2016 Kia Sedona: Is It Reliable?
Problems, Recalls & Buyer Verdict
Shopping for a used 2016 Kia Sedona? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Current data includes 284 complaints, with Engine Problems as the top reported area.
2016 Kia Sedona Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 3 2016 Kia Sedona trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 3 trims analysed.
2016 Kia Sedona Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star ProgramOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
13% rollover risk
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
13% probability
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2016 Kia Sedona has 284 owner complaints, 10 crash-related complaints, and 4 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Engine Problems. NHTSA reliability signal: Severe Issues.
- Make
- Kia
- Model
- Sedona
- Model year
- 2016
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 284
- Crash-related complaints
- 10
- Safety recall campaigns
- 4
- Top reported component
- Engine Problems
- Reliability signal
- Severe Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 20
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 18 / 24
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
- NHTSA overall safety rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA frontal crash rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA side crash rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA rollover rating
- 4/5 stars
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
Most Common 2016 Kia Sedona Problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Engine Problems
Electrical Faults
Headlight/Taillight Failures
Complaint patterns center on Engine Problems, Electrical Faults, Headlight/Taillight Failures. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Should You Buy a Used 2016 Kia Sedona?
The 2016 Kia Sedona shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase.
Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report.
What to Check Before Buying a Used 2016 Kia Sedona
Inspection Focus
- Have a mechanic inspect the engine for any signs of problems.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for engine, electrical, and lighting components.
- Check for any airbag-related recalls or issues.
Before You Close the Deal
- Have a mechanic inspect the engine for any signs of problems.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for engine, electrical, and lighting components.
- Check for any airbag-related recalls or issues.
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2016 Kia Sedona, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
What the Complaint Data Suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Based on 284 NHTSA complaints for the 2016 Kia Sedona, the data suggests that engine problems are the most frequently reported issue, followed by electrical faults and headlight/taillight failures. There are also notable complaints about structural problems and airbag malfunctions. However, with a low confidence level, these patterns should be interpreted cautiously.
- Engine problems account for the largest share of complaints, with 147 reports.
- Electrical faults are the second most common complaint, with 43 reports.
- Headlight/taillight failures are reported in 37 complaints.
- There are 18 complaints related to airbag malfunctions.
- Transmission/drivetrain issues are reported in 13 complaints.
- Engine Problems
- Electrical Faults
- Headlight/Taillight Failures
All 2016 Kia Sedona Complaints by Category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2016 Kia Sedona. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Problems | 147 | 1 | 11 | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 43 | 3 | 2 | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 37 | 3 | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 30 | 1 | 4 | — | |
| Structural Problems | 22 | — | 1 | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 18 | 2 | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 13 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 8 | 2 | 2 | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Brake System | 8 | 2 | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 6 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 5 | 3 | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Firerelated | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Real Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2016 Kia Sedona. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Oil was changed and within a month was completely dried with no visible leak and without any warning or lights the engine shut off while driving and seized Turner Kia performed a thorough diagnostic and determined that will cost $13,508.90 to replace the engine.
This concerns an unresolved airbag safety issue that went undetected due to a negligent recall inspection at a Kia dealership. On March 16, 2026, I brought my vehicle to Ed Voyles Kia of Chamblee, GA for a recall inspection to determine whether damaged wiring under the passenger …
Engine has multiple engine miss fires. Loss of coolant into exhaust. Engine knocking.
Since the day a bought the car I have had to constantly deal with oil leaks and burning up oil. We had to check the vehicle every Sunday for oil replacement. The vehicle on one day just stopped in the middle of the street. It had a complete engine failure. I had to pay thousands …
I am the original owner of a 2016 Kia Sedona, purchased new from the DeMontrond Kia dealership in Houston, Texas, in August 2016. The vehicle currently has 63,400 miles and has been maintained according to standard schedules. Two weeks ago, I noticed a slight knocking sound and …
Engine started knocking loosing power just like our 4cylinder GDI engine. These engines are also not safe to be operating
Engine Failure due to rod and bearing failure
Oil leak caused engine to fail.
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2016 Kia Sedona. The contact discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 107,000. It was later discovered upon checking a Carfax Report…
I was driving my car, all of a sudden there was a loud knocking sound. The car suddenly wouldn’t accelerate. I was in the middle of a busy intersection with kids! I am 95 pounds, I can’t push the van! After being hit. I managed to get it moved with help. My van only had 108,000 m…
My family and I were all driving in the car. We were at a stoplight, and fully stopped as it was a red light. All of a sudden, we heard a weird noise, and all of the dash lights on our car appeared, and then the car fully turned off. We could not get the car back on, and it would…
Motor Blew
The contact owned a 2016 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that while her nephew was driving, the nephew made a left-hand turn, and the vehicle was hit on the front right quarter panel. The contact stated that her nephew had turned on the left-hand signal and was halfway through mak…
The front passenger seat, occupant detection system wiring harness was never repaired by the dealer I had taken the vehicle to the dealer several years ago and he gave me a $8000 estimate to replace the electrical system!
Kia service dealer diagnosed high oil consumption on my car with heavy sounds. They recommend to replace whole engine but it's out of warranty. It has only 106k miles on it. I am afraid the car is posing safety issue as well and it has less miles on it. I filed complain with…
2016 KIA Sedona. I was driving on the highway when the Engine started knocking and smoking. I had to cut cars off on the highway to get to the shoulder. The car was towed to a local mechanic who told us there were holes blown through the engine and it would need replaced. This wa…
I was at an intersection & was turning left. In the middle of the turn the car started knocking noise and vibrating and turned off in the middle of the intersection. It did not crank for several tries while I was panicking with a car full of kids in a busy intersection. When I go…
The Sedona just stopped in traffic with out warning with my kids in the van. No type or warning lights came on. I had recently got an oil change and tune up. I almost caused an accident. It was extremely scary. I am thankful no one was hurt. I had to pay for a tow and come to fin…
2016 Kia Sedona SX-L (VIN: [XXX]) equipped with 3.3L Lambda II GDI engine. This is the second engine failure — first engine failed due to head bolt studs separating from the block, second (mechanic sourced) engine began heavy smoking and nearly caught fire due to possible oil sta…
My 2016 Kia Sedona is affected by Safety Recall SC175 (Front Passenger Seat Occupant Detection System Wiring Harness), documented here: [XXX] . Kia and the servicing dealer, Rick Case Kia, report to NHTSA that this recall was completed in 2019. However, the defect described in S…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2016 Kia Sedona.
2016 Kia Sedona Recalls
4 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2016 Kia Sedona. 4 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
2016 Kia Sedona Buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2016 Kia Sedona reliable?▾
Severe Issues. NHTSA currently shows 284 owner complaints, 10 crash-related complaints, and 4 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2016 Kia Sedona shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Kia Sedona?▾
#1: Engine Problems (147 complaints). #2: Electrical Faults (43 complaints). #3: Headlight/Taillight Failures (37 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2016 Kia Sedona?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2016 Kia Sedona?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2016 Kia Sedona, NHTSA complaints include 10 crash-related reports and 13 fire reports out of 284 total complaints. 9 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2016 Kia Sedona have any recalls?▾
Yes. 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2016 Kia Sedona. A major recall area is STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR. 4 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2016 Kia Sedona?▾
The 2016 Kia Sedona shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report. Pay extra attention to Engine Problems during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Kia Sedona reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2016 Kia Sedona based on your ownership experience.
Add your rating:
Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Check the Exact Vehicle History Before You Buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.