2016 KIA Sedona: common problems

Owners of the 2016 KIA Sedona filed 297 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and electrical system. The maker issued 109 service bulletins for this year. We found 6 repair videos on YouTube. Details by component below, with sources.

Key figures

Owner complaints: 297
involving a crash: 10
Technical service bulletins (TSB): 109
YouTube repair videos: 6

What fails most often

1 Engine 50% of all complaints
2 Electrical system 15% of all complaints
3 Exterior lighting 12% of all complaints
4 Structure 8% of all complaints
5 Air bags 6% of all complaints
6 Powertrain 4% of all complaints
7 Fuel/propulsion system 3% of all complaints
8 Seat belts 3% of all complaints

Circle size and colour show each component’s share of NHTSA complaints. Schematic only, not a drawing of the exact model.

Engine: 148 complaints (50% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 20.
Electrical system: 46 complaints (15% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 35.
Exterior lighting: 37 complaints (12% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2.
Structure: 25 complaints (8% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 10.
Air bags: 19 complaints (6% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.

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 cylnamed in 9 complaints
automatic, 6-speed

Drive: FWD

Symptoms owners describe

How many of the 297 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).

warning lights, check engine85 · 29%
engine failure or replacement54 · 18%
knocking, grinding or other noise47 · 16%
oil leak or consumption31 · 10%
smoke, burning smell, fire30 · 10%
headlights and tail lights29 · 10%
overheating, coolant loss18 · 6%
stalls while driving16 · 5%
loss of power / limp mode15 · 5%
airbag warning light12 · 4%

Components owners complain about

Component	Owner complaints	involving a crash	Technical service bulletins (TSB)
Engine	148	1	20
Electrical system	46	3	35
Exterior lighting	37	3	2
Structure	25	0	10
Air bags	19	2	0
Powertrain	13	1	7
Fuel/propulsion system	9	2	0
Seat belts	8	0	6
Service brakes	8	2	1
Steering	6	1	11
Latches, locks, linkages	6	0	7
Engine and cooling	5	0	10
Seats	5	1	1
Vehicle speed control	5	3	1

What owners report

Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.

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.
Electrical system · crash · 2026-01-08 · NHTSA complaint #11709756
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.
Powertrain · crash · 2021-10-14 · NHTSA complaint #11436724
Also asked about why air bag light comes on and stays on and that the gas door button doesn t open. Have to get out and hit gas door to open. Thought that 100000 warrenty was to cover anything bumper to bumper. Why pay the extra for nothing.
Electrical system · crash · 2021-03-24 · NHTSA complaint #11404698
I walked out to the mile marker and when I turned around my car was on fully engulfed in flames. Eventually my car blew up and I lost everything.
Fuel/propulsion system · crash · 2018-09-15 · NHTSA complaint #11129664
While pulling into my driveway going between 5-10 mph I applied the brake and the vehicle lunged forward into my garage door which was closed and damaged another car parked in the garage. If the other car was not there to stop it I may have been killed.
Fuel/propulsion system · crash · 2017-11-16 · NHTSA complaint #11046496
The passenger window was down. She said, "oh [xxx]", and appeared to reach to remove her seatbelt. They went into the river. They were found at 4:30 pm with car submerged in water and both drowned. No damage to the car.
Electrical system · crash · 2016-09-05 · NHTSA complaint #10903653
In January 2026, I brought my vehicle to a Kia dealership specifically complaining that it was "burning oil." The dealership documented this exact complaint on the invoice, but only repaired external leaks.
Engine · 2026-10-08 · NHTSA complaint #11769783
I reached out to a mechanic to see about an engine replacement and after telling him the issue stated I should check with Kia because there has been some issues noted with that particular engine, I have reached out to my local Kia dealership Dutch Miller in barboursville WV, however there is no answer and I’ve left…
Engine · 2026-09-24 · NHTSA complaint #11766747

When owners complained

NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.

20169
20179
201810
201922
202023
202122
202227
202331
202464
202553
202627

Comparison

By complaint count this model year ranks 211 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 10% most complained about).

On average one model year of the Sedona has 92 complaints (6 years in the data). This year has 297, above average.

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.
Exterior lighting. Headlamps, leveling, sensors and mounts after a frontal hit.
Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.

Manufacturer service bulletins

Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.

received by NHTSA in 2025–2026 · № 11034003 (+1 with the same text) · Structure TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR AND DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2312) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated…
received by NHTSA in 2025–2026 · № 11030382 · Engine TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: OIL PRESSURE SWITCH (OPS) REPLACEMENT (WTY026 REVISION 2) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black…
received by NHTSA in 2025–2026 · № 11026980 · Structure CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN
OWNER NOTIFICATION (CS2312) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting Customer Satisfaction Campaign. A software upgrade that addresses the social media theft method has been made…
received by NHTSA in 2025–2026 · № 11026825 · Structure TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR AND DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2312) - This bulletin provides information to install a Theft Deterrent Ignition Cylinder Protector on certain 2010-2022MY…
received by NHTSA in 2025–2026 · № 11026823 · Engine TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
ENGINE SUB ASSEMBLY INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT (WTY039 - REVISION 7) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin…
received by NHTSA in 2025–2026 · № 11026698 · Backover prevention PITSTOP
TECHNICAL OPERATIONS: EXTERNAL DAMAGE TO ULTRASONIC SENSOR: This Pitstop provides information related to Parking Distance Warning (PDW) alerts and repairs involving ultrasonic sensors. The PDW system alerts the driver…
received by NHTSA in 2025–2026 · № 11026531 · Engine TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
ENGINE SUB ASSEMBLY INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT (WTY039 REVISION 6) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area…
received by NHTSA in 2025–2026 · № 11025651 · Engine TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN (WTY039) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides…
received by NHTSA in 2025–2026 · № 11024188 · Engine TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
ENGINE SUB ASSEMBLY: INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT (WTY039) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This…
received by NHTSA in 2025–2026 · № 11017172 · Powertrain TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides…
received by NHTSA in 2025–2026 · № 11011566 (+1 with the same text) · Engine TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: ENGINE SUB ASSEMBLY INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT (WTY039) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in…
received by NHTSA in 2020–2024 · № 11010129 · Engine TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
ENGINE SUB ASSEMBLY INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT (WTY039) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This…

NHTSA lists 109 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.

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 #howtoWrenching Ryan · 0:47 · en
2016 Kia Sedona 3.3l Block thread insert repair attempt FAIL, short block replacement #mechanicChuyDawg · 1:48 · en
Replacing an EVAP purge on 2016 Kia Sedona Part 2Vintage Man 54 · 0:33 · en
Replacing the brake light bulbs on this 2016 Kia Sedona.dremechanics · 1:29 · en
2016 Kia Sedona Bad Alternator? #kia #sedona #alternatorWrenching Ryan · 0:40 · en
Stolen & Recovered Minivan: Can You Fix This 2016 Kia Sedona Cheap?Al's Auto Sales · 0:37 · uk

Other years of this model

Questions and answers

What are the most common problems with the 2016 KIA Sedona?

Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, electrical system, exterior lighting. Total complaints: 297. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (29%), engine failure or replacement (18%), knocking, grinding or other noise (16%).

How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2016 KIA Sedona?

NHTSA lists 109 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.

Should I buy a 2016 KIA Sedona from a US auction?

Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.

Other 2016 models

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.