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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.

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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

What owners actually said

170 reports
Mileage unknown · Oct 29, 2021
Electrical SystemService BrakesFire

[XXX] owned a 2008 Kia Sedona minivan, VIN #[XXX]. This was his only vehicle at the time. On or about April 26, 2021, [XXX] heard a loud noise coming from the driveway and went outside to investigate. The van was engulfed in flames, mainly in the engine compartment. He attempted to put the fire out himself. His neighbor called t…

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[XXX] owned a 2008 Kia Sedona minivan, VIN #[XXX]. This was his only vehicle at the time. On or about April 26, 2021, [XXX] heard a loud noise coming from the driveway and went outside to investigate. The van was engulfed in flames, mainly in the engine compartment. He attempted to put the fire out himself. His neighbor called the Pinellas Park fire department who responded and put out the fire. The vehicle was a total loss. The van had been parked for approximately five hours after he used it earlier that day to pick up children from school The spontaneous vehicle fire was a serious safety risk, and he is fortunate to have not lost his home in the fire along with the vehicle. The day before the fire, the ABS indicator light on the dash came on. He made an appointment to have the van serviced on April 27, but the fire destroyed the vehicle before it could be looked at. Shortly after this happened, [XXX] learned of Manufacturer Recall Number SC186; NHTSA Recall Number 20V088. He was never notified by Kia North America, before or after the fire which destroyed the vehicle. [XXX] has opened case number [XXX] with and was assured that Kia would be providing reimbursement for the Kia Sedona vehicle he had to replace. Kia North America requested pictures of the fire damaged vehicle, which he sent to them. He offered to allow Kia to inspect the wreckage of the vehicle, but no action was ever taken despite assurances that Kia would send a representative to inspect the vehicle. In September 2021, Kia North America stopped responding to Mr. Brackett, and no longer returns his or my communication. If the NHTSA requires any more information, please contact my office. /s [XXX] Florida Bar #[XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI #11438659

Mileage unknown · Oct 13, 2021
Latches/locks/linkages

On three occasions my vehicle's engine would stumble and refuse to accelerate when gas peddle was depressed to reach a lower gear to accelerate. I was forced to pull out of busy traffic to roadway shoulder, where engine continued to stumble or misfire. When I shut off the ignition and restarted my Kia Sedona, it retuned to norma…

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On three occasions my vehicle's engine would stumble and refuse to accelerate when gas peddle was depressed to reach a lower gear to accelerate. I was forced to pull out of busy traffic to roadway shoulder, where engine continued to stumble or misfire. When I shut off the ignition and restarted my Kia Sedona, it retuned to normal operation. A second mishap was the sudden opening of the engine compartment hood, which flew up and struck my windshield, completely blocking my view. Fortunately I was able to slow and stop the vehicle without further damage, beside a bent hood and broken hinges and hood struts. You have issued a recall for several states, but not for Florida where this happened.

NHTSA ODI #11436588

118,000 miles · Sep 29, 2021
Engine

The contact owns a 2008 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who informed him that the catalytic converter was defective. The contact was referred to NHTSA by the independent mechanic for assis…

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The contact owns a 2008 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who informed him that the catalytic converter was defective. The contact was referred to NHTSA by the independent mechanic for assistance. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The contact stated that the odometer had been rolled back. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI #11434833

Mileage unknown · Aug 27, 2021
StructureInjury

I was driving on the freeway and my hood blew up and smashed my front windshield blocking out light. I could not see to drive and the rearview mirror flew off like a projectile

NHTSA ODI #11430742

Mileage unknown · Aug 16, 2021
Suspension

Vehicle was not drivable. Driver side front control arm was corroded and cracked/broken.

NHTSA ODI #11429285

128,000 miles · Jan 25, 2021
Structure

THE VAN'S SLIDING SIDE DOORS NO LONGER OPEN DUE TO PLASTIC CLIPS IN THE TRACKS BREAKING. THE DOORS CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE. BOTH DOORS BROKE THE SAME DAY. MY SON IS IN A WHEELCHAIR AND WE USE THE SIDE SLIDING DOOR WITH A RAMP TO GET HIM IN HIS WHEELCHAIR INTO THE VEHICLE. HE IS FIVE AND WAS TRAPPED IN THE…

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THE VAN'S SLIDING SIDE DOORS NO LONGER OPEN DUE TO PLASTIC CLIPS IN THE TRACKS BREAKING. THE DOORS CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE. BOTH DOORS BROKE THE SAME DAY. MY SON IS IN A WHEELCHAIR AND WE USE THE SIDE SLIDING DOOR WITH A RAMP TO GET HIM IN HIS WHEELCHAIR INTO THE VEHICLE. HE IS FIVE AND WAS TRAPPED IN THE VEHICLE. WE HAD TO OPEN THE BACK HATCH AND FOLD DOWN THE REAR SEATS IN ORDER TO GET HIM IN HIS WHEELCHAIR OUT. THIS IS NOT A SAFE SITUATION. I CAN NO LONGER RIDE HIM OR ANY PASSENGERS IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT'S AN ENTRAPMENT ISSUE IF I WAS TO BE IN AN ACCIDENT. I NOTE THAT THIS SAME ISSUE HAS BEEN ADDRESSED WITH A RECALL ON LATER YEAR MODELS THAN MINE, BUT HAS YET TO BE RECALLED ON THE 2008.

