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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.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected 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

What owners actually said

48 reports
Mileage unknown · Aug 15, 2024
Engine

108,000 miles failed engine due to know rod issues with this engine

NHTSA ODI #11608711

Mileage unknown · Aug 13, 2024
Engine

While driving at highway speed all the dashboard lights came on and the engine instantly quit. I managed to pull the wheel and coast to the side of the road, which was difficult with no power steering. I tried restarting the engine, but it would not stay running. I had to have the car towed to the mechanic who, upon inspection, …

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While driving at highway speed all the dashboard lights came on and the engine instantly quit. I managed to pull the wheel and coast to the side of the road, which was difficult with no power steering. I tried restarting the engine, but it would not stay running. I had to have the car towed to the mechanic who, upon inspection, found the engine seized due to no oil. An engine replacement was required. All routine maintenance performed on this engine and records were provided. The dealership where I purchased the vehicle refused to replace the engine under warranty, 92330 miles, stating the engine showed "sludge" and was not maintained, this despite my providing maintenance records. This catastrophic engine failure was caused by a manufacturing/engineering defect in the GDI engine causing the engine to burn oil excessively. There was no indication of a problem prior to the failure. The failure at highway speed could have easily caused serious injury or death.

NHTSA ODI #11608210

Mileage unknown · Jul 16, 2024
Air Bags

Since shortly after buying the van we have been getting airbag warning lights. Just about every part of the system has been replaced, but the airbag light still comes back on. Just got the van back from the dealer today for the 9th time, and after about an hour of driving, the light is back on again.

NHTSA ODI #11602819

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

Mileage unknown · Jun 18, 2024
EngineFire

10 mile drive to town. On return home, smoke began pouring from the engine compartment. Within 3-4 minutes flames came from grill area, and within 15 minutes entire car was engulfed in flames.

NHTSA ODI #11595189

Mileage unknown · May 20, 2024
EngineFire

Vehicle was idling when smoke and fire started presumably from the engine causing a car fire. We are the insurance company that paid for the car and Clearcover Insurance is now the owner.

NHTSA ODI #11589582

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 · Mar 14, 2023
Engine

We barely use it and just for Sunday service only which our church is just 2 miles away from our home. We did the oil change last July 2022 and on December 2022, Suddenly the engine stops working (ONLY 120 MILEAGE ADDED). NO WARNING LIGHTS or INDICATION saying ENGINE OLI needs to change. My son heard a clunk noise while he's on…

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We barely use it and just for Sunday service only which our church is just 2 miles away from our home. We did the oil change last July 2022 and on December 2022, Suddenly the engine stops working (ONLY 120 MILEAGE ADDED). NO WARNING LIGHTS or INDICATION saying ENGINE OLI needs to change. My son heard a clunk noise while he's on the way home. Huntington Beach Hyundai Service center said that the ENGINE BROKE DUE TO OIL ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11511880

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 · Feb 8, 2023
Exterior Lighting

The headlights are auto leveling based on load. Although there is no load in my vehicle the headlights do not shine out very far in front of the vehicle. There is a very distinct cut off line on the road. There is no way of adjusting them. This is very dangerous because you cannot see whats ahead of the vehicle in the dark. Th…

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The headlights are auto leveling based on load. Although there is no load in my vehicle the headlights do not shine out very far in front of the vehicle. There is a very distinct cut off line on the road. There is no way of adjusting them. This is very dangerous because you cannot see whats ahead of the vehicle in the dark. The attached photo is the headlights shining on my garage door.

NHTSA ODI #11506236

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.