Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2015 Kia Sedona owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sedona. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH she had observed that the temperature gauge needle was in the "red" zone. The contact pulled over and let the vehicle cool down. The contact later drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and found that the "relay" switch needed to be replaced. The mechanic also observed an engine oil leak and noticed that the head gasket had been blown and needed to be replaced. Additionally, the mechanic noticed that the bolts that secured the head gasket were improperly torqued down and had damaged the head and needed to be re-threaded. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he heard a loud pop and the tachometer redlined, after which the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to coast to the shoulder of the roadway, where he observed that the engine block had separated from the engine with oil covering the entire engine compartment. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but since the failure had not caused a fire or an injury, no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 112,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine overheated. No warning lights were illuminated. In addition, the thermostat gauge indicated that the engine was overheating. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a cracked head gasket. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under warranty because the mileage was over the limit. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 182,000. The VIN was unavailable.
We were driving and pulled over to a grocery store and noticed that the dash lights were going crazy and then the cabin started to fill with a little smoke and then the car shut off. The doors would not open and the car had no power at all. We were finally to get us and our kids out. I popped the hood and noticed a small fire next to the ground wire. The engine had caught fire. I put out the fire. There is another set of recalls on Kia's about the engines and the car catching on fire. The Kia dealer said that there is not a recall on this car.
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sedona. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact added oil to the vehicle and the vehicle was able to be restarted, but the contact immediately observed a loud knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
The car odometer was about 120,000 highway miles. After run with the cruise control for about a 386 miles I stop the car in Angola service station and been there for about 12 minutes with the car off the car got on fire. The electric system shut down immediately and the hood didn't open at all, rear doors didn't open electrical way just manually and the back door get completely sealed.
Was driving down the road with zero issues known, no check engine light, and only 114K miles. There was a sudden noise that was quiet so I turned down the radio, and then within 2 seconds or so a loud bang occurred, followed by a lot of smoke. I looked in the side mirrors and noted flames coming from underneath the van. Pulled over and got my family out.
Took our 2015 Kia Sedona for an oil change and checkup due to the engine overheating multiple times. They did the oil change at about 96k miles and said nothing was wrong with the engine. That if anything were to happen then just bring it back in. We went on a trip to Georgia from Miami, we got stranded there because the engine again started overheating. We got the car back and took it to Kia in Doral. Service department stated that the head was damaged. Sales manager says it needed a new engine that would cost us 7500 to replace. We owe 7200 on the vehicle. That would put us at 14k dollars when it was not our fault that the engine failed at 96k miles. The sales manager at Doral Kia promised that they would take care of the 7200 loan if we bought a New Kia Carnival once they arrive in the lot. …
I had regular oil changes performed by Jiffy Lube when I owned the van and have most receipts. In 2022 after the vehicle kept making a whining sound, we realized that it was completely out of oil. I park in our garage and there was never an oil leak of any kind and no dash lights ever came on to indicate a problem. In May 2022 as we were on a 3 hr interstate drive, the engine began knocking. The oil was full but it wouldn't start and had to be towed home. It had 120,000 miles on it. Sims Auto took the engine apart and said it looked like the oil had never been changed because it was caramelized on the inside. I have photos of it. They said that my vehicle at 120k miles with regular maintenance and in really good condition should not have needed a new engine. Our son had this same exact issue with his Kia Optima but it was under a "warranty/recall" and he received a new engine for free. …
After driving 3 miles on 2/1, the engine fan ran after the engine was turned off- which never happens. We called Kia for service but nothing was available for 2 weeks; all Kia dealers were similar. No check engine light was illuminated. My husband popped the hood, saw the coolant cap was open and the coolant fluid level in the normal range (slightly above the minimum line). Closing the cap, he test drove the car. Although driving fine, he took the Sedona to a shop where the hood was again popped- the coolant level was showing now above the max fill line, no coolant had been added; as no fluid was seen by the mechanic and since no check engine light was lit, an appointment was made to bring the car back for a full diagnostic. On 2/2/24, after driving 3 miles and making a turn, I thought I saw smoke. But, it was a rainy day so I thought it was condensation from the concrete. …
Engine complaints in other Sedona years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2015 Kia Sedona?
NHTSA has 52 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2015 Kia Sedona, 37% of the model year's 139 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2015 Kia Sedona engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2015 Kia Sedona, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2015 Kia Sedona engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 4 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.