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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
40,000 miles · Mar 24, 2020
Electrical System

THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL MALFUNCTIONS. WHEN TURNING ON THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL, IT INTERMITTENTLY TURNS ON THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL, TURNS ON THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL, THEN SWITCHES TO THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL, OR DOES NOT TURN ON ANY TURN SIGNAL. ALSO, WHEN SOMEONE WEIGHING AROUND 175 OR LESS SITS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIRBAG LIGHT TURNS O…

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THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL MALFUNCTIONS. WHEN TURNING ON THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL, IT INTERMITTENTLY TURNS ON THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL, TURNS ON THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL, THEN SWITCHES TO THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL, OR DOES NOT TURN ON ANY TURN SIGNAL. ALSO, WHEN SOMEONE WEIGHING AROUND 175 OR LESS SITS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIRBAG LIGHT TURNS ON, AS IF THE PERSON IS A CHILD AND THE AIRBAGS WON'T DEPLOY IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI #11319125

72,000 miles · Mar 21, 2020
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT MY HEADLIGHTS WILL OFTEN FLICKER OFF FOR ONE TO THREE SECONDS WHEN I'M EITHER ACTIVATING THE TURN SIGNAL (EITHER RIGHT OR LEFT) OR ATTEMPTING TO TURN ON MY HIGH BEAMS. I ALWAYS DRIVE WITH THE HEADLIGHTS IN "AUTO", SO I HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED THE ISSUE WITH ANY OTHER SETTING.

NHTSA ODI #11318868

23,487 miles · Mar 10, 2020
Wheels

HAVE GOTTEN TIRE ROTATIONS REGULARLY. DEALER TOLD ME AFTER THIS ROTATION, THAT THERE WAS CUPPING ON THESE TIRES. THEY ONLY HAVE 23487 MILES ON THEM. MAINTAINANCE WAS DONE AND INFLATION KEPT AT BOOK LEVEL. DEALER SAYS TIRE MANUFACTURER IS LIABLE FOR WARRANTY. TIRE MANUFACTURER SYS DEALER NEEDS TO FILE CLAIM AND THAT THE CUPPING…

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HAVE GOTTEN TIRE ROTATIONS REGULARLY. DEALER TOLD ME AFTER THIS ROTATION, THAT THERE WAS CUPPING ON THESE TIRES. THEY ONLY HAVE 23487 MILES ON THEM. MAINTAINANCE WAS DONE AND INFLATION KEPT AT BOOK LEVEL. DEALER SAYS TIRE MANUFACTURER IS LIABLE FOR WARRANTY. TIRE MANUFACTURER SYS DEALER NEEDS TO FILE CLAIM AND THAT THE CUPPING IS NOT SAFETY ISSUE AND WON'T HONOR THE WARRANTY. THESE ARE THE ORIGINAL TIRES FROM WHEN WE BOUGHT THE CAR NEW. MANUFATURER IS HANKOOK. TIRE IS DYNAPRO HP2 RA33 BW. SKU1011758 PART# UHK18 23560BW. THEY OBVIOUSLY HAVE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT TO HAVE THIS HAPPENING AT SUCH LOW MILEAGE.IT WAS NOT OWNER NEGLECT!

NHTSA ODI #11317332

200,000 miles · Feb 23, 2020
Electrical System

2016 SEDONA DRIVER SIDE PUSH BUTTON SLIDING DOOR WILL NOT LATCH PROPERLY ON ITS OWN. IT MAKES AN AWFUL NOISE AND THE BACK OF THE DOOR DOESN'T LATCH; WHICH CAUSES THE DOOR TO NOT LOCK ALSO. THIS POSES A VARIETY OF SAFETY ISSUES. I HAVE ALSO HAD THE DOOR SENSORS RESET/PROGRAMMED FOR THE RECALL THAT WAS FOR THE DOOR NOT RETURNING I…

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2016 SEDONA DRIVER SIDE PUSH BUTTON SLIDING DOOR WILL NOT LATCH PROPERLY ON ITS OWN. IT MAKES AN AWFUL NOISE AND THE BACK OF THE DOOR DOESN'T LATCH; WHICH CAUSES THE DOOR TO NOT LOCK ALSO. THIS POSES A VARIETY OF SAFETY ISSUES. I HAVE ALSO HAD THE DOOR SENSORS RESET/PROGRAMMED FOR THE RECALL THAT WAS FOR THE DOOR NOT RETURNING IF OBSTRUCTED; HOWEVER I HAVE PERSONALLY GOTTEN CAUGHT IN THE DOOR AND IT'S STILL NOT RETRACTING AS IT SHOULD IN MY OPINION. IF A CHILD WAS IN FACT THE ONE WITH THEIR HANDS, LEGS, FEET ECT IN THE PATH OF THE DOOR THE DOOR IS NOT GOING TO STOP AND RETRACT LIKE IT IS SUPPOSED TO. THE DOOR HAS ACTED THIS WAY FOR A LONG TIME. SINCE ABOUT 40,000 MILES.

NHTSA ODI #11310975

59,500 miles · Jan 29, 2020
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

WHEN ACTIVATING TURN SIGNALS THE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT. THIS SEEMS TO HAPPEN ONLY WHEN HEADLIGHTS ARE SET AUTO. RETURNING THE TURN SIGNAL STALK BACK TO THE NEUTRAL POSITION SEEMS TO CORRECT THIS AND ALSO MOVING THE SWITCH FROM AUTO TO ON. THE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS, AND WHILE STATIONARY ON TH…

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WHEN ACTIVATING TURN SIGNALS THE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT. THIS SEEMS TO HAPPEN ONLY WHEN HEADLIGHTS ARE SET AUTO. RETURNING THE TURN SIGNAL STALK BACK TO THE NEUTRAL POSITION SEEMS TO CORRECT THIS AND ALSO MOVING THE SWITCH FROM AUTO TO ON. THE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS, AND WHILE STATIONARY ON THE CITY STREETS OR IN PARKING LOTS. SINCE I AM THE PRIMARY DRIVER I AM FAMILIAR WITH THE PROBLEM BUT WHEN MY WIFE DRIVES THE VAN I REMIND HER ABOUT THE PROBLEM IN CASE IT SHOULD HAPPEN TO HER. MY DAUGHTER WILL BE DRIVING SOON AND A YOUNG DRIVER MAY NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS GO AND THEY MAY PANIC CAUSING A PROBLEM. JUST TONIGHT I FOUND THAT WHEN THE PARKING LIGHTS WERE PUT ON THE DRIVERS FRONT LIGHT FLICKERS AND THEN GOES OUT. I REPEATED THIS PROCESS FOR SEVERAL CYCLES AND IT DID IT EVERY TIME. THIS IS SOMETHING NEW THAT I WAS NOT AWARE OF UNTIL TONIGHT

NHTSA ODI #11302928

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

90,000 miles · Dec 7, 2019
Exterior Lighting

FLICKERING HEADLIGHTS AT NIGHT. SOMETIMES THEY GO OUT AND THEN COME BACK ON

NHTSA ODI #11287682

73,213 miles · Nov 15, 2019
Exterior Lighting

REAR DIRECTIONALS FILL WITH RAIN WATER AND STOP FUNCTIONING.

NHTSA ODI #11280353

85,782 miles · Nov 1, 2019
Exterior Lighting

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.

NHTSA ODI #11277518

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.