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2008 Kia Sedona

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2008 Kia Sedona do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 120.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

136 reports with mileage · 34 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 45 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

4 crash reports10 fire reports2 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

45 reports
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Mileage unknown · Apr 30, 2020
Electrical SystemService Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V088000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V088000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE NOTIFICATION THAT WAS RECEIVED WAS AN INTERIM NOTIFICATION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. A DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11322898

Mileage unknown · Apr 26, 2020
Electrical System

NOTICE FOR A RECALL FOR AN ELECTRICAL PART WAS SUBMITTED 4/9. THERE HAS BEEN NO WORD FROM THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT A REPAIR OR IF WE ARE ABLE TO SAFELY DRIVE OUR VEHICLE. THERE IS NO CLEAR HELP HOTLINE TO GIVE MORE GUIDANCE. CAN THE THE NHTSA ASK THEM TO POST A CLARIFICATION AND A DEADLINE FOR DECISIVE ACTION (EITHER A REPAIR OR…

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NOTICE FOR A RECALL FOR AN ELECTRICAL PART WAS SUBMITTED 4/9. THERE HAS BEEN NO WORD FROM THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT A REPAIR OR IF WE ARE ABLE TO SAFELY DRIVE OUR VEHICLE. THERE IS NO CLEAR HELP HOTLINE TO GIVE MORE GUIDANCE. CAN THE THE NHTSA ASK THEM TO POST A CLARIFICATION AND A DEADLINE FOR DECISIVE ACTION (EITHER A REPAIR OR REFUND)

NHTSA ODI #11322286

54,000 miles · Mar 9, 2020
Electrical SystemStructure

THE PASSENGER REAR DOOR WILL NOT OPEN WITH THE KEY FOB, ONLY WITH STRENGTH. HAVE BEEN TOLD THE MOTOR IS WORE OUT FOR THAT PARTICULAR DOOR. IT WAS JUST PARKED, WITH THIS TROUBLE TO THIS DATE. AS STATED, I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE MOTOR TO THIS DOOR IS WORE OUT.

NHTSA ODI #11317164

127,000 miles · Jan 22, 2020
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT PREVIOUSLY THE BATTERY, STARTER, AND STARTER RELAY WERE REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON FOUR SEPARATE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT PREVIOUSLY THE BATTERY, STARTER, AND STARTER RELAY WERE REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE FUSE PANEL, THE ALTERNATOR, AND IGNITION WERE INSPECTED HOWEVER, THE MECHANICS WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE A PROGNOSIS FOR THE FAILURE. MASTRIA KIA LOCATED AT 1555 NEW STATE HWY, RAYNHAM, MA 02767, (508) 802-6800, WAS CONTACTED BY PHONE AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE DIAGNOSED HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO GUARANTEES AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THE MECHANIC WOULD BE ABLE TO RETRIEVE INFORMATION AS TO THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000.

NHTSA ODI #11301163

Mileage unknown · Dec 17, 2019
Electrical System

INTERMITTENT NO START NO CRANK ISSUE. THE RESEARCH I'VE DONE SHOWS IT IS A FAULTY JUNCTION BOX DUE TO ANTITHEFT SYSTEM NOT WORKING CORRECTLY.

NHTSA ODI #11289774

189,000 miles · Nov 19, 2019
Electrical SystemFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SEDONA. THREE HOURS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, FLAMES APPEARED FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE LOCAL DEA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SEDONA. THREE HOURS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, FLAMES APPEARED FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 189,000.

NHTSA ODI #11280986

50,000 miles · Feb 8, 2018
Electrical System

THE ENGINE WILL NOT CRANK/START INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT RHYME OR REASON. TURN THE KEY TO START, THE LIGHTS COME ON , ALL INDICATOR LIGHTS TURN ON, ALL ELECTRICAL DEVICES SUCH AS LIGHTS AND RADIO AND HEATER ARE WORKING, BUT THE ENGINE DOES NOT CRANK. THE STARTER MAKES NO NOISE WHATSOEVER. THIS HAPPENS RANDOMLY AND CANNOT BE GIVEN …

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THE ENGINE WILL NOT CRANK/START INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT RHYME OR REASON. TURN THE KEY TO START, THE LIGHTS COME ON , ALL INDICATOR LIGHTS TURN ON, ALL ELECTRICAL DEVICES SUCH AS LIGHTS AND RADIO AND HEATER ARE WORKING, BUT THE ENGINE DOES NOT CRANK. THE STARTER MAKES NO NOISE WHATSOEVER. THIS HAPPENS RANDOMLY AND CANNOT BE GIVEN TO A DEALER TO FIX AS HE MAY TRY IT 20 TIMES AND IT WILL START AND I WILL TRY IT THE NEXT DAY AND IT WON'T. I CAN TURN THE KEY BACK AND FORTH 20 TIMES AND IT WILL SUDDENLY START. I SOMETIMES EXIT THE CAR, WAIT 10 MINUTES, AND THEN IT WILL START. THIS CONDITION APPARENTLY AFFECTS 2004-2009 KIA'S OF ALL MODELS AS WELL AS HYUNDAI WHICH IS A SISTER BRAND. TENS OF THOUSANDS HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THIS BUT KIA REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM OTHER THAN TO SAY TAKE IT TO A DEALER . BUT THE PROBLEM IS NOT EASILY DUPLICATED AT THE DEALER. KIA HAS A SERVICE BULLETIN OUT ON IT BUT IT IS INADEQUATE. CUSTOMERS HAVE REPORTED CHANGING STARTER, BATTERY, GROUNDING STRAP, FUSEBOX, INTERNAL COMPUTER, IPM MODULE, AND OTHER REMEDIES WITH MIXED RESULTS AND HUGE COSTS. I BYPASSED THE IPM MODULE, CHANGED STARTER RELAY AND OTHER REMEDIES WHICH WORK FOR A MONTH OR TWO AND THEN CONDITION REAPPEARS. GOOGLE "KIA SERVICE BULLETIN ON INTERMITTENT START CONDITION" AND YOU WILL SEE ALL THE COMPLAINTS. HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=RKK4UBC5ZXK 60,000 VIEWS HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=QUYK4F35XBM 67000 VIEWS

