2023 Kia Seltos problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 44 owner complaints. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
The 2023 Kia Seltos has 44 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is electrical at 11 complaints, typically surfacing around 39,313 miles (~$850 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 Seltos | 346 | 0 |
| 2022 Seltos | 69 | 0 |
| 2023 Seltos (this page) | 44 | 0 |
| 2024 Seltos | 41 | 2 |
| 2025 Seltos | 12 | 0 |
| 2026 Seltos | 3 | 0 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 8.2/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2023 Kia Seltos? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- electrical — 11 owner reports · tends to show around 39,313 mi · ~$850 to fix
- engine — 8 owner reports · tends to show around 71,000 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
- visibility — 5 owner reports · ~$350 to fix
- powertrain — 4 owner reports · ~$2,500 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: electrical is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 39,313 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 8.2/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2023 Kia Seltos
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 4 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
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…
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…
Vehicle acts like it’s going to die. No maintenance lights well maintained. Rattle noise and acts like it’s misfiring. Went to turn at traffic light and almost got into a wreck due to no horse power. This has been happening since less than 40,000 miles but car dealership keeps…
One night I started my car and my screen on my Kia seltos had a bunch of gibberish on the screen and then I went to power off the radio and tried to power back on and screen wouldn’t turn on and one usb won’t work. Tried to hard reset and check fuses and still no luck. I keep…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2023 Kia Seltos reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.2 out of 10 based on 44 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2023 Kia Seltos is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2023 Kia Seltos?
On the NHTSA data, the 2023 Kia Seltos does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 8.2/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2023 Kia Seltos?
Inspect the electrical first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 11 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 39,313 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2023 Kia Seltos a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 44 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is electrical. Typical failure occurs around 39,313 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2023 Kia Seltos?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 11 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 39,313 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 39,313 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Kia Seltos has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2023 Kia Seltos?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 44 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.