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2018 Kia Sedona

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Fewer warning signs than most model years

Owner complaints for the 2018 Kia Sedona are lower than the model-year median of 120.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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

Limited mileage data: 14 of 48 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

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 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports4 fire reports1 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

11 reports
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90,000 miles · Jul 2, 2026
Electrical System

The contact owns a 2018 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that the air bag and the check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle failed to start and was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with alternator failure; however, the battery was replaced. Additionally, the contact stated that after his wife had pulled …

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The contact owns a 2018 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that the air bag and the check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle failed to start and was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with alternator failure; however, the battery was replaced. Additionally, the contact stated that after his wife had pulled into the driveway, the instrument panel turned blank, and the driver noticed smoke coming from under the hood. The driver turned off the vehicle, and the vehicle cooled down. The contact stated that upon attempting to restart the vehicle later in the evening, the vehicle failed to start. The contact opened the hood and noticed that unknown parts had melted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who informed the contact that the battery terminals and an unknown control module had melted due to an electrical failure; however, the vehicle had not yet been diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

NHTSA ODI #11747931

Mileage unknown · Jul 10, 2024
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

I was driving my 2018 Kia Sedona on [XXX]. I had all 4 of my kids with me in the van, I heard a click, click, click, then the car went dark, in the middle of the road no warning nothing. There was no light or anything that came on as a warning. It just died. It was scary to go through that with my kiddos. We are devastated as th…

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I was driving my 2018 Kia Sedona on [XXX]. I had all 4 of my kids with me in the van, I heard a click, click, click, then the car went dark, in the middle of the road no warning nothing. There was no light or anything that came on as a warning. It just died. It was scary to go through that with my kiddos. We are devastated as the car is only 6yrs old and it wont work at all. Had it towed to my local auto shop. They said the engine is defective and needs to be replaced. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11601005

106,700 miles · Jun 7, 2023
Air BagsElectrical SystemSeats

I have the air bag indicator light and the diagnostic codes consistent with NHTSA Campaign Number 19V109, Kia Recall Number SC175. The recall mentions the wiring harness being damaged and my harness is damaged, with two wires severed. However, because my vehicle was manufactured 2 months after the recall cutoff date, Kia believe…

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I have the air bag indicator light and the diagnostic codes consistent with NHTSA Campaign Number 19V109, Kia Recall Number SC175. The recall mentions the wiring harness being damaged and my harness is damaged, with two wires severed. However, because my vehicle was manufactured 2 months after the recall cutoff date, Kia believes this recall does not pertain to my vehicle. I believe otherwise.

NHTSA ODI #11525832

Mileage unknown · Feb 10, 2023
Air BagsElectrical SystemStructureCrashInjury

My Daughter was driving my Kia Sedona Van - distracted and on wet roads ran into a firehydrant and pole. During the accident, the Air Bags did not employ. The Passenger fell forward and broke the windshield with her head, leading to a Concucussion. We are thankful for two Children who are alive after this accident. We are disapp…

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My Daughter was driving my Kia Sedona Van - distracted and on wet roads ran into a firehydrant and pole. During the accident, the Air Bags did not employ. The Passenger fell forward and broke the windshield with her head, leading to a Concucussion. We are thankful for two Children who are alive after this accident. We are disappointed tho that the airbags didnt protect our child more.

NHTSA ODI #11506536

Mileage unknown · Jun 30, 2022
Electrical SystemEngineForward Collision AvoidanceFire

Our 2018 Kia Sedona SXL caught on fire in the engine compartment while driving. IT almost killed my wife (driver) and my 4 year old son. Car had been driven only 2 blocks after picking up my son from daycare. The car started to produce black smoke incessantly from the engine compartment that made visibility almost impossible. By…

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Our 2018 Kia Sedona SXL caught on fire in the engine compartment while driving. IT almost killed my wife (driver) and my 4 year old son. Car had been driven only 2 blocks after picking up my son from daycare. The car started to produce black smoke incessantly from the engine compartment that made visibility almost impossible. Bystandards were waving with their arms up and trying to warn my wife and she managed to stop in a parking lot and run away with my son. Car got very hot. Despite of keeping regular maintenance, car has had a myriad of issues: electrical components going off and not working anymore (cruise control, rear view camera, navigation system), booming sound from air conditioner like an old airplane is inside the cabin..etc.There were no warning lights suggesting any problem before car caught on fire. Please help.

NHTSA ODI #11471701

Mileage unknown · Feb 13, 2021
Electrical System

RADIO AND REAR CAMERA NOT WORKING

NHTSA ODI #11396091

Mileage unknown · Jan 29, 2021
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

2018NKIA SADONA HAVING ISSUES STARTING UP AFTER SITTING OVER NIGHT GET IN TRY TO START NO START BUT LIGHTS ON DASH TURN ON ENGINE NO CRANK. AFTER DOING ON AND OFF LOCK UNLOCK IT TENDS TO START .. CANNOT CHECK WHAT'S GOING ON DUE TO INTERMITTING ISSUES OVER LONG PERIODS OF TIME. ITS NOT ALL THE TIME SOME TIMES.

NHTSA ODI #11390707

14,750 miles · Aug 16, 2020
Electrical System

VEHICLE DIES IF NOT DRIVEN FOR 5-6 DAYS. I BELIEVE THIS IS RELATED TO AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE IN THE PASSENGER SIDE SLIDING DOOR AS THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN IF YOU DON'T USE THE SLIDING DOOR. POTENTIALLY RELATED TO RECALL 18V338000. VEHICLE HAS HAD 3 NEW BATTERIES, SO NOT AN ISSUE WITH THE BATTERY. VEHICLE DIED AT THE DEALERSHIP AFTER B…

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VEHICLE DIES IF NOT DRIVEN FOR 5-6 DAYS. I BELIEVE THIS IS RELATED TO AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE IN THE PASSENGER SIDE SLIDING DOOR AS THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN IF YOU DON'T USE THE SLIDING DOOR. POTENTIALLY RELATED TO RECALL 18V338000. VEHICLE HAS HAD 3 NEW BATTERIES, SO NOT AN ISSUE WITH THE BATTERY. VEHICLE DIED AT THE DEALERSHIP AFTER BEING PARKED WITHOUT USE FOR 5 DAYS. DEALERSHIP CANNOT DIAGNOSE ISSUE, AND SAYS THE ANSWER IS TO DRIVE THE VAN EVERY DAY. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES FOR THIS ISSUE WITHOUT A RESOLUTION.

NHTSA ODI #11349652

Mileage unknown · Nov 11, 2019
Electrical SystemExterior LightingService Brakes

THIS IS [XXX] MY PHONE NUMBER [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #11279424

9,000 miles · Nov 1, 2019
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SLIDING DOOR WOULD OPEN AND CLOSE ON ITS OWN. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BILL COLE AUTOMALL (LOCATED AT 10005 BIG LAUREL HWY, BLUEFIELD, WV 24701, 304-327-0511), BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SLIDING DOOR WOULD OPEN AND CLOSE ON ITS OWN. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BILL COLE AUTOMALL (LOCATED AT 10005 BIG LAUREL HWY, BLUEFIELD, WV 24701, 304-327-0511), BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000.

NHTSA ODI #11277470

Official recalls

3

22V031000 · Air Bags

Jan 25, 2022

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Sedona, Soul, Soul EV, 2017-2018 Forte, and 2017 Forte Koup vehicles. The Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) cover may contact a memory chip on the printed circuit board and damage the electrical circuit. Circuit damage may result in deactivated air bags that will not deploy in a crash.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the ACU, and either update the software or replace the unit, as necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 21, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC226.

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)

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.

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.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.