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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

What owners actually said

295 reports
Mileage unknown · Jun 16, 2023
Electrical System

Both automatic passenger sliding doors do not shut completely after last recall was completed to fix them.

NHTSA ODI #11527363

Mileage unknown · Jun 13, 2023
Engine

The engine failed. It burned through all of the oil, didn't give any warnings or light and just died.

NHTSA ODI #11526801

Mileage unknown · Jun 11, 2023
Engine

While driving engine started making a rattling noise and then died. Checked and there was no oil. No warning lights came on at all. No oil light, no check engine light; nothing. Van only has 96,000 miles. Service is performed regularly on van. Was 2 hours away from home and had to have vehicle towed. After researching I found th…

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While driving engine started making a rattling noise and then died. Checked and there was no oil. No warning lights came on at all. No oil light, no check engine light; nothing. Van only has 96,000 miles. Service is performed regularly on van. Was 2 hours away from home and had to have vehicle towed. After researching I found that the 3.3 liter engines on some Kias are failing due to oil starvation caused by the oil light sensor not coming on. Kia has addressed this issue in some of their other vehicles but have yet to add the Sedonas to the engine recall. Now I’m stuck with a vehicle that more than likely needs a new engine and a company that will not take responsibility for their failure to include the Sedonas in the engine recall.

NHTSA ODI #11526455

Mileage unknown · Jun 6, 2023
Engine

The engine oil leaking for any anywhere, first look like transmission fluid leaking, but clear it didn't find any leaking, and check engine oil tank didn't find any leaking, find from recall have same problem but not my Vin number, and in my car didn't show warning light.

NHTSA ODI #11525663

100,000 miles · Jun 1, 2023
Latches/locks/linkages

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the passenger’s side sliding door failed to lock and opened. The door ajar warning light was illuminated. The contact had to manually close the door. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where an unknown diagnosis was provided. T…

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The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the passenger’s side sliding door failed to lock and opened. The door ajar warning light was illuminated. The contact had to manually close the door. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where an unknown diagnosis was provided. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #11524771

Mileage unknown · May 23, 2023
Engine

Was driving down the highway on a road trip and the Sedona developed an engine rattle. Pulled over into the nearest gas station to inspect. I checked the oil and the oil was 3 quarts low -- even though my vehicle received regular oil changes/maintenance! I filled up but the damage was too far gone; motor had a clanking noise and…

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Was driving down the highway on a road trip and the Sedona developed an engine rattle. Pulled over into the nearest gas station to inspect. I checked the oil and the oil was 3 quarts low -- even though my vehicle received regular oil changes/maintenance! I filled up but the damage was too far gone; motor had a clanking noise and would not stay started. Had vehicle towed to my dealership where it still is awaiting a motor swap. Dealership confirmed engine damage and recommended the full swap. It's been 3 weeks. Kia has no open recall for this even though a growing number of Sedona owners are experienced the same issues.

NHTSA ODI #11523524

Mileage unknown · May 20, 2023
Air Bags

* The red airbag dash light comes on only when there is a passenger in the front passenger seat. The "OFF" light by the passenger air bag sign goes off like it should, symbolizing the airbag is turned in. However, the light on the dash coming on has me worried it is defective. *If the passenger airbag does not deploy if needed,…

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* The red airbag dash light comes on only when there is a passenger in the front passenger seat. The "OFF" light by the passenger air bag sign goes off like it should, symbolizing the airbag is turned in. However, the light on the dash coming on has me worried it is defective. *If the passenger airbag does not deploy if needed, that could risk serious injury or death. *This van was sold to us two day ago by a Kia dealership who said it passed all safety inspections. However, since the light only comes on when there is a front passenger, I'm sure it was overlooked. *I am in contact with the dealership we purchased it from. I have not heard back yet. *The warning light came on the first time I had a passenger in the vehicle after purchasing it.

