AI DamageKIA Sedona: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the KIA Sedona across 6 model years: 549 owner complaints and 164 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 45% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 16% of all complaints
- 3 Structure 11% of all complaints
- 4 Exterior lighting 10% of all complaints
- 5 Air bags 7% of all complaints
- 6 Powertrain 5% of all complaints
- 7 Service brakes 3% of all complaints
- 8 Fuel/propulsion system 3% of all complaints
- Engine: 249 complaints (45% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 48.
- Electrical system: 89 complaints (16% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 170.
- Structure: 58 complaints (11% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 50.
- Exterior lighting: 55 complaints (10% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 11.
- Air bags: 41 complaints (7% of all), 8 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 12.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.3 L · petrol · 6 cyl 2015–2021named in 20 complaints
- 3.5 L · petrol · 6 cyl 2002–2014
- 3.8 L · petrol · 6 cyl 2006–2010
- automatic, 5-speed 2002–2010
- automatic, 6-speed 2011–2018
- automatic, 8-speed 2019–2021
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 549 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 249 | 1 | 48 |
| Electrical system | 89 | 4 | 170 |
| Structure | 58 | 1 | 50 |
| Exterior lighting | 55 | 3 | 11 |
| Air bags | 41 | 8 | 12 |
| Powertrain | 26 | 1 | 31 |
| Service brakes | 18 | 2 | 8 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 15 | 2 | 21 |
| Seat belts | 13 | 2 | 18 |
| Steering | 12 | 2 | 11 |
| Vehicle speed control | 11 | 3 | 1 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 10 | 0 | 13 |
| Seats | 10 | 1 | 5 |
| Tires | 9 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The driver-side and passenger-side air bags did not deploy. After the impact, the contact was unsure if any warning lights were illuminated. A police report was filed. The paramedics evaluated everyone at the scene of the accident. The contact and his family were not injured. The vehicle was towed to a towing yard.
The contact's nephew was unsure if any warning lights were illuminated. The driver-side and passenger-side air bags were deployed. The contact's nephew had minor injuries and had a bruise on the right arm and chest that did not require medical attention. A police report was filed.
I was in a car wreck and my air bags did not deploy and my seat belt did not lock. The other vehicle involved in the car accident immediately deployed its airbags. I did not ask for an ambulance because I do not know if my insurance covers it so I went personally to the emergency room after the accident.
Side impact airbag didn't deploy causing head injury to driver. Van was hit at high speed by impaired driver who ran a red light. Van has hit from the driver's side in the engine compartment just in front of the driver. The engine was basically laying in the street after the impact.
My Daughter was driving my Kia Sedona Van - distracted and on wet roads ran into a firehydrant and pole. During the accident, the Air Bags did not employ. The Passenger fell forward and broke the windshield with her head, leading to a Concucussion. We are thankful for two Children who are alive after this accident.
As a result the van rolled down the driveway with two of my children in it. The vehicle ended up on the street where there was incoming traffic. If it weren't because the car hit the fence, other cars would probably not have stopped and it could have been a worse incident.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
- Exterior lighting. Headlamps, leveling, sensors and mounts after a frontal hit.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
- SC365_STKR
- SC365_POC
- VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN
- VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN
- VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
- CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
- 2016 Kia Sedona no crank no start no communication. #kia #chewed #Wire #totaled #doable #howto
- 2016 Kia Sedona 3.3l Block thread insert repair attempt FAIL, short block replacement #mechanic
- Replacing an EVAP purge on 2016 Kia Sedona Part 2
- Replacing the brake light bulbs on this 2016 Kia Sedona.
- 2016 Kia Sedona Bad Alternator? #kia #sedona #alternator
- Stolen & Recovered Minivan: Can You Fix This 2016 Kia Sedona Cheap?
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.