2023 KIA Seltos Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Seltos years
- More complaints than other years 3rd of 7 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 2 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- 4 out of 5 stars
Owners have filed 46 complaints with NHTSA about the 2023 KIA Seltos. That ranks 3rd out of 7 Seltos model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is engine (17 complaints, 37%), typically at around 40,150 miles. Complaints mention 4 crashes, 3 injuries. There are 2 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation involving it.
- 46owner complaints
- 2safety recalls
- 1NHTSA investigations
- 4complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2023 KIA Seltos problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 17 | 37% | 40,150 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 17 | 37% | — | — | — |
| Electrical System | 15 | 33% | 39,313 | — | — |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 4 | 9% | — | — | — |
| Power Train | 4 | 9% | — | — | — |
| Visibility | 4 | 9% | — | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 3 | 7% | — | — | — |
| Structure | 3 | 7% | — | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 3 | 7% | — | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 2 | 4% | 62,000 | — | — |
| Lane Departure | 2 | 4% | — | — | — |
| Air Bags | 1 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Back Over Prevention | 1 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Steering | 1 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Wheels | 1 | 2% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2023 KIA Seltos recalls (2)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Engine and engine cooling:engine:hard parts internal/mechanical
Problem: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Seltos and Soul vehicles. The piston oil rings may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in engine damage.
Risk: Engine damage can cause a vehicle stall or fire, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Dealers will also install piston-ring noise sensing system (PNSS) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 4, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC336.
Power train:automatic transmission:fluid/lubricant:pumpPark outside
Problem: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Soul, Sportage, and 2023-2024 Seltos vehicles. The electronic controller for the Idle Stop & Go oil pump assembly may contain damaged electrical components that can cause the pump to overheat.
Risk: An electric oil pump assembly that overheats increases the risk of a vehicle fire.
Fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect and replace the electric oil pump controller, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 28, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC275.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Kia 25V099 Piston Oil Ring Recall Effectiveness (AQ25001) — opened Aug 6, 2025, closed Dec 18, 2025.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
Car was taken In for service and tech noted was low on oil and looked as if was burning oil and advised of a recall. My VIN for my 2023 didnât come back as effected but clearly is having same issue as the recall on the others with same year and make.
I had two incidents with the Kia listed above involving the feature where the engine stops when at a light, and then turns back on when foot is removed from brake. The first instance happened in a parking lot while I was maneuvering into a spot. The accelerator sensor sent my car forward at a high…
To the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), I am writing to formally submit a safety complaint regarding my 2023 Kia Seltos, which exhibits a recurring, dangerous defect involving the engine stalling without warning. This defect results in a total loss of power while the vehicle…
Paint bubbling and chipping off. Dull blotches
The gages fall all the way down, Iâm not able to accelerate, engine light, traction light, tire pressure light, crash detection light, and other lights come on and prevents me from being able to drive. This happened on the interstate and almost caused an accident.
Other KIA Seltos years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 Seltos | 1 | 0 |
| 2026 Seltos | 4 | 0 |
| 2025 Seltos | 13 | 0 |
| 2024 Seltos | 46 | 2 |
| 2023 | 46 | 2 |
| 2022 Seltos | 74 | 1 |
| 2021 Seltos | 376 | 2 |
See all KIA Seltos problems by year, every KIA model, or the KIA VIN decoder.
Similar KIA models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2023 KIA Seltos?
Owners most often report engine, unknown or other, electrical system problems. The top one, engine, accounts for 17 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2023 KIA Seltos?
Yes, 2 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2023 KIA Seltos a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Seltos model years, the 2023 has more complaints than most years, and NHTSA rates it 4 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.