Kia Sedona Complaints

2,536 consumer complaints on file.

#11677966August 2, 2025
AIR BAGS
My vehicle has a recall 19V109000. The description of the issue is "Over time, the Occupant Detection System (ODS) wiring harness located underneath the front passenger seat may break from the seat being occupied." This issue has been diagnosed as having this very specific problem, Kia claims that this problem was previously fixed in my car, however it has not been fixed. I have been trying for sometime to get Kia and my local Kia Dealer to fix it but they just keep responding that this was already fixed. A closer look and its obvious this was never done. I don't have the exact date of when I first noticed it, the harness is damaged and the issue goes away from time to time, and my attempts to fix it have gone back a couple of years, and have gotten nowhere when trying to work with Kia.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11676407July 26, 2025
ENGINE
Engine Failure
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11676139July 25, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The Sedona is showing paint damage on the rear trunk door. The unit is white. It is starting to flake where the glass ends.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11676231July 25, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the vehicle was diagnosed with battery failure. The contact was informed that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired; however, the failure recurred when the dealer attempted to test-drive the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 77,000. The VIN was not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11675783July 24, 2025
ENGINE
Timing Chain Failure/Cam Shaft Failure/Bank 2 Failure/drastic loss of engine oil. Got home before engine seized, could have crashed if engine failed on freeway. Codes confirmed techs suspicion. No warning lights or notifications appeared on dashboard.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11675598July 23, 2025
ENGINE
Without warning lights coming on my engine started knocking on May 15, 2025. Turns out the bearing between the top of the motor and the bottom of the motor is stripped. 5 months before this happened they replaced the 2 fuel pumps, cvvt, cam shaft sensor and assembly, timing chain and spark plugs. Again I had no warning about that work that the dealership said I needed. Now I need a new motor and they won’t do anything for me except charge over $10,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11675356July 22, 2025
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that upon start of the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where a diagnostic test was performed, and the dealer discovered that the front passenger's side air bag module was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V031000 (Air Bags). The dealer acknowledged the recall but informed the contact that the repair would be an out-of-pocket expense. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11675165July 21, 2025
ENGINE
While driving on the interstate, about an hour into the trip, there was a banging/tinging sound coming from the front of the van. Immediately the van was pulled off the road to assess the situation as there were NO WARNING MESSAGES OR LIGHTS that came on to alert of any problem. Immediately before hearing the noise, the van had a major loss of power going up a slight incline on the interstate. The van threw a rod and had I not noticed the sound and pulled over, this could have been potentially a deadly situation had I kept driving and the engine completely seized up in the middle of the interstate.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11674060July 16, 2025
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sedona. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the hood latch fractured, and the hood unexpectedly flew open and crashed into the front windshield. The contact stated that the hood was wrapped around the vehicle. There were no reported injuries. The driver was able to pull over safely. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V389000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages). The failure mileage was 116,102.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11673557July 15, 2025
ENGINE, STEERING, AIR BAGS
I have a 2016 kia sedona. Engines on the vehicle have been known to be bad and I already had 1 engine replaced under their extended warranty that covers to 150000 miles after a blown head gasket. I got a new engine 11/2024 however car overheats & coolant leak everywhere&bust hoses. I was told to replace radiator and all cooling/heater hoses, but video show coolant bubbling car still overheating. Replaced one loose hose under warranty. Car overheats again was told to replace relay switch for fan another. Dealer crash my car waited a month for parts and they never repaired damages to my bumper and airbag light. 