NHTSA ODI #11389807

171,000 miles · Nov 4, 2020
SuspensionCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER BOYFRIEND WAS DRIVING AROUND A CURVE, THE VEHICLE VEERED OFF THE HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH DOWN INTO AN INCLINE. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE IN A YARD. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE CONTROL ARM ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WAS RUSTED AND FRACTURED IN THREE PLACES. THERE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER BOYFRIEND WAS DRIVING AROUND A CURVE, THE VEHICLE VEERED OFF THE HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH DOWN INTO AN INCLINE. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE IN A YARD. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE CONTROL ARM ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WAS RUSTED AND FRACTURED IN THREE PLACES. THERE WERE NO INJURIES THAT CAUSED ANYONE TO BE TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A STORAGE AREA. THE DEALER BERGSTROM KIA OF APPLETON (2445 W COLLEGE AVE, APPLETON, WI 54914 (920) 993-3000) TOLD THE CONTACT TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT WAS SENT TO THE RECALL SECTION AND SENT PICTURES OF THE CRASH. AFTER SEVERAL CALLS, THE MANUFACTURER CONCLUDED THAT THEY WOULD NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. VIN TOOL SEARCH CONFIRMED THE VEHICLE HAD A PENDING RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V387000 (SUSPENSION).THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 171,000.

NHTSA ODI #11372961

100,000 miles · Sep 3, 2020
Electrical SystemFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS INCLUDING THE ABS WARNING LIGHT HAD ILLUMINATED. AFTER RESTARTING THE ENGINE, THE ODOR OF BURNING RUBBER WAS PRESENT AND SMOKE WAS SCENE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS INCLUDING THE ABS WARNING LIGHT HAD ILLUMINATED. AFTER RESTARTING THE ENGINE, THE ODOR OF BURNING RUBBER WAS PRESENT AND SMOKE WAS SCENE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAN MODULE WAS FAULTY. THE FAN MODULE WAS REPLACED BUT THE FAILURES CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS EXAMINED BY A SECOND INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRE HARNESS WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NO FURTHER INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #11353008

Mileage unknown · Sep 2, 2020
Electrical SystemService Brakes, Hydraulic

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 NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE…

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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 NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GREENWAY KIA OF RIVERGATE (1536 GALLATIN PIKE N, MADISON, TN 37115) AND WAS REJECTED TO BE SERVICED DUE TO PARTS NOT BEING AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT PART WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI #11352734

165,000 miles · Aug 20, 2020
Unknown Or Other

WHILE DRIVING AT 55MPH 2 LANE RUAL ROAD CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THEN AFTER MIN LATER ESC OFF LIGHT CAME ON AND ALL THE SUDDEN I LOST ALL THROTTLE AND RPM GAS PETAL TO FLOOR AND WOULD ONLY COST AT 20MPH AND LESS ON INCLINE ALMOST REAR ENDED DUE TO LOSS OF THROTTLE WITH NO NOTICE TO TRAFFIC BEHIND ME .. TURNED ON EMERGENCY FLA…

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WHILE DRIVING AT 55MPH 2 LANE RUAL ROAD CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THEN AFTER MIN LATER ESC OFF LIGHT CAME ON AND ALL THE SUDDEN I LOST ALL THROTTLE AND RPM GAS PETAL TO FLOOR AND WOULD ONLY COST AT 20MPH AND LESS ON INCLINE ALMOST REAR ENDED DUE TO LOSS OF THROTTLE WITH NO NOTICE TO TRAFFIC BEHIND ME .. TURNED ON EMERGENCY FLASHERS FOUND A PLACE 10 MILES DOWN THE ROAD TO PULL OFF .. NO CELL SERVICE IN RUAL AREA CRANKED VEH BACK UP AND ALL LIGHTS WERE OFF STARTED AND THROTTLED RIGHT FOR ABOUT A MILE THEIR WAS NO RAIN SNOW JUST SUNNY DAY ..HAVE CALLED KIA THEY SAID THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF SUCH SINCE WE HAVE THE COVID .. I WENT ONLINE AND SEE ALOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE SO I HAVE NO FAITH THAT KIA WILL FIX IT SINCE ALL THE REVIEWS .. I HAD A THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR ORDERED IT THRU KIA WHICH AT FIRST THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT SELL THE SENSOR ONLY BUT THE WHOLE THROTTLE BODY.. I HAD TO REFER THEM TO A TSA BULLETIN AND GUESS WHAT THEY COULD ORDER ONE AT $40 COMPARED TO $350 .. I REPLACED THE PART AND IT IS STILL DOING THE SAME THING ..FRUSTRATED WITH THIS IT SHOULD BE A RECALL SINCE THIS IS A ONGOING ISSUE WITH KIA AND HUANDA VEH TILL DATE FROM WHAT I HAVE READ ONLINE .. IF YOU WISH TO LOOK AT MY VEH TO SEE THE PROBLEM YOU ARE WELCOME TO BECAUSE ITS UNSAFE FOR ME TO DRIVE 165,000 MILES

NHTSA ODI #11350575

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.