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11 known problems · 1 high
high
Piston-ring defect / engine failure recall (2020-2022)
2.0L G4NA MPi petrol (S / Sport / Sport+)
medium
Oil consumption between services
2.0L G4NA MPi petrol (S / Sport / Sport+)
medium
Dual-clutch (DCT) low-speed hesitation / judder and failure
1.6L G4FJ T-GDi turbo petrol (GT)
Recalls
1 on recordREC-006395
2025-07-30
Defect: The piston rings fitted to certain 2.0L Petrol MPI engines may not meet manufacturing specifications.
Hazard: This could cause engine failure and vehicle stalling.
Remedy: Contact your preferred Kia dealer to have the engine inspected and replaced if damaged, free of charge; an ECU software update will also be applied as an early-warning monitoring tool.
Affected: 9,534 units, BD Cerato and SP2 Seltos, 2020-2022, 2.0L Petrol MPI engine
Official notice: www.vehiclerecalls.gov.au · details checked 2026-09-29
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Before and after
Before: Cerato YD (2013-2018)
After: Kia K4 (2024/2025-)
Price (AUD)
$15k-$35k
Body styles
4-door sedan, 5-door hatch
Drivetrain
Front-wheel drive (FWD)
Origin
Korea
Built in
Korea
Overview
Sold in Australia as S, Sport, Sport+ and the warm-hatch/sedan GT, in identically priced sedan and hatch body styles, with a substantial facelift in mid-2021 (sharper styling, updated infotainment and safety). Two engines were offered: the bread-and-butter 2.0L G4NA 'Nu' naturally aspirated four (112kW/192Nm, 6-speed manual or 6-speed torque-converter auto) across S/Sport/Sport+, and the 1.6L G4FJ 'Gamma' turbo (150kW/265Nm) with a 7-speed dual-clutch in the GT. The big buyer caveat is the 2020-2022 2.0L piston-ring manufacturing defect: Kia recalled 9534 Cerato/Seltos (recall REC-006395) for potential abnormal engine wear, oil burning, stalling and even fire risk, with engine replacement and an ECU monitoring update as the remedy - so verifying recall completion is essential on those years. Otherwise the BD is a sensible, well-equipped small car backed by Kia's 7-year unlimited-km warranty; the GT's DCT and the Nu's oil appetite are the things to check, not deal-breakers.
Engines & variants
2.0L G4NA MPi petrol (S / Sport / Sport+)
Engine
2.0L Nu MPi naturally aspirated DOHC I4 (multi-point injection)
Engine code
Config
I4 NA
Displacement
1999cc
Power
112kW @ 6200rpm
Torque
192Nm @ 4000rpm
Drivetrain
Front-wheel drive (FWD)
Economy
7.4 L/100km combined (claimed)
Transmission
6MT, 6AT
Timing chain / belt / gear
Chain-driven
Pros
- Simple, port-injected NA engine - no GDi carbon issues, cheap to run
- Conventional 6-speed torque-converter auto is smooth and durable
- Adequate around town and easy to service
- Backed by Kia's 7-year unlimited-km warranty
Cons
- 2020-2022 builds subject to the piston-ring engine-failure recall (REC-006395)
- Known to burn oil between services on some examples
- Modest performance - works hard when loaded or on hills
- Less refined and slower than the GT's turbo
Known problems
high
Piston-ring defect / engine failure recall (2020-2022)
Piston rings on certain 2020-2022 2.0L engines were out of manufacturing spec, risking abnormal wear, oil burning, stalling and even fire. Kia recalled 9534 Cerato/Seltos in Australia (REC-006395), replacing damaged engines and applying an ECU update to monitor for early failure signs.
Fix: Confirm recall REC-006395 has been completed (engine inspected/replaced + ECU monitoring update); buy with documented recall completion.
medium
Oil consumption between services
The Nu family has a documented tendency to consume oil with no visible external leak; owners can find the dipstick 1-2 litres low between services, which is also an early warning sign of the piston-ring issue.
Fix: Check oil level regularly between services; if consumption is heavy, have it assessed under warranty/recall before damage occurs.
low
Cold-start timing chain rattle / valve-cover seepage
Higher-km Nu engines can develop a brief cold-start chain rattle and minor valve-cover gasket oil seepage.
Fix: Use correct-grade oil and stick to service intervals; replace valve-cover gasket and inspect chain tensioner if rattle persists.
1.6L G4FJ T-GDi turbo petrol (GT)
Engine
1.6L Gamma T-GDi turbocharged direct-injection DOHC I4
Engine code
Config
I4 turbo
Displacement
1591cc
Power
150kW @ 6000rpm
Torque
265Nm @ 1500-4500rpm
Drivetrain
Front-wheel drive (FWD)
Economy
6.8-7.4 L/100km combined (claimed)
Transmission
7DCT
Timing chain / belt / gear
Chain-driven
Pros
- Genuinely quick warm-hatch/sedan - 150kW/265Nm with strong mid-range
- DCT is fast and economical when working properly
- Better-equipped GT spec with sportier chassis tune
- Not affected by the 2.0L piston-ring recall
Cons
- 7-speed dry DCT can be hesitant/jerky at low speed and in traffic
- GDi direct injection prone to intake-valve carbon build-up over time
- Turbo Gamma engines can develop oil consumption with age
- Requires premium fuel and quality oil for long turbo life
Known problems
medium
Dual-clutch (DCT) low-speed hesitation / judder and failure
The 7-speed dry dual-clutch can feel jerky, hesitant or shudder when crawling, hill-starting or parking; worn clutch packs or a faulty mechatronic/actuator can progress to limp mode or failure.
Fix: Apply Kia software/clutch-relearn updates first; replace clutch pack or actuator if shudder/slip persists. Test-drive extensively in stop-start traffic before buying.
medium
GDi intake-valve carbon build-up
Direct-injection means no fuel washes the intake valves, so carbon accumulates over time, causing rough running, misfires and lost performance.
Fix: Walnut-blast / chemical intake clean periodically; a catch-can reduces build-up.
medium
Turbo oil feed / seal and oil consumption
Gamma turbo engines can consume oil and, if oil quality/level is neglected, suffer restricted turbo oil feed or internal turbo seal leaks leading to premature turbo wear.
Fix: Use correct-grade oil, change on schedule, let the turbo idle-cool after hard runs; monitor oil level and address consumption early.