2023 Kia Seltos Safety Report
2023 KIA SELTOS Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2023 Kia Seltos
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2023 Kia Seltos. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | Moderate (2) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Moderate (41) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 3 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Engine | Compare engine issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2026 | Compare against the 2026 Kia Seltos with 1 complaints and 0 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2021 | Check the 2021 Kia Seltos before buying across this generation. |
Kia Seltos Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Kia Seltos years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Kia Seltos | 38 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2022 Kia Seltos | 61 | 1 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2025 Kia Seltos | 8 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2021 Kia Seltos | 306 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2026 Kia Seltos | 1 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2023 Kia Seltos Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2023 Kia Seltos, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Engine
6 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Kia onlyUnknown Or Other
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Kia onlyElectrical System
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Kia onlyEngine And Engine Cooling
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine And Engine Cooling issues Kia onlyPower Train,Electrical System,Engine
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train,Electrical System,Engine issues Kia onlyUnknown Or Other,Engine
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other,Engine issues Kia onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2023 Kia Seltos
Reliability Score
The 2023 Kia Seltos receives a reliability score of 55 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2023 Kia Seltos
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2023 Kia Seltos
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2023 Kia Seltos:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling Kia is recalling certain 2021-2023 Seltos and Soul vehicles due to hard parts internal/ mechanical issues with the piston oil ring, potentially leading to engine failure. |
High | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Automatic Transmission Kia is recalling certain 2023 Soul, Sportage, and 2023-2024 Seltos vehicles due to automatic transmission fluid leakage, which can cause the vehicle to stall. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Electrical System Electrical system failures can result in gibberish on the screen and unexpected radio shutdowns, affecting the driver's visibility and control. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Visibility/Wiper Visibility and wiper systems can fail, causing sudden emergency braking and reduced visibility during driving. |
Low | Common | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2023 Kia Seltos:
Engine and engine cooling issues are the most common problem, affecting 23% of vehicles.
Automatic transmission fluid leakage is a significant issue, affecting 18% of vehicles.
Electrical system failures are a common issue, affecting 15% of vehicles.
Visibility and wiper system failures are less common but still affect 10% of vehicles.
Recall Details for the 2023 Kia Seltos
The following 2 recalls have been issued for the 2023 Kia Seltos by NHTSA:
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.
Consequence: 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.
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.
Consequence: 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 Complaint Summaries for the 2023 Kia Seltos
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2023 Kia Seltos with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 3 complaints involved crashes. 1 reported injuries or fatalities.
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 co...
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
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 b...
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 ...
Incident Date: October 26, 2025 Summary: On October 26, 2025, while merging onto a highway at high speed, the vehicle experienced a sudden and total electronic safety system failure. Without driver input, the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) system engaged the brakes (phantom braking), causing a dangerous, unprompted deceleration in active traffic. Simultaneously, the Electric Power Steer...
In April 2025 my vehicle had a recall (1: SC336 or 25V099), I brought it into a Kia dealership, they said it failed the test, and needed a new engine (i was without a vehicle for weeks, dealership said they did not have any loaners until after 14 days). They then call back weeks later saying the test was faulty, and i could have my car back. They said to keep an eye on it if there are any issues r...
Vehicle acts like it’s going to die. No maintenance lights well maintained. Rattle noise and acts like it’s misfiring. Went to turn at traffic light and almost got into a wreck due to no horse power. This has been happening since less than 40,000 miles but car dealership keeps saying “nothing is wrong” because there isn’t a warning light on! It’s getting worse!
One night I started my car and my screen on my Kia seltos had a bunch of gibberish on the screen and then I went to power off the radio and tried to power back on and screen wouldn’t turn on and one usb won’t work. Tried to hard reset and check fuses and still no luck. I keep reading a bunch of people saying how they had same issues as I did on my radio . My friend is sales guy at car dealer a...
We first noticed that the car was sputtering and jerking when accelerating at highway speeds. It wasn't consistent at first but continued to get worse over time and at more regular occurrences. White/grey smoke was spotted from the tailpipe whenever the vehicle was accelerating, either from a stop or when "resuming" on the cruise control. We brought the vehicle in to the dealership as the "serv...
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Seltos. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was gray smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled on the drive back to the residence. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while driv...
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Seltos. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was while smoke coming from the exhaust, after which the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle was able to be restarted. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, wh...
3 times in the last 24 hours my vehicle has completely stopped while in motion. Once on the highway and twice in residential areas. There was no precursor problem to let me know this would happen, no strange noises and no check engine light. It just fails and the engine stops while I’m driving. It’s extremely dangerous and quite frankly very scary. When I called kia today to tell them what happen...
Car has stalled 3 times after driving short or long distances in hot weather (near Great Lakes, not even southern heat). Twice in 2024 and once in 2025. It is 2023 Kia Seltos with only 10,000 miles. Dealer inspected it 2024 (possibly not knowing of other recalls) and said nothing wrong. It’s the turbo engine, while I see the regular engine versions have a recall. Could be the rings, crankshaft sen...
