The Kia Seltos won over the Quebec market with its attractive price and a cabin that is well finished for the segment. In 2025, 7,674 Seltos were sold in Quebec and 21,276 in Canada. The Automobile Protection Association (APA), a consumer advocacy group for drivers, warns about the reliability of the 2.0-litre. Five Transport Canada recalls affect this generation, including the engine’s piston rings and an all-wheel-drive module exposed to road salt.
- 2.0-litre piston rings. The oil level drops between oil change intervals, and if you keep driving, the engine can be damaged and the escaping oil can catch fire on the hot exhaust.
- All-wheel-drive module under the seat (2021-2023). Salt can corrode this unit to the point of a short circuit, and a recall covering 44,478 Seltos describes a fire risk, even with the ignition off.
- Oil pump for the stop-start system. On some 2023 and early 2024 models, a capacitor can overheat, with a fire risk.
Technical briefing
In Canada, the Seltos is offered with no hybrid or electric version and is assembled in Gwangju, Korea. The 2.0-litre engines covered by the piston ring recalls come from the Hwaseong engine plant. The table below summarizes the available configurations.
2022 Kia Seltos on a mountain road | Kia| Years | Engine | Power and torque | Transmission and drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-2023 | 2.0L | 146 hp at 6,200 rpm, 132 lb-ft at 4,500 | CVT automatic. Front-wheel or all-wheel drive |
| 2024-2026 | 2.0L | 147 hp at 6,200 rpm, 132 lb-ft at 4,500 | CVT automatic. Front-wheel or all-wheel drive |
| 2021-2023 | 1.6L turbo | 175 hp at 6,000 rpm, 195 lb-ft from 1,500 to 4,500 | 7-speed dual-clutch automatic. All-wheel drive only |
| 2024-2026 | 1.6L turbo | 195 hp at 6,000 rpm, 195 lb-ft at 4,500 | 8-speed automatic. All-wheel drive only |
In Canada, comprehensive and powertrain coverage are five years or 100,000 km. The perforation-from-corrosion warranty is five years with unlimited kilometres, but surface corrosion is excluded.
Most common problems
The 2.0-litre is the weak point, while the turbo engine seems to be more robust.
Oil consumption in the 2.0-litre engine
In the engine, the oil control ring scrapes oil off the cylinder wall and sends it back to the oil pan, but if it stops doing that job, the oil stays on the wall, gets into the combustion chamber and burns, which lowers the level between oil changes. Smoke, a burning oil smell or knocking can follow, and if you keep driving, the engine can seize. A hole in the block is possible, and the oil escaping from it can catch fire on the hot exhaust.
Two supplier defects followed one another, and two recalls resulted. Recall 2021-225 covers a ring that is too hard, which flakes and scores the cylinder, on 2021 models. Recall 2025-083 covers a quality defect in the same part, which wears the cylinder over time, on some 2021 to 2023 models. The two overlap, so a given vehicle can be covered by one recall, by both or by neither.
2025 Kia Seltos, rear three-quarter view showing the refreshed taillights | KiaThe module under the seat, 2021 to 2023
Transport Canada recall 2024-093 covers 44,478 Seltos from 2021 to 2023. The unit that controls the all-wheel-drive system sits under the driver’s seat, where salt and moisture brought into the cabin can corrode it to the point of a short circuit, with a fire risk even when the vehicle is parked with the ignition off.
The front-wheel-drive model does not have this module, so it is not affected. Until the protective cover provided by the recall is installed, Kia asks owners to park outside, away from structures.
The oil pump, some 2023 and early 2024 models
Recall 2023-421 covers 10,758 vehicles, Seltos, Soul and Sportage combined. The stop-start oil pump has its own circuit board, and a faulty capacitor on it can short circuit while driving, with a fire risk. Watch for the power steering and stability warning lights, a stop-start system that no longer works, limited power or smoke under the hood. Here too, Kia asks owners to park outside until the fix is done.
CVT automatic transmission that slips
On some 2021 Seltos built from November 20, 2019, to April 10, 2020, the CVT automatic lets the belt slip, so acceleration lags, revs climb without the vehicle moving forward, and the check engine light can also come on.
