Kia Sedona Reliability Problems

Sedona owners have made 209 complaints over 20 model years. Using our PainRank™ system we've ranked it 14th in overall reliability out of 21 Kia models, with real electrical and engine concerns.

2 Common Kia Sedona Problems

A list of some of the most common issues Sedona owners have to deal with.

  2. Rodents Chew Kia's Soy Wiring

    Rodents just can't resist the soy-derived wire coatings used in Kia vehicles. The chewed up wires are costing owners hundreds, and sometimes thousands of dollars in repairs. However, this isn't a Kia-only problem.

    Continue reading article "Rodents Chew Kia's Soy Wiring"

What Sedona Owners Complain About

Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.

Worst Issues

What Breaks the Most

Years to Avoid

Full Lists on CarComplaints.com

Sedona Generations

The Sedona has 3 generations, each with their own issues. Using the same PainRank™ system we've determined that you're better off avoiding the 1st generation (2001–2005).

Sedona Key Numbers

  1. 209 complaints

    Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.

  2. 211 service bulletins

    Documenting the process of troubleshooting common problems.

  3. 19 recall campaigns

    Time-sensitive, free repairs for widespread safety problems.

Recent Sedona News

There's a lot of news out there, but not all of it matters. We try to boil down it to the most important bits about things that actually help you with your car problem. Interested in getting these stories in an email? Signup for free email alerts over at CarComplaints.com.

  1. Kia is recalling certain Sedona minivans because the front passenger airbag can deploy when there’s a child in the seat.

    The occupant detection system (ODS) is supposed to disable the airbag if it detects that the occupant is a child because airbags deploy with too much force to be safe for our little ones. However, the wiring harness for the ODS is breaking when people sit in the front passenger seat which is, you know … typically what people do with seats. If the harness breaks, the passenger airbag will deploy regardless of who is in the seat. The issue affects the 2015-2018 model years with manually-adjusted front passenger seats.

    keep reading article "Sedona’s ODS Wiring Harness Can Break When People Sit in Seats"

  2. One Kia owner has had enough of gnawed wires leading to dashboard warning lights and multiple calls to the insurance company.

    Tsvetelin Tsonev filed a class-action lawsuit because his 2015 Soul is being used like a chew toy. The plaintiff says he leased a 2015 Kia Soul in April 2015 that has allegedly been damaged three times because the automaker keeps replacing soy-based wiring with more soy wiring, inviting more critters to snacktime.

    OK, so it turns out rodents don’t really snack on the coating, but they do love chewing on it and making nests out of it.

    And if you’re wondering just how much damage a rodent could do, brace yourself.…

    keep reading article "Soy Wires are Still Being Chewed Up. Maybe Kia Should Stop Advertising with Rodents."

  3. Another day, another manufacturer getting sued for using soy-based wire coating.

    Plaintiff Campbell claims her 2014 Kia Optima was damaged in December 2016 when rodents chewed the wire harness and wiring. Campbell asked Kia to cover the repairs under warranty but after allegedly making her wait almost a month with the Kia Optima sitting at the dealership, Kia denied her claim for coverage.

    This is not a Kia-only problem. Other automakers have made the switch to a soy-based wire coatings and are facing similar lawsuits including Honda, Toyota, Hyundai, and Subaru.

    The lawsuit covers owners or lessees in California, Texas, and NJ with most of the 2012-2017 Kia lineup.

    keep reading article "Kia Sued for Using A Soy-Based Wire Coating"

  5. Kia's Theta 2-liter and 2.4-liter gasoline direct injection engines, also known as GDI engines, are giving owners a ton of headaches by stalling or failing at just about any time.

    According to a new lawsuit, these engines contain defects that cause a restriction of oil flow through the connecting rod bearings and other parts of the engines. In turn, the engines can stall without warning.

    The plaintiffs say Kia knows about the Theta engine problems, but refuses to freely repair the engines or order a recall. Another Theta II engine case with Sonata owners is awaiting final settlement approval.

    keep reading article "Lawsuit Says Kia Theta Engines Are Defective"

  6. Corrode on me once, shame on you. Corrode on me twice ... well, shame on you again.

    For the second time, the Kia Sedona has been recalled to fix front lower control arms that can break from corrosion. This time Kia is going to replace the arms that weren't fixed before, and add an extra applcation of an anti-corrosion coating.

    The problem affects vans that were originally sold, or currently registered in, the salt belt states.…

    keep reading article "Sedona Lower Control Arms Recalled for Corrosion (Again)"

  7. Did you know most cars have a "fail-safe" secondary latch that is supposed to keep the hood closed in case the primary latch fails?

    Well, that secondary latch is failing in the 2006-2014 Sedona, leaving the possibility that the hood could fly open while driving. The secondary latch is most likely failing due to corrosion from road salt, and that's why Kia has split the recall into two parts:…

    keep reading article "Sedona Recalled to Keep Hoods Closed While Driving"

Other Kia Models