Overview

• NHTSA’s Office of Defect Investigation kicked off on August 8 an audit of Kia’s remedy program for its February recall of 137,256 2021–2023 Seltos and Soul SUVs.
• The audit follows 47 owner complaints filed between April 29 and June 27 citing inconsistent inspections, unavailable repairs and ineffective engine replacements.
• Kia launched its recall remedy on April 4 and revised inspection procedures on May 7 to determine when piston oil ring defects warrant engine swaps.
• Manufacturing errors in piston oil rings can damage engines and pose stall or fire hazards, elevating crash and injury risks if not properly addressed.
• If the audit determines Kia’s current remedies are lacking, NHTSA could mandate a wider “recall of the recall” to enforce additional inspections and engine replacements.