2016 Kia Sedona Electrical Problems

46 owners have reported electrical system problems with the 2016 Kia Sedona to NHTSA — 15% of all 297 complaints for this model year. The typical failure happened around 72,000 miles. That ranks #3 of 19 Sedona model years for electrical complaints (a typical year has 23). 2 related recalls have been issued.

46complaints
72ktypical miles
2related recalls
3crashes
2fires
2injuries

Which parts fail

  • Instrument panel › Speedometer/odometer
    3

Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    412%
  • 25k–50k
    721%
  • 50k–75k
    721%
  • 75k–100k
    39%
  • 100k–150k
    412%
  • 150k+
    824%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2016 Kia Sedona owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owned a 2016 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that while her nephew was driving, the nephew made a left-hand turn, and the vehicle was hit on the front right quarter panel. The contact stated that her nephew had turned on the left-hand signal and was halfway through making the left turn when the accident occurred. The other vehicle drove on the opposite side and stated that the left-hand turn signal was not on. The contact's nephew was unsure if any warning lights were illuminated. The driver-side and passenger-side air bags were deployed. The contact's nephew had minor injuries and had a bruise on the right arm and chest that did not require medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a towing yard. The contact then had the vehicle towed to the residence and no longer driven. The insurance company was contacted, and the results are pending. …

96,000 miles · Jan 2026 · crash · 1 injury

No lights on the dash, no maintenance or check engine lights. The van began making noises under the hood and then blowing white smoke from the exhaust. The electrical connectors to the fan were melted and hot. To the cooling fan, radiator, etc. The fan connector caused the car to over heat.

138,000 miles · Mar 2024 · fire

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that the climate control panel became inoperable, failing to distribute heat and air conditioning. While the middle and third-row climate systems functioned, an abnormal burning odor was detected. The fan speed adjustment button experienced an electrical short, and upon removing the climate control panel, the wiring harness was found burnt. The contact stated that the climate control panel was previously replaced. Additionally, the power sliding door was inoperable. No warning lights illuminated. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V109000 (Electrical System); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the failure was caused by the climate control panel. …

159,000 miles · May 2026

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that after purchasing the vehicle from the dealer, the air bag warning light illuminated while driving, and the front passenger's seat detection system failed to detect a passenger. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle had previously been repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V109000 (Electrical System). The contact was also informed that a diagnostic test was needed to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 300,000.

300,000 miles · Aug 2025

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sedona. The contact stated while driving at low speeds, while stopped at a traffic light, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the battery post shim needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

150,000 miles · Nov 2020

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2016 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was approximately 68,000 and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was approximately 104,000.

Instrument panel › Speedometer/odometer · 104,000 miles · May 2025

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2016 Kia Sedona. The contact discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 107,000. It was later discovered upon checking a Carfax Report that the mileage was 187,000.

Instrument panel › Speedometer/odometer · 187,000 miles · Mar 2026

Odometer Fraud. The contact owned a 2016 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that the vehicle was traded for another vehicle at the used car dealer while the mileage was 220,000; however, the used car dealer later listed the mileage as 180,000.

Instrument panel › Speedometer/odometer · 220,000 miles · Aug 2025

Our Kia Sedona had the cooling fan harness negative Cable melt and caused making our engine overheat. When we took our vehicle to get serviced they told us that the cooling fan harness melted and then it's a common problem with kias. They fixed the pigtail cooling fan harness but are cooling fan does not turn on anymore and they said that it is now an electrical issue and this was from a Kia dealership in Dodge City Kansas. They recently did a recall on sliding doors because they weren't shutting all the way and it worked for exactly one day after the recall and now it's back to not shutting and making a really loud noise when it attempts to shut. When this happens we can't lock our doors because the doors won't lock when doors open and we have to constantly shut off our interior lights so that they don't stay on because the doors don't shut. …

Jul 2022

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The vehicle's engine and electrical system appear to have failed, resulting in a fire originating from the engine compartment. The vehicle is currently at a salvage yard and available for inspection upon request. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The fire occurred while my wife was picking up our children from school. Fortunately, they were able to exit the vehicle safely, but the incident posed a significant risk to their safety and could have resulted in severe injury or death. The vehicle was completely engulfed in flames and is now unusable. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? The specific issue leading to the fire has not yet been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or service center. …

Aug 2024 · fire

Related recalls

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 › Wiring

NHTSA recall 19V-109 · Feb 19, 2019 · 94,389 vehicles

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Sedona vehicles equipped with manually-adjusted front passenger seats. Over time, the Occupant Detection System (ODS) wiring harness located underneath the front passenger seat may break from the seat being occupied.

Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will remove the wire harness clip to prevent the wiring harness from breaking. If the harness is found damaged, the front passenger seat cushion will be replaced.

Electrical complaints in other Sedona years

’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21623823227940458712331237462311432
Electrical complaints per model year, Kia Sedona.

Frequently asked questions

How common are electrical problems on the 2016 Kia Sedona?

NHTSA has 46 complaints about the electrical system of the 2016 Kia Sedona, 15% of the model year's 297 complaints. The component named most often is instrument panel › speedometer/odometer (3 mentions).

Is there a recall for 2016 Kia Sedona electrical problems?

Yes — NHTSA recall 21V-725 (software, Sep 17, 2021); NHTSA recall 19V-109 (wiring, Feb 19, 2019). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

At what mileage do 2016 Kia Sedona electrical problems start?

Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 72,000 miles, and 12% before 25,000 miles.

Is it dangerous?

Owners linked 3 crashes, 2 fires and 2 injuries and 2 deaths to electrical system 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.