KIA Sedona Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls β NHTSA data
Comparing used KIA Sedona options? We analyzed 10 model years (2012β2021) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
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Model-year trends show patterns β they can't tell you whether this car was crashed, flooded, or rolled back. A VIN check can.
- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the KIA Sedona has 817 owner complaints and 24 safety recalls across model years 2012β2021. The most reported issue area is ENGINE. 2016 drew the most complaints; 2021 drew the fewest.
- Make
- KIA
- Model
- Sedona
- Model years analyzed
- 2012β2021 (10 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 817
- Safety recall campaigns
- 24
- Crash-related complaints
- 26
- Fire-related complaints
- 38
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2016 (291 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2021 (9 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- ENGINE
- Reliability signal
- Poor
By model year
KIA Sedona: which years to avoid & which to buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used β lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record β lower risk starting points.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings
What the complaint data suggests
PoorThe KIA SEDONA has 817 NHTSA complaints and 24 recalls on record. 26 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 817 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 24 federal recall campaigns
- 26 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Aug 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
24 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
AIR BAGS
SEAT BELTS: REAR/OTHER:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
AIR BAGS
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
AIR BAGS
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2012β2021. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 817 NHTSA complaints β these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
817 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that while driving in sunlight, the contact became aware of bubbles on the windshield, causing blurred vision while driving. The dealer was notified of the failure, but the vehicle was not inspected. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 127,000.
Intermittent brake light reporting since November and repaired for leaking Fluid. December it continued and been leaking brake fluid. 3 seperate repair companies assessed and found the same issue that the brake module needs to be replaced and electrical compromised. The vehicle is currently at the Kia dealership (Cowboy Kia, Conroe, TX) awaiting repairs.
TWO ISSUES: 1. Latch on rear hatch back 2. Buttons on ceiling for side doors became inoperative Problems started after my first recall, but these were sporadic, so it was easy to dismiss it because the dealer was cooperative and professional. But now, I noticed there are no recalls other than complaints about the same issues. I suspect that there is a "switch" or command in the program that reverses, but I don't have a clue, other than it is irritating that I have to wait for some upgrade but it does not seem to be listed in order to resolve these issues that are not my fault, but have something to do with the original side door issue, and then a software security upgrade that I am supposed to wait and get before these are fixed. Who contacts us, in writing about these issues?
Had anti-theft software installed. Campaign cs2308a by dealership. After install, console buttons for power sliding rear doors don't work. Dealership had vehicle for 5 days and couldn't find fix. Recall campaign is a joke. Causes more problems than fixing issue of thief.
PLEASE DO RECALL ON THIS 2014 KIA Sedona, only 53,000 miles, for bad airbag system 2014 KIA airbag light on instr panel comes on, then off, then stays on. I took it to kia dealer and they said it was the ocs (passenger occupant sensor) in the seat, BUT when i sit in the drivers seat and with both seatbelts latched, i can press down on pass seat and the passenger airbag off light on the middle dash next to clock goes off (doesn't this say the sensor mat in the seat "is" working ? )... I wondering if they mis-diagnosed it. Any ideas how to get the instr airbag light to go off ? I checked 2 airbag fuses under dash, both good. Interestingly around the same time as the instru airbag light started staying on, the 2nd cigarette light blew a fuse (related? ) ... THANKS if you can please text me when any answer is posted [XXX]... thx or email me so I know to check. Dealer said $1,000 to fix it ?? INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Fire and smoke appeared from crevice of right side of hood while driving.Temp.gauge shot up and engine over heated.Shut car off at hotel and restarted Kia Sedona next morning to take to a Tulsa,OK nearby dealership.It performed weakly with a thumping sound albeit without over heating.Service dept at midtownkia on 4747 S Yale; informed me I need an engine replacement costing around $16,000.
Read 14 more owner reports
The sliding doors of the Van do not stay closed. We could be driving down the road when they open and the chime starts going off. We find this is commonly associated with the scenerios right after the auto-close mechanism closes the door. (This is another issue as it does not reliably close the door.) To resolve the door suddenly opening situation, we have to stop, put the vehicle in park, and usually end up having to have the driver or front passenger get out of the car, wait for the auto-close system to get close to closing and then slam the back end of the door into place to get it to hold. We did try to take it to the Kia Dealership in Ogden Utah but the service manager there said he could not reliably replicate it so could not fix it. Apparently slamming the door is considered a viable alternative to the auto-close mechanism. We were told it is not a defect and that these things happen. It should be noted for other drivers, that the auto-close mechanism does appear to be closed. The door sensor does not chime to give warning that it is not seated all the way. Instead, as mentioned, we will be driving down the road when the door will rattle and open a little ways and the chime immediately starts going off. You will slow down and it the chime will stop, but once you pull over and take a look you will see the back end of the door is open a centimeter or so. Further to this point, if you dont immediately pull over, the door can pop open the rest of the way. What is most concerning is that it can happen anytime. I ahve not found any logical rhyme or reason for the issue. However I have had kids sitting near the door when the door opened on me. Luckily the seatbelts kept them in the car even though we were caught off-guard by the suddeness of the issue.
