Since its launch to date, Kia Seltos has regularly been in the group of 10 most popular Vietnamese car models. Recently, Kia globally announced the recall of 147,249 Seltos and Soul units in the US market to fix errors in the oil ring in the engine. According to the announcement from the Korean automaker, all affected vehicles are fitted with a 2.0-liter Nu MPI 4-cylinder engine. The cause of the fault is identified as improperly heat-treated the rings, causing them to leak oil out. The large-scale recall is expected to start by Kia America on June 11, 2021. Error correction may include replacing the client’s engine with a new engine in the event of a breakdown of the engine. Kia says that the installation of oil ring noise sensors is also in progress to help better control vehicle engine performance. The large-scale recall in the US has caused more or less concerns for Vietnamese consumers. Because, Kia Seltos is currently one of the best-selling cars in Vietnam. However, the unit that assembles and distributes the Kia brand, Thaco Group, said that the Seltos model in the Vietnamese market is completely out of the recall. The reason is that Kia Seltos in Vietnam does not use the same engine as the car in the US market. Specifically, the Kia Seltos versions recalled in the US are equipped with a Nu MPI 2.0L engine while the car in Vietnam uses 1.4 Turbo and 1.6L MPI engines. Kia Seltos officially launched in Vietnam at the end of July 2020. Currently, the urban SUV model has 3 versions of Deluxe, Luxury and Premium with retail prices of VND 609 million, VND 659 million and VND 729 million, respectively. Since its launch to date, Kia Seltos has regularly been in the group of 10 most popular Vietnamese car models. According to the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers Association (VAMA), a total of 3,840 Kia Seltos cars were sold in the first three months of this year. This level of sales volume helps Kia Seltos rank 6th in the 10 most expensive cars in the market.

On April 13, the US Department of Road Traffic Safety (NHTSA) issued a notice requesting a recall for Kia Seltos and Soul equipped with 2.0L Nu MPI engine. The total number of vehicles affected is 147,249 units. According to the NHTSA, the oil ring parts of the engine were not made to the correct standards and stiffer than necessary. This can wear and scratch the cylinder lining, causing lubricating oil to get into the combustion chamber. Besides the possibility of lubricating oil loss or the engine overheating, locking the cylinders, this problem can lead to a fire risk, according to NHTSA documents. Kia Vietnam has just announced the recall program of Seltos and Soul cars equipped with a 2.0L Nu MPI engine in the US, not related to the new Kia Seltos produced and distributed in the Vietnamese market. Regarding this information, on April 22, 2021, Kia Vietnam responded to the press and said the program recall car Kia Seltos In the US, according to the announcement of Kia Global on April 13, 2021, it is not related to Kia Seltos cars produced and distributed in the Vietnamese market by THACO AUTO. Specifically, the Kia Seltos versions recalled in the US are equipped with a Nu MPI 2.0L engine, while THACO AUTO produces and distributes in the Vietnamese market with 1.4 Turbo and 1.6 MPI engine options. Currently, THACO AUTO is produced and distributed in Vietnam with 3 versions: Deluxe, Luxury, and Premium with selling prices of VND 609, 659 and 729 million, respectively.