2023 Kia Seltos problems, complaints & recalls

Updated Oct 10, 2026 from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 46 complaints with NHTSA about the 2023 Kia Seltos, most often about engine. There are 2 recalls for this model year.

Complaints: 46
Recalls: 2
Crashes: 4
Fires: 0
Injuries: 3
Median mileage: 50,656 mi

Safety warning: at least one recall for this vehicle tells owners to park outside until it is repaired. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Key facts

Engine is the most-reported problem area, named in 19 of 46 complaints (41%).
Electrical System (15) and visibility & wipers (6) follow.
Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 50,656 mi.
Owners reported 4 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries.
The 2023 Kia Seltos has 2 recalls on file.
NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation covering this vehicle.
It ranks 3rd of 7 Kia Seltos model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
That is 38% fewer complaints than the 2022 model year (74).

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)	Complaints
Engine	17
Unknown or other	17
Electrical system	14
Power train	4
Visibility/wiper	3
Forward collision avoidance: warnings	3
Service brakes	3
Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking	2

When problems happen (mileage)

Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2023 Kia Seltos complaints that list mileage.

2023 Kia Seltos recalls (2)

Recall 25V099000Feb 17, 2025137,256 vehicles
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL
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.
Remedy: 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.
Recall 23V531000Jul 31, 202339,765 vehiclesPark outside
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:FLUID/LUBRICANT:PUMP
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.
Remedy: 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.

NHTSA defect investigations

AQ25001Opened Aug 6, 2025Closed Dec 18, 2025
Kia 25V099 Piston Oil Ring Recall Effectiveness
On August 6, 2025, the Office of Defect Investigation (ODI) opened Audit Query (AQ) 25001 to assess the implementation of Kia America, Inc.’s (Kia) remedy program for Safety Recall 25V099, involving incorrectly manufactured piston oil rings which may damage the engine causing a loss of motive power or fire. This AQ was opened in response to consumer complaints alleging of an ineffective remedy, inconsistent inspection results to determine whether an engine replacement was needed, and the unavailability of recall remedies. On August 11, 2025, an Information Request (IR) was issued to Kia reques…

Recent 2023 Kia Seltos complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Filed Sep 4, 2026MOEngine
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 didn’t come back as effected but clearly is having same issue as the recall on the others with same year and make.
NHTSA complaint #11762198 · source
Filed Aug 23, 2026ILCrashEngine
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 rate of speed, and I missed a brick wall by inches. The second incident was much the same, maneuvering into a parking spot in my apartment building. Spaces are very tight and there…
NHTSA complaint #11758909 · source
Filed Jun 26, 2026PAElectrical SystemOther / Unknown
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 is in operation or attempting to accelerate, posing a critical safety risk. The failure manifests in two primary scenarios: * **Remote Start Failure:** The vehicle frequently…
NHTSA complaint #11746839 · source
Filed Mar 28, 2026FLElectrical SystemEngineOther / Unknown
The gages fall all the way down, I’m 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.
NHTSA complaint #11727703 · source
Filed Mar 14, 2026NYDriver Assistance & Safety Tech
Driving 65mph on [XXX] and all the lights came on flashing and alerting me causing the emergency braking to occur while driving causing me to swerve on the road and lucky I didn’t crash but i had my [XXX] old in the car and it scared the hell out of me, on top of all that my horn gave out and hasn’t worked since that incident and now all the lights are off and I don’t even get the beeping for coming to close to another car anymore it’s like I lost all safety features plan to…
NHTSA complaint #11724334 · source
Filed Mar 14, 2026NYEngine
Car burns/ consumes oil constantly having to top off 2-3 quarts every 1,000 miles maybe even less I do my oil change every 3,000 miles Kia auto contract state I need to do oil change every 5,000
NHTSA complaint #11724333 · source
Filed Mar 3, 202662,000 miWVTowedEngine
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Seltos. The contact stated that while driving at 10 MPH, there was an abnormal fuel odor coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was stopped, and the contact became aware of smoke coming from the engine compartment. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the catalytic converter, turbo, and engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact associated the failure…
NHTSA complaint #11721825 · source
Filed Feb 27, 202639,313 miNCElectrical System
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Seltos. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the tachometer went to zero and remained at zero while the vehicle was still accelerating. The contact stated that the transmission unexpectedly downshifted into a lower gear. There was an unknown message displayed. The contact stated that the screen was black while operating, and the passenger’s side air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not…
NHTSA complaint #11720924 · source

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Other 2023 Kia models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology