The 2020-2021 Kia Soul and the 2021 Kia Seltos are at the heart of a new recall. The Korean brand is recalling 147,249 vehicles as a result of an engine flaw that could lead to a fire.
The recall relates specifically to vehicles fitted with the 2.0-liter Nu MPI engine whose piston oil rings may have been improperly heat-treated, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Inconsistent heating-treating could make the oil rings too hard. Its outer periphery can thus chip, causing the cylinder liner to scuff allowing oil to seep past it. That will lead to excessive oil consumption and could eventually lead to abnormal noises from the engine bay. The fault can even lead to connecting rod bearing seizure, which would lead to a loss of power.
