AI Damage2021 KIA Sedona: common problems
Owners of the 2021 KIA Sedona filed 10 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and engine. The maker issued 54 service bulletins for this year. We found 2 repair videos on YouTube. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 10
- involving a crash
- 2
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 54
- YouTube repair videos
- 2
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 20% of all complaints
- 2 Engine 20% of all complaints
- 3 Tires 20% of all complaints
- 4 Vehicle speed control 20% of all complaints
- 5 Structure 10% of all complaints
- 6 Exterior lighting 10% of all complaints
- 7 Forward collision avoidance 10% of all complaints
- 8 Air bags 10% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 2 complaints (20% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 33.
- Engine: 2 complaints (20% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 8.
- Tires: 2 complaints (20% of all).
- Vehicle speed control: 2 complaints (20% of all).
- Structure: 1 complaints (10% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 6.
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
- automatic, 8-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 10 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 | 33 |
| Engine | 2 | 0 | 8 |
| Tires | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 6 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Air bags | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Lane departure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Powertrain | 0 | 0 | 3 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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.
This vehicle is burning oil at an alarming rate. Between oil changes it has lost 4 quarts before. I constantly have to check and add oil and have experienced stuck pistons and rough idle due to the oil not being at a safe level.
Have to figure out how to get it there since the door wont close. Has not been inspected yet. The door ajar started to go off and the door started opening.
It feels like the belts are slipping or the transmission is slipping or something, but no one can find a legit reason as to why. This has been happening since I bought the car and it has never stopped with anything I have tried to do or I’ve had inspected.
The engine started knocking while I was on [XXX] between mile marker [XXX] and [XXX]. This area is under construction with no shoulders to access and pull over. A shutdown in this situation would surely cause a multi-car accident. There were no warning lamps. Car was towed to Ancira Kia in San Antonio.
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.
The first of four tire failures (all the same DOT Number) of the OEM tires that were on the 2021 Kia Sedona when purchased in April, 2021. The first tire belt broke when on an approximate 1000 mile drive and was replaced on an emergency basis on January 24, 2024 with 16,760 miles on the vehicle.
The contact stated that while driving 80 MPH, there was an abnormal vibration coming from the tires. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed of tread separation to the driver’s and passenger’s side rear tires. The tires were replaced.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 1,486 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 29% least complained about).
On average one model year of the Sedona has 92 complaints (6 years in the data). This year has 10, below average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Tires. Tire age by DOT code, bulges, wear pattern.
- Vehicle speed control. Accelerator pedal, cruise control, throttle codes.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN
OWNER NOTIFICATION (SC365) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting an important Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign to improve the emissions software logic in the Electronic Control…
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: This bulletin provides the procedure to update the emissions‑related logic of the Engine Control Unit (ECU) system software on certain 2019–2020MY Sorento (UMa) and 2019–2021MY…
- SC365_STKR
VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN COMPLETION LABEL/STICKER
- SC365_POC
PROOF OF CORRECTION CARD
- VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN
QUESTION AND ANSWER (SC365) – This document is the Question and Answer Guide containing the most frequently asked questions regarding Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign SC365.
- VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN
DEALER PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGER MEMO (SC365) - This document is the announcement to dealer Parts and Service managers advising that Kia is conducting an important Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign to improve the…
- VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN
DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO (SC365) - This document is the announcement to the dealer principals advising that Kia is conducting an important Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign to improve the emissions software logic in…
- 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…
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM SOFTWARE UPDATE USING UPDATE.KIA.COM - This bulletin provides information and service procedures for updating the infotainment systems on applicable Kia vehicles using the Kia Navigation Updater…
- 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…
- 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…
- 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…
NHTSA lists 54 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.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2021 KIA Sedona?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, engine, tires. Total complaints: 10. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (20%), airbags did not deploy (10%), door locks, latches, handles (10%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2021 KIA Sedona?
NHTSA lists 54 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 2021 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 2021 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.