BestCarRank
Kia

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 4.6x the segment average of 80. 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. ⚠️ 20 fire reports filed.

20 fire reports 12 crash reports 11 injuries

365

Total Complaints

0

Recalls Issued

/5

Safety Stars

4.6x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

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

ELECTRICAL

43 complaints
12%
  • 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
  • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA SEDONA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE KEY FAILED TO TURN IN THE IGNITION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE REAR HATCH WAS DIFFICULT TO OPEN AFTER BEI
  • POWER SLIDING DOORS MAKE LOUD GRINDING NOISES WHEN CLOSEING AND OPENING. IN ADDITION THE POWER SLIDING DOORS CONTINUED TO CLOSE ON ME WHILE I WAS TRYING TO PUSH IT BACK OPEN. CAR WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY AND OFF, MY FRONT PASSENGER PRESSED THE OVERHEAD PSD BUTTON BEFORE HE REALIZED THE KIDS HADN'T
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 2 fire reports💥 3 crashes

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

— NHTSA complaint filing

LIGHTING

37 complaints
10%
  • 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
  • RENTED A CAR FROM THE AIRPORT IN DENVER AND IT WAS THE LAST 4 CARS ON THERE LOT. I WAS DRIVING THE CAR LOST IN DENVER CAR WAS PULLING TO THE CENTER OF THE CARON BOTH SIDES. I SAID THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THIS CAR. I WAS LOOKING FOR STREET SIGNS ABOUT 20 MPH AND THE CAR TOOK OFF AND HIT 2 CARS
  • WAS DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AT NIGHT WHEN SUDDENLY THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS WENT OUT. AFTER A FEW SECONDS, THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT AS WELL. THIS WAS DEFINITELY A LIFE-THREATENING SITUATION! IT HAPPENED ON A 2200 MILE TRIP AND NECESSITATED CHANGING PLANS, MOTEL RESERVATIONS, AND ARRIVING LATE
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 3 crashes

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

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

31 complaints
8%
  • 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
  • THE POWER SLIDING DOORS HAVE CRUSHED ME TO THE POINT OF BRUSING MY RIBS. THEY DID NOT RETRACT WITH ME IN THE DOORWAY. SLIDING POWER DOORS FAIL TO RETRACT WHEN PRESSURE IS APPLIED AND SOMETIMES SPONTANEOUSLY CLOSE WITHOUT BUTTONS PUSHED OR HANDLES BEING TOUCHED (VEHICLE WAS SOLD TO US WITH DOCUMENTE
  • KIA HAS HAD A MINIMAL OF 9 ATTEMPTS TO RECTIFY MY BLINKERS NOT WORKING AND WHEN WORKING, THEY DID SO INCORRECTLY. THE DOORS WERE ALSO OPENING WITHOUT COMMAND AND SOMETIMES THE OPEN DOOR LIGHT INDICATES THE DOORS ARE OPEN WHEN NOT. THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX THIS. THEY HAVE MADE IT CLEAR THEY WIS
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 5 fire reports💥 1 crashes

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

— NHTSA complaint filing

BODY/STRUCTURE

22 complaints
6%
  • ON IIHS WEBSITE IT MENTIONS THAT KIA REPROGRAMMED THE AUTO LOCK FEATURE SO THAT THE DOORS WOULD STAY CLOSED IN A CRASH AND REDUCE INTRUSION. HOWEVER IF SOMEONE IS DROPPED IF THE LOCK IS DISENGAGED WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING, PERHAPS WHILE DROPPING OFF A PASSENGER, THE DOOR DOES NOT LOCK AGAIN WHEN
  • THE VAN SLIDING DOORS DO NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. WHEN DRIVING, THE DOOR AJAR ALERT WILL LIGHT UP ON THE DASHBOARD. WE HAVE TO STOP THE CAR AND PUSH ON THE DOORS TO GET THEM TO CLOSE COMPLETELY. THE DOORS MAKE A LOUD GROANING SOUND WHEN THEY ARE CLOSING AND DO NOT CLOSE ALL THE WAY. THE DOORS WIL
  • THIS IS AN ONGOING INCIDENT AND ISSUE. THE MOTOR ON THE SLIDING DOORS IS NOT HIGH QUALITY AND GOES OUT VERY QUICKLY. IN MY CASE IN LESS THAN 2 YEARS, IN OTHER CASES I HAVE READ ONLINE SOME ARE IN LESS THAN A YEAR. WHEN THE MOTOR IS GOING OUT, THE DOORS WILL MAKE A LOUD NOISE UPON CLOSING AND APPEAR
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports

ON IIHS WEBSITE IT MENTIONS THAT KIA REPROGRAMMED THE AUTO LOCK FEATURE SO THAT THE DOORS WOULD STAY CLOSED IN A CRASH AND REDUCE INTRUSION. HOWEVER IF SOMEONE IS DROPPED IF THE LOCK IS DISENGAGED WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING, PERHAPS WHILE DROPPING OFF A PASSENGER, THE DOOR DOES NOT LOCK AGAIN WHEN

— NHTSA complaint filing

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

  • General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints
365
Recalls
0
Fire reports
20
Crash reports
12
Injury reports
11
Segment avg
80

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2016 Kia SEDONA