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Why do Kia engines catch fire or lose power?
Two failure patterns repeat here. The first is turbocharger oil plumbing leaking into a hot engine bay: the 2022 Sorento's turbo oil supply pipe can crack, and the left turbo oil feed pipe and hose can deteriorate on 3.3-liter turbo 2018-2023 Stinger and 2019-2020 K900 models. The second is internal engine parts built or assembled wrong, ending in lost power or worse — valve springs breaking on the 2024 Telluride and possibly holing the block, piston oil rings on 2021-2023 Seltos and Soul, connecting rod bolts on the 2025 K4 and Sorento, and oil pump contamination on 2017-2018 Forte 2.0L Nu MPI engines. Sorento appears twice, in two different generations.
Warning signs to watch for
- Knocking or unusual noise from the engine (2021-2023 Seltos and Soul)
- Smoke or a burning oil smell from the engine bay — stop driving
- Warning lights coming on
- The engine stalling or a sudden loss of drive power while you are moving
Is it safe to keep driving?
None of these six recalls carries a stop-driving or park-outside order, so driving normally while you wait for an appointment follows the notices. But every one is a fire or stall risk, and two notices give clear stop conditions: on 2021-2023 Seltos and Soul, stop driving if you hear knocking, see warning lights, smell burning or see smoke; on the 2022 Sorento, stop right away if you smell burning oil or see smoke. Book these early.
What the free repair involves
Turbo oil leaks are fixed by replacing the pipe: the turbo oil supply pipe (2022 Sorento) or the left turbo oil feed pipe and hose (Stinger, K900). The internal-engine recalls go further — a new engine sub-assembly for the 2024 Telluride and 2025 K4 and Sorento, engine replacement as needed plus piston-ring noise sensing software on Seltos and Soul, and a new oil pan on the Forte. All free.
Severity at a glance
| Severity | Recalls |
|---|---|
| critical | 4 |
| high | 2 |
Models affected most
Every recall in this group
| Date | Recall | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-08-25 | Kia K4 and Sorento engines may lose drive power | high |
| 2025-02-17 | Kia Seltos and Soul engines may stall or catch fire | critical |
| 2024-03-01 | Kia Stinger and K900 turbo oil leak fire risk | critical |
| 2024-02-07 | Kia Telluride engine parts may break and cause fire | critical |
| 2022-03-29 | Kia Sorento turbo oil pipe can crack, risking fire | critical |
| 2021-04-13 | Kia Forte oil pump trouble can damage engine | high |
Common questions
Will Kia really replace my whole engine?
For several of these, yes. The 2024 Telluride valve spring recall and the 2025 K4 and Sorento connecting rod bolt recall both call for a new engine sub-assembly, and Seltos and Soul engines are replaced when inspection finds damage — all free.
What is the PNSS software on my Seltos or Soul?
Dealers install piston-ring noise sensing system software free of charge on 2021-2023 Seltos and Soul, alongside inspecting and replacing the engine as necessary. The notice says nothing more about how it behaves, so ask your dealer what alerts to expect.
My Stinger isn't leaking oil — do I still need the pipe replaced?
Yes. The 2018-2023 Stinger and 2019-2020 K900 recall covers pipes that may deteriorate and leak over time, and the notice says an engine compartment fire can start while driving. The replacement is free whether or not you see a leak.
A recall applies only to specific vehicles. Check your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.