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that the passengerβs side sliding door failed to open as needed. The contact stated that there was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with needing a control module replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact was informed that the sliding door was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 52,000.
I was involved in an auto accident on September 28, 2021 which totalled my 2014 Kia Sedona. The crash was severe and was a front impact accident which spun the van 45 degrees and into a tree branch. None of the airbags on the vehicle deployed. The vehicle is not available for inspection. There were no airbag recalls or warning lights prior to this incident.
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sedona. The contact stated while driving 45 mph, there was an abnormal fuel odor inside the vehicle. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed. There was no warning light illuminated. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V101000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 71,000.
THE SLIDING PASSENGER DOORS OF THE VAN DO NOT COMPLETELY LATCH. DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN DOOR ALARM STARTS GOING OFF AND SLIDING DOOR STARTS OPENING UP. AT THAT POINT I HAVE TO PULL OVER AND POWER OFF THE DOORS AND TRY TO GET THEM TO LATCH WITH POWER AGAIN. IF THAT DOESN'T WORK. I HAVE TO HAVE ONE OF MY KIDS HOLD THE DOORS SHUT WITH THEIR FOOT UNTIL WE CAN GET HOME SAFELY. THIS ONLY HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY. OTHER TIMES LOADING INTO THE VAN; THE DOOR WILL ACT LIKE IT'S LATCHING AND THEN DOOR ALARM GOES OFF AND BEEPS AND RICOCHETS OPEN AGAIN. NOT ABLE TO CLOSE THE DOOR IN A STATIONARY POSITION EVEN WITH POWER OFF; LEAVING THE CAR UNUSABLE. WHEN I TURN THE POWER OFF AND TRY TO CLOSE MANUALLY AFTER THIS TYPE OF EPISODE. IT WON'T LATCH SOMETIMES AS WELL. SOMETIMES IT WILL RESET IT SELF. THIS TOO HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY. KIA IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE; HAS SENT OUT A LETTER TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY FOR THIS. HOWEVER, IF I CANNOT REPRODUCE THESE THINGS FOR THEM AT THE TIME OF APPOINTMENT; THEY WILL NOT HONOR THEIR WARRANTY EXTENSION TO MAKE THE REPAIR BECAUSE I CANNOT REPRODUCE THE DANGEROUS SCENARIO RIGHT IN FRONT OF THEM. THIS IS VERY VERY DANGEROUS. BECAUSE THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY; 'REPRODUCING THE ISSUE' IN ORDER TO MAKE THIS REPAIR FOR THE SAFETY OF MY CHILDREN IS A LOOPHOLE FOR KIA NOT TO FIX THIS. I'M REQUESTING YOU INVESTIGATE THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM. THE CASE NUMBER WITH KIA IS 14095557 THE NEW VEHICLE LIMITED VEHICLE EXTENSION IS : 2011-2014 MY SEDONA POWER SLIDING DOOR LATCHING
SLIDING DOORS DO NOT PROPERLY LATCH / CLOSE ALL THE WAY / PROPPERLY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER DAUGHTER IN LAW WAS DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE WIRING HARNESS UNDER THE FRONT PANEL BEGAN TO SMOKE. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL DEALER DENNIS DILLON KIA (9501 W FAIRVIEW AVE SUITE B, BOISE, ID 83704 (208) 314-3403) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING THE BLOWING MOTOR AND WIRING HARNESS TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND WAS TOLD THAT THE FAILURE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND COSTS NEEDED TO BE PAID OUT OF POCKET. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 68,000.
WE WERE TRAVELING FROM BLOOMSBURG, PA TO MYRTLE BEACH, SC ON DECEMBER 26, 2019 AND AS WE WERE PULLING OFF THE ROAD TO FIND A GAS STATION THE ENGINE TURNED OFF/STOPPED WORKING AND WE LOST THE POWER STEERING. LUCKILY MY HUSBAND WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND STOP IN A SAFE AREA. AT THAT TIME THE ENGINE SMOKED AND WE CHECKED ALL THE FLUIDS. THE OIL APPEARED TO BE LOW BUT NO INDICATOR LIGHTS CAME ON PRIOR. WE PROCEEDED TO GET OIL AND AFTER WE PUT IT IN AND TRIED TO DRIVE IT THERE WAS A LOUD KNOCKING SOUND SO WE DID NOT PROCEED FORWARD. WE CALLED FOR A TOW TRUCK TO TOW US TO THE CLOSEST KIA DEALERSHIP WHICH WAS KOONS OF WOODBRIDGE, VA WHICH WAS 10 MINUTES AWAY. AFTER WE GOT IT THERE THEY WERE ABLE TO START IT AND MOVE IT INTO THE GARAGE. WE TOLD THEM WHAT HAPPENED AND THAT WE FILLED THE OIL, THAT THERE WERE NO SENSOR ALERTS BEFORE THE ENGINE JUST SHUT OFF. AFTER THEY LOOKED INTO THE VEHICLE THEY TOLD US THAT THEY COULDN'T FIND ANY OIL LEAKS BUT TO DIAGNOSIS IT THEY'D HAVE TO TEAR THE ENGINE DOWN. THEY ADVISED THAT THE DIAGNOSTICS AND REPAIR MIGHT BE COVERED BY KIA'S POWER TRAIN WARRANTY BUT IF ANY SLUDGE WAS FOUND IT WOULD VOID THE WARRANTY. THEY ESTIMATED THE DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR TO THE ENGINE TO BE $10,000 DOLLARS. THEY BELIEVED THEY KNEW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS AND TWO KEY PARTS WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. WE OPTED TO TRADE THE VEHICLE IN TO KOONS KIA IN WOODBRIDGE AND PURCHASED A 2018 SORENTO LEFT OVER DUE TO THE TIME IT WOULD TAKE TO DIAGNOSIS THE ENGINE FAILURE AND POSSIBLE COSTS. THIS WAS THE FIRST DAY OF OUR VACATION.
STRANGE NOISE WHEN AT A STOP LIGHT SOUND SOUNDS LIKE A BASE NOISE IN THE ENGINE HAVE TAKEN INTO THE KIA DEALER IN AUBURN WA TWICE WITH NO CONFIRMED PROBLEM
THE CAR HAS BEEN BURNING AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL AND SMOKES VERY BADLY WHEN FIRST STARTED FOR OVER ALMOST 2 YEARS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED COMING ON RECENTLY AND CAR RUNS ROUGH AND SHUTS OFF. I TOOK IT TO MY SERVICE REPAIR SHOP AND WAS TOLD THAT IT'S AN INTERNAL PROBLEM IN THE ENGINE AND HE CHECKED AND SAID KIA HAD A RECALL ON SEDONA FOR INTERNAL ENGINE ISSUES. I CHECKED AND CAN'T FIND THE RECALL THAT THE REPAIR SHOP FOUND. MY CAR HAS BEEN DOWN FOR TWO WEEKS AND I AM STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON A VEHICLE THAT HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED BY KEEPS SHUTTING OFF AND IDLING ROUGH WHEN BEING DRIVEN.
PARKED ON STREET, WENT TO START VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. HAD PASSENGER LOOK UNDERNEATH AFTER TESTING BATTERY CHARGE AND OTHER ELECTRICAL FUNCTION. TRIED TO START AGAIN. THE STARTER WAS THROWING SPARKS. FOUND OUT THE STARTER WAS BAD. HAVE A NEW PART ON ORDER AT A PRICETAG OF $220 WITH 94,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE.
EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA SEDONA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. FROM THE REARVIEW MIRROR, THE CONTACT NOTICED FRAGMENTS OF GLASS FALLING OFF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PARK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WHEN SHE LOOKED UP, SHE NOTICED THAT THE SUN ROOF WAS SHATTERED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HAWKINSON KIA (LOCATED AT 5501 MILLER CIR DR, MATTESON, IL 60443, (708) 720-8999) WHERE NO SIGNS OF AN IMPACT WERE PRESENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000. *TR
THE SIDE SLIDING DOORS WILL NOT LOCK. THIS CREATES A SAFETY HAZARD FOR MY CHILDREN. THE LOCKS WILL NOT LOCK BY THE AUTOMATIC ACTUATOR WHEN THE CAR IS PLACED IN MOTION . AND THEY WILL NOT LOCK WITH THE POWER BUTTON ON THE CONTROL PANEL, NOR WILL THEY LOCK WITH THE ELECTRONIC KEY FOB. THEY WILL HOWEVER, LOCK MANUALLY.
Showing 20 of 817 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact KIA Sedona
These pages show model-year patterns across 10 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations β hereβs what each number actually tells you about a used KIA Sedona, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is β but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The KIA Sedona has 817 complaints on record across 10 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The KIA Sedona has 24 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 26 of the KIA Sedona's 817 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions β a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Poor) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable β simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all KIA Sedona vehicles on the road β not any specific car. Two KIA Sedona vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage β NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The KIA Sedona has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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By state
Check a KIA Sedona by state
Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used KIA Sedona.
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Keep researching before you buy
Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
KIA Sedona reliability β frequently asked questions
Is the KIA Sedona reliable?
Poor. The KIA Sedona has 817 NHTSA owner complaints and 24 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is ENGINE. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which KIA Sedona years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2016 (291 complaints), 2015 (137 complaints), 2017 (131 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common KIA Sedona problems?
Top reported issues: ENGINE (316 complaints); ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (168 complaints); UNKNOWN OR OTHER (104 complaints).
Does the KIA Sedona have recalls?
Yes β 24 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the KIA Sedona. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.