NHTSA ODI #11523023

20,000 miles · Apr 24, 2023
Power Train

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that on various occasions, the gear shift lever seized. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the shift lever assembly needed to be replaced. The contact became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V…

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The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that on various occasions, the gear shift lever seized. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the shift lever assembly needed to be replaced. The contact became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V612000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact was informed by the mechanic that the gear shifter failed to shift into drive(D). The vehicle remained at the dealer awaiting the repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 20,000.

NHTSA ODI #11518651

Mileage unknown · Mar 14, 2023
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

Headlights will shut off while driving. This sometimes will occur on its own, other times, it appears to be caused when using the turn signal lever. The lights will come back on by touching/moving the lever. This is dangerous and could lead to an accident.

NHTSA ODI #11511884

102,974 miles · Feb 2, 2023
Engine

WE HAVE A 2016 KIA SEDONA, BOUGHT IN 2017 AS A KIA CERTIFIED. WE HAVE HAD SEVERAL RECALLS SINCE OUR OWNERSHIP. FOR THE LAST 2-3 YEARS WE HAVE DRIVEN IT SPARINGLY. WE TOOK IT TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP FOR REGULAR OIL CHANGE AT 97,000 + MILES. THERE WAS NO MENTION OF ANY MAJOR ENGINE CONCERNS. WE AGAIN TOOK IT IN TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP…

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WE HAVE A 2016 KIA SEDONA, BOUGHT IN 2017 AS A KIA CERTIFIED. WE HAVE HAD SEVERAL RECALLS SINCE OUR OWNERSHIP. FOR THE LAST 2-3 YEARS WE HAVE DRIVEN IT SPARINGLY. WE TOOK IT TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP FOR REGULAR OIL CHANGE AT 97,000 + MILES. THERE WAS NO MENTION OF ANY MAJOR ENGINE CONCERNS. WE AGAIN TOOK IT IN TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP, FOR A SPARE TIRE CABLE ISSUE AT 99,186 MILES AGAIN NO MENTION OF ENGINE ISSUES. THE KIA DEALERSHIP PERFORMED A MULTIPOINT INSPECTION, AND REPAIRED A TURN SIGNAL ISSUE, AND SUGGESTED SOME OTHER MAINTENANCE ITEMS, THAT WOULD NEED ATTENTION SOON, BRAKES ECT. AT 102,866, WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP, WE HAVE USED BEFORE, FOR AN OIL CHANGE. WE WERE INFORMED THAT SOMEONE HAD PUT STOP LEAK IN THE COOLANT SYSTEM. THEY SAID WE SHOULD TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A HEAD GASKET ISSUE. WE TOOK IT TO ANOTHER FULL SERVICE SHOP, WHERE, THEY DIDN'T DETECT A COOLANT LEAK. WE DID NOTICE COOLANT WAS RUNNING LOW, BUT NONE WAS SPOTTED ON THE GROUND. WE TOOK IT BACK TO THE PREVIOUS REPAIR SHOP, WHERE THEY INFORMED US OF A POSSIBLE BLOWNED HEAD GASKET, BUT COULDN'T CONFIRM, BECAUSE OF OIL ALL OVER THE UNDER CARRIAGE, THROUGH ALL OF THIS THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNAL OR LIGHTS, UNTIL THE TEMP GAGE MOVED TOWARDS HIGH AND THE OIL LIGHT FLICKERED A COUPLE OF TIMES. WE WERE TOLD THAT THE ENGINE WAS PROBABLY SHOT. THE VEHICLE IS AGAIN AT THE KIA DEALERSHIP. NO RESOLVE YET. WE NOW UNDERSTAND THAT THAT KIA HAS RECALLED QUITE A NUMBER OF THEIR VEHICLES FOR SIMULAR ENGINE ISSUES. WE GOT A RECALL FOR A LEAKING OIL SWITCH, WHICH WE INFORMED THE DEALERSHIP OF. ARE THE KIA SEDONA'S ON THE RECALL LIST?

NHTSA ODI #11505224

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.