Is the 2019 Kia SEDONA reliable?

The 2019 Kia SEDONA has 45 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.7x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: above-average. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2019 Kia SEDONA?

Top problems: ENGINE (9 complaints, avg repair $500); BODY/STRUCTURE (8 complaints, avg repair $500); TRANSMISSION (4 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2019 Kia SEDONA?

Yes, there are 2 recall(s): AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS: REAR/OTHER:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY. Contact any Kia dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2019 Kia SEDONA?

The 2019 Kia SEDONA gets 21 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2286. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2019 Kia SEDONA?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2019 Kia SEDONA is approximately $1,432/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.

2019 Kia SEDONA

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2019 Kia SEDONA has 45 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.7x the segment average of 62. The most common issue is engine problems (20% of all complaints), specifically: purchased new. @ 7400 miles while driving on the highway it smelled like something was burning. took it to dealership who stated cylinder head was leaking antifreeze. entire engine had to be rebuilt (all heads/gaskets exchanged). 7800 miles fluid levels bottomed out. dealer stated car hadn't 'burped. There are 2 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.

1 fire report 4 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

0.7x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

9 complaints

20%

• PURCHASED NEW. @ 7400 MILES WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IT SMELLED LIKE SOMETHING WAS BURNING. TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP WHO STATED CYLINDER HEAD WAS LEAKING ANTIFREEZE. ENTIRE ENGINE HAD TO BE REBUILT (ALL HEADS/GASKETS EXCHANGED). 7800 MILES FLUID LEVELS BOTTOMED OUT. DEALER STATED CAR HADN'T 'BURPED
• SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH MY ENGINE OR TRANSMISSION WHICHEVER WHICH ONE IT IS I DO NOT KNOW I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER 5 OR MORE TIMES THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM OR THE OR THEY SAY IT'S OPERATING AS ASSIGNED HOW'S THE CAR OPERATING AS DESIGNED WHEN THE VEHICLE SOON AS YOU PUSH THE ACCELERATOR
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE LOSS POWER AND SPUTTERED AND JERKED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER, RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PITRE KIA (9640 EAGLE RANCH RD

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

“PURCHASED NEW. @ 7400 MILES WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IT SMELLED LIKE SOMETHING WAS BURNING. TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP WHO STATED CYLINDER HEAD WAS LEAKING ANTIFREEZE. ENTIRE ENGINE HAD TO BE REBUILT (ALL HEADS/GASKETS EXCHANGED). 7800 MILES FLUID LEVELS BOTTOMED OUT. DEALER STATED CAR HADN'T 'BURPED”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2019 Kia SEDONA

Based on 17 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 7K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

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 (2)

AIR BAGS25/01/2022

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.

Risk: Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.

Fix: 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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2019 Kia SEDONA

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,286

Per month

$191

Per mile

19.1¢

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 2019 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

$1,432

Full coverage / month

$119

Liability only / year

$559

vs US avg

-14%

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 age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$1432

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 2019 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

BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 45 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: PURCHASED NEW. @ 7400 MILES WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IT SMELLED LIKE SOMETHING WAS BURNING. TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP WHO STATED CYLINDER HEAD WAS LEAKING ANTIFREEZE. ENTIRE ENGINE HAD TO BE REBUILT (ALL HEADS/GASKETS EXCHANGED). 7800 MILES FLUID LEVELS BOTTOMED OUT. DEALER STATED CAR HADN'T 'BURPED
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BODY/STRUCTURE: Sliding door does not always latch. Have to manually close it to latch properly.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 KIA SEDONA. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, WHEN DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND, AT TIMES, THE RPMS INCREASED TO 4,000. AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS ALSO HEARD DURING THE FAILURE. THE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: PURCHASED NEW. @ 7400 MILES WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IT SMELLED LIKE SOMETHING WAS BURNING. TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP WHO STATED CYLINDER HEAD WAS LEAKING ANTIFREEZE. ENTIRE ENGINE HAD TO BE REBUILT (ALL HEADS/GASKETS EXCHANGED). 7800 MILES FLUID LEVELS BOTTOMED OUT. DEALER STATED CAR HADN'T 'BURPED
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 2 recalls have been completed — free at any Kia dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)