Head-to-head reliability
KIA Sedona vs Honda Accord
How the KIA Sedona and Honda Accord compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
KIA Sedona vs Honda Accord: The Sedona has 830 complaints and 24 recalls over 10 years, while the Accord has 4,524 complaints and 38 recalls. The Sedona averages 83 complaints per year versus 452 for the Accord, but the Accord sells in much higher numbers. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the KIA Sedona or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
KIA Sedona
The Kia Sedona is a minivan that averages about 83 complaints per year over the past decade, with 24 recalls and 26 crash-related reports. The most common owner complaints involve engine problems like oil consumption and sudden power loss, plus electrical glitches and sliding doors that won't stay shut. These issues can leave you stranded or create safety risks, especially at highway speeds. Overall, it's a vehicle that demands careful maintenance and a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a popular midsize car with a much higher complaint volume—about 452 per year—but that's partly because there are far more of them on the road. Owners report engine stalling, electronic power steering and braking failures, and forward collision avoidance systems that brake unexpectedly. There are also complaints about fuel system and electrical problems. While many issues are serious, the Accord's widespread presence means parts and repair knowledge are easy to find.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | KIA Sedona | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 830 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 24 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 26 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 83.0 Better | 452.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 34 Better | 146 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 2 Better | 3 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
KIA Sedona
- 01ENGINE322
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM171
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER108
- 04STRUCTURE101
- 05EXTERIOR LIGHTING76
Owners report oil consumption issues starting around 100,000 miles, often accompanied by a check engine light for an O2 sensor. Some also describe sudden speed drops from highway speeds to 10-20 mph, which is a major safety concern.
Complaints include the vehicle suddenly braking on the interstate with forward collision and check engine lights, as well as sliding doors that open while driving. These electrical glitches can cause loss of control or unexpected door openings.
The sliding passenger doors may not latch completely, leading to door alarms and doors opening while driving. This is a recurring safety issue that requires immediate attention.
Some owners report the engine shutting down while driving due to ECU communication failure with the key fob, triggering the anti-theft system. This can cause a sudden loss of power on the road.
“March 2024 just before hitting 100,000 miles I started having oil consumption issues. Current milage is 137,300 About 10,000 miles ago my check engine light came on. I took it to an auto parts store and it was reading bank 1 O2 sensor. I took it for an oil ch…”
“Problem: The Vehicle Slows down all of a sudden on the middle of the road from around 70 miles to 10 miles, then slowly drives at 15 or 20 miles speed. Safety Concern: On the Interstate Hwy, this has happened many time. Fortunately without any accidents. Very…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners describe rattling noises during acceleration, rough transitions between EV and gas modes, and jerking when the charge button is pressed. Some also experience sudden loss of speed with multiple warning lights (Brake, hill descent, ABS).
There are reports of electronic power steering and braking systems failing simultaneously at highway speeds, causing a near-collision. Another complaint involves a tire failure shortly after a TPMS repair, suggesting possible service-related issues.
Owners report the system braking unexpectedly on open roads or with adaptive cruise control engaged, sometimes under identical conditions a year apart. This can lead to sudden deceleration and potential rear-end collisions.
Complaints include a persistent rotten-egg or sulfur odor that remains after filter replacement, which may indicate fuel system or catalytic converter issues. This is unpleasant and could signal a larger problem.
“Vehicle drove normally in the morning commute. In the afternoon commute it started normally and as i approached highway speeds the alarms started showing up. the Brake, hill descent system, abs, critical failure. the vehicle started losing speed and could not…”
“Vehicle makes rattling noises while accelerating similar to a diesel engine also rough transitions between EV mode and Gas mode also when you press the charge button the engine makes a very noticeable jerk once it’s on ,Honda does not want to fix my issue and…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
KIA Sedona — 24 recalls
The defect: Kia Motors America (KIA) is recalling certain 2020 Sedona vehicles. The battery positive (B+) terminal nut on the alternator may not have been tightened properly during assembly, possibly causing it to loosen over time.
The risk: If the alternator B+ terminal nut loosens, electrical arcing may result, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the alternator B+ terminal nut, tightening it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began August 14, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this…
The defect: Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Kia Sedona vehicles manufactured from June 15, 2005, through April 04, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the secondary hood latch may bind and remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed.