2 month later car overheats again now coolant spraying into trunk and hose pop again now at heater core. There is no light notice of when car overheating tiil very hot. Or someone tells me my car is smoking by then it is followed by a loud noise and coolant leaking everywhere again. This time the overheating bust the heater core hose in my trunk and was spraying coolant all in trunk while I was getting ready to get of freeway. Very scary. I pulled over just in time for noise and coolant to leak out everything from resovoir again. This is my family car and have 5 kids under 18 and feel very unsafe now. Despite paying for everything kia suggest every 1-2 months they still fail to find cause of overheating and constant hoses breaking or coming loose after the pressure build up and I am scared this car will catch fire or stall one day with my children in car. Already noticed sometime its like car struggles to accelerate despite a supposed new engine but car been constantly overheating even after engine replacement and it also still causes sludge in hose& had 4 coolant flushes in a year and new hoses and now seems people working on car not sure what they doing because I was told I needed new heater hoses 2months later they didn't know my heater core was at back car so didn't replace so this hose burst despite kia recommendation to replace. Please help b4 it too late
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11672196July 9, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY
When using the power sliding doors, specifically the driver's side, it will not close and latch 100% of the time. It usually beeps and indicates it has not closed and has to be manually closed but on two occasions has opened on it's own. Fortunately it's been while parked, which poses a whole different issue, but I've read that others are having this happen while driving.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11671688July 7, 2025
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that while her husband was driving 50 MPH, the contact heard a knocking sound coming from the engine and the vehicle lost power. The contact was able to pull over to the right side of the road, turned off the vehicle for several minutes, restart the vehicle, and the vehicle worked as intended. There were no warning lights illuminated. An independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and opened a case; however, the case number was not available. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 88,500.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11671227July 4, 2025
ENGINE
In October 2024 we broke down on the highway outside of DesMoines, IA. The van slowed considerably in the midst of 11am traffic on I [XXX] from a lack of power, not from applying the brakes. Cars behind us had no warning, but no one hit us. The 4-way flashers and turn signals would not engage. There was no warning from the dashboard of a pending issue. Trent’s Garage in Clive, IA determined the main reason was an internal oil leak that damaged the alternator, which they replaced along with the right-side valve cover gasket. There was an earlier incident that I attributed to a service mistake. Shortly after Napleton Elmhurst Kia in IL serviced the vehicle in June 2023, it began to hesitate and become unresponsive while we were driving. There was no indication from the dash lights or from our garage floor that the engine was leaking any fluids or was low on oil, but I checked the oil at a suggestion from my wife. It barely registered on the dipstick. I added oil and the van ran fine. I now monitor the oil level regularly and add a quart of oil every 1000 miles. There is still no visible oil leak. Napleton Kia Service told me nothing could be done short of replacing the engine, and that I should change the oil more frequently (April 2025) than their original recommendation of every 5000 miles. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11670277June 30, 2025
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Rain water continually collects in both brakelight/taillight assemblies at the rear of the van. This causes the bulbs for the turn signal and brake light to burn out. This has been an issue since we purchased the vehicle in 2016. Initially, we could change the bulb(s) and they would last a while but now the passenger side bulb(s) can be replaced and burn out immediately! We have burned through dozens of bulbs since owning the van. On 6/17/25 I took the van to Valvoline in Circleville, Ohio for an oil change and replacement of the rear passenger turn signal bulb. On inspection he informed me that both brake lights were out as well as the right turn signal. He was able to replace the left brake light after dumping water out of the casing but the right side was so full of water he wouldn't even touch the bulbs because he said it would do no good. He recommended I get new casings/housing assemblies for both sides. In reading about this issue, it appears to be a problem not only for me but for many others. It was noted that several owners had holes drilled in the housing as "drain" holes and that the issue was corrected and/or improved in the later models. I believe this to be a huge safety issue due to the fact that it involves braking and turning and the increased risk of getting hit from behind.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11669611June 26, 2025
ENGINE
in June 2026 sever engine knocking at startup and during slight acceleration lead us to have vehicle inspected. there were no warring lights on and no other indicators of issues. An independent mechanic as well as a Kia dealer performed inspections and indicated a lifter bearing failure due to inadequate oil delivery. at the time the oil level was within range and within 3,500 miles since the previous oil change. Dealer indicated a complete engine replacement was needed due to the bearing failure and damage to the lifters.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11667965June 19, 2025
ENGINE
