KiaSeltos2023Overview/kia/seltos/2023/base/

2023 Kia Seltos

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2023 Seltos.

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Model year20262025202320222021

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Lug nut torque79.0-94.0 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

Tail / brake / turnHOTOEM · verified
Tire size215/55R17 94VOEM · verified
Wheel / rim7 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length172 in
Overall width70.9 in
Overall height63.8 in
Wheelbase103.5 in
Curb weight3186 lb
Track (front / rear)61.4 / 61.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)59/41

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Seltos of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.6–8.3 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.60 sec — 2021 SX Turbo
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2024SX Turbo 4x 1.6L Turbo I-46.90 sec15.40 sec195 hpAWD
2024SX Turbo 4x 1.6L Turbo I-47.30 sec15.70 sec195 hpAWD
2024SX Turbo 4x 1.6L Turbo I-47.60 sec15.90 sec195 hpAWD
2021SX Turbo 1.6L Turbo I-46.60 sec15.30 sec175 hpAWD
2021S T-GDI 1.6L Turbo I-46.90 sec15.40 sec175 hpAWD
2021SX Turbo 1.6L Turbo I-47.30 sec15.70 sec175 hpAWD
2021SX Turbo 1.6L Turbo I-47.40 sec15.90 sec175 hpAWD
2021S 2.0L I-48.30 sec16.50 sec146 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

Torque lug nuts to 79.0-94.0 ft-lbs.

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts79.0-94.0 ft-lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the coolant every 24,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 24,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 6,000 miCabin Air Filter (inspect)
Every 6,000 miAir Conditioning System (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (inspect)
Every 12,000 miCabin Air Filter (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (inspect) · Fuel Tank (inspect)
Every 18,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 24,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 36,000 miDifferential (inspect fluid level) · Transfer Case Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 48,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2023 model year represents a stabilization point in the Seltos generation’s federal record, with complaints declining sharply to 44 from the 2021 peak of 341 and the 2022 figure of 69, while recalls held steady at two and technical service bulletins dropped to 51. Relative to the subsequent 2024 model, which saw similar complaint volume (41) and recall count (2) but zero investigations, the 2023 year remains under active federal scrutiny with one open investigation—placing it at the tail end of the elevated concern period yet before the marked improvement seen in 2025 and 2026. Owner-reported issues center on the powertrain and electrical systems, with six engine-related complaints and three electrical system grievances, though the data specifies no fires and only three crash-related complaints without identifying root causes. Given the steep downward trajectory in complaints and service bulletins through 2023, coupled with the absence of fire incidents, this year presents a reasonable buying opportunity within the generation, though shoppers should verify completion of both recalls and note the pending investigation status.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
51
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
44
Owner complaints
3 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 44 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine6
Unknown Or Other4
Electrical System3
Electrical System,Unknown Or Other2
Electrical System,Unknown Or Other,Engine2
Engine & Engine Cooling2
Power Train,Electrical System,Engine2
Unknown Or Other,Engine2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

23V531000Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Fluid/Lubricant:PumpReported 31/07/2023

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… 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…

25V099000Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Hard Parts Internal/MechanicalReported 17/02/2025

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. 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 51 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TSB_ELE4222026-05-27Electrical SystemTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM SOFTWARE UPDATE USING UPDATE.KIA.COM…
PS7972025-12-09Back Over PreventionPITSTOP: TECHNICAL OPERATIONS: EXTERNAL DAMAGE TO ULTRASONIC SENSOR: This Pitstop…
TSB_ELE382_R12025-10-21Electrical SystemTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: IBU LOGIC IMPROVEMENT: This bulletin has been revised to…
WTY038_TSB_R12025-10-20Electrical SystemWARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: HORN ASSEMBLY…
SST082_R12025-09-04EngineThis bulletin provides instructions to perform an engine vibration inspection using the…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Seltos. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2023 Seltos have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.