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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.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Fuel/propulsion System complaints

9 reports
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Mileage unknown · May 2, 2026
Fuel/propulsion SystemFire

While driving car gas tank blew a hole and started on fire. Car then lost power while on fire while I was in traffic, luckily I was able to cut into a parking lot and people that were in traffic with me call 911. Fire department confirmed there was a hole in gas tank which sits right underneath driver side. Fire was only contain…

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While driving car gas tank blew a hole and started on fire. Car then lost power while on fire while I was in traffic, luckily I was able to cut into a parking lot and people that were in traffic with me call 911. Fire department confirmed there was a hole in gas tank which sits right underneath driver side. Fire was only contained to where the gas tank and lines are. I have pictures.

NHTSA ODI #11735273

Mileage unknown · Dec 29, 2025
EngineFuel/propulsion System

Kia service dealer diagnosed high oil consumption on my car with heavy sounds. They recommend to replace whole engine but it's out of warranty. It has only 106k miles on it. I am afraid the car is posing safety issue as well and it has less miles on it. I filed complain with kia consumer corporate a case has been generated …

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Kia service dealer diagnosed high oil consumption on my car with heavy sounds. They recommend to replace whole engine but it's out of warranty. It has only 106k miles on it. I am afraid the car is posing safety issue as well and it has less miles on it. I filed complain with kia consumer corporate a case has been generated on their system [XXX] but no one had contacted me yet. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11707644

Mileage unknown · Jun 18, 2025
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

There was a sudden loss of power while in the middle of the highway. Further inspection resulted in low oil and metal flakes in the oil filter. At the time of initial loss of power there was absolutely zero warning or indication of any issues at all.

NHTSA ODI #11667762

Mileage unknown · Jun 17, 2024
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

On June 6th 2024 My 2016 Kia Sedona experienced sudden power loss accompanied by thick smoke out of the exhaust and a loud ticking while on a busy main intersection. Kia's Gross negligence to recall its known troubled engines is causing needless highway incidents. From stolen cars, engine failures and now fires, this is the seco…

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On June 6th 2024 My 2016 Kia Sedona experienced sudden power loss accompanied by thick smoke out of the exhaust and a loud ticking while on a busy main intersection. Kia's Gross negligence to recall its known troubled engines is causing needless highway incidents. From stolen cars, engine failures and now fires, this is the second Kia I have had fail.

NHTSA ODI #11594935

38,727 miles · Apr 23, 2020
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemStructureFire

THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY AND BURNED TO THE GROUND. WE CONTACTED KIA MOTORS REGARDING THIS. IT TOOK THEM WEEKS BEFORE THEY SENT OUT A REPRESENTATIVE TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. UPON INCEPTION OF THE VEHICLE THEY SIMPLY DENIED THAT THE ENGINE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY FAULTY PARTS AND DECLINED RESPONSIBLY FOR T…

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THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY AND BURNED TO THE GROUND. WE CONTACTED KIA MOTORS REGARDING THIS. IT TOOK THEM WEEKS BEFORE THEY SENT OUT A REPRESENTATIVE TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. UPON INCEPTION OF THE VEHICLE THEY SIMPLY DENIED THAT THE ENGINE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY FAULTY PARTS AND DECLINED RESPONSIBLY FOR THE IT!

NHTSA ODI #11322039

55,657 miles · Oct 30, 2019
EngineFuel/propulsion System

10-26-19 DRIVING ON HWY AT 60 MPH ON SAT. NIGHT AND I COULD TELL THE CAR HAD LOST POWER TO THE ENGINE. COASTED TO AN EMPTY PARKING LOT. TRIED TO CRANK. IT WOULD CRANK AND THEN DIE. LIGHTS STILL WORKED. THERE WAS A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE WHEN TRYING TO CRANK. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED 60 MILES TO HOME. TRIED TO CRANK THE FO…

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10-26-19 DRIVING ON HWY AT 60 MPH ON SAT. NIGHT AND I COULD TELL THE CAR HAD LOST POWER TO THE ENGINE. COASTED TO AN EMPTY PARKING LOT. TRIED TO CRANK. IT WOULD CRANK AND THEN DIE. LIGHTS STILL WORKED. THERE WAS A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE WHEN TRYING TO CRANK. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED 60 MILES TO HOME. TRIED TO CRANK THE FOLLOWING DAY AND SMOKE BILLOWED OUT OF THE EXHAUST. GASOLINE SMELL EXTREMELY STRONG.

