Kia Sedona Problems by Year

We compared every Kia Sedona model year from 2002–2021 using 2,535 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 24 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 2006, 2016, 2002 and 2004, which drew far more complaints than other Sedona years at the same age. The best years are 2010, 2021 and 2014.

19model years
2,535complaints
24recalls
2006, 2016worst years
2010, 2021best years

Complaints by model year

’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’212481972131853851571704832651083913929713449392010
Owner complaints per model year, Kia Sedona. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
202110−80%—AccelerationGood
202020−66%1EngineGood
201939−56%2EngineGood
201849−57%3EngineGood
2017134typical4EngineAverage
20162972.0×4EngineAvoid
2015139typical3EngineAverage
201439−72%1ElectricalGood
2012108−28%5ElectricalAverage
201165−60%6EngineGood
201032−83%5BrakeGood
200948−70%5BrakeGood
2008170typical5ElectricalAverage
2007157−21%6ElectricalAverage
20063852.0×7SuspensionAvoid
20051851.2×2BrakeAverage
20042131.5×3Wheel & TireCaution
20031971.4×5ElectricalAverage
20022481.8×4ElectricalCaution

* Complaints compared with the median Sedona year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Kia Sedona problems

Latest Kia Sedona recalls

Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Column shift

NHTSA recall 22V-612 · Aug 10, 2022 · 28,065 vehicles

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016 Sedona and Sorento vehicles. The vehicles may have been manufactured with faulty automatic transmission shift lever assembly components, preventing the shift lever from locking, which can allow the vehicle to rollaway.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the automatic transmission shift lever assembly components, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 7, 2022.

Air bags

NHTSA recall 22V-031 · Jan 25, 2022 · 410,619 vehicles

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.

Remedy: 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.

Electrical system › Software

NHTSA recall 21V-725 · Sep 17, 2021 · 88,576 vehicles

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Sedona vehicles. The Smart Junction Box (SJB) software logic may not properly interpret the signals received from the multifunction switch, which could cause the turn signal to activate in the opposite direction of what the driver intended.

Remedy: Dealers will update the SJB software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 12, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC217.

Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator

NHTSA recall 20V-399 · Jul 8, 2020 · 5,385 vehicles

Kia Motors America (KIA) is recalling certain 2020 Sedona vehicles. The battery positive (B+) terminal nut on the alternator may not have been tightened properly during assembly, possibly causing it to loosen over time.

Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the alternator B+ terminal nut, tightening it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began August 14, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542.

Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system › Fuel rail

NHTSA recall 20V-101 · Feb 21, 2020 · 51,465 vehicles

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2012 Sedona vehicles. The fuel rail may crack from exposure to heat generated within the engine compartment, resulting in a fuel leak.

Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel rail, free of charge. The recall began June 16, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC188.

All 24 Kia Sedona recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Kia Sedona should you avoid?

2006, 2016, 2002 and 2004 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Sedona years at the same age, led by suspension problems in the 2006.

What is the best year for the Kia Sedona?

2010 has the fewest complaints compared with other Sedona years at the same age, followed by 2021 and 2014. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common Kia Sedona problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the engine & cooling (548), electrical system (507) and brakes (325). Engine complaints peak in the 2016 model year.

How many recalls has the Kia Sedona had?

24 recalls across 2002–2021. The model year with the most is 2006. See all Kia Sedona recalls by year.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.