Reliable Auto DB

2023 Kia Seltos reliability

Is it reliable?

The 2023 Kia Seltos has 46 complaints with NHTSA after 4 years, or 12 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most Seltos years here — under the median of the other years, which is 15. NHTSA has 2 recalls on file, including Internal engine parts and Pump.

2021 Kia Seltos
Photo by Gold Pony, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY 3.0
Complaints

46

Per year

12

Recalls

2

Years on the road

4

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (17 of 46), then Electrical system (15) and Forward collision avoidance (4). Those filings include 4 that report a crash and 1 that reports an injury.

Next to 2022 and 2024

The 2022 Seltos has 72 complaints, 8 per year, and the 2024 has 45 complaints, 15 per year. The 2023 has more complaints per year than the 2022. The 2023 has fewer complaints per year than the 2024.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2023 Kia Seltos. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (2)

Recall engine and cooling, engine, internal engine parts 2025-02-17 · NHTSA campaign 25V099000
Summary 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. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC336.
Recall powertrain, automatic transmission, fluid, pump 2023-07-31 · NHTSA campaign 23V531000
Summary 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. 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.

Complaints by component (46 total)

Engine
17
Electrical system
15
Forward collision avoidance
4
Powertrain
4
Visibility
4
Service brakes
3
Structure
3
Visibility and wipers
3
Engine and engine cooling
2
Lane departure
2
Air bags
1
Back-over prevention
1
Seat belts
1
Steering
1
Wheels
1
Show 7 more Show less
Crash-flagged

4

Fire-flagged

0

Injury reports

1

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

32022112023102024112025112026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "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…"
    Engine · filed 2026-09-04
  • "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…"
    Engine · filed 2026-08-23
  • "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…"
    Electrical system, Unknown or other · filed 2026-06-26
  • "Paint bubbling and chipping off. Dull blotches"
    Structure, Unknown or other · filed 2026-06-22
  • "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…"
    Electrical system, Unknown or other, Engine · filed 2026-03-28

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2023 Kia Seltos SUV AWD 4 stars 4 stars 5 stars 4 stars
2023 Kia Seltos SUV FWD 4 stars 4 stars 5 stars 4 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
Seltos all-wheel drive 1.6L, 4-cyl Automatic (AM-S7) All-wheel drive 25 30 27 MPG $2400
Seltos all-wheel drive 2L, 4-cyl Automatic (AV-S8) All-wheel drive 27 31 29 MPG $2250
Seltos front-wheel drive 2L, 4-cyl Automatic (AV-S8) Front-wheel drive 29 35 31 MPG $2100

Specs and fitment

First generation, 2021–present
Oil 5W-20 (2.0 MPI US OM); 5W-30/5W-40 (1.6T chart); some caps corrected to 0W-20 (SC224) , 4.23 qt capacity
Tire size 215/55R17, 235/45R18 (trim dependent)

Known issues for this generation

First-generation US Seltos (2021-on) pair a 2.0L with IVT or a 1.6T with dual-clutch / conventional automatics depending on trim. Owner complaint themes center on CVT/IVT shudder on the naturally aspirated path and dual-clutch hesitation on turbo trims—both familiar Kia/Hyundai patterns rather than a single campaign. Confirm open NHTSA recalls on the VIN (including any dual-clutch software campaigns that apply to your transmission code) and keep oil at the 0W-20 grade on the filler cap; leave capacity null until verified against the exact US engine code in the owner’s manual.

Compare

Previous year 2022 Kia Seltos Next year 2024 Kia Seltos See every Kia Seltos model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2023 Kia Seltos reliable?

The 2023 Kia Seltos has 46 complaints with NHTSA after 4 years, or 12 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most Seltos years here — under the median of the other years, which is 15. NHTSA has 2 recalls on file, including Internal engine parts and Pump.

What are common problems with a 2023 Kia Seltos?

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (17 of 46), then Electrical system (15) and Forward collision avoidance (4). Those filings include 4 that report a crash and 1 that reports an injury.

Is the 2023 Kia Seltos more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2022 Seltos has 72 complaints, 8 per year, and the 2024 has 45 complaints, 15 per year. The 2023 has more complaints per year than the 2022. The 2023 has fewer complaints per year than the 2024.

Has the 2023 Kia Seltos been recalled?

The 2023 Kia Seltos has 2 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2023 Kia Seltos?

Owners have filed 46 complaints about the 2023 Kia Seltos with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2023 Kia Seltos get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2023 Kia Seltos is 29 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What oil does a Kia Seltos take?

US 2021 owner’s manual lists SAE 5W-20 for the Nu 2.0 MPI and SAE 5W-30/5W-40 for the 1.6 T-GDI viscosity chart. Kia service campaign SC224 corrected some early filler caps that incorrectly said 5W-20 when the correct marking was SAE 0W-20. Confirm the filler-cap grade and manual for your VIN.

What tire sizes does the US Kia Seltos use?

US 2021 owner’s manual lists 215/55R17 and 235/45R18 depending on trim/wheel package.

What powertrains does the first-generation US Seltos offer?

A 2.0L with IVT or a 1.6T with dual-clutch / conventional automatics depending on trim. Owner complaint themes include CVT/IVT shudder on the NA path and dual-clutch hesitation on turbo trims.