TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM SOFTWARE UPDATE USING UPDATE.KIA.COM - This bulletin provides information and service procedures for updating the infotainment systems on applicable Kia vehicles using the Kia Navigation Updater available at update.kia.com. The software update may improve system performance, enhance existing features, and apply the latest operating software for supported vehicles (2021-2026MY All Models).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2023 Kia Seltos electrical problems
severe Owners of the 2023 Kia Seltos have filed 11 NHTSA complaints about the electrical at roughly $850 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See electrical across all vehicles →
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
| Model year | electrical complaints |
|---|---|
| 2021 Seltos | 36 |
| 2022 Seltos | 8 |
| 2023 Seltos (this page) | 11 |
| 2024 Seltos | 12 |
| 2025 Seltos | 3 |
1crash
What stands out
Among the 5 model years of Kia Seltos in our records for electrical problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
Electrical accounts for 25% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 4 categories tracked.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: IBU LOGIC IMPROVEMENT: This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information to upgrade the Integrated Body Control Unit (IBU) software on some 2021-2025MY Seltos (SP2) vehicles produced from November 20, 2019 through January 13. 2025. When the key fob is stored near the vehicle, a signal generated by the IBU for the 'Welcome Function' can cause the key fob battery to become depleted. The ‘Welcome Function' is a convenience feature that activates certain features controlled by the IBU including the puddle lamps (if equipped) when ap
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: HORN ASSEMBLY INSPECTION/REPLACEMEN (WTY038) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information associated with the ‘Warranty Extension Program’ (WTY038) to inspect and, if necessary, replace the horn assembly on 2021-2024MY Seltos (SP2) vehicles produced from March 21, 2019 through June 21, 2024. The affected vehicles may experience a distorted or an inoperative horn sound caused by corrosion and dust inside the horn assembly. The warranty coverage for repairs related to the horn assembly has been
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides instructions to perform an engine vibration inspection using the Kia Diagnostic System (KDS) tablet on certain Kia engine/model vehicles. The piston oil ring(s) in certain Kia engines may, over time, damage the surface of the engine cylinder wall. This may lead to increased oil consumption which will eventually result in abnormal noise from the engine and/or illumination of the oil pressure warning light. The applicable vehicle may or may not have the Piston Noise Sensing System (PNSS) software installed at the time of an engine vibration inspection. The PNSS software may detect engine noise triggering a DTC P132700.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: IBU LOGIC IMPROVEMENT - This bulletin provides information to upgrade the Integrated Body Control Unit (IBU) software on some 2021-2025MY Seltos (SP2) vehicles produced from November 20, 2019 through January 13. 2025. When the key fob is stored near the vehicle, a signal generated by the IBU for the 'Welcome Function' can cause the key fob battery to become depleted. The ‘Welcome Function' is a convenience feature that activates certain features controlled by the IBU including the puddle lamps (if equipped) when approaching the vehicle with the smart key. By upgrading the IBU software, the ‘Welcome Function' feature prevents the IBU from continuously signaling the
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2023 Kia Seltos vehicles report a pattern of electrical faults affecting driver safety. The most serious involve unintended braking: one owner experienced forceful brake application at high speed on four separate occasions after dealership repair failed to resolve codes C164202 and C161308—the dealership opened a tech line case and released the vehicle without explanation. Another owner reports engine stalling at traffic lights and on highways with only 10,000 miles; the turbo engine model stalls in hot weather and won't accelerate, creating rollback risk on hills.
Infotainment failures are common: screens display gibberish, go black, refuse to power on, and USB ports fail. One owner's backup camera image stays on the display even after shifting into drive. Sensor malfunctions trigger false collision warnings two car-lengths ahead and activate side sensors when the street is empty. One vehicle independently accelerated backward during parallel parking and hit a barrier. Instrument clusters have dropped completely, with all gauges falling to zero and multiple warning lights (engine, traction, tire pressure, crash detection) illuminating simultaneously and disabling acceleration on the highway.
At least one owner reports dealership confirmed a recall but never contacted them when parts arrived or completed repair after a follow-up service visit.
Same Kia Seltos electrical reports on nearby years: 2021 · 2024
Failure modes owners describe
Unintended braking with collision avoidance system faults
Brakes apply forcefully on their own at high speeds without driver input, accompanied by forward collision avoidance assist warning and multiple warning lights (master warning, hill climb assist, traction control, auto start/stop flashing). Brake pedal becomes unresponsive and requires full depression to stop vehicle.
When: Multiple instances across different driving occasions; first incident documented, followed by 3 additional occurrences
Symptoms owners cite: Forceful unintended braking at high speed; Check forward collision avoidance assist system message; Master warning light; Hill climb assist icon; Traction control icon; Forward collision icon; Auto start/stop flashing; Brake pedal unresponsiveness requiring full depression; Engine revving in park before shutdown
Codes mentioned: C164202, C161308
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership opened tech line case but provided no explanation or remedy; vehicle released without repair after 6 days, resulting in additional failures
Infotainment display and USB port failures
Infotainment system screen displays gibberish, becomes unresponsive, and shows continuous loading symbol. USB port becomes non-functional. Battery disconnect reset attempts unsuccessful.
