Is the 2016 Kia SEDONA reliable?

The 2016 Kia SEDONA has 365 complaints filed with NHTSA (5.9x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: avoid. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2016 Kia SEDONA?

Top problems: ENGINE (148 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (43 complaints, avg repair $500); LIGHTING (37 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2016 Kia SEDONA?

Yes, there are 4 recall(s): STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT. Contact any Kia dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2016 Kia SEDONA?

The 2016 Kia SEDONA gets 20 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2400. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2016 Kia SEDONA?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2016 Kia SEDONA is approximately $1,317/year (minivan class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2016 Kia SEDONA

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2016 Kia SEDONA has 365 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 5.9x the segment average of 62. The most common issue is engine problems (41% of all complaints), specifically: 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 dama. There are 4 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 20 fire reports filed.

20 fire reports 12 crash reports 11 injuries

365

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

5.9x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

148 complaints

41%

• 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 DAMA
• 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 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.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 11 fire reports💥 1 crashes

“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 DAMA”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2016 Kia SEDONA

Based on 146 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 61K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 30-60K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

Reported earliermedian 50K mi · 9 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SEATS/RESTRAINTS

Reported earliermedian 41K mi · 8 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

AIR BAGS

Reported earliermedian 50K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

DOORS/LATCHES

Reported earliermedian 68K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

FUEL SYSTEM

Reported earliermedian 26K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 72K mi · 33 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (4)

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR23/05/2018

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.

Risk: If the door closes on an occupant, there is an increased risk of an injury.

Fix: 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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2016 Kia SEDONA

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,401

Per month

$200

Per mile

20.0¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,667/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$2,001/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2016 Kia SEDONA

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,317

Full coverage / month

$110

Liability only / year

$559

vs US avg

-21%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (minivan)0.91x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating0.94x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1317

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Kia SEDONA Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

24 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

60K mi

Spark plugs

90K mi

Cabin air filter

15K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

60K mi

Turbo engines (Optima 2.0T, Sorento 2.5T) may benefit from more frequent oil changes.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Kia New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

5 yr / 60K mi

Powertrain

10 yr / 100K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

10 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / 100K mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

10 year powertrain not transferable to subsequent owners

These are the terms for a new Kia. If you're buying a used 2016 SEDONA, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Kia dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

LIGHTING(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 365 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: 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 DAMA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: MY MOTHER AND HER FRIEND WERE DRIVING APPROX. 35 MILES PER HOUR WHEN THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WENT OFF THE ROAD CAUSING THEM TO GO INTO THE FRYING PAN RIVER IN BASALT, CO. THERE WAS APPROX. 42.1 DEGREE SLOPE. MY MOTHER WAS THE PASSENGER. WE RETRIEVED HER PICTURES AND VIDEO. SHE WAS VIDEO TAPING WITH HER
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
LIGHTING: THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE MANUFACTURED TO A SPECIFICATION THAT GIVES VERY LIMITED LENGTH OF VISIBILITY MAKING FAST HIGHWAY DRIVING AT NIGHT VERY DANGEROUS. DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS NORMAL, MANUFACTURER IS LOOKING INTO IT. SIMPLY PUT THEY ARE BY DEGREES POINTED DOWNWARD TOO EARLY AND THIS PROVIDES VE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: 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
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 4 recalls have been completed — free at any Kia dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)