WE HAD TO REPLACE SOME SENSORS AROUND 40,000 MILES AND NOW AGAIN AT 60,000 MILES THE SAME PROBLEM,...THE ESC LIGHT COMES ON STAYS ON AND THE ENGINE LOSES POWER..... *TR THE NEXT TIME YOU START IT UP IT MAY BE FINE FOR THAT WHOLE TRIP...THE NEXT DAY THE PROBLEM IS BACK....
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Sedona years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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.
Electronic Stability Control (esc) complaints
15 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5-10 MPH AND EXITING A PARKING LOT WHEN THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND TO ACCELERATION ATTEMPTS. THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF. ONCE RESTARTED, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5-10 MPH AND EXITING A PARKING LOT WHEN THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND TO ACCELERATION ATTEMPTS. THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF. ONCE RESTARTED, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED FIVE TIMES AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,382 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 38,482.
GOING UPHILL TOWARD TRAFFIC LIGHT, ACCELERATING TO MAINTAIN SPEED FOR CROSSING INTERSECTION, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, ESC LIGHT ON, ENGINE SUDDENLY IDLING CAUSING TOTAL LOSS OF POWER NEAR THE INTERSECTION. HAD ENOUGH MOMENTUM TO PULL ON THE GRASS SHOULDER. DIAGNOSTIC FROM GARAGE: THROTTLE SENSOR STUCK. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUA…
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GOING UPHILL TOWARD TRAFFIC LIGHT, ACCELERATING TO MAINTAIN SPEED FOR CROSSING INTERSECTION, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, ESC LIGHT ON, ENGINE SUDDENLY IDLING CAUSING TOTAL LOSS OF POWER NEAR THE INTERSECTION. HAD ENOUGH MOMENTUM TO PULL ON THE GRASS SHOULDER. DIAGNOSTIC FROM GARAGE: THROTTLE SENSOR STUCK. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR
2 MONTHS WHILE DECELERATING AT RED LIGHT, ACCELERATION OCCURRED WHILE PRESSING BRAKE PEDAL, STOPPED WITHIN A FRACTION OF AN INCH FROM CAR IN FRONT OF ME. LAST NIGHT WHILE DRIVING 70MPH ON HWY ESC AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS CAME ON AND LOST ALL ACCELERATION FUNCTION. CAR STAYED IDLING BUT COULD NOT REGAIN ACCELERATION. HAD TO CROSS …
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2 MONTHS WHILE DECELERATING AT RED LIGHT, ACCELERATION OCCURRED WHILE PRESSING BRAKE PEDAL, STOPPED WITHIN A FRACTION OF AN INCH FROM CAR IN FRONT OF ME. LAST NIGHT WHILE DRIVING 70MPH ON HWY ESC AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS CAME ON AND LOST ALL ACCELERATION FUNCTION. CAR STAYED IDLING BUT COULD NOT REGAIN ACCELERATION. HAD TO CROSS OVER 4 LANES OF TRAFFIC TO GET TO AN OFFRAMP EXIT. WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO SMALL SHOULDER AND HAD MYSELF AND 6 CHILDREN STANDING ON HIGHWAY WHILE WAITING FOR ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. THE EXIT WAS FOR ANOTHER HWY SO WE HAD NO SAFE PLACE TO STAND BUT ALONG THE GUARDRAIL OF 2 HWYS. WAS TOLD TO CALL A TAXI AND WOULD BE REIMBURSED. NOW KIA MOTORS IS TELLING ME THAT SINCE I PURCHASED A FLEET VEHICLE I AM NOT COVERED UNDER A WARRANTY BECAUSE IT IS AT 70000. PURCHASED AS CERTIFIED REOWNED AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE COVERED FOR 10 YEARS 10,000 MILES. SAME PROBLEM WAS RECALLED ON THE 06 AND 07 MODELS BUT HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED FOR 08 MODEL. WE ALL COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED!!! DEALER WAS NOT EVEN ABLE TO LOOK AT IT YET AND SAID THEY WON'T UNTIL TOMORROW SO HERE I AM ON THE SECOND DAY WITHOUT TRANSPORTATION AND DO NOT KNOW WHAT IT IS GOING TO TAKE TO BE FIXED. INTERNET SEARCHES AND COMPLAINT SEARCH ON THIS SITE REVEAL COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME NATURE TO NUMEROUS TO COUNT. *TR
WE RENTED A 2008 KIA SEDONA VAN WITH THE 3.8L ENGINE AND IT LOST POWER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY AT SPEEDS OF 65-70MPH. THE ENGINE DID NOT DIE, BUT THE CHECK ENGINE AND ESC WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND THERE WAS NO POWER BEING TRANSFERRED TO THE TRANSAXLE. ON THE FIRST VAN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED AFTER DRIVING ONLY 50 MILES, TH…
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WE RENTED A 2008 KIA SEDONA VAN WITH THE 3.8L ENGINE AND IT LOST POWER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY AT SPEEDS OF 65-70MPH. THE ENGINE DID NOT DIE, BUT THE CHECK ENGINE AND ESC WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND THERE WAS NO POWER BEING TRANSFERRED TO THE TRANSAXLE. ON THE FIRST VAN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED AFTER DRIVING ONLY 50 MILES, THE REPLACEMENT VAN WAS DRIVEN 1,286 BEFORE IT TOO DID THE SAME THING. WE INFORMED ADVANTAGE CAR RENTAL THAT IT APPEARS TO BE A SYSTEMATIC PROBLEM WITH THAT MAKE AND MODEL. *TR
Official recalls
520V088000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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