engine Recall: Risk of Crash or Fire.” GovInfoNow, updated August 18, 2026. https://govinfonow.com/recall/79804-kia-2020-2021-soul-engine-recall-risk-of-crash-or. Based on NHTSA recall #21V259000 (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=21V259000).
Kia Motors America recalled certain 2020-2021 Soul and 2021 Seltos vehicles due to engine defects that may cause stalling or fire, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said on April 13, 2021. Dealers will inspect and replace engines if necessary, free of charge.
How to tell if you have it
Kia Soul, 2020-2021
Kia Seltos, 2021
What to do
Kia will notify owners and dealers will inspect and replace the engine if necessary, free of charge. Kia will also deploy Piston Ring Noise Sensing System (PNSS) software. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542.
The hazard
A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash. Oil may leak onto hot exhaust components, increasing the risk of a fire.
Context
GovInfoNow's records show Kia Motors America has 77 other recalls on record since December 29, 2014. Other recent recalls include the Kia EV6 2022 Parking Brake Recall (November 5, 2022), the Kia 2022 Sorento Spare Tire Recall (July 19, 2022), and the Kia Sorento Hybrid 2021 Seat Belts recall (June 23, 2022). NHTSA has received 378 owner complaints for the 2021 KIA SELTOS, with the latest report dated October 19, 2026. NHTSA has received 387 owner complaints for the 2020 KIA SOUL, with the latest report dated October 19, 2026.
How to tell if you have this one
Check if your vehicle is a 2020-2021 Kia Soul or 2021 Seltos with a 2.0L engine. The recall started June 11, 2021, and applies to vehicles with this specific engine type.
Brand
Kia
Category
Vehicle
Based on the official NHTSA remedy
What to do — step by step
Contact Kia Customer Service
Call 1-800-333-4542 to have your vehicle inspected or engine replaced free of charge.
Have Engine Inspected
Dealers will inspect your engine and replace it if necessary at no cost.
Install PNSS Software
Kia will deploy Piston Ring Noise Sensing System software to address the issue.
Official remedy
What NHTSA says to do
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine, free of charge. In addition, Kia will deploy Piston Ring Noise Sensing System (PNSS) software. The recall began June 11, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC209.
How this recall unfolded
Recall timeline
2 dated steps over 59 days.
1NHTSA received the defect report
2Recall began
Dates from the agency record only; steps without a date are left out.
Take action
Contact Kia
We’ve drafted a message you can send Kia to request your refund or repair — edit it as you like.
Subject: Recall 21V259000 — Kia 2020-2021 Soul Engine Recall: Risk of Crash or Fire
Hello,
I own a Kia 2020-2021 Soul Engine Recall: Risk of Crash or Fire that is covered by recall 21V259000 from Kia.
The official recall notice states: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine, free of charge. In addition, Kia will deploy Piston Ring Noise Sensing System (PNSS) software. The recall began June 11, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC209.
I’m writing to arrange the remedy described in the recall (a refund, repair, or replacement as applicable). Could you please tell me the next steps to resolve this?
Thank you.
The facts (hazard, remedy, dates, manufacturer) are pulled from the official NHTSA recall record. The plain-language summary and step-by-step checklist are written by GovInfoNow to make the official notice easier to act on — they don’t replace it.
Plain-language summary written by qwen3:4b on August 18, 2026, from the official record above. Not reviewed by a person — if it conflicts with the NHTSA notice, the notice is correct. Report an error on this page.
GovInfoNow is an independent service and is not a government agency. We republish official NHTSA recall data; we don’t issue, amend or administer recalls.