2023 Kia Seltos: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2023 Kia Seltos: 2 recalls, 46 owner complaints and up to 31 mpg combined.
Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #23V531000 · 2023 · 39,765 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: An electric oil pump assembly that overheats increases the risk of a vehicle fire.
The fix: 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.
Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #25V099000 · 2025 · 137,256 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Engine damage can cause a vehicle stall or fire, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 3 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Other / unknown (17): the most common themes are warning light on (5), stalls / loses power (4), electrical failure (3).
- Engine (17): the most common themes are warning light on (7), stalls / loses power (3), fire / smoke (3).
- Electrical (15): the most common themes are warning light on (7), electrical failure (4), stalls / loses power (3).
- Visibility (wipers, glass) (4): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2023 Kia Seltos has 46 owner complaints, ranking #3 of 7 Seltos model years for complaints (well below the 80 average). Complaints peaked in 2023 (11 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 1 year old, at a median of 50,656 miles. Neighboring years: 2022 (74 complaints, 1 recalls), 2024 (46 complaints, 2 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S8) | Front-Wheel Drive | 29 | 35 | 31 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 27 | 31 | 29 | Regular |
| 1.6 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S7) | All-Wheel Drive | 25 | 30 | 27 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2023 Kia Seltos.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 2023 Kia Seltos have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 2023 Kia Seltos. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2023 Kia Seltos problems?
Owners have filed 46 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are other / unknown (17), engine (17), electrical (15).
What gas mileage does the 2023 Kia Seltos get?
EPA ratings run up to 31 mpg combined (2.0 L, Automatic (AV-S8)), across 3 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2023 Kia Seltos repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.