NHTSA Complaint #11699015 — 2021 KIA SELTOS

My 2021 Kia Seltos with the 1.6L turbo engine is burning an excessive amount of oil — about one quart every 800–1000 miles — and is showing blue smoke from the exhaust. A certified technician indicated that the likely cause is faulty piston rings, which is a known issue on this engine and has led to engine replacements in other Kia vehicles. The vehicle was purchased as a Certified Pre-Owned Kia, and I have maintained it properly. Despite this, Kia and the dealership and the certified preowned warranty company have denied warranty coverage, calling it "oil consumption," even though the oil loss is clearly excessive and mechanical in nature. This defect poses a potential safety hazard, as engine failure or oil-related fires could occur if the engine runs low on oil while driving. There are many similar reports online from 2021 Kia Seltos owners experiencing the same problem. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate this issue and require Kia to address these engine defects, as they appear to be widespread and potentially dangerous.