2023 Kia Seltos
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 19 of 46 complaints (41%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (3) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 72 in 2022 to 46 in 2023.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | vs. 2023 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,000–2,300 | 2,000–2,300 | 2,000–2,300 | 2,000–2,400 | 2,000–2,500 | |
| Combined MPG | 27–31 | 27–31 | 27–31 | 26–31 | 25–31 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 25–29 / 30–34 | 25–29 / 30–35 | 25–29 / 30–35 | 25–28 / 27–34 | 24–28 / 27–34 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 285–331 | 283–331 | 283–331 | 288–343 | 288–350 | |
| Complaints filed | 367 | 72 | 46 | 44 | 12 | |
| Recalls issued | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 13 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 1 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 6 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 8 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
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 Sep 16, 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: 19 of 46 NHTSA complaints (41%) 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)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (AV-S8) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 29 mpg (high) | 35 mpg (high) | 31 mpg (high) | $2,000 (low) | 283 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (AM-S7) | 4 | 1.6L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 25 mpg (low) | 30 mpg (low) | 27 mpg (low) | $2,300 (high) | 331 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (AV-S8) | 4 | 2.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 27 mpg | 31 mpg | 29 mpg | $2,150 | 314 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 19 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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 19, 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 · Aug 1, 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.