2018 Kia SEDONA

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2018 Kia SEDONA has 62 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.8x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is engine problems (32% of all complaints), specifically: 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 vi. ⚠️ 7 fire reports filed.

7 fire reports 3 crash reports 3 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.8x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

ENGINE

20 complaints

32%

• 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 vi
• 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 hea
• 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.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 4 fire reports

“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 vi”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

10 complaints

16%

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER SLIDING DOOR SENOR FAILED CAUSING THE CONTACT TO GET TRAPPED BETWEEN THE DOOR. THE FAILURE HAPPENED INTERMITTENTLY. ANCIRA KIA (6139 BANDERA RD, SAN ANTONIO, TX 78238 (210) 509-2913) DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED THE SLIDING DOOR SE
• 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 FAILU
• 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

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

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER SLIDING DOOR SENOR FAILED CAUSING THE CONTACT TO GET TRAPPED BETWEEN THE DOOR. THE FAILURE HAPPENED INTERMITTENTLY. ANCIRA KIA (6139 BANDERA RD, SAN ANTONIO, TX 78238 (210) 509-2913) DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED THE SLIDING DOOR SE”

— NHTSA complaint filing

AIR BAGS

6 complaints

10%

• WE PURCHASED BRAND NEW A 2016 KIA SEDONA FROM THE DEALERSHIP. WITHIN THE 2 YEARS WE OWNED IT WE HAD TO TAKE IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOUR TIMES BECAUSE THE AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND STAY ON, OR WOULD FLICKER OFF AND ONE AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THEY FOUND IT TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THE PASSENG
• The contact owns a 2018 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and an unknown software was updated however, the vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that the air bag needed to be re
• 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 afte

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“WE PURCHASED BRAND NEW A 2016 KIA SEDONA FROM THE DEALERSHIP. WITHIN THE 2 YEARS WE OWNED IT WE HAD TO TAKE IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOUR TIMES BECAUSE THE AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND STAY ON, OR WOULD FLICKER OFF AND ONE AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THEY FOUND IT TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THE PASSENG”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

3 complaints

• VEHICLE MPG IS NOT ACCURATE. STATES 18-24 MPG. WE ARE GETTING 17 MPG ON AVERAGE WITH SOME HIGHWAY DRIVING. FILLING UP TANK EVERY 4-5 DAYS ABOUT 15 GALLON OF FUEL EACH FILL UP. VAN IS NEW AND HAS 2500 MILES. FEEL THAT MILEAGE CLAIM IS NOT ACCURATE. 3.3L ENGINE. 2018 KIA SEDONA EX.
• 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
• Something came through the front grill and damaged the a/c condenser. Grill is open holes and doesn’t provide enough protection to the condenser and radiator.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“VEHICLE MPG IS NOT ACCURATE. STATES 18-24 MPG. WE ARE GETTING 17 MPG ON AVERAGE WITH SOME HIGHWAY DRIVING. FILLING UP TANK EVERY 4-5 DAYS ABOUT 15 GALLON OF FUEL EACH FILL UP. VAN IS NEW AND HAS 2500 MILES. FEEL THAT MILEAGE CLAIM IS NOT ACCURATE. 3.3L ENGINE. 2018 KIA SEDONA EX.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

SEATS/RESTRAINTS

3 complaints

• WE PURCHASED BRAND NEW A 2016 KIA SEDONA FROM THE DEALERSHIP. WITHIN THE 2 YEARS WE OWNED IT WE HAD TO TAKE IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOUR TIMES BECAUSE THE AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND STAY ON, OR WOULD FLICKER OFF AND ONE AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THEY FOUND IT TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THE PASSENG
• 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 r
• My [XXX] son pulled the seatbelt so tight it got wrapped around his neck. When I pulled over to unbuckle it, it was stuck. I turned the car off and on again to try and loosen it, but it didn't work. In the emergency, I had to cut the seatbelt with scissors. It's the passenger seatbelt in the second

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

SEATS/RESTRAINTS(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 62 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: 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 vi
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER SLIDING DOOR SENOR FAILED CAUSING THE CONTACT TO GET TRAPPED BETWEEN THE DOOR. THE FAILURE HAPPENED INTERMITTENTLY. ANCIRA KIA (6139 BANDERA RD, SAN ANTONIO, TX 78238 (210) 509-2913) DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED THE SLIDING DOOR SE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
AIR BAGS: WE PURCHASED BRAND NEW A 2016 KIA SEDONA FROM THE DEALERSHIP. WITHIN THE 2 YEARS WE OWNED IT WE HAD TO TAKE IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOUR TIMES BECAUSE THE AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND STAY ON, OR WOULD FLICKER OFF AND ONE AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THEY FOUND IT TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THE PASSENG
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: VEHICLE MPG IS NOT ACCURATE. STATES 18-24 MPG. WE ARE GETTING 17 MPG ON AVERAGE WITH SOME HIGHWAY DRIVING. FILLING UP TANK EVERY 4-5 DAYS ABOUT 15 GALLON OF FUEL EACH FILL UP. VAN IS NEW AND HAS 2500 MILES. FEEL THAT MILEAGE CLAIM IS NOT ACCURATE. 3.3L ENGINE. 2018 KIA SEDONA EX.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)