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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.

About this comparison →

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

Structure complaints

25 reports
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Mileage unknown · Aug 2, 2021
StructureUnknown Or Other

The mud flaps on both front wheels they are starting to pop out and they rub against the tire i hear it really loud when I turn.

NHTSA ODI #11427537

70,000 miles · Apr 18, 2021
Exterior LightingStructure

DRIVER SIDE SLIDING DOOR DOES NOT CLOSE COMPLETELY. MUST PUSH ON BACK SIDE FOR IT TO CLOSE. BLINKERS DON'T WORK PROPERLY. PUT ON LEFT BLINKER AND RIGHT BLINKER TURNS ON. OCCASIONALLY IT WILL WORK CORRECTLY. I HAD THE DOOR RECALL FIXED AND THE SERVICE PERSON THOUGHT IT WOULD FIX ALL THE PROBLEMS BUT IT DID NOT. THEN A FEW MONTHS …

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DRIVER SIDE SLIDING DOOR DOES NOT CLOSE COMPLETELY. MUST PUSH ON BACK SIDE FOR IT TO CLOSE. BLINKERS DON'T WORK PROPERLY. PUT ON LEFT BLINKER AND RIGHT BLINKER TURNS ON. OCCASIONALLY IT WILL WORK CORRECTLY. I HAD THE DOOR RECALL FIXED AND THE SERVICE PERSON THOUGHT IT WOULD FIX ALL THE PROBLEMS BUT IT DID NOT. THEN A FEW MONTHS LATER THE BRAKE LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING. ONLY THE TOP BRAKE LIGHT WORKS ON THE WINDOW.

NHTSA ODI #11408604

100,000 miles · Dec 9, 2020
Electrical SystemStructure

WHILE DRIVING WHEN I USE MY TURN SIGNALS THE HEADLIGHTS WILL EITHER FLASH HIGH BEAMS OR COMPLETELY GO OUT THEN BACK ON. ALSO MY DRIVER'S SIDE SLIDING DOOR DOESN'T SHUT COMPLETELY WITH THE POWER DOOR OPTION THIS JUST STARTED AROUND THE 100K MILE MARK.

NHTSA ODI #11378631

93,000 miles · Aug 28, 2020
Structure

PASSENGER SIDE SLIDER DOOR HAS OPENED WHILE DRIVING, ENOUGH TO TURN ON INTERIOR LIGHTS AND CAN HEAR WIND NOISE TOWARD BACK OF DOOR. DASH INDICATION ALSO SHOWS OPEN.

NHTSA ODI #11351752

81,694 miles · Aug 11, 2020
Structure

BEFORE STARTING THE CAR. THE SLIDING DRIVERS SIDE DOOR CONTINUOUSLY WILL MAKE A GRINDING SOUND WHEN CLOSING AND THEN NOT LATCH. AFTER THIS THE ONLY WAY TO OPEN THE DOOR IS WITH THE BUTTON ON THE CEILING. I AM NOT ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR MANUALLY. IT NOW HAPPENS EVERYTIME I CLOSE THE DOOR. I CAN SUBMIT A VIDEO.

NHTSA ODI #11348694

42,500 miles · Jul 23, 2020
Structure

THE SIDE DOOR DOES NOT CLOSE ALL THE WAY AND MAKES A LOUD NOISE. WE BROUGHT IT IN FOR THIS BEFORE ABOUT 3 MONTHIS AGO AND IT STARTED DOING THE SAME THING AGAIN. I HAVE READ MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS. THE DOOR IS NOT OVER USED. NOW THE VEHICLE HAS 43000 MILES ON IT AND IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. WE HAVE 4 CHILDREN AND ARE AFRAID FO…

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THE SIDE DOOR DOES NOT CLOSE ALL THE WAY AND MAKES A LOUD NOISE. WE BROUGHT IT IN FOR THIS BEFORE ABOUT 3 MONTHIS AGO AND IT STARTED DOING THE SAME THING AGAIN. I HAVE READ MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS. THE DOOR IS NOT OVER USED. NOW THE VEHICLE HAS 43000 MILES ON IT AND IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. WE HAVE 4 CHILDREN AND ARE AFRAID FOR THEIR SAFTEY WITH A DOOR THAT DOES NOT CLOSE ALL THE WAY. I FEEL IF IT WAS FIXED RIGHT THE FIRST TIME THERE WOULDN'T BE A REOCCURRING ISSUE. THANK YOU.

