The Lemon IndexAll cars · Kia Seltos · 2023
2023 Kia Seltos. Advanced data.
The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.
Complaints by system
| System | Share of complaints |
|---|---|
| Engine | 38% |
| Electrical | 34% |
| Automatic emergency braking | 11% |
| Visibility | 9% |
| Transmission & drivetrain | 9% |
One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.
Severity, all complaints
| Total | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Tows |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 47 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.
Recall campaigns 2
25V099000 Feb 2025 Engine And Engine Cooling / Engine / Hard Parts Internal/Mechanical
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.
Risk. 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.
23V531000 Jul 2023 Power Train / Automatic Transmission / Fluid/Lubricant / Pump
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.
Risk. 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 investigations
| Status | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Closed | Kia 25v099 piston oil ring recall effectiveness | 2025 | 2025 |
Manufacturer communications 51
Kia filed 51 service communications for this car with NHTSA.
- IVT OIL PRESSURE SENSOR REPLACEMENT: This bulletin provides information
- PISTON NOISE SENSING SYSTEM (PNSS) INSPECTION - This bulletin provides
Crash ratings by version
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kia Seltos SUV AWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Kia Seltos SUV FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Safety equipment
| Electronic stability | Forward collision warning | Lane departure warning |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Standard & Optional | Standard |
Engines and drivetrains 3
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / hwy / combined | Fuel | Fuel cost/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6L 4-cyl turbo | Auto (AM-S7) | AWD | 25 / 30 / 27 | Regular | $2,300 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | Auto (AV-S8) | FWD | 29 / 35 / 31 | Regular | $2,000 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | Auto (AV-S8) | AWD | 27 / 31 / 29 | Regular | $2,150 |
EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.
YouTube repair topics
200 videos about the 2021–2025 Kia Seltos, 24.7M views.
| Topic | Videos | Views |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment, battery & electrical | 2 | 162K |
| Oil changes & service | 1 | 84K |
| Brakes & ABS | 1 | 33K |
Nearby model years
Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.
Updated · Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com)
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