Selling a Kia Seltos with engine trouble

A Seltos with a knocking, smoking or dead engine can still be sold as one piece. We buy whole non-running and junk cars, with free pickup anywhere in the US.

The piston ring recalls

Both engine recalls on the Seltos are about the same part, and both are shared with the Kia Soul, so their vehicle counts cover two models.

• 21V259 (April 2021). It names 2021 Seltos and 2020-2021 Soul models fitted with Kia's 2.0 Nu MPI four. Kia says the piston oil rings in those engines may have missed proper heat treatment, risking engine damage. Dealers inspect and, if needed, replace the engine. 147,249 vehicles in the campaign.
• 25V099 (February 2025). 2021-2023 Seltos and Soul models. The piston oil rings may have been made incorrectly. Dealers inspect and replace the engine as needed and install piston-ring noise sensing (PNSS) software. 137,256 vehicles in the campaign.

If your engine already failed, ask a Kia dealer what these recalls cover for your VIN before you decide anything.

Problems by model year group

Wikipedia lists two generations: the first (SP2) built from 2019, and the second (SP3) in production from December 2025. NHTSA's file doesn't say which US model years belong to which, so the groups below follow the recalls.

2021-2023: the engine years

These three years hold 495 complaints. The engine is the top category on the 2021 (197) and the 2022 (32), and on the 2023 it ties the electrical system at 11. Owners also filed 41 power train complaints and 41 engine and cooling complaints on the 2021. The 2023 falls under the oil pump recall below as well.

2024-2027: fewer complaints, two recalls

These four years hold 64 complaints, and the electrical system leads on the 2024 and 2025. Part of the drop is time: a 2026 or 2027 Seltos has had only months with owners.

• 23V531 (2023-2024). The controller for the Idle Stop & Go electric oil pump may have damaged parts. Kia asks owners to leave these Seltos outdoors, clear of buildings, until the fix is in. The 39,765 count also covers 2023 Soul and Sportage models.
• 23V830 (2024). The side curtain air bags may deploy unexpectedly. Dealers inspect and replace both modules as needed. The 2,967 count includes 2023 Soul models.

Wikipedia lists 1.4 and 1.5 turbo and 1.5 non-turbo engines for the first generation worldwide; the 2.0-liter Nu named in recall 21V259 is the one in the US recall. For the second generation it lists 1.5 and 1.6 turbo engines and a 1.5 non-turbo.

Complaints and recalls by model year

Seltos numbers are owner complaints in NHTSA's file as read on October 10, 2026. Where the engine is not among a year's top three components, the file excerpt we used does not give its count.

Across every Seltos year, the file shows 50 tow reports, 29 crash reports, 10 fire reports and 17 injury reports.

Fix the engine or sell?

1. Run the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup. On a 2021-2023 Seltos, the piston ring recalls are the first thing to rule in or out. Our open recall guide explains selling with one still open.
2. Engine damaged? Two Seltos recalls cover piston oil rings that can result in engine damage; see open recall.
3. No recall help? Get a written engine quote, then price a running Seltos of your year and trim. Should the two land near each other, our blown engine guide explains why selling it as it sits often makes more sense.

Selling the Seltos whole

1. Note the Seltos's VIN and mileage, and whether the engine knocks, smokes or won't turn over.
2. Get an offer online or call (877) 421-6008.
3. Tell us where it sits. Pickup is free anywhere in the US, and the truck can meet it at your home or at a dealer's service lot.
4. Leave the Seltos intact; pulled parts lower the offer.
5. Bring the title and a license to the pickup. Is a bank still named on the Seltos title? See still owe on the loan.

Comparing Kia crossovers? See the Soul, Sportage and Niro, or every Kia we cover.