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2023 Kia Seltos

Gas
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
3 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
C
Safety Signal
70 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
Recalls2 critical2
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA46
Crash ratingNHTSA overall4★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA31 mpg
2027202620252024202320222021
Active NHTSA advisory: park outside and away from structures until repaired. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and see the recall details below.

The 2023 Kia Seltos is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact SUV with 3 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Seltos FWD, is EPA-rated at 31 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year, 2 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of C. Owners have filed 46 complaints, most often about the engine. NHTSA crash-tested it at 4 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
Seltos FWDGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl293531$2,000
Seltos AWDGasAWD2.0L 4-cyl273129$2,150
Seltos AWDGasAWD1.6L 4-cyl turbo253027$2,300

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 45244, 45249, 45248.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2023 Kia Seltos is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

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Recalls (2)

Source: NHTSA recall database
!critical

Engine And Engine Cooling

SC336
137,256 vehicles
ProblemKia 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.RiskEngine damage can cause a vehicle stall or fire, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.FixDealers 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.
NHTSA campaign 25V099000reported Feb 17, 2025Kia America, Inc.
!critical

Power Train

SC275
Park outside39,765 vehicles
ProblemKia 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.RiskAn electric oil pump assembly that overheats increases the risk of a vehicle fire.FixOwners 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 campaign 23V531000reported Jul 31, 2023Kia America, Inc.

NHTSA defect investigations

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Hard Parts Internal/Mechanical — Kia 25V099 Piston Oil Ring Recall Effectiveness closed

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 requesting: 1) why the inspection test was revised from requiring a ‘cold’ engine to a ‘warm’ en

Opened Aug 6, 2025 · closed Dec 18, 2025 · action AQ25001

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
46complaints filed

4 involved a crash · 0 a fire · 3 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2022: 3 · 2023: 11 · 2024: 10 · 2025: 11 · 2026: 11

Most-cited components

Unspecified17
Engine17
Electrical System15
Forward Collision Avoidance5
Visibility4
Power Train4

What owners describe

“Bought my 2023 Kia seltos new, Been driving it and maintaining the maintaince myself. Vehical has 58,000 Miles still under the warranty. Did my normal oil change only to have it start blowing smoke out of the exhaust. Took it into the dealer for service only to be told that the Rings are failing. that i need a new engi…”Mar 27, 2025 · Engine · NHTSA owner report
“I purchased my vehicle in mid June 2024 used from the dealership. I purchased extended warranty although my vehicle still had original warranty. On [XXX], my parents 50th anniversary party. I packed my car and left my house. Vehicle drove fine, but my husband called me worried stated that after I left our driveway that…”Mar 3, 2025 · Service Brakes · NHTSA owner report
“Dear, I own a 2024 Kia Seltos and have experienced a recurring issue. While driving, I stopped at a red light, and the vehicle's automatic stop system activated as usual. However, when the light changed and I pressed the accelerator, the vehicle completely shut down. To restart it, I had to turn the key to the "Off" po…”Jan 10, 2025 · Engine · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
SUV AWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆15%
SUV FWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆17%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program. Standard driver-assist: forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking.

Other Seltos model years

A

2027 Kia Seltos

0 recalls · 0 complaints

A

2026 Kia Seltos

0 recalls · 4 complaints

A

2025 Kia Seltos

0 recalls · 12 complaints

C

2024 Kia Seltos

2 recalls · 43 complaints

B

2022 Kia Seltos

1 recalls · 72 complaints

C

2021 Kia Seltos

2 recalls · 365 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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