NHTSA ODI #11277054

20,000 miles · Sep 15, 2018
Fuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or OtherCrashFire

I WAS DRIVING GOING WESTBOUND ON HIGHWAY 84 IN PENNSYLVANIA AND HIT A DEER GOING 65MPH. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. I WALKED OUT TO THE MILE MARKER AND WHEN I TURNED AROUND MY CAR WAS ON FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. EVENTUALLY MY CAR BLEW UP AND I LOST EVERYTHING.

NHTSA ODI #11129664

25,964 miles · Nov 16, 2017
Fuel/propulsion SystemService BrakesVehicle Speed ControlCrash

WHILE PULLING INTO MY DRIVEWAY GOING BETWEEN 5-10 MPH I APPLIED THE BRAKE AND THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD INTO MY GARAGE DOOR WHICH WAS CLOSED AND DAMAGED ANOTHER CAR PARKED IN THE GARAGE. IF THE OTHER CAR WAS NOT THERE TO STOP IT I MAY HAVE BEEN KILLED. I REPORTED THIS TO KIA AND THE INVESTIGATION ONLY SHOWED A BLOWN FUSE WHE…

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WHILE PULLING INTO MY DRIVEWAY GOING BETWEEN 5-10 MPH I APPLIED THE BRAKE AND THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD INTO MY GARAGE DOOR WHICH WAS CLOSED AND DAMAGED ANOTHER CAR PARKED IN THE GARAGE. IF THE OTHER CAR WAS NOT THERE TO STOP IT I MAY HAVE BEEN KILLED. I REPORTED THIS TO KIA AND THE INVESTIGATION ONLY SHOWED A BLOWN FUSE WHEN THEY CONNECTED IT TO THE TESTER. THERE ARE TWO OTHER ACCIDENTS THAT I KNOW OF WITH SIMILAR CIRCUMSTANCES, PLEASE CHECK INTO THIS BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED OR LOSES MONEY DUE TO SOMETHING THAT WAS NOT THEIR FAULT. BY THE WAY I WAS TURNING RIGHT INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND MY HUSBAND WAS BACKING OUT IN HIS CAR WHEN THIS TOOK PLACE AND HE SAW THE WHOLE THING.

NHTSA ODI #11046496

460 miles · Aug 16, 2016
Fuel/propulsion System

WHEN FILLING THE GAS TANK TO FULL. STARTING THE CAR AND DRIVING IT, THE RPM'S FLUCTUATE DRASTICALLY, AND THE CAR "BUCKS" AT ANY SPEED (NO PARTICULAR SPEED, OBSERVED AT A STOP, ACCELERATING, CRUISE CONTROL, 45 MPH). ONCE THE GAS LEVEL IS LESS THAN FULL - AROUND 7/8 OF A TANK, THE VAN SEEMS TO DRIVE OK. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON 2 OCCA…

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WHEN FILLING THE GAS TANK TO FULL. STARTING THE CAR AND DRIVING IT, THE RPM'S FLUCTUATE DRASTICALLY, AND THE CAR "BUCKS" AT ANY SPEED (NO PARTICULAR SPEED, OBSERVED AT A STOP, ACCELERATING, CRUISE CONTROL, 45 MPH). ONCE THE GAS LEVEL IS LESS THAN FULL - AROUND 7/8 OF A TANK, THE VAN SEEMS TO DRIVE OK. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON 2 OCCASIONS. (2 FILL UPS TO FULL, 1 ADDITIONAL FILL UP TO 7/8 OF A TANK HAD NO ISSUE). THE SECOND FILL UP WAS THE WORST - THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUT OFF WHILE MAKING A TURN AT AN INTERSECTION. HAPPENED AGAIN THE SAME DAY, FROM A STOP, ACCELERATING TO TURN THE CAR SHUT OFF.

NHTSA ODI #10896348

Official recalls

4

22V612000 · 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

1

DP24002 · 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.