NHTSA ODI #11071724

152,412 miles · Apr 4, 2017
Electrical System

THE AUTOMATIC DOORS KEEP OPENING SLIGHTLY WHILE DRIVING AND CAUSING THE DOOR ALARM TO GO OFF. THE DOORS TEND TO WORK WHEN THEY WANT TOO. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS MATTER BECAUSE THEY ARE OPENING UP NEXT TO CHILDREN.

NHTSA ODI #10970560

108,000 miles · Nov 25, 2016
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkagesTraction Control System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SEDONA. WHILE DRIVING, THE SLIDING DOORS ERRONEOUSLY UNLOCKED AND OPENED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES. ALSO, WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM WOULD ERRONEOUSLY ACTIVATE. AFTER INSERTING THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION SWITCH, THE VEHICLE WOULD ATTE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SEDONA. WHILE DRIVING, THE SLIDING DOORS ERRONEOUSLY UNLOCKED AND OPENED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES. ALSO, WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM WOULD ERRONEOUSLY ACTIVATE. AFTER INSERTING THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION SWITCH, THE VEHICLE WOULD ATTEMPT TO START BEFORE THE IGNITION KEY WAS TURNED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.

NHTSA ODI #10927879

146,683 miles · May 4, 2016
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes

THIS VAN HAS THE EXACT SAME ISSUE WITH THE BRAKE SWITCH THAT ALL THE OTHERS HAD IN RECALL. SHIFTER IS STUCK IN PARK. ESC LIGHT IS ON AND BRAKE LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING. THERE ARE NO OPEN RECALLS FOR THIS ISSUE ON THE VIN NUMBER. FURTHER, THE KIA DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO FIX IT FREE OF CHARGE.

NHTSA ODI #10862997

Official recalls

5

20V088000 · Electrical System; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

Feb 14, 2020

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2006-2010 Sedona and 2007-2009 Sorento vehicles. Moisture may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An electrical short within the ABS Module may cause an engine compartment fire, even when the vehicle is turned off, increasing the risk of an injury.

Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will install a relay in the main junction box to prevent power from being directed to the HECU when the vehicle's ignition switch is turned off, free of charge. The recall began June 5, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC186.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electrical System

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2006-2010 Sedona and 2007-2009 Sorento vehicles. Moisture may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short.

Consequence: An electrical short within the ABS Module may cause an engine compartment fire, even when the vehicle is turned off, increasing the risk of an injury.

Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will install a relay in the main junction box to prevent power from being directed to the HECU when the vehicle's ignition switch is turned off, free of charge. The recall began June 5, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC186.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2006-2010 Sedona and 2007-2009 Sorento vehicles. Moisture may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short.

Consequence: An electrical short within the ABS Module may cause an engine compartment fire, even when the vehicle is turned off, increasing the risk of an injury.

Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will install a relay in the main junction box to prevent power from being directed to the HECU when the vehicle's ignition switch is turned off, free of charge. The recall began June 5, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC186.

16V387000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm

Jun 1, 2016

Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2006-2012 Kia Sedona vehicles manufactured from June 15, 2005, through August 14, 2012 and originally sold in, or currently registered in Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. In the affected vehicles, the front lower control arms may break due to corrosion from salt water exposure such as from road salt use.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Kia will notify owners and dealers will replace the front lower control arms on 2006-2007 models. 2008-2012 models will either have their front lower control arms replaced or additional anti-corrosion coating will be applied. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on July 27, 2016. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC133.

16V389000 · Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch

Jun 1, 2016

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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 on July 27, 2016. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall number is SC134.

13V550000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm

Nov 5, 2013

Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2006-2012 Kia Sedona vehicles manufactured from June 15, 2005, through August 14, 2012 originally sold in, or currently registered in Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Wisconsin, Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio, Rhode Island, West Virginia or the District of Columbia. In the affected vehicles, the front lower control arms may break due to corrosion resulting from prolonged exposure to salty environments.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Kia will notify owners and dealers will inspect the degree of corrosion of the front lower control arms, and will either rustproof or replace them, free of charge. The recall began on December 20, 2013. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall number is SC100.

13V114000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

Apr 1, 2013

Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo, model year 2007-2011 Sedona, Sorento and Sportage, model year 2010-2011 Soul, model year 2008-2011 Optima, model year 2010 Forte, model year 2007-2009 Amanti, and model year 2009 Borrego vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Kia recalled 623,658 model year 2007-2010 Rondo and Sportage, model year 2007-2011 Sorento, model year 2007 Sedona, model year 2010-2011 Soul, and model year 2011 Optima vehicles. In September 2013, Kia informed the agency that it was adding an additional 356,719 vehicles to this campaign. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 980,377. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of PARK without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Kia will send an interim notification to owners in May 2013. When parts are available, owners will receive a second notification and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall campaign number is SC098.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.