2023 Kia Seltos Problems & Owner Complaints

Unknown Or Other 17

“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 in two primary scenarios: * **Remote Start Failure:** The vehicle frequently stalls immediately after utilizing the remote start feature when shifting into drive. * **Auto Start/Stop Instability:** Th…”
NHTSA complaint #11746839, 2026

“Paint bubbling and chipping off. Dull blotches”
NHTSA complaint #11745820, 2026

“The gages fall all the way down, I’m not able to accelerate, engine light, traction light, tire pressure light, crash detection light, and other lights come on and prevents me from being able to drive. This happened on the interstate and almost caused an accident.”
NHTSA complaint #11727703, 2026

Electrical System 15 1 crash

“The contact owns a 2023 Kia Seltos. The contact stated that while parallel parking her vehicle, the vehicle independently accelerated backward while in the reverse(R) position and crashed into a barrier. The contact did not sustain any injuries as a result of the failure. A police report was filed at the scene. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to a dealer where it remained in the dealer's possession. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.”
NHTSA complaint #11521755, 2023 · crash

“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 in two primary scenarios: * **Remote Start Failure:** The vehicle frequently stalls immediately after utilizing the remote start feature when shifting into drive. * **Auto Start/Stop Instability:** Th…”
NHTSA complaint #11746839, 2026

“The gages fall all the way down, I’m not able to accelerate, engine light, traction light, tire pressure light, crash detection light, and other lights come on and prevents me from being able to drive. This happened on the interstate and almost caused an accident.”
NHTSA complaint #11727703, 2026

Engine 15

“The gages fall all the way down, I’m not able to accelerate, engine light, traction light, tire pressure light, crash detection light, and other lights come on and prevents me from being able to drive. This happened on the interstate and almost caused an accident.”
NHTSA complaint #11727703, 2026

“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, 2026

“In April 2025 my vehicle had a recall (1: SC336 or 25V099), I brought it into a Kia dealership, they said it failed the test, and needed a new engine (i was without a vehicle for weeks, dealership said they did not have any loaners until after 14 days). They then call back weeks later saying the test was faulty, and i could have my car back. They said to keep an eye on it if there are any issues regarding the recall to come back. One morning i started my car, and was driving luckily in a 30mph, my car started to shake, would not speed up/move much, the check engine light came on, almost coming…”
NHTSA complaint #11719832, 2025

Forward Collision Avoidance 4 1 crash

“Went to stop at a red light and I had no breaks pushed break pedal all to the floor and nothing hit another car no air bags seat belt never tightened no collision warning nothing I was was at fault and charge wreck less driving and ticked. And Kia wants to charge me 200 for a diagnostic fee to figure out what happened I just had the oil changed 2 months ago”
NHTSA complaint #11618287, 2024 · crash

“Driving 65mph on [XXX] and all the lights came on flashing and alerting me causing the emergency braking to occur while driving causing me to swerve on the road and lucky I didn’t crash but i had my [XXX] old in the car and it scared the hell out of me, on top of all that my horn gave out and hasn’t worked since that incident and now all the lights are off and I don’t even get the beeping for coming to close to another car anymore it’s like I lost all safety features plan to sell the car because I’m not dealing with this and Kia’s dealer services are horrible followed along by thee corporate…”
NHTSA complaint #11724334, 2026

“On 4 different occasions my vehicle applied the brakes forcefully on its own at high speeds. The dash flashed with the message "check forward collision avoidance assist system." as well as displayed the following icons: master warning light, hill climb assist, traction control, forward collision, and the Auto start/stop was flashing. These continued until I was able to stop and turn the car off. When I was trying to slow down and stop my brakes were not working correctly as I had to push the pedal all the way to the floor for a long period to stop all the way. When the car was put in park the…”
NHTSA complaint #11661689, 2025

Power Train 4

“In April 2025 my vehicle had a recall (1: SC336 or 25V099), I brought it into a Kia dealership, they said it failed the test, and needed a new engine (i was without a vehicle for weeks, dealership said they did not have any loaners until after 14 days). They then call back weeks later saying the test was faulty, and i could have my car back. They said to keep an eye on it if there are any issues regarding the recall to come back. One morning i started my car, and was driving luckily in a 30mph, my car started to shake, would not speed up/move much, the check engine light came on, almost coming…”
NHTSA complaint #11719832, 2025

“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 saying “nothing is wrong” because there isn’t a warning light on! It’s getting worse!”
NHTSA complaint #11697067, 2025

“When I change gears the gears get stuck from drive to park. I have to give it a push to put vehicle on park.”
NHTSA complaint #11608749, 2024

Visibility 4

“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11507114, 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.”
NHTSA complaint #11503547, 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 being shattered. My safety is impacted because, I…”
NHTSA complaint #11499723, 2022

Service Brakes 3 1 crash

“Went to stop at a red light and I had no breaks pushed break pedal all to the floor and nothing hit another car no air bags seat belt never tightened no collision warning nothing I was was at fault and charge wreck less driving and ticked. And Kia wants to charge me 200 for a diagnostic fee to figure out what happened I just had the oil changed 2 months ago”
NHTSA complaint #11618287, 2024 · crash

