AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF FREQUENTLY WITH NO EXPLANATION AS TO WHY. THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT LIGHT BLINKS ON AND OFF WITH NO PASSENGER AND NOTHING IN THE SEAT. THIS HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE OR AT START UP OF THE VEHICLE THE LIGHTS MAY STAY ON. I FEAR THAT IF NEEDED MY AIRBAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY PROPERLY.
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
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.
What owners actually said
295 reportsI OWN A KIA SEDONA 2016 HAVE ABOUT 20000 I AM THE SECOND OWNER I WAS TAKED TO THE SERVICE TO THE SAME DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT AND THE TECHNICIAN TALK ME THEM WILL GO TO CHECK THE BRAKE SYSTEM AND IAGREE, LATTER THE SAME DAY HE CALL ME AND TALK ME ABOUT SOME VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WELL I READY KNOW ABOUT SO HE TALK ME THE ROTOR…
Read full complaint
I OWN A KIA SEDONA 2016 HAVE ABOUT 20000 I AM THE SECOND OWNER I WAS TAKED TO THE SERVICE TO THE SAME DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT AND THE TECHNICIAN TALK ME THEM WILL GO TO CHECK THE BRAKE SYSTEM AND IAGREE, LATTER THE SAME DAY HE CALL ME AND TALK ME ABOUT SOME VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WELL I READY KNOW ABOUT SO HE TALK ME THE ROTORS HAVE TO BE RESURFACED FOR REAL THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAVE 20000 MILES HE EXPLAINS TO ME ME ABOUT THE WEIGHT AND THE SIZE BUT I NEVER HAVE THIS DONE BEFORE IN ANY CAR I BEEN DRIVING OR OWNED IN MY ENTIRE LIFE I JUST LIKE TO KNOW IS KIA USE THE RIGHT QUALITY OF THE MATERIAL FOR THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE THANKS FOR YOU ATTENTION
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…
Read full complaint
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA SEDONA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE KEY FAILED TO TURN IN THE IGNITION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE REAR HATCH WAS DIFFICULT TO OPEN AFTER BEING UNLOCKED WITH THE KEY FOB. …
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA SEDONA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE KEY FAILED TO TURN IN THE IGNITION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE REAR HATCH WAS DIFFICULT TO OPEN AFTER BEING UNLOCKED WITH THE KEY FOB. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,960.
VEHICLE ENGINE WILL RANDOMLY SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING COMPLETE POWER FAILURE, INCLUDING POWER STEERING. IT HAS HAPPENED 7 TIMES IN 5 MONTHS. IT HAS HAPPENED FOUR TIMES WHILE SLOWING TO A STOP, TWICE WHILE EASING THROUGH A DRIVE THRU, AND ONCE WHILE GOING 30MPH DOWN A MAIN CITY STREET.
THE PERSISTENT PROBLEM THAT WE HAVE HAD WITH OUR VEHICLE IS THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. THE SAFETY HAZARD IS SERIOUS IN THAT, WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, POWER STEERING SHUTS OFF AND THE BRAKES ARE SLOW TO WORK. EACH OCCURRENCE HAS HAPPENED WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN DRIVE AND MOVING…
Read full complaint
