2020–2021 Kia Seltos & Kia Soul Engine Recall 21V259000 (Kia SC209)
NHTSA recall 21V259000 (Kia recall SC209) covers about 147,249 2020–2021 Kia Seltos & Kia Soul vehicles (engine), filed with NHTSA Apr 13, 2021. There is no do-not-drive or park-outside advisory.
Source: NHTSA campaign 21V259000 · Data as of Nov 6, 2026 · By CarWhere Research
What's recalled
Component: Engine
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Soul, and 2021 Seltos vehicles equipped with 2.0L Nu MPI engines. The piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which may result in engine damage.
The risk
A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, oil may leak onto hot exhaust components, increasing the risk of a fire.
The remedy and its status
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine, free of charge. In addition, Kia will deploy Piston Ring Noise Sensing System (PNSS) software. The recall began June 11, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC209.
Status: NHTSA lists Jun 11, 2021 as the owner-notification date for this campaign.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Kia recall number SC209
NHTSA lists the manufacturer's own recall number for 21V259000 as SC209. Owner letters and dealer service departments often use this code, so a search for "SC209 recall" refers to the same campaign.
Affected models and years
Models and model years NHTSA lists for this campaign. Not every vehicle of a listed model and year is included; check by VIN.
| Vehicle | Model years | More |
|---|---|---|
| Kia Seltos | 2021 | All Seltos recalls |
| Kia Soul | 2020–2021 | All Soul recallsYears to avoid |
Key dates
- Report filed with NHTSA
- Apr 13, 2021
- Owner notification
- Jun 11, 2021
- Recall initiated by
- the manufacturer
- Filed by
- Kia Motors America
Check your VIN for 21V259000
- Find the 17-character VIN on the driver-side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the door-jamb sticker, or your registration.
- Enter it in NHTSA's free VIN recall lookup. It shows every open recall on that exact vehicle, including this one if it applies and hasn't been repaired.
- If 21V259000 is open, call any Kia dealer's service department and give them the recall number (21V259000 or SC209). The repair is free.
Not sure of the exact model or year? Decode it first with the free VIN decoder.
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V259000?
NHTSA recall 21V259000 (Kia recall SC209) covers about 147,249 2020–2021 Kia Seltos & Kia Soul vehicles (engine), filed with NHTSA Apr 13, 2021. There is no do-not-drive or park-outside advisory. It covers certain 2020-2021 Soul, and 2021 Seltos vehicles equipped with 2.0L Nu MPI engines.
Is it safe to drive a vehicle with recall 21V259000?
NHTSA's record for 21V259000 carries no do-not-drive or park-outside advisory. The risk NHTSA lists is: "A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, oil may leak onto hot exhaust components, increasing the risk of a fire." Get the free repair as soon as it is available for your vehicle.
How do I know if my vehicle is affected by 21V259000?
Only a VIN lookup can tell you. Not every vehicle of the listed models and years is included, and repaired vehicles drop off. Enter your 17-character VIN in NHTSA's free recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask any Kia dealer to check it.
What is the fix for recall 21V259000, and is it free?
NHTSA's record says: "Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine, free of charge." NHTSA lists Jun 11, 2021 as the owner-notification date for this campaign. Safety-recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
What is the Kia recall number for 21V259000?
NHTSA lists the manufacturer's own recall number as SC209. Dealers and owner letters often use that code (SC209) instead of the NHTSA campaign number 21V259000.
Sources and method
- NHTSA recall record for 21V259000, from NHTSA's public recall campaign database. Problem, risk and remedy text is NHTSA's own wording.
- "Vehicles affected" is NHTSA's potential-units-affected count for the whole campaign.
- Data as of Nov 6, 2026. NHTSA updates campaigns as manufacturers file amendments, so check the official record for the latest.
Related recalls
- 25V099000: 2021–2023 Kia Seltos & Kia Soul engine & cooling (Feb 17, 2025)
- 23V531000: 2023–2024 Kia (3 models) powertrain / transmission (Jul 31, 2023)
- 23V298000: 2023 Kia (7 models) electrical system (Apr 26, 2023)