NHTSA ODI #11341109

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

62,000 miles · Dec 30, 2019
Structure

THE SLIDING DOOR MOTOR DOES NOT CLOSE THE DOOR PROPERLY. THIS IS NOT A WARRANTY ISSUE ONLY A SAFETY ISSUE NOT COVERED BY KIA. THE PROPER CLOSING OF THE SIDE DOOR IS NOT THEIR CONCERN.

NHTSA ODI #11292182

75,000 miles · Dec 11, 2019
Structure

I OWN A 2016 KIA SEDONA LX. VEHICLE IS STATIONARY. I BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE DRIVER'S SIDE SLIDING DOOR NOT LATCHING WHEN CLOSING A FEW MONTHS AGO. THE THING IS, I RARELY EVER USE THAT SIDE FOR LOADING OR UNLOADING. MORE TIMES THAN NOT I USE THE PASSENGER SIDE (CURB SIDE) DOOR. WHEN THE DOOR IS ATTEMPTING TO LATCH, IT M…

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I OWN A 2016 KIA SEDONA LX. VEHICLE IS STATIONARY. I BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE DRIVER'S SIDE SLIDING DOOR NOT LATCHING WHEN CLOSING A FEW MONTHS AGO. THE THING IS, I RARELY EVER USE THAT SIDE FOR LOADING OR UNLOADING. MORE TIMES THAN NOT I USE THE PASSENGER SIDE (CURB SIDE) DOOR. WHEN THE DOOR IS ATTEMPTING TO LATCH, IT MAKES A VERY WEIRD SOUND LIKE IT IS GROANING. IT CLOSES, BUT DOES NOT LATCH PROPERLY. ACCORDING TO THE DASHBOARD, THE DOOR IS STILL OPEN. I TOOK IT TO THE ORIGINAL DEALER AND THEY SAID I NEED TO REPLACE THE MOTOR AND CABLE AT A COST OF OVER $700. I'VE ALSO HAD A FUEL INJECTOR GO BAD $580. THESE SITUATIONS MAKE ME WONDER ABOUT YOUR "RELIABILITY" STATEMENTS. I FOUND A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (SA-210) RELATING TO SEDONAS, 2015~2016 MODEL YEARS, GROUP BOD, NUMBER 116, DATED NOVEMBER, 2015. IT DESCRIBES WHAT TO DO TO CORRECT "A VEHICLE WHICH MAY EXHIBIT AN INOPERATIVE POWER SLIDING DOOR." MY VAN, ACCORDING TO THE VIN, FALLS WITHIN THE DATES THAT ARE MENTIONED IN THE BULLETIN (1/6/15 - 7/6/15). TO ME, THIS SEEMS LIKE THE BULLETIN PERTAINS TO MY VEHICLE. THE PSD IS DEFINITELY NOT OPERATING CORRECTLY. SINCE IT IS NOT OPERATING CORRECTLY IN TOTAL, I SUBMIT THEREFORE, THAT THE LATCH IS INOPERABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11288547

40,000 miles · Mar 25, 2019
Electrical SystemStructure

BOTH OF THE SLIDING DOORS ON MY 2016 KIA SEDONA DO NOT CLOSE COMPLETELY WHEN USED IN AUTOMATIC MODE. THEY DO NOT LATCH PROPERLY AND THE "DOOR OPEN" LIGHT AS WELL AS ALL INTERIOR LIGHTS REMAINS ON. I HAVE TO PHYSICALLY PUSH THE DOOR SHUT IN ORDER FOR IT TO LATCH. THE DOOR ALSO MAKES A LOUD NOISE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE. THIS OCC…

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BOTH OF THE SLIDING DOORS ON MY 2016 KIA SEDONA DO NOT CLOSE COMPLETELY WHEN USED IN AUTOMATIC MODE. THEY DO NOT LATCH PROPERLY AND THE "DOOR OPEN" LIGHT AS WELL AS ALL INTERIOR LIGHTS REMAINS ON. I HAVE TO PHYSICALLY PUSH THE DOOR SHUT IN ORDER FOR IT TO LATCH. THE DOOR ALSO MAKES A LOUD NOISE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE. THIS OCCURS WHEN STATIONARY AND ON ANY TYPE OF GROUND (FLAT, HILL, ETC) ONE DOOR WAS REPAIRED BY THE DEALER BUT THE SECOND DOOR STARTED HAVING THIS ISSUE AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED, UNFORTUNATELY.

NHTSA ODI #11191318

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.