2021 Kia Seltos interior, with the gear selector on the centre console | KiaAll-wheel drive cuts out, 2024 and 2025
A May 2025 technical service bulletin covers some 2024 and 2025 Seltos built from February 14, 2023, to October 8, 2024. The rear wheels stop receiving their share of power, only the front wheels pull the vehicle, and a message asks to check the all-wheel drive. An update is planned, and if codes P195800 or P196000 are present, the dealer will replace the actuator, the part that sends power to the rear wheels.
Refreshed 2024 Kia Seltos in Pluton Blue, front three-quarter view on the road | KiaThe recalls
The table lists the five campaigns that include the Seltos, and the units are the Canadian vehicles affected. For recalls shared with other models, the units do not add up. In those cases, the Canadian notice publishes neither the Seltos share nor the production dates.
| TC | Date | Defect | Variant | Years | Units |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-083 | Feb. 18, 2025 | Rings that wear the cylinder. Inspection, engine if needed, software | 2.0L | 2021-2023 | 25,279, with Forte and Soul |
| 2024-093 | Feb. 14, 2024 | Module under the seat. Corrosion, possible fire while parked. Cover | All-wheel drive | 2021-2023 | 44,478 Seltos |
| 2023-652 | Dec. 8, 2023 | Side curtain air bag that can inflate without a collision | All engines | 2024 | 415, with some Soul |
| 2023-421 | Aug. 1, 2023 | Stop-start oil pump. Short circuit, fire | Some Seltos | 2023-2024 | 10,758, with Soul and Sportage |
| 2021-225 | April 14, 2021 | Ring too hard, scores the cylinder. Inspection, engine if needed | 2.0L | 2021 | 19,634, with Forte and Soul |
For the piston rings, Kia inspects, replaces the engine if needed and installs warning software that listens for ring noise. Under the recall, the replacement costs nothing if the dealer deems it necessary.
For the side curtain air bags, the dealer replaces both curtains if needed under recall 2023-652.
Other powertrains
The 1.6-litre turbo is not part of the piston ring recalls, and consumer protection groups rank it among the rare Hyundai-Kia four-cylinder engines that do not seem to wear prematurely.
Engine cover of the 1.6L turbo in the 2021 Kia Seltos | KiaUp to 2023, according to owners, the dual-clutch automatic caused jerkiness below about 8 km/h and hesitation when pulling away.
What owners say
Day to day, owners like the Seltos for its practical size and usable cabin. The 2.0-litre engine is the most fuel-efficient and the 1.6-litre turbo the liveliest. The ride is somewhat firm, however.
Panoramic dashboard displays in the refreshed 2025 Kia Seltos | KiaIt is the base engine that disappoints, with major 2.0-litre failures reported as early as 2021, often at low mileage, while the turbo engine seems to be spared. At the dealership, Kia is reluctant to pay for an engine the recall does not cover. As long as the original 2.0-litre engine is still in place, an extended powertrain warranty remains the smart move.
Acura Plans Three New SUVs for North America, Starting in 2028
Conclusion
The verdict is mixed, and we do not recommend model years before 2023. A 2023 can still have engine, under-seat module and oil pump problems.
2021, especially with the 2.0-litre. Have both piston ring recalls checked (2021-225 and 2025-083), since a given vehicle identification number (VIN) can be in one, the other, both or neither. If the vehicle has all-wheel drive, add the under-seat module (2024-093) and park outside until the cover is installed.
2022, and some 2023 models with the 2.0-litre. Same family of piston rings (2025-083), and all-wheel-drive models are still affected by 2024-093.
Some 2023 and early 2024 models. Have the oil pump checked (2023-421) and park outside until it is done.
Some 2024 models. Have the curtains checked (2023-652), turbo models included.
The 1.6-litre turbo, 2024 to 2026. It is not part of the piston ring recalls. On a 2024 or 2025 all-wheel-drive model, ask the dealer about the condition of the actuator, since no Canadian campaign covers it.
2025 and 2026. No Transport Canada notice lists these years, and they are too new for an assessment.
Before signing, check the VIN at recalls-rappels.canada.ca or at 1-877-542-2886. Ask whether the piston ring warning software has been installed, because a test showing results “within specifications” does not close the recall. Keep the oil change receipts, and the engine invoice if it has already been replaced.
Drive safe!
