2023 Kia SELTOS: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
46 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
50,657 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2023 model year. Data snapshot: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 17 of 46 complaints (37.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 8 | 17.4% |
| Engine operation | 5 | 10.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 6.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 4.3% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 4.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 17 |
| Unknown Or Other | 17 |
| Electrical System | 14 |
| Power Train | 4 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | 3 |
| Service Brakes | 3 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 |
Engine: 17; Unknown Or Other: 17; Electrical System: 14; Power Train: 4; Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings: 3; Service Brakes: 3; Visibility/Wiper: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 42 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 11 |
| 2024 | 10 |
| 2025 | 11 |
| 2026 | 11 |
2022: 3; 2023: 11; 2024: 10; 2025: 11; 2026: 11
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 5 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11482380 · 2022-09-01 (September 1, 2022)
when driving in sun or lighted areas the dash board reflects off the window glass making the driver impaired . the dash board and window glass is not properly installed especially with the visibility of the reflection
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11482380 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11493905 · 2022-11-17 (November 17, 2022)
I have been having issues with my touch screen in my car. I bought my car new and the console has not worked correctly. I’ve had this issue with the console since 7/22… have been begging KIA America to fix it. Today I was driving backwards and my backup camera was on. Then when I drove forward the backup camera was still on after i put my car in drive. “Ford issued a recall for 47,046 Bronco SUVs from the 2021 and 2022 model years with 8-inch center display screens because their backup cameras might still display a camera image even after the …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11493905 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11498111 · 2022-12-19 (December 19, 2022)
Areas of the console, mainly the frame around the gps/media display, as well as the interior doors are highly reflective. At certain times of the day, the sun reflects off them and causes extreme visibility problems. I actually had to pull off the road one day because I got a bright light in the eyes that produced an effect similar to a camera flash, and I was unable to see. I really scared me, as I almost ran off the road when it happened. During daytime driving, I'm often driving with one hand trying to shelter my eyes, and the other on the s…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11498111 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11499723 · 2023-01-02 (January 2, 2023)
On Saturday, December 24th of 2022, the right driver passenger window randomly shattered, the car windows were perfectly fine on Friday, December 23rd . The had been sitting parked in the parking lot in front our house, off and unharmed; which was confirmed by our cameras. The right driver passenger window is composed of tempered glass, and currently the shattered glass is being held together by the tint that was on the window.Yes, the car is available for inspection upon request. As of now my Kia Seltos 2023, is inoperable due to the window…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11499723 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11503547 · 2023-01-25 (January 25, 2023)
Was driving very early in the morning, there were no other vehicles close to me when my windshield suddenly spontaneously cracked up in the upper driver's side corner. The crack started at the upper edge of the windshield and it is expanding. An internet search indicates this is a problem experienced my many other KIA owners.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11503547 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11504398 · 2023-01-30 (January 30, 2023)
My car sensors go off when they aren’t supposed to. My front collision sensor goes off when cars are 2 cars in front of me. My side sensors will go off when I’m im the only one on a street. My console has electrical issues… internal issues. This car qualifies for Lemon Law. That’s how many times I sent it in and they were unable to repair it. Please investigate Kia 2023 seltos. Thanks
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11504398 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11507114 · 2023-02-13 (February 13, 2023)
Driver side rear door glass exploded spontaneously at 65mph for no reason, sending glass all over the interior. Was on a two lane highway in a remote area with no other traffic. Outside temperature was about 15 degrees. With no other underlying cause apparent. Stopped at the dealer immediately afterwards to have a warranty claim submitted. Kia denied the claim.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11507114 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11507650 · 2023-02-16 (February 16, 2023)
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Seltos. The contact stated that while at a complete stop with her foot on the brake pedal, the vehicle independently lunged forward without warning. The contact also stated that while the vehicle was parked, the engine revved uncontrollably without warning. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 300.
Owner-reported narrative. 300 miles reported. Look up ODI 11507650 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
23V531000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Fluid/Lubricant:Pump
Reported: 2023-07-31 (July 31, 2023)
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 campaign record ↗25V099000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Hard Parts Internal/Mechanical
Reported: 2025-02-17 (February 17, 2025)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