Is my 2020-2021 Kia Soul part of the piston ring engine recall?

Short answer: Many 2020-2021 Souls with the 2.0L engine are under recall 21V259000 for piston oil rings, and some 2021-2023 Souls are under recall 25V099000. The dealer inspects the engine, replaces it if needed, and installs noise-sensing software, all free. Passing the inspection doesn't mean it can't burn oil, so keep checking the dipstick.

Symptom: Burning oil between changes, a low oil level, a knock or rattle, a check engine light, rough running or stalling.

What to check first

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Kia for both recalls.
2. Check the oil level every few fill-ups and top it off.
3. Keep a log of how much oil you add, with dates and miles.
4. If it knocks or the oil light comes on, stop and have it towed.
5. Ask for a copy of the recall inspection result.

Likely causes

1. Piston oil rings not heat-treated or made correctly (recall). Piston oil rings scrape oil off the cylinder walls. If they're bad, the engine burns oil and can run low, which damages it. Kia replaces affected engines free.
2. Low oil from burning between oil changes. An engine that burns oil can run nearly dry between changes. Check the dipstick often.
3. Normal injector or valve ticking. These engines make a light diesel-like clatter that owners say is normal. A deep knock that gets worse is different.

What it usually costs

Recall work is free. One owner whose engine ran low on oil after passing the inspection paid about $3,835 for timing chain and related repairs.

Is it safe to keep driving?

If the engine is quiet and the oil is full, yes, but get the recall done. If it knocks or the oil is very low, stop driving.

DIY or shop?

Checking and topping off oil is DIY. Engine work is for the dealer.

Recalls, bulletins and complaints in plain words

• Recalls 21V259000 and 25V099000: NHTSA recall 21V259000 covers certain 2020-2021 Soul and 2021 Seltos with the 2.0L Nu engine because the piston oil rings may not have been heat-treated properly. Recall 25V099000 covers certain 2021-2023 Seltos and Soul because the oil rings may have been made incorrectly. In both, dealers inspect the engine, replace it if needed, and install piston ring noise sensing software. If your car is part of this recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If your car is part of a recall, the dealer fixes it for free.
• Plain words: The complaint count below shows how often owners reported problems that mention these words to NHTSA. A count is not proof of a defect.
• NHTSA complaints: 552 keyword-matched complaints for Kia Soul 2020–2021 (of 633 unique complaints queried, NHTSA complaints API by model year, queried 2026-11-05; keywords: oil, piston, ring, knock, engine, consum, stall). This counts complaints that mention these words. It is not a defect finding.

What owners report

• In Kia Oil Ring recall. on Reddit r/KiaSoulClub, 2020 Soul owners described the recall visit. Some were in and out in under an hour, while one owner's dealer had trouble with the test and then said she needed a new engine, with about a two-week wait and no loaner. Another 2020 owner said his car started burning oil at 6,000 miles and the dealer later said it likely needed a new engine.
• In Just got a 2020 Kia Soul. I noticed today that when I accelerate the engine makes a weird sound. When it idles, this is what it sounds like. My appointment for the recall isn't until the 29th. Should I be concerned? on Reddit r/KiaSoulClub, a new 2020 Soul owner worried about a ticking noise before the recall appointment. Many owners said that light clatter is normal for these engines, but one said her 2020 Soul engine gave out and had sat at the dealer for two weeks.
• In Kia Soul 2021 - Oil piston ring recall (251032), leading to oil starvation and $4k repair on Reddit r/kia, a 2021 Soul 2.0 owner said the car passed the recall inspection, then stalled 16 days later with the oil nearly empty. The dealer replaced the timing chain, tensioner, CVVT parts and more for about $3,835, and the owner said it still burns oil. A reply said the inspection in Canada listens for ring noise and doesn't check the oil level.

Quick tip

Pass or fail, check your oil often. One owner's engine ran low just weeks after passing.

Vehicle focus: Kia Soul 2.0L (Nu engine), 2020-2021. The recalls also cover some Seltos models.

Safety / mechanic note

An engine that runs low on oil can seize or stall while driving. Verify with a mechanic.