NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electronic Stability Control (esc) complaints
15 reportsClear category filter80,000 miles · Nov 12, 2025
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes, Hydraulic
The contact owns a 2008 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that the ABS warning light was illuminated. The message "ESC OFF" was displayed. The contact stated that the headlights were inoperable. Additionally, the engine had overheated, causing an electrical short and battery failure. The battery was replaced several times; however…
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The contact owns a 2008 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that the ABS warning light was illuminated. The message "ESC OFF" was displayed. The contact stated that the headlights were inoperable. Additionally, the engine had overheated, causing an electrical short and battery failure. The battery was replaced several times; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle shut off unexpectedly. The contact was able to pull into a parking lot. The vehicle was restarted and driven at 25 MPH; however, the failure recurred. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The vehicle failed to restart and remained on the side of the road. The contact stated that several mechanics had previously diagnosed the vehicle with electrical failures. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
NHTSA ODI #11698939
198,000 miles · Jul 13, 2020
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT STATED SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WHILE STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT RECENTLY SHE PARKED, THE VEHICLE AND IT FAILED TO REVERSE, SHE CHECKED THE OIL LEVEL HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO OIL IN THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT STATE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT STATED SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WHILE STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT RECENTLY SHE PARKED, THE VEHICLE AND IT FAILED TO REVERSE, SHE CHECKED THE OIL LEVEL HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO OIL IN THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED AS WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING SMOKE WAS SEEN IN THE VEHICLE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL FAILED TO ENGAGE WHILE DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED ON THE FINAL FAILURE A FEW WEEKS LATER THE VEHICLE STALLED, WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH AND CAME. THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE ON FIRE ON ENGINE. THE CONTACT STATED THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND A FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT WAS FILED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V088000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) HOWEVER THE CONTACT HAD NOT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION ON THE RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED A LOCAL DEALER WAS CONTACTED HOWEVER, NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED AND PROVIDED MANUFACTURER NUMBER. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE AND A CASE WAS OPENED. THE CONTACT STATED SHE WAS AWAITING A CALL BACK FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 198,000.
NHTSA ODI #11339089
Mileage unknown · Nov 14, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Exterior LightingSuspension
TODAY LOOKING MY CAR VALUE, FOUND THAT MY WAGON HAVE 4 RECALLS. I'M WORRY FOR THIS SITUATION.
NHTSA ODI #11279961
48,000 miles · Sep 25, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel/propulsion System
WITHOUT WARNING GOES INTO LIMP MODE VERY LITTLE ACCELERATION ESP LIGHT ON AND CHECK ENGINE ON. WILL RESTART AND DRIVE NORMALLY UNTIL NEXT EPISODE! CAR MOVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED WHEN THIS HAPPENS OR ON CITY STREET BUT ALWAYS MOVING.
NHTSA ODI #11025248
55,000 miles · Nov 14, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Vehicle Speed Control
TRAVELING AT 85 MPH, CRUISE CONTROL ON, "ESC OFF" LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD AND THE VEHICLE DECELERATED RAPIDLY. LOST ABILITY TO ACCELERATE PAST 20 MPH. VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND RESTARTED. ACCELERATOR RESUMED WORKING FOR HOWEVER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND CHECKED THE CODE IT WAS THROTTL…
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TRAVELING AT 85 MPH, CRUISE CONTROL ON, "ESC OFF" LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD AND THE VEHICLE DECELERATED RAPIDLY. LOST ABILITY TO ACCELERATE PAST 20 MPH. VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND RESTARTED. ACCELERATOR RESUMED WORKING FOR HOWEVER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND CHECKED THE CODE IT WAS THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR. THIS MORNING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON AND THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI #10925768
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
112,200 miles · Nov 10, 2015
Electronic Stability Control (esc)
ESC LIGHT WOUYLD GO ON AND OFF SPORADICALLY ALONG WITH CRUISE CONTROL BECOMING UNRESPONSIVE. CONDITION WAS SPORADIC. BROUGHT VEHICLE TO NAPLES KIA ON 11-10-2015 FOR REPAIR. REPLACED STOP LAMP SWITCH AT COST TO ME. RESEARCH TODAY SHOWS WAS RECALL ON THE PART? I TOOK IT IN FOR RECALL IN THE PAST AND NOW BELIEVE THIS SAME PART WAS …
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ESC LIGHT WOUYLD GO ON AND OFF SPORADICALLY ALONG WITH CRUISE CONTROL BECOMING UNRESPONSIVE. CONDITION WAS SPORADIC. BROUGHT VEHICLE TO NAPLES KIA ON 11-10-2015 FOR REPAIR. REPLACED STOP LAMP SWITCH AT COST TO ME. RESEARCH TODAY SHOWS WAS RECALL ON THE PART? I TOOK IT IN FOR RECALL IN THE PAST AND NOW BELIEVE THIS SAME PART WAS POSSIBLY ALREADY REPLACED. THIS WOULD MEAN THIS PART IS DEFECTIVE AGAIN.