I am writing to report an incident with my 2016 Kia Sedona, which experienced a sudden engine failure. The failure was diagnosed with engine codes P0014 and P0018, indicating camshaft timing and crankshaft correlation issues, consistent with internal engine failure and symptoms related to the known Theta II engine defect with Kia’s of that year, including metal debris and timing issues. For many of these Kia’s the warranty was extended to 120,000 miles. My incident took place at 120,600 miles. I have maintained this vehicle responsibly, and this issue occurred with little to no warning. Though I understand the mileage technically exceeds the warranty limit, the proximity to the cutoff and the nature of the failure suggest that the defect likely developed well before the warranty threshold. I contacted Kia to request goodwill coverage for an engine replacement or the associated repairs. I believe that other customers in similar situations have received assistance under goodwill policies, especially for issues tied to known manufacturer defects, unfortunately Kia declined to open a case on my behalf.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11667762June 18, 2025
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
There was a sudden loss of power while in the middle of the highway. Further inspection resulted in low oil and metal flakes in the oil filter. At the time of initial loss of power there was absolutely zero warning or indication of any issues at all.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11667589June 17, 2025
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION
We purchased a brand-new 2021 Kia Sedona in 2021. Since January, we’ve been experiencing an intermittent but serious issue where the vehicle refuses to accelerate or shift beyond a certain point. This issue has put us in dangerous situations multiple times. One incident occurred while crossing a fast-moving, single-lane road—our vehicle would not accelerate to the appropriate speed, placing us at serious risk. On another occasion, while merging onto a highway, the car failed to accelerate, and we feared being rear-ended due to our inability to keep up with traffic. There are no warning lights or error messages to indicate a problem when this occurs. The only temporary solution has been to pull over, turn the car off, and restart it. After doing this, the vehicle functions normally for a few days, weeks, or even months before the issue reoccurs. We have taken the vehicle to our local Kia dealership, but they were unable to replicate the problem or identify any issues. We also brought it to a second Kia dealership with the same result—no diagnosis and no resolution. We are extremely concerned for our safety and would appreciate guidance on how to escalate this issue or pursue a resolution. I also have a video of an incident.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11667138June 16, 2025
ENGINE
While driving the vehicle started making a rattling sound and the engine started to fail. There were no engine lights or warning signs. The vehicle only had around 78,000 miles on it and had regular maintenance. Total engine replacement was recommended. Repair costs totaled more than the vehicle’s value. I feel it was unsafe for this to happen while driving with no warning signs of failure.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11666747June 13, 2025
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
On Tuesday June 10, 2025 at approximately 11:43 am, while heading north on 75 at mile marker 148, my 2016 Kia Sedona caught fire. I initially became aware of a problem while heading southbound on 75. While listening to an audio book, my wife and I heard a sudden noise which appeared to come from the engine. I (the driver) I noticed that this noise (rattling/ ticking) only occurred when I accelerated. We pulled off at the nearest safe exit (exit 101/102 Cordele) at a Marathon gas station. I inspected the engine to see if we were low on oil or anti-freeze. I noticed that the oil was low, however we did not have any visible leaks at our home. I added 3 quarts of oil and the vehicle began making a ticking noise. I asked Siri to locate the nearest auto repair shop (Quality Auto Repair) which was approximately .5 miles away from our location. The mechanic on duty informed me that it was the engine and that because I was under 150,000 miles I could take it to a Kia dealership to have this replaced because it was a GDI engine. Instead continuing our trip south, we decided to head back toward home to take our van to a Kia dealership near our house. Approximately 42 miles into our drive back home the vehicle began to idle and then smoke came from the engine. I pulled over to the side of the road and opened the hood to investigate the potential problem and then suddenly flames came from beneath the van near the engine. I asked my wife and 14 year old daughter to exist rapidly. My wife had no issues, however we couldn't open my daughters door. She was able to successfully climb to the front and exit out of the passenger side safely. Within 10 mins or so, 70-75% of the vehicle was engulfed in flames. Prior to pulling over, none of my indicators were illuminated so there was no warning until the vehicle completely shut down. My insurance company has assessed that this is a total loss. Pics and videos are available upon request.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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