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Owner report · 2023 model year

2023 Kia Seltos

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2023 Kia Seltos
Crash-test image: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), U.S. Department of Transportation.

The Verdict

Worst problem area

Engine

Engine leads by volume: 20 of 47 complaints (43%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (3) than those mentioning any other identified area.

Complaints filed fell from 76 in 2022 to 47 in 2023.

Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology

At a glance

NHTSA complaints
47
Recall campaigns
2
EPA fuel cost per year
$2,000–$2,300
Combined MPG
27–31

Complaints by model year

  1. 3822021
  2. 762022
  3. 472023
  4. 472024
  5. 132025

Where owners report problems

  1. Engine20 (43%)
  2. Other17 (36%)
  3. Electrical16 (34%)
  4. Visibility & Lighting6 (13%)
  5. Driver Assistance & Speed Control5 (11%)
  6. Brakes4 (9%)
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Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History

Fuel cost, fuel economy, and complaint history by model-yearScroll sideways to see all 5 years. Fuel figures show the range across trims for years with more than one EPA-rated configuration.Also cataloged for 2023: 1 configuration(s) of a different vehicle class, excluded from the comparison bar only (but included in the figures above).
Category20212022202320242025vs. 2023 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Annual fuel cost ($)2,000–2,3002,000–2,3002,000–2,3002,000–2,4002,000–2,500
Combined MPG27–3127–3127–3126–3125–31
City / Highway MPG25–29 / 30–3425–29 / 30–3525–29 / 30–3525–28 / 27–3424–28 / 27–34
CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi)285–331283–331283–331288–343288–350
Complaints filed38276474713Not compared
Recalls issued21220Not compared
Crash-involved complaints136441Not compared
Fire-involved complaints63010Not compared
Injuries reported82320Not compared
Deaths reported00000Not compared
Configurations compared22222

Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.

Common questions

How many recalls does the 2023 Kia Seltos have?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Nov 7, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.

What is the most common complaint about the 2023 Kia Seltos?

Engine: 20 of 47 NHTSA complaints (43%) mention it.

What gas mileage does the 2023 Kia Seltos get?

EPA rates it 27–31 MPG combined.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2023 Kia Seltos?

EPA estimates $2,000–$2,300 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.

Similar Vehicles

EPA-Rated Configurations (3)

Every EPA-rated configuration on this page, one row each.A number tagged (low) or (high) is this page’s own cost-table figure of that name, above.
ConfigurationTransmissionCylindersDisplacementDrivetrainFuel TypeVehicle ClassCityHighwayCombinedAnnual Fuel CostCO₂
Configuration 1Automatic (AV-S8)42.0LFront-Wheel DriveRegularSmall Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD29 mpg (high)35 mpg (high)31 mpg (high)$2,000 (low)283 g/mi (low)
Configuration 2Automatic (AM-S7)41.6LAll-Wheel DriveRegularSmall Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD25 mpg (low)30 mpg (low)27 mpg (low)$2,300 (high)331 g/mi (high)
Configuration 3Automatic (AV-S8)42.0LAll-Wheel DriveRegularSmall Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD27 mpg31 mpg29 mpg$2,150314 g/mi

Complaints by Category

Complaints by category, in the same fixed order on every page
CategoryComplaintsCrash-InvolvedFire-InvolvedInjuriesDeaths
Engine201000
Transmission & Drivetrain40000
Fuel System00000
Electrical161000
Brakes41000
Steering10000
Suspension, Wheels & Tires10000
Airbags & Restraints22030
Driver Assistance & Speed Control51000
Body, Seats & Latches30000
Visibility & Lighting60000
Other170000

A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.

Recalls (2)

  • ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL

    Campaign 25V099000 · Feb 17, 2025

    Defect
    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.

  • POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:FLUID/LUBRICANT:PUMP

    Campaign 23V531000 · Jul 31, 2023

    Defect
    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.