Recalls: Kia SP2 Seltos
Overview
OverviewRecalls are issued for defects or faults which have the potential to cause injury. Manufacturers or importers seek to inform the original buyer if their vehicle is subject to a recall and of the steps required to remedy the defect or fault. However, manufacturers or importers may not have the contact details of subsequent owners. Please note that the recalls below are for Australian-delivered vehicles only. Furthermore, the number of recalls should not be taken as an indication of a model’s reliability or its safety more generally.
Recalls: Kia SP2 Seltos
2019-20 Kia SP2 Seltos: anti-theft lock not fitted to steering column
In August 2020, recall campaign 201046 was issued for 2019-20 Kia SP2 Seltos vehicles. During the manufacturing process, an anti-theft lock that should have been fitted to the steering column shaft was not installed. As a result, the recalled vehicles were not compliant with Australian Design Rule 25/01. For this recall, a Kia dealer was to fit the anti-theft lock to the steering column. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see REC-000792.
2019-20 Kia SP2 Seltos 2.0L: defective piston rings and engine failure
In August 2022, recall campaign 221061 was issued for 2019-20 Kia SP2 Seltos vehicles that were fitted with 2.0-litre ‘Nu’ Atkinson cycle engines. In certain vehicles, the engine’s piston rings may not meet manufacturing specifications. This could cause the engine to fail and the vehicle to stall, resulting in an unexpected loss of power. Engine oil may also leak from the vehicle. These circumstances increased the risk of a collision and therefore injury for vehicle occupants and other road users. For this recall, a Kia dealer was to inspect the engine and, if damaged, replace it. During the inspection, an Engine Control Unit Update would be applied as an additional data monitoring tool to detect early signs of engine failure. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see REC-005506.
2022-23 Kia SP2 Seltos: instrument cluster may not show seatbelt warning
In June 2023, recall campaign 231025 was issued for 2022-23 Kia SP2 Seltos vehicles. Due to a software issue, the instrument cluster may fail to illuminate the visual seatbelt warning as required by Australian Design Rule 04/06. If the driver was not aware of an unfastened seatbelt, there was an increased risk of injury if the vehicle was involved in a collision. To fix, a Kia dealer was to update the instrument cluster software. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see REC-005699.
2023 Kia SP2 Seltos: curtain airbag may inflate unexpectedly
In May 2024, recall campaign 241063 was issued for 2023 Kia SP2 Seltos vehicles. Due to a manufacturing defect, the side curtain airbag may inflate without warning. Inadvertent airbag inflation could distract driver and increase the risk of a collision, thereby increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants and other road users. For this recall, a Kia dealer was to inspect the curtain airbags and, if necessary, replace them. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see REC-005962.
2020-22 Kia SP2 Seltos 2.0 MPI: piston rings and potential engine failure
In July 2025, recall campaign 251031 was issued for 2020-22 Kia SP2 Seltos vehicles with 2.0-litre multi-point injected (MPI) petrol engines. In some of these vehicles, the piston rings may not meet manufacturing specifications, and this could cause engine damage. In turn, this could cause engine damage, the vehicle to stall and/or engine oil to leak. These conditions increased the risk of a collision and vehicle fire, also increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants and other road users. For the recalled vehicles, the engine was to be inspected and, if damaged, replaced. During the inspection, an Engine Control Unit (ECU) software update was also to be applied as an additional data monitoring tool to detect early signs of engine failure. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see REC-006395.
Problems and faults: Kia SP2 Seltos
Overview
This section identifies potential problems, causes and fixes based on the experiences of owners and repairers, online sources and technical service bulletins. This information is provided solely for reference purposes and AustralianCar.Reviews recommends that only properly qualified persons carry out repairs or modifications. Furthermore, the number of items below should not be taken as an indicator of a model’s reliability or the frequency with which they may occur.
To report a problem or fault to the AustralianCar.Reviews team, please use the Contact Us form. Note that AustralianCar.Reviews does not offer advice on automotive problems or disputes; such enquiries will not receive a reply. For vehicles purchased from dealers after 1 January 2011, please see our Australian Consumer Law fact sheet.
2019-23 Kia SP2 Seltos with 1.6-litre Gamma II GDI Turbo engine: oil consumption and piston slap
For 2019-23 Kia SP2 Seltos vehicles with 1.6-litre “Gamma II” GDI Turbo petrol engines, there have been reports of:
- excessive oil consumption, i.e. more than 1 litre per 1000 km; and
- loud “knocking” or “tapping” noises from the engine, especially when cold (i.e. piston slap).
These symptoms were typically caused by cylinder bore scoring, where manufacturing defects enabled the piston skirts to rub against the cylinder walls, causing damage, increased clearances and oil to bypass the piston rings and enter the combustion chamber. If the engine lost oil pressure, it could seize.
To fix, the engine needed to either be rebuilt or have the cylinder block replaced. To verify this condition, Hyundai dealers require an oil consumption test where the dealer would seal the dipstick and monitor the oil level over 1,000 kilometres. Owners of these vehicles are encouraged to regularly check their oil levels.
Johnson Winter Slattery has initiated a class action against Kia in respect of these engines. See https://www.kiaiengineclassaction.com.au/ for details.
