IllustrationFLICKERING HEADLIGHTS AT NIGHT. SOMETIMES THEY GO OUT AND THEN COME BACK ON
2016 Kia Sedona
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Sedona years
Owner complaints for the 2016 Kia Sedona are substantially higher than 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
180–25K
1825–50K
2250–75K
1475–100K
17100–150K
11150K+
100 reports with mileage · 195 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.
- Engine. Review the 146 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 46 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Exterior Lighting. Review the 37 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
10 crash reports14 fire reports9 injury reports
Exterior Lighting complaints
37 reportsREAR DIRECTIONALS FILL WITH RAIN WATER AND STOP FUNCTIONING.
I HAVE A 2016 KIA SEDONA AND SOMETIMES WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT EITHER ON THE FREEWAY OR CITY STREET MY HEADLIGHTS FLICKER OFF AND ON, SOMETIMES THEY WON'T TURN BACK ON UNTIL I TURN THE LIGHTS SWITCH. IT STARTED 2 YEARS AGO BUT NOW IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY. ALSO, WHILE MY VAN IS PARKED AND THE ENGINE IS OFF THE HEADLI…
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I HAVE A 2016 KIA SEDONA AND SOMETIMES WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT EITHER ON THE FREEWAY OR CITY STREET MY HEADLIGHTS FLICKER OFF AND ON, SOMETIMES THEY WON'T TURN BACK ON UNTIL I TURN THE LIGHTS SWITCH. IT STARTED 2 YEARS AGO BUT NOW IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY. ALSO, WHILE MY VAN IS PARKED AND THE ENGINE IS OFF THE HEADLIGHTS ARE TURNING ON BY THEMSELVES. I KEEP MY SWITCH ON AUTO. I MAKE SURE MY LIGHTS TURN OFF BEFORE LEAVING THE VAN BUT THEN I COME BACK AND THEY ARE ON. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IT HAS DONE THAT. I HAVE TO CARRY A BATTERY CHARGER NOW JUST IN CASE I WON'T BE ABLE TO START MY VAN.
THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT HAPPENS EVERYDAY, AND AT NIGHT. TWO THINGS, ONE THE TURN SIGNALS DO NOT ENGAGE, YOU'LL PUSH THE STALK UP/DOWN TO INDICATE A LEFT OR RIGHT-HAND TURN, AND THE EXTERNAL SIGNALS DO NOT LIGHT. EITHER TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL OR PUSHING THE TURN SIGNAL STALK BACK TO THE CENTER POSITION AND THEN PUSHING THE STA…
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THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT HAPPENS EVERYDAY, AND AT NIGHT. TWO THINGS, ONE THE TURN SIGNALS DO NOT ENGAGE, YOU'LL PUSH THE STALK UP/DOWN TO INDICATE A LEFT OR RIGHT-HAND TURN, AND THE EXTERNAL SIGNALS DO NOT LIGHT. EITHER TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL OR PUSHING THE TURN SIGNAL STALK BACK TO THE CENTER POSITION AND THEN PUSHING THE STALK BACK TO THE DESIRED LEFT/RIGHT INDICATOR. ALSO AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS WILL TURN OFF BY THEMSELVES. YOU USUAULLY HAVE TO RAPIDLY WORK THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH ON THE END OF THE TURN SIGNAL STALK TO GET THEM TO TURN BACK ON. THIS IS HIGHLY DANGEROUS AT NIGHT, AND KIA REFUSES TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE.
WAS DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AT NIGHT WHEN SUDDENLY THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS WENT OUT. AFTER A FEW SECONDS, THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT AS WELL. THIS WAS DEFINITELY A LIFE-THREATENING SITUATION! IT HAPPENED ON A 2200 MILE TRIP AND NECESSITATED CHANGING PLANS, MOTEL RESERVATIONS, AND ARRIVING LATE AT THE DESTINATION, BECAUSE..…
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WAS DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AT NIGHT WHEN SUDDENLY THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS WENT OUT. AFTER A FEW SECONDS, THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT AS WELL. THIS WAS DEFINITELY A LIFE-THREATENING SITUATION! IT HAPPENED ON A 2200 MILE TRIP AND NECESSITATED CHANGING PLANS, MOTEL RESERVATIONS, AND ARRIVING LATE AT THE DESTINATION, BECAUSE... IT WAS THE WEEKEND (NO SERVICE AVAILABLE) AND WE HAD TO DRIVE ONLY IN DAYLIGHT HOURS. TAKING IT TO A KIA DEALER ASAP, BUT AM EXPECTING AN "WE CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG BECAUSE IT'S AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM." RESPONSE.
RENTED A CAR FROM THE AIRPORT IN DENVER AND IT WAS THE LAST 4 CARS ON THERE LOT. I WAS DRIVING THE CAR LOST IN DENVER CAR WAS PULLING TO THE CENTER OF THE CARON BOTH SIDES. I SAID THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THIS CAR. I WAS LOOKING FOR STREET SIGNS ABOUT 20 MPH AND THE CAR TOOK OFF AND HIT 2 CARS THE AIR BAGS WENT OFF I LET GO…
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RENTED A CAR FROM THE AIRPORT IN DENVER AND IT WAS THE LAST 4 CARS ON THERE LOT. I WAS DRIVING THE CAR LOST IN DENVER CAR WAS PULLING TO THE CENTER OF THE CARON BOTH SIDES. I SAID THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THIS CAR. I WAS LOOKING FOR STREET SIGNS ABOUT 20 MPH AND THE CAR TOOK OFF AND HIT 2 CARS THE AIR BAGS WENT OFF I LET GO OF STREEING WHEEL AND THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE SALVAGE LOT IN 20 DAYS RENTAL PLACE NEVER CONTACTED ME PUT MONEY BACK IN MY ACCT AND NEVER GAVE ME MY THINGS IN TRAVEL. NOW I HAVE TO GET A LAWYER TO DEFEND ME. AND I AM BLESS I HAVE A BROKEN SCREW IN MY FUSION AND I COULD OF BEEN PARALYZED THIS CAR SHOULD NOT BE ON THE ROAD.
THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE MANUFACTURED TO A SPECIFICATION THAT GIVES VERY LIMITED LENGTH OF VISIBILITY MAKING FAST HIGHWAY DRIVING AT NIGHT VERY DANGEROUS. DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS NORMAL, MANUFACTURER IS LOOKING INTO IT. SIMPLY PUT THEY ARE BY DEGREES POINTED DOWNWARD TOO EARLY AND THIS PROVIDES VERY LIMITED VISIBILITY AND VERY…
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THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE MANUFACTURED TO A SPECIFICATION THAT GIVES VERY LIMITED LENGTH OF VISIBILITY MAKING FAST HIGHWAY DRIVING AT NIGHT VERY DANGEROUS. DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS NORMAL, MANUFACTURER IS LOOKING INTO IT. SIMPLY PUT THEY ARE BY DEGREES POINTED DOWNWARD TOO EARLY AND THIS PROVIDES VERY LIMITED VISIBILITY AND VERY LIMITED REACTION TIME IN THE EVENT OF A DEER OR OTHER ROAD HAZARD - FORCING YOU TO USE HIGH BEAMS AT ALL TIMES AT HIGHWAY SPEED AT NIGHT TO ENSURE REASONABLE VISIBILITY
Official recalls
422V612000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:column Shift
Aug 10, 2022
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016 Sedona and Sorento vehicles. The vehicles may have been manufactured with faulty automatic transmission shift lever assembly components, preventing the shift lever from locking, which can allow the vehicle to rollaway.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash and injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the automatic transmission shift lever assembly components, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 7, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC246.
21V725000 · Electrical System:software; Exterior Lighting:turn Signal
Sep 17, 2021
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Sedona vehicles. The Smart Junction Box (SJB) software logic may not properly interpret the signals received from the multifunction switch, which could cause the turn signal to activate in the opposite direction of what the driver intended.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A turn signal activating in the opposite direction of what was intended by the driver increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the SJB software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 12, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC217.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Electrical System:software
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Sedona vehicles. The Smart Junction Box (SJB) software logic may not properly interpret the signals received from the multifunction switch, which could cause the turn signal to activate in the opposite direction of what the driver intended.
Consequence: A turn signal activating in the opposite direction of what was intended by the driver increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the SJB software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 12, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC217.
Exterior Lighting:turn Signal
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Sedona vehicles. The Smart Junction Box (SJB) software logic may not properly interpret the signals received from the multifunction switch, which could cause the turn signal to activate in the opposite direction of what the driver intended.
Consequence: A turn signal activating in the opposite direction of what was intended by the driver increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the SJB software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 12, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC217.
19V109000 · Electrical System:wiring
Feb 19, 2019
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Sedona vehicles equipped with manually-adjusted front passenger seats. Over time, the Occupant Detection System (ODS) wiring harness located underneath the front passenger seat may break from the seat being occupied.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If a child is in a child seat in the front seat, a broken ODS wiring harness will not prevent the front passenger air bag from deploying in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the child.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will remove the wire harness clip to prevent the wiring harness from breaking. If the harness is found damaged, the front passenger seat cushion will be replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 19, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC175.
18V338000 · Electrical System:software; Structure:body:door
May 23, 2018
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Kia Sedona vehicles equipped with a power sliding door (PSD). The PSD may not auto-reverse when its closing is obstructed.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the door closes on an occupant, there is an increased risk of an injury.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the PSD module software, free of charge. The recall began on June 18, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC164.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Electrical System:software
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Kia Sedona vehicles equipped with a power sliding door (PSD). The PSD may not auto-reverse when its closing is obstructed.
Consequence: If the door closes on an occupant, there is an increased risk of an injury.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the PSD module software, free of charge. The recall began on June 18, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC164.
Structure:body:door
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Kia Sedona vehicles equipped with a power sliding door (PSD). The PSD may not auto-reverse when its closing is obstructed.
Consequence: If the door closes on an occupant, there is an increased risk of an injury.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the PSD module software, free of charge. The recall began on June 18, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC164.
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
1DP24002 · 3.3L Engine Loss Of Motive Power (lomp)
Opened Feb 27, 2024 · Closed Mar 5, 2024
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a petition on February 20, 2024, requesting the opening of an investigation into an alleged defect of the "engine" on the following vehicle model stated by the petitioner: 2016 Kia Sedona vehicles equipped with the 3.3L V-Shaped GDI Lambda-II engine. The petitioner raised the issue of a Loss of Motive Power. On November 13, 2023, ODI opened PE23-019 to address allegations of loss of motive power, on the 3.3L V6 Lambda-II engine for 2016-2017 Kia Sorento and included the 2016 Kia Sedona as a peer vehicle. This investigation is ongoing and addresses the potential safety-related defect raised by the petitioner. In view of the open Investigation, PE23-019, ODI considers the petition moot and is closing this action. The closing of the petition does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The Agency reserves the right to make that determination at the close of PE23-019.