The 2023 Kia Seltos has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 177,021 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 78 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the unknown or other. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING25V0990002025-02-17137,256 affected
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.
Consequence
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.
POWER TRAIN23V5310002023-07-3139,765 affected
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.
Consequence
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…
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“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…”
“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…”
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
“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”
“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…”
“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…”
Defect investigations
InvestigationAQ25001 Opened 2025-08-06 · closed 2025-12-18
Kia 25V099 Piston Oil Ring Recall Effectiveness
On August 6, 2025, the Office of Defect Investigation (ODI) opened Audit Query (AQ) 25001 to assess the implementation of Kia America, Inc.’s (Kia) remedy program for Safety Recall 25V099, involving incorrectly manufactured piston oil rings which may damage the engine causing a loss of motive power or fire. This AQ…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2023 Kia Seltos as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.