THE PERSISTENT PROBLEM THAT WE HAVE HAD WITH OUR VEHICLE IS THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. THE SAFETY HAZARD IS SERIOUS IN THAT, WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, POWER STEERING SHUTS OFF AND THE BRAKES ARE SLOW TO WORK. EACH OCCURRENCE HAS HAPPENED WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN DRIVE AND MOVING AT A SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 20-25 MPH. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES: - JANUARY 29,2017 - JANUARY 30, 2017 - FEBRUARY 16, 2017 THE CIRCUMSTANCES IN EACH INSTANCE INCLUDED DRIVING AND MAINTAINING APPROXIMATELY 20-25 MPH. OTHER FACTORS ARE UNKNOWN. FORTUNATELY, IN EACH INSTANCE, I WAS ABLE TO PULL SAFELY TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND ASSESS THE VEHICLE. THE FIRST TWO OCCURRENCES, I PUSHED THE START BUTTON AND IT WAS EVIDENT THE VEHICLE STARTING SYSTEM WAS ACTING UNUSUAL AS IT TRIED STARTING. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY STARTED AND I WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING. THE THIRD OCCURRENCE ON FEBRUARY 16, 2017, I TOOK KIA'S ADVICE AND DID NOT ATTEMPT TO START THE VEHICLE AND CONTACTED KIA ROADSIDE SERVICE. THE SECOND EVENT OCCURRED THE NEXT DAY ON JANUARY 30, 2016 UNDER SIMILAR CIRCUMSTANCES. AGAIN I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER WITHOUT THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM FUNCTIONING PROPERLY TO A SAFE AREA AND RE-START THE VEHICLE WITH THE SAME UNCOMMON SOUNDS FROM THE STARTING SYSTEM. I CALLED JOE MYERS KIA IN HOUSTON, TEXAS AND EXPLAINED THE OCCURRENCES. ON JANUARY 31, I DROVE THE VEHICLE TO JOE MYERS KIA FOR TROUBLESHOOTING AND REPAIR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP TWO TIMES TO ADDRESS THE SAFETY DEFECT. THE FIRST TIME WAS JANUARY 24, 2017 FOR 8 DAYS. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE CONCERN. THE NEXT TIME, IT WAS TOWED ON FEBRUARY 16, 2017 AND IT STAYED THERE FOR 41 DAYS. KIA DID INSTALL A FLIGHT RECORDER TO RECORD ALL SYSTEMS THE SECOND TIME THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT IN.
THE 2ND ROW CENTER SEAT BELT IS DEFECTIVE AND CAN NOT HOLD AN OCCUPANT. THE CENTER SEAT BELT HAD NEVER BEEN USED BEFORE TODAY - THE BUCKLES WERE STILL WRAPPED IN BLUE PLASTIC FROM THE FACTORY. UPON ATTEMPTED FIRST USE, THE SMALLER LATCHPLATE WOULD NOT GO INTO THE SMALLER BUCKLE. THE WHITE RELEASE BUTTON ON THE SMALLER BUCKLE…
Read full complaint
THE 2ND ROW CENTER SEAT BELT IS DEFECTIVE AND CAN NOT HOLD AN OCCUPANT. THE CENTER SEAT BELT HAD NEVER BEEN USED BEFORE TODAY - THE BUCKLES WERE STILL WRAPPED IN BLUE PLASTIC FROM THE FACTORY. UPON ATTEMPTED FIRST USE, THE SMALLER LATCHPLATE WOULD NOT GO INTO THE SMALLER BUCKLE. THE WHITE RELEASE BUTTON ON THE SMALLER BUCKLE WAS DEPRESSED INWARDS - WHICH IT SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN. THE SMALLER LATCHPLATE WOULD GO INTO THE BUCKLE AND GIVE A FALSE LATCH AND THEN AT EVEN A LITTLE BIT OF PULLING ON THE BELT THE LATCHPLATE WOULD COME OUT OF THE BUCKLE. NOTE: BECAUSE THIS SHOULDER BELT COMES FROM THE ROOF THERE ARE 2 BUCKLES AND 2 LATCHPLATES. THE DEFECT WAS WITH THE SMALLER LATCHPLATE THAT WOULD NOT LATCH PROPERLY INTO THE SMALLER BUCKLE.
MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING WHEN THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED. WHILE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, SHE HAD COME TO A STOP. AFTER STOPPING THEN RESUMING A VERY SLOW SPEED (5 MPH OR LESS), WHILE HER FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD IN TO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER, CAUSING SIGNIFICANT FRONT-END DAMAGE AND AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. A F…
Read full complaint
MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING WHEN THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED. WHILE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, SHE HAD COME TO A STOP. AFTER STOPPING THEN RESUMING A VERY SLOW SPEED (5 MPH OR LESS), WHILE HER FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD IN TO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER, CAUSING SIGNIFICANT FRONT-END DAMAGE AND AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. A FEW WEEKS PRIOR TO THIS, I WAS IN THE VEHICLE IN MY FRONT YARD AT A STAND STILL, ENGINE RUNNING AND TRANSMISSION IN DRIVE BECAUSE I WAS GOING TO BE MOVING IT SLIGHTLY, AND IT SUDDENLY LUNGED FORWARD WHILE MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. AT THE TIME I THOUGHT I HAD DONE SOMETHING WRONG, BUT NOW WITH A SIMILAR THING HAPPENING WITH A DIFFERENT DRIVER, AND SUCH EXTREME DAMAGE, THERE MUST BE A BIGGER PROBLEM. *TR
SINCE THE LEASE FROM NEMET KIA STARTED IN JUNE 2016 THE EXTERIOR OF WINDSHIELD HAS HAD A FILM THAT SMEARS THE WINDOW AND OBSTRUCTS DRIVER VIEW IN THE RAIN. WHEN DRY THE WINDOW IS CLEAR BUT IN THE RAIN THE FILM BECOMES AN ISSUE. THERE WASN'T MUCH RAIN DURING THE SUMMER SO I DEALT WITH IT HOPING IT WOULD WEAR OFF THROUGH REGULAR …
Read full complaint
SINCE THE LEASE FROM NEMET KIA STARTED IN JUNE 2016 THE EXTERIOR OF WINDSHIELD HAS HAD A FILM THAT SMEARS THE WINDOW AND OBSTRUCTS DRIVER VIEW IN THE RAIN. WHEN DRY THE WINDOW IS CLEAR BUT IN THE RAIN THE FILM BECOMES AN ISSUE. THERE WASN'T MUCH RAIN DURING THE SUMMER SO I DEALT WITH IT HOPING IT WOULD WEAR OFF THROUGH REGULAR USE OF THE WIPERS. I HAVE ALSO CLEANED THE GLASS NUMEROUS TIMES WITH NEGATIVE RESULTS. WHEN THE CAR CAME IN FOR THE FIRST SERVICE IN SEPT. 2016 THE TECH TRIED TO REMOVE THE FILM BUT THEY COULD NOT ADDRESS IT PROPERLY (NOTED ON WORK RECEIPT) AND THE FILM IS STILL THERE. DURING THE HEAVY RAINS OF THE LAST FEW DAYS THE CAR IS VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE DUE TO THE SMEARED WINDSHIELD. THE PROBLEM GETS WORSE WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT IN THE RAIN. KIA DEALER KEPT CAR FROM OCTOBER 11-14 2016 AND ATTEMPTED TO CLEAN WINDOW AND VERIFIED THE PROBLEM REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF WINDSHIELD. AS OF NOVEMBER 21, 2016 THE WINDSHIELD HAS YET TO BE REPLACED. KIA AND DEALER KEEP PUSHING BACK REPLACEMENT DATE AND THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. KIA HAS BEEN CONTACTED AND THEY ASSIGNED THE ISSUE CASE #K3296615.
DRIVING AT 70 MPH WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON, EXPERIENCED LOUD "BUMP" ON SMOOTH HIGHWAY SURFACE WITH SUDDEN AND TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE SPEED. PUT VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART ENGINE. CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT WORKING AT THAT TIME. CRUISE CONTROL WAS OPERATIVE LATER IN THE DAY AFTER ENGINE STOP AND RESTART. TOOK VEHICLE NEXT…
Read full complaint
DRIVING AT 70 MPH WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON, EXPERIENCED LOUD "BUMP" ON SMOOTH HIGHWAY SURFACE WITH SUDDEN AND TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE SPEED. PUT VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART ENGINE. CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT WORKING AT THAT TIME. CRUISE CONTROL WAS OPERATIVE LATER IN THE DAY AFTER ENGINE STOP AND RESTART. TOOK VEHICLE NEXT DAY TO DEALER. DEALER SAID THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH VEHICLE.
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.
Illustration