“On 4 different occasions my vehicle applied the brakes forcefully on its own at high speeds. The dash flashed with the message "check forward collision avoidance assist system." as well as displayed the following icons: master warning light, hill climb assist, traction control, forward collision, and the Auto start/stop was flashing. These continued until I was able to stop and turn the car off. When I was trying to slow down and stop my brakes were not working correctly as I had to push the pedal all the way to the floor for a long period to stop all the way. When the car was put in park the…”
NHTSA complaint #11661689, 2025

“I purchased my vehicle in mid June 2024 used from the dealership. I purchased extended warranty although my vehicle still had original warranty. On [XXX], my parents 50th anniversary party. I packed my car and left my house. Vehicle drove fine, but my husband called me worried stated that after I left our driveway that there was an oil puddle on the drive that concerned him. He took my vehicle down the road to a service place. They don’t want to touch my vehicle saying it was low on oil and needed towed. We were in Missouri and had to have it towed back to the dealership in Illinois. $40…”
NHTSA complaint #11646115, 2024

Structure 3

“Paint bubbling and chipping off. Dull blotches”
NHTSA complaint #11745820, 2026

“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 steering wheel, as even when wearing sunglasses, th…”
NHTSA complaint #11498111, 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”
NHTSA complaint #11482380, 2022

Visibility/Wiper 3

“"GLARE IN THE FRONT WINDSHIELD" AFTER I PURCHASED MY 2023 KIA SELTOS EX AWD I NOTICED A HAZARDOUS GLARE IN THE FRONT WINDSHIELD IT'S COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD PORTIONS OF THE DASHBOARD REFLECTS INTO THE WINDSHIELD MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE WHILE DRIVING IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THE LARGE GLARE MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO SEE OUT OF THE WINDSHIELD.”
NHTSA complaint #11595226, 2023

“After purchasing my 2023 KIA SELTOS, I noticed a very distracting glare in the front windshield. A large portion of the dashboard reflects into the windshield which is especially risky when driving while facing in the direction of the sunlight. I contacted the dealership almost immediately and explained that there is a terrible glare in the windshield. I asked if it's because the little black dots around the rear view mirror are predominantly on one side and he said, "No, that's how they all are". I've never driven a vehicle before with such a bad reflection that I felt it is not safe. This…”
NHTSA complaint #11593331, 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.”
NHTSA complaint #11503547, 2023

Engine And Engine Cooling 2

“The contact owns a 2023 Kia Seltos. The contact stated that while driving at 10 MPH, there was an abnormal fuel odor coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was stopped, and the contact became aware of smoke coming from the engine compartment. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the catalytic converter, turbo, and engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V099000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The man…”
NHTSA complaint #11721825, 2026

“The contact owns a 2023 Kia Seltos. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was gray smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled on the drive back to the residence. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the RPM fluctuated, and the engine revved with gray smoke coming from the exhau…”
NHTSA complaint #11683412, 2025

Lane Departure 2

“Driving 65mph on [XXX] and all the lights came on flashing and alerting me causing the emergency braking to occur while driving causing me to swerve on the road and lucky I didn’t crash but i had my [XXX] old in the car and it scared the hell out of me, on top of all that my horn gave out and hasn’t worked since that incident and now all the lights are off and I don’t even get the beeping for coming to close to another car anymore it’s like I lost all safety features plan to sell the car because I’m not dealing with this and Kia’s dealer services are horrible followed along by thee corporate…”
NHTSA complaint #11724334, 2026

“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”
NHTSA complaint #11504398, 2022

Air Bags 1 1 crash

“Went to stop at a red light and I had no breaks pushed break pedal all to the floor and nothing hit another car no air bags seat belt never tightened no collision warning nothing I was was at fault and charge wreck less driving and ticked. And Kia wants to charge me 200 for a diagnostic fee to figure out what happened I just had the oil changed 2 months ago”
NHTSA complaint #11618287, 2024 · crash

Back Over Prevention 1

“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 vehicle is no longer backing up. As a result, thes…”
NHTSA complaint #11493905, 2022

Seat Belts 1 1 crash 3 injury

“I was in a car crash [XXX]. My 8 year old child was buckled in the backseat on the driver's side. Her seat belt failed and let her be thrown across the car into the passenger side floorboard face down. She was unconscious and lifeless, I had to pull her from the vehicle. She was life flighted to Memorial Hermann Children's in Houston, TX. She has a concussion, fractured pelvis, had a bleeding/bruised spleen, knocked her lower teeth all loose, plus bleeding and bruised gums, sore neck from whiplash and just general body pains. The police officer came to the hospital and told me they te…”
NHTSA complaint #11567792, 2024 · crash · 3 injury(ies)

Steering 1

“Incident Date: October 26, 2025 Summary: On October 26, 2025, while merging onto a highway at high speed, the vehicle experienced a sudden and total electronic safety system failure. Without driver input, the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) system engaged the brakes (phantom braking), causing a dangerous, unprompted deceleration in active traffic. Simultaneously, the Electric Power Steering (EPS) assist failed, making the steering wheel extremely heavy and difficult to maneuver while trying to merge. Dashboard Alerts: The instrument cluster displayed a "Check Forward Collision-Avoida…”
NHTSA complaint #11720048, 2025

Wheels 1

“I was driving the car & instantly started losing air on my left front tire. No explanation. The tires on have 16000 miles on them.”
NHTSA complaint #11615716, 2024