Most common 2023 Kia Seltos problems
Share of the 47 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Kia Seltos complaints by model year
Best Seltos years: 2023, 2025. Years to avoid: 2024. Compare all years →
2023 Kia Seltos recalls (2)
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.
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.
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.
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2023 Kia Seltos:
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.
What 2023 Kia Seltos owners say
Engine & cooling all 20 →
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 is a lot of stopping, reversing, going forward. Again, I took my foot off the brake and the accelerator sensor sent my car speeding into the car parked in front of me. I did serious damage to my neighbor's car and go mine. I can turn off this feature, which I now do.
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 with NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V099000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 62,000.
Electrical 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 diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 39,313.
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Seltos. The contact stated that while parallel parking her vehicle, the vehicle independently accelerated backward while in the reverse(R) position and crashed into a barrier. The contact did not sustain any injuries as a result of the failure. A police report was filed at the scene. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to a dealer where it remained in the dealer's possession. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
Windows, wipers & sunroof
On Saturday, December 24th of 2022, the right driver passenger window randomly shattered, the car windows were perfectly fine on Friday, December 23rd . The had been sitting parked in the parking lot in front our house, off and unharmed; which was confirmed by our cameras. The right driver passenger window is composed of tempered glass, and currently the shattered glass is being held together by the tint that was on the window.Yes, the car is available for inspection upon request. As of now my Kia Seltos 2023, is inoperable due to the window being shattered. My safety is impacted because, I do not feel comfortable driving a vehicle were the Widows can shatter randomly. I do not feel comfortable driving the car until all of the windows are inspected for defects. This is unfortunate given that this is what I use for my primary transportation to work and school. …
After purchasing my 2023 KIA SELTOS, I noticed a very distracting glare in the front windshield. A large portion of the dashboard reflects into the windshield which is especially risky when driving while facing in the direction of the sunlight. I contacted the dealership almost immediately and explained that there is a terrible glare in the windshield. I asked if it's because the little black dots around the rear view mirror are predominantly on one side and he said, "No, that's how they all are". I've never driven a vehicle before with such a bad reflection that I felt it is not safe. This reflection was not noted during the test drive because it was overcast that day. The dealer never mentioned any distracting reflection.
2023 Kia Seltos engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl | CVT | FWD | 29 / 35 / 31 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | CVT | AWD | 27 / 31 / 29 |
| 1.6L 4-cyl turbo | 7-speed dual-clutch | AWD | 25 / 30 / 27 |
EPA ratings. Class: Small SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2023 Kia Seltos a good car?
Based on 47 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2023 Seltos rates better than average: 52% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Seltos at the same age. It is one of the best Seltos years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2023 Kia Seltos?
The engine & cooling — 20 complaints, 43% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the electrical system (16) and windows, wipers & sunroof (6).
How many recalls does the 2023 Kia Seltos have?
There are 2 recalls for the 2023 Kia Seltos, the most recent from February 17, 2025 (hard parts internal/mechanical). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Kia Seltos?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2023 and 2025. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2024. See the full Kia Seltos years comparison.
At what mileage do 2023 Kia Seltos problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 62,000 miles; 50% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.