When: At approximately 50,000 miles on a 3-year-old vehicle; warranty expired at 36,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Gibberish display on touchscreen; Screen won't power on after attempted reset; USB port malfunction; Continuous loading symbol on dashboard after battery reset
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer recommended battery disconnect and reconnect with no success; owner notes repeated instances of similar radio failures across multiple 2023 Kia Seltos owners
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No warranty coverage available; owner reported multiple similar failures in community
Backup camera display persistence
Backup camera image remains displayed on touchscreen after vehicle is shifted from reverse to drive, creating a potential safety hazard by obscuring forward view.
When: During routine driving; issue persisted since July 2022 per owner report
Symptoms owners cite: Backup camera display remains on while driving forward; Touchscreen console malfunction since purchase
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner requested KIA America intervention but received no recall; owner references Ford recall for similar issue on Bronco
Engine stalling in hot weather
Engine stalls while vehicle is stopped at traffic lights, in traffic on bridges, or during low-speed operation in hot weather conditions. Stalling prevents acceleration and creates safety risk on hills where vehicle rolls backward.
When: Twice in 2024 and once in 2025 on turbo engine model with only 10,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls at red light; Engine stalls in traffic; Vehicle unable to accelerate after stall; Vehicle rolls backward on hills when foot removed from brake
Repairs/costs cited: Owner speculates possible causes: piston rings, crankshaft sensor, ISG, electric oil pump controller; dealer inspection found no fault
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer found nothing wrong during 2024 inspection; owner notes regular (non-turbo) engine versions have recall but turbo does not
Tachometer failure with transmission malfunction
Tachometer reads zero and remains at zero during acceleration while vehicle continues to operate. Transmission unexpectedly downshifts into lower gear. Infotainment screen goes black with unknown error message displayed.
When: At approximately 39,313 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Tachometer reads zero while accelerating; Unexpected transmission downshift; Black infotainment screen; Unknown error message displayed; Passenger side air bag warning light illuminated
Unintended reverse acceleration
Vehicle accelerates backward independently while in reverse gear during low-speed maneuvering, causing collision with barrier. No driver input caused the acceleration.
When: During parallel parking at unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle accelerates backward without driver input; Vehicle crashes into barrier while reversing
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed to dealer; remains undiagnosed and unrepaired at time of complaint
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer not notified at time of complaint filing
Sensor false activations
Forward collision sensor triggers when vehicles are two car-lengths ahead. Side sensors activate when vehicle is alone on street. These false warnings occur regardless of actual proximity hazards.
When: Multiple occasions
Symptoms owners cite: Forward collision sensor false activation; Side sensor false activation; Sensors triggering inappropriately during normal driving
Repairs/costs cited: Owner reports multiple dealer visits without successful repair
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Vehicle qualifies for Lemon Law per owner; multiple repair attempts unsuccessful
Instrument cluster and warning light cascade
Multiple dashboard gauges drop to zero simultaneously, preventing vehicle acceleration. Multiple warning lights illuminate together (engine light, traction light, tire pressure light, crash detection light and others), effectively disabling the vehicle.
When: Occurred on interstate highway
Symptoms owners cite: All gauges drop to zero; Unable to accelerate; Engine light on; Traction control light on; Tire pressure light on; Crash detection light on; Multiple additional lights illuminated
Unresolved recall status
Dealership confirms vehicle subject to recall but fails to contact owner when parts arrive or provide repair after reminder at subsequent service visit.
When: Recall confirmed at first oil change over one year before complaint filing
Symptoms owners cite: Dealership confirmed recall status; No parts notification or repair completed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership confirmed recall but did not prioritize completion
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
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…
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 reading a bunch of people saying how they had same issues as I did on my radio . My friend is sales guy at car dealer…
Unknown. Was told there was a recall when i took it in for my first oil change over a year ago, was told that they would call me when the part came in, then never heard from anyone. Just took it back in couple months ago and mentioned it again and nothing was ever said. They did confirm that it had a recall but werent too concern about it
Car has stalled 3 times after driving short or long distances in hot weather (near Great Lakes, not even southern heat). Twice in 2024 and once in 2025. It is 2023 Kia Seltos with only 10,000 miles. Dealer inspected it 2024 (possibly not knowing of other recalls) and said nothing wrong. It’s the turbo engine, while I see the regular engine versions have a recall. Could be the rings, crankshaft…
To the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), I am writing to formally submit a safety complaint regarding my 2023 Kia Seltos, which exhibits a recurring, dangerous defect involving the engine stalling without warning. This defect results in a total loss of power while the vehicle is in operation or attempting to accelerate, posing a critical safety risk. The failure manifests…
Had electrical trouble with your 2023 Kia Seltos?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2023 Kia Seltos?
It's a meaningful issue. 11 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Based on the 11 complaints filed, electrical issues most often appear around 39,313 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2023/Kia/Seltos.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.