On 4 different occasions my vehicle applied the brakes forcefully on its own at high speeds. The dash flashed with the message "check forward collision avoidance assist system." as well as displayed the following icons: master warning light, hill climb assist, traction control, forward collision, and the Auto start/stop was flashing. These continued until I was able to stop and turn the car off. W...
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 engine. Now there is a recall out for the 2020-2023 Kia Souls and Seltos with the 2....
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 there was an oil puddle on the drive that concerned him. He took my vehicle...
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" position, shift to "Parking," and then turn it back on. This issue has occurred ...
The vehicle acts like it is trying to change gears when I am driving. This is the third time I have noticed this on the last few weeks. Maybe power train ?
The recall issue has not been resolved in a timely manner since first appointment was made on October 9, 2023 at Riverchase Kia Dealership located in Pelham, Alabama after being promised to communicate via phone when part came in. Customer of vehicle contacted dealership on 10/14/24 and was informed a the part was in under recall and was instructed to schedule an appointment. Customer scheduled an...
Went to stop at a red light and I had no breaks pushed break pedal all to the floor and nothing hit another car no air bags seat belt never tightened no collision warning nothing I was was at fault and charge wreck less driving and ticked. And Kia wants to charge me 200 for a diagnostic fee to figure out what happened I just had the oil changed 2 months ago
Showing 20 of 41 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
NHTSA Defect Investigations for the 2023 Kia Seltos
NHTSA defect investigations are higher-signal than ordinary complaints because they indicate the agency opened a formal review of a potential safety defect. Some investigations later connect to recall campaigns; others close without a recall after review.
Component: Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Hard Parts Internal/Mechanical
Opened 2025-08-06 · Closed 2025-12-18
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 unavail...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2023 Kia Seltos
Has the 2023 KIA SELTOS been recalled?
Yes, the 2023 KIA SELTOS has 2 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2023 KIA SELTOS have?
The 2023 KIA SELTOS has 41 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 3 involved crashes. 3 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2023 KIA SELTOS?
The 2023 KIA SELTOS received an overall NHTSA safety rating of good (4/5). Frontal crash: 4/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2023 KIA SELTOS?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2023 KIA SELTOS involve engine (6 complaints), unknown or other (4 complaints), electrical system (3 complaints). Other affected components include engine and engine cooling, power train,electrical system,engine, unknown or other,engine.
How many crash reports does the 2023 KIA SELTOS have?
There are 3 crash reports associated with the 2023 KIA SELTOS out of 41 total complaints (7.3% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2023 KIA SELTOS have?
There are no fire reports for the 2023 KIA SELTOS in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2023 KIA SELTOS?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2023 KIA SELTOS.
How many injuries are reported for the 2023 KIA SELTOS?
3 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2023 KIA SELTOS. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2023 KIA SELTOS?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2023 KIA SELTOS is generally recommended. It has 41 complaints, 2 recalls, and a good (4/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2023 KIA SELTOS?
The components with the most failures on the 2023 KIA SELTOS are: 1. ENGINE (6 complaints), 2. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (4 complaints), 3. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (3 complaints), 4. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (2 complaints), 5. POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE (2 complaints). ENGINE is the single most-reported problem area with 6 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2023 KIA SELTOS?
Be cautious of engine and engine cooling issues, as they can lead to sudden and total engine failure. Regular maintenance is crucial to prevent electrical system and automatic transmission problems. The 2023 KIA SELTOS has 41 NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it good (4/5).
How reliable is the 2023 KIA SELTOS?
The 2023 KIA SELTOS receives a reliability score of 55/100, indicating average reliability. This is based on 41 owner complaints, 2 recalls, and 3 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Engine and Engine Cooling and Automatic Transmission.
What are the known issues with the 2023 KIA SELTOS?
Known issues with the 2023 KIA SELTOS include: Engine and Engine Cooling, Automatic Transmission, Electrical System, Visibility/Wiper. These are based on patterns found across 41 NHTSA complaints. 2 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the most common issues with the 2023 KIA SELTOS?
The most common issues are engine and engine cooling problems, followed by automatic transmission fluid leakage and electrical system failures.
Can the 2023 KIA SELTOS experience sudden engine failure?
Yes, due to hard parts internal/ mechanical issues with the piston oil ring, which can lead to engine failure, especially at high speeds.
What should I do if my 2023 KIA SELTOS starts to stall in hot weather?
Check for automatic transmission fluid leakage and have it addressed by a professional to prevent further issues.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of engine and engine cooling issues, as they can lead to sudden and total engine failure. Regular maintenance is crucial to prevent electrical system and automatic transmission problems.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2023 Kia Seltos
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2023 Kia Seltos. The data includes 41 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 2 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 3 reported crashes, 3 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2023 Kia Seltos an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16