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Kia Engine Recalls Address Oil Leaks, Damage, and Power Loss
Oil leaks and engine damage recur across these Kia engine notices. Certain 2022 Sorentos have turbocharger oil supply pipes that may crack; certain 2019-2020 K900s and 2018-2023 Stingers with the 3.3-liter turbo gasoline direct injection engine have left turbocharger oil feed pipe and hose assemblies that may deteriorate. The Stinger notice spans the widest model-year range listed. Certain 2021-2023 Seltos and Souls share a piston oil ring defect that can damage engines. Other notices concern oil pump failure in certain 2017-2018 Fortes with the 2.0L Nu MPI engine, broken valve springs in certain 2024 Tellurides, and improperly tightened connecting rod bolts in certain 2025 K4s and Sorentos.
Warning signs to watch for
- SC233: Oil may leak into the engine compartment.
- SC300: The left turbocharger oil feed pipe and hose assembly may leak oil.
- SC296: Drive power may be lost.
- 2025-02-17 Seltos/Soul piston oil ring recall and SC210 Forte recall: The engine may stall.
- SC349: Drive power may be lost.
Can you keep driving? What the notices say
None of the six listed Kia engine notices tells owners to stop driving or park outside. SC233 and SC300 describe fire risks associated with oil leaks near ignition sources or hot engine components. SC296 describes both loss of drive power and a possible hole in the engine block. The Seltos/Soul piston oil ring notice describes stall or fire risks, SC210 describes engine stalling, and SC349 describes loss of drive power. These notices do not tell owners to stop driving while awaiting repairs.
What the free repair involves
Specified repairs are free. SC233 replaces the turbocharger oil supply pipe; SC300 replaces the left turbocharger oil feed pipe and hose assembly. SC296 replaces the engine sub-assembly, while SC349 replaces the sub engine assembly. The Seltos/Soul piston oil ring recall specifies engine inspection and replacement as necessary, plus PNSS software installation. SC210 replaces the oil pan.
Severity at a glance
| Severity | Recalls |
|---|---|
| critical | 4 |
| high | 2 |
Models affected most
Where owners report engine and engine cooling problems most
NHTSA owner complaints filed under engine and engine cooling for the Kia models and years in this guide. Complaints are unverified reports and are not limited to the recalled defects.
| Vehicle | Engine and engine cooling complaints |
|---|---|
| 2021 Kia Seltos | 266 |
| 2021 Kia Soul | 179 |
| 2022 Kia Soul | 70 |
| 2018 Kia Forte | 57 |
| 2022 Kia Sorento | 52 |
| 2022 Kia Seltos | 46 |
| 2018 Kia Stinger | 22 |
| 2025 Kia Sorento | 19 |
Every recall in this group
| Date | Recall | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 25, 2025 | Kia K4, Sorento Engine Bolts May Loosen | high |
| Feb 17, 2025 | Kia Seltos and Soul Engine Piston Rings Defective | critical |
| Mar 1, 2024 | Kia K900 and Stinger Turbo Oil Leak Risk | critical |
| Feb 7, 2024 | Kia Telluride Engine Valve Springs May Break | critical |
| Mar 29, 2022 | Kia Sorento Turbo Oil Pipe May Crack | critical |
| Apr 13, 2021 | Kia Forte Oil Pump Failure May Damage Engine | high |
Common questions
Which Kia engine recalls involve turbocharger oil leaks?
SC233 covers certain 2022 Sorentos with a turbocharger oil supply pipe that may crack. SC300 covers certain 2019-2020 K900s and 2018-2023 Stingers with the 3.3-liter turbo gasoline direct injection engine, whose left turbocharger pipe and hose assembly may deteriorate.
What is the repair for Seltos and Soul piston oil rings?
The February 17, 2025 notice covers certain 2021-2023 Seltos and Soul vehicles. Dealers inspect and replace the engine as necessary and install piston-ring noise sensing system software. The notice specifies that the engine work and software installation are free.
Does the Forte oil pump recall specify an engine replacement?
SC210 specifies replacement of the oil pan, free of charge. It covers certain 2017-2018 Fortes with a 2.0L Nu MPI engine, where foreign particles may stick inside the oil pump and cause oil pump failure and engine damage.
A recall applies only to specific vehicles. Check your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.