Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
180–25K
1825–50K
2250–75K
1475–100K
17100–150K
11150K+
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
300,000 miles · Oct 14, 2025
Air BagsElectrical System
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that after purchasing the vehicle from the dealer, the air bag warning light illuminated while driving, and the front passenger’s seat detection system failed to detect a passenger. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle had previo…
Read full complaint
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that after purchasing the vehicle from the dealer, the air bag warning light illuminated while driving, and the front passenger’s seat detection system failed to detect a passenger. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle had previously been repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V109000 (Electrical System). The contact was also informed that a diagnostic test was needed to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 300,000.
NHTSA ODI #11693362
Mileage unknown · Oct 3, 2025
Structure
My White Kia Sedona Van's paint is flaking and peeling off all around the vehicle. This is not due to poor car of the vehicle or accident due to making contact with any other vehicles or objects. It is literally just falling off of the vehicle. It started about a year ago and is getting significantly worse.
NHTSA ODI #11691312
222,627 miles · Oct 1, 2025
EngineSteering
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle lost motive power and drove forward about the length of the vehicle before the vehicle stalled. The contact and the occupants were stranded for an hour. There were no warn…
Read full complaint
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle lost motive power and drove forward about the length of the vehicle before the vehicle stalled. The contact and the occupants were stranded for an hour. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who replaced the starter and informed the contact that the piston or tie rod was fractured. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 222,627.
NHTSA ODI #11690730
Mileage unknown · Sep 27, 2025
Engine
I was driving in normal operating conditions, with no traffic when suddenly the engine seized. After contacting a towing company to get my vehicle home, I started checking for anything I could find and noticed that it had zero oil and no visual signs of a leak anywhere. There were never any warning lights or sounds until it abru…
Read full complaint
I was driving in normal operating conditions, with no traffic when suddenly the engine seized. After contacting a towing company to get my vehicle home, I started checking for anything I could find and noticed that it had zero oil and no visual signs of a leak anywhere. There were never any warning lights or sounds until it abruptly stopped. I have not had it looked at by anyone other than myself and a neighbor whom is a mechanic.
NHTSA ODI #11690097
Mileage unknown · Sep 15, 2025
Engine
Engine overheating and check engine light went on. Vehicle would not start after shutting down.
NHTSA ODI #11687480
Mileage unknown · Sep 15, 2025
Air Bags
I am filing a formal complaint against Kia regarding Recall SC175 affecting this vehicle Kia has refused to perform this recall on my vehicle, claiming that the work was already completed. However, after reviewing the official campaign documentation (NHTSA Campaign Documentation – SC175), it is evident that the corrective work …
Read full complaint
I am filing a formal complaint against Kia regarding Recall SC175 affecting this vehicle Kia has refused to perform this recall on my vehicle, claiming that the work was already completed. However, after reviewing the official campaign documentation (NHTSA Campaign Documentation – SC175), it is evident that the corrective work specified by the recall was not performed on my vehicle. My vehicle continues to exhibit the issue addressed by Recall SC175, confirming that either the recall was not carried out or was performed incorrectly. Despite this, Kia maintains that no further action is necessary because their records indicate completion. At this time, Kia is refusing to address a known safety recall. I am documenting this with NHTSA so that it is formally recorded that Kia is declining to remedy a required recall on one of their vehicles. Please advise on what steps I may take next to ensure compliance and resolution.
NHTSA ODI #11687471
Mileage unknown · Aug 20, 2025
Engine
My 2016 Sedona’s engine is not operational. At this moment it is sitting at the dealership after having a diagnostic completed in which I was informed that it will cost me $21,000+ to replace my engine. I am SHOCKED to be informed of this! I love my car! It is our family car full of precious memories! There were no warning…
Read full complaint
My 2016 Sedona’s engine is not operational. At this moment it is sitting at the dealership after having a diagnostic completed in which I was informed that it will cost me $21,000+ to replace my engine. I am SHOCKED to be informed of this! I love my car! It is our family car full of precious memories! There were no warnings that something was wrong with my engine. Not a single one came on - believe me I would have taken a picture of it to inform the mechanic for it to be serviced. I have had it serviced repeatedly for oil changes; more oil changes than what should be done for the age and milage according to the manual. It is not due to my lack of competence and poor maintenance. I've done my part. Now to find out that I can't drive it. Now to find out that I don't have anything reliable to get my children to school, is unacceptable! This is a major issue that should be covered by Kia, not out of my own pocket. The engine and its ability to function properly is your responsibility as a company. Engine problems with this model have been noted by others, and resolved. Please resolve this issue as soon as possible. I look forward to hearing from you.
NHTSA ODI #11681934
220,000 miles · Aug 18, 2025
Electrical System
Odometer Fraud. The contact owned a 2016 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that the vehicle was traded for another vehicle at the used car dealer while the mileage was 220,000; however, the used car dealer later listed the mileage as 180,000.
NHTSA ODI #11681268
Mileage unknown · Aug 9, 2025
EngineSeat BeltsUnknown Or Other
In Feb of 2023, my van had no known issues and out of nowhere it started making a terrible noise, every light in the dash came on, my power steering stopped working and then my engine shut off. I had it towed to a mechanic shop, they said it needed an engine. I had it towed to our local KIA dealership. They said it did not need …
Read full complaint
In Feb of 2023, my van had no known issues and out of nowhere it started making a terrible noise, every light in the dash came on, my power steering stopped working and then my engine shut off. I had it towed to a mechanic shop, they said it needed an engine. I had it towed to our local KIA dealership. They said it did not need an engine, it only needed a timing chain. That was $8000. We decided to get it done. 4 weeks later exactly from when we picked it up, I was on the interstate and the exact thing happened. I had it towed back to our local KIA. They stated it now needed an engine and it would be a used engine because they do not manufacture the engine anymore. It had over 60K miles on it and it would be $13K not including shipping or labor. We decided not to do this. After further investigation, this should have been under warranty the entire time and we never should have spent any money on it. This has been a terribly unreliable “family car”. I will NEVER buy a KIA again. My family is still suffering from paying $8K+ to have it “fixed”.
NHTSA ODI #11679600
Mileage unknown · Aug 7, 2025
EnginePower Train
Was traveling along Interstate 95 when the engine failed without any warning signs!
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.
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.
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.
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.
2016 Kia Sedona Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year