NHTSA ODI #10789709
72,271 miles · Oct 23, 2014
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Power Train
WHILE DRIVING IN CONSTRUCTION (55MPH) GOING TO WORK IN MORNING RUSH, THE ESC OFF LIGHT CAME ON AND THERE WAS LOSS OF ACCELERATION. I TURNED THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS ON AND COASTED TO A STOP, BUT THERE WAS NOWHERE TO GET OFF THE ROAD. CARS STARTED SWERVING AROUND ME AND ONE CAR ALMOST HIT A DIVIDER WALL. I SHUT THE ENGINE OFF A…
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WHILE DRIVING IN CONSTRUCTION (55MPH) GOING TO WORK IN MORNING RUSH, THE ESC OFF LIGHT CAME ON AND THERE WAS LOSS OF ACCELERATION. I TURNED THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS ON AND COASTED TO A STOP, BUT THERE WAS NOWHERE TO GET OFF THE ROAD. CARS STARTED SWERVING AROUND ME AND ONE CAR ALMOST HIT A DIVIDER WALL. I SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND RESTARTED 3 TIMES BEFORE I COULD GET GOING AGAIN. IT HAPPENED TWICE AGAIN WITHIN A 2 MILE DISTANCE ALL IN THE CONSTRUCTION AREA. RESEARCH SHOWED THE TPS IS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDS REPLACED AND REPROGRAMMED. THIS IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM. SOMEBODY COULD BE KILLED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10649510
74,000 miles · Aug 13, 2013
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine
ESC LIGHT ON. LOST ALL POWER AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. DROVE TO DEALERSHIP AT 8 MPH WITH HAZARDS ON. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10535089
25,000 miles · May 29, 2012
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Vehicle Speed Control
TRAVELING AT 70 MPH, CRUISE CONTROL ON, "ESC OFF" LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD AND THE VEHICLE DECELERATED RAPIDLY. LOST ABILITY TO ACCELERATE PAST 20 MPH. VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND RESTARTED. ACCELERATOR RESUMED WORKING FOR ABOUT 50 MILES AND THE SAME THINGS HAPPENED AGAIN: ESC OFF LIGHT AND CHECK …
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TRAVELING AT 70 MPH, CRUISE CONTROL ON, "ESC OFF" LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD AND THE VEHICLE DECELERATED RAPIDLY. LOST ABILITY TO ACCELERATE PAST 20 MPH. VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND RESTARTED. ACCELERATOR RESUMED WORKING FOR ABOUT 50 MILES AND THE SAME THINGS HAPPENED AGAIN: ESC OFF LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND VEHICLE RAPIDLY DECELERATED AND LOST ALL ACCELERATION ABILITY THIS TIME. STOPPED VEHICLE AGAIN AND RESTARTED AND ACCELERATOR RESUMED WORKING. THIS HAPPENED AT AROUND 2AM. IN THE MORNING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A KIA DEALER. ON THE WAY TO THE DEALER THE "ESC" LIGHT BEGAN BLINKING (NOTE: THIS IS NOT THE SAME AS THE ESC OFF LIGHT), THE ACCELERATION SPUTTERED, BUT REMAINED WORKING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY RETRIEVED THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR CODES, BUT THEY CLEARED THE COMPUTER HISTORY AND COULD NO LONGER DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND THEREFORE IT COULD NOT BE FIXED. THEY RETRIEVED THE CODES, CLEARED THE MEMORY AND WANT TO SEND ME ON MY WAY. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME A KIA DEALER HAS CLEARED THE COMPUTER MEMORY AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FIXED. I WAS TOLD, BY MY LOCAL DEALER TO MAKE SURE THE DEALER DOES NOT CLEAR THE CODES/HISTORY OR IT CAN NOT BE FIXED. I HAVE CALLED KIA CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND AM AWAITING A RESPONSE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10459962
Official recalls
5Feb 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 ↗