The risk: If the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
The fix: Kia will notify owners and dealers will replace the secondary hood latch or clean and lubricate the latch, depending on the vehicle's location and the condition of the latch. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began…
The defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Kia Sedona vehicles equipped with a power sliding door (PSD). The PSD may not auto-reverse when its closing is obstructed.
The risk: If the door closes on an occupant, there is an increased risk of an injury.
The fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the PSD module software, free of charge. The recall began on June 18, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC164.
The defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Sedona, Soul, Soul EV, 2017-2018 Forte, and 2017 Forte Koup vehicles. The Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) cover may contact a memory chip on the printed circuit board and damage the electrical circuit. Circuit damage may result in deactivated air b…
The risk: Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the ACU, and either update the software or replace the unit, as necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 21, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-8…
Honda Accord — 38 recalls
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Honda Accord Hybrid vehicles. Due to a software error, the integrated control module (ICM) central processing unit (CPU) may reset while driving, causing a loss of drive power.
The risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will reprogram the ICM CPU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 6, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is TN2. Vehicle Identificati…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2026 CR-V Hybrid, Accord Hybrid, and 2025-2026 CR-V Fuel Cell EV vehicles. When using the tire repair kit, pressure may build within the sealant bottle, causing the bottle cap to detach.
The risk: A detached bottle cap can become a projectile and strike the user or others nearby, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the tire repair kit nozzle or sealant bottle, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed July 27, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipat…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2021 Accord Sedan, Accord Hybrid, CR-V, Ridgeline, 2022 Insight and CR-V Hybrid vehicles. The automatic locking retractor on the second-row center seat belt assembly may deactivate improperly, which can result in an unsecured child restraint sys…
The risk: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the second-row center seat belt assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2022. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura R…
The risk: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls ar…
Buyer analysis
KIA Sedona or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Kia Sedona has far fewer complaints per year (83 vs. 452), but the Honda Accord's higher volume is partly due to its much larger sales. In practice, the Sedona's issues tend to be more severe—like sudden power loss and doors opening—while the Accord's problems are more varied but also include critical safety failures. Neither is trouble-free, so a thorough inspection is essential for both.
Key differences
- The Kia Sedona has 830 complaints over 10 years, while the Honda Accord has 4,524—but the Accord sells in much higher numbers, so per-vehicle rates may be closer.
- Sedona owners frequently report sliding doors that open while driving and sudden engine shutdowns, whereas Accord owners report electronic braking failures and unexpected forward collision braking.
- The Accord has more crash-related reports (162 vs. 26) and injuries (146 vs. 34), but these are raw counts not adjusted for sales volume.
- Both have recalls for electrical and air bag issues, but the Sedona also has recalls for hood latch and door structure, while the Accord has recalls for fuel pump and seat belt retractor.
- Check for oil consumption by asking about oil change frequency and looking for low oil levels or blue exhaust smoke; listen for engine knocking.
- Test the sliding doors multiple times to ensure they latch securely and do not open when the vehicle is in motion or after auto-close.
- Test the electronic power steering and braking systems at low and high speeds; any warning lights or unusual noises are a red flag.
- Ask about any forward collision avoidance system activations, especially unexpected braking, and check for related software updates or recalls.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on the NHTSA website using the VIN.
- Have a certified mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection focusing on engine, transmission, electrical, and door operation.
- During a test drive, accelerate to highway speeds to check for sudden power loss, unusual noises, or warning lights.
- Test all electrical features: power doors, windows, infotainment, and driver-assist systems like forward collision warning.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially for oil changes and any repairs related to known complaint areas.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | KIA Sedona | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 9 | 234 |
| 2020 | 20 | 362 |
| 2019 | 38 | 691 |
| 2018 | 48 | 1884 |
| 2017 | 134 | 537 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific KIA Sedona or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- KIA Sedona vs Honda Accord
- KIA Sedona total complaints
- 830
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- KIA Sedona total recalls
- 24
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- KIA Sedona avg complaints/year
- 83.0
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- KIA Sedona
- KIA Sedona top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE