The Lemon Index
202220241st generation
Too new: partial score · still collecting complaintsThe 2023 Kia Seltos hasn't finished its 3-year window yet. This counts every owner complaint filed so far (through October 2026) and compares it with other 2023 cars, which have had the same time on the road. It can change as more owners file.
Too new: partial score · most complaints: engine
Better years to buy
47 owner complaints, first 3 years 27–31 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
When problems show up
No complaints for this year listed a mileage, so we can't say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 25V099000 (engine) and 23V531000 (transmission & drivetrain) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Has it ever braked hard for no reason? Ask whether the safety-system software was updated.
- Kia sent dealers 51 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “IVT OIL PRESSURE SENSOR REPLACEMENT: This bulletin provides information”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Kia's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 47 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
In owners' words
The analog speedometer stopped working on 5/10/2023.
2023 Kia Seltos owner · NHTSA complaint 11521528
More owner reports
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
NHTSA complaint 11724333
When the stop/ go is on .. it some times stalls and will not move when pressing petal.
NHTSA complaint 11536432
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 24.7M views · 2021–2025 Kia Seltos
- Infotainment, battery & electrical162K views
CK - 2021 KIA Seltos - How To Emergency Start When Smart Fob Battery Dies!Cardinal Kia · 87K views · 2 videos - Oil changes & service84K views
First Oil Change in the TE VIDEOS Garage | 2022 Kia Seltos (Finally…)TE VIDEOS · 84K views - Brakes & ABS33K views
CK - 2022 Kia Seltos - How To Use Your Electronic Parking Brake w/ Auto Hold!Cardinal Kia · 33K views
Before you buy, watch
Most IRRITATING Things About KIA SELTOS 2023 | PROBLEMS | RJ Rishi Kapoor #kia #seltos #carsPaisa Tera Baap Dega · 89K views
Kia Seltos X-Line 2025: Should you buy one? | #MotorIncViewMotorInc · 43K views
2023 Kia Seltos Facelift Exterior & Interior WalkaroundThe Mount · 2.7M viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2023 is the same generation.
Problems Kia told dealers about
Kia sent dealers 51 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- IVT OIL PRESSURE SENSOR REPLACEMENT: This bulletin provides information
- PISTON NOISE SENSING SYSTEM (PNSS) INSPECTION - This bulletin provides
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 2
- Engine · recall issued 2025
The piston oil rings may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in engine damage.
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2023
The electronic controller for the Idle Stop & Go oil pump assembly may contain damaged electrical components that can cause the pump to overheat.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- ClosedKia 25v099 piston oil ring recall effectiveness2025
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kia Seltos SUV AWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Kia Seltos SUV FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $1,950–$2,200 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 1.6L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl.
Every Kia Seltos year. 2023 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 4 Kia Seltos years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2023 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/kia-seltos/?y=2023" title="Kia Seltos reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="307" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/kia-seltos/2023/">Lemon Index</a> (2023 Kia Seltos reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2023 Kia Seltos reliable?
It's too early to be sure. So far it has drawn about two-thirds as many complaints as the average car per car sold, against other 2023 cars after the same time on the road (early Lemon Index 66; 100 is average). 2023 is one of the better years of a model that draws 1.4× the average car's complaints. The Kia Seltos year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2022.
What are the most common 2023 Kia Seltos problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (38%), electrical (34%) and automatic emergency braking (11%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2023 Kia Seltos have?
2 safety recalls (latest: engine). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2023 Kia Seltos get?
27 to 31 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2023 Kia Seltos safe?
NHTSA gave it 4 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
Does the 2023 Kia Seltos have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 9% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2023 Kia Seltos cost in fuel a year?
About $1,950 to $2,200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2023 Kia Seltos have?
1.6L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works