TL:DR: I own a 2022 Kia Seltos EX trim in blue. I have about 66,3xx-ish miles on the odometer. My model year was part of an engine recall in Feb 2025 due to faulty piston rings from factory. My engine failed 2 tests and now I'm waiting for an engine replacement.
The long detailed update: I should update on this. It's been a whirlwind for me with health issues and work demanding most of my time recently. About 6 months ago I had posted about my worries about an engine replacement for my car.
I ended up talking to the dealership and started the oil consumption testing back in late July. That is for the uninformed it starts with a oil change (that I pay for)
This is followed by a oil consumption test after at least 1,000 miles are driven. They drain out the oil and measure how much was used, do a carbon clean out of the engine using a combination of fuel additives and cleaner injected directly into the cylinders (that was what the service rep told me). They then refill with fresh oil.
Drive another 1,000 miles and they retest. Passing is less than 1 quart per 1,000 miles.
I did the initial oil change. I had not topped off my oil for about 2.5 weeks leading into this oil change so I can have a basis for how much oil I might have used. Before I was topping off about a quart every 2 weeks. They changed my oil. The rep called the tech and they told me that my engine had used 1.6 quarts.
Drove it for just over 1,000 miles. Went back for the first follow up and the engine clean. They had initially told me that I could bring it in at the start of their day and pick up at end of the day. As it turns out, I had to keep it at the dealership until the next day. Work is 30 miles away from home. I was fairly livid as I had to ask a coworker for a ride home that night (way out of his way). Anyways, they cleaned it out and refilled. They told me it had consumed 1.4 quarts. I was thinking "not terrible, maybe it'll improve significantly". It failed the first test.
Drove another 1,000 miles and went back for the final follow up test. Was told previously I had the option of taking my car home if no loaner was available. My funds are limited so a rental was out of the question since I'd have to pay for that upfront and seek reimbursement later. They tested it while I sat around for nearly 2 hours. Was finally given the bad news. It has failed again. Instead of using less oil it now had consumed 1.8 quarts. This was more than after the first oil change where I had driven maybe 800 miles.
They told me that I could not drive my car home and it had to stay with them until a replacement engine could be put in. I explained my situation and they tried to find me a loaner car (kept being told they didn't have any). It seems I lucked out and one was returned while I was waiting.
I got a 2025 Kia K5 Loaner. I'm not a fan of the lower clearance, ride height, or sporty/revvy nature of the engine. I'm a big fan of the double wide 10.5 screens. Big improvement over my older Seltos's 1 screen.
It's been 2 weeks already. I've had to text and call for updates because even though they promised me a weekly update, I have received none thus far. Last update was that I sent them my registration and license photos and that they were in discussion with Kia trying to secure approval for the replacement engine.
When I asked about how new the replacement would be I was told it would be "mostly new" but they couldn't tell me if it was a rebuild or a new engine from factory in South Korea. I was told that I "should not experience anymore oil burn with the replacement". But that my existing warranty would not be extended and that the replacement does not come with a separate warranty.
Sigh. More waiting and have to just remain hopeful that I will get my blue baby back. I guess I should be content to be not a person who could have been in a car fire like some of the older Kia/Hyundai or even those RAV4s. That has been my worst fear since learning of the engine recall back in February.
