Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
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 driving at an undisclosed speed, he felt the vehicle was bumping and thought there was a flat tire. The ESP fault and low tire pressure warning lights were illuminated. The contact pulled over and turned off the vehicle to check the rear passenger tire. While the contact was on the phone with roadside assistance, he noticed there was smoke coming from under the hood then there were flames coming from under the hood. A police report was filed. No medical attention was received. The contact was unaware if the fire department extinguished the fire since he got transported by a bystander to her residence nearby. The vehicle was towed to a towing lot. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 32,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sedona. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH there was raddling noise and then flames. The check engine light came on. The engine immediately caught on fire. The contact was able to pull over safely and exit the vehicle quickly with her son the passenger. The police arrived on the scene first and informed the fire department that the flames had deteriorated automatically; therefore the fire department did not arrive. Unknown if a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to several dealers; however, the last dealer diagnosed the failure to be hole blown engine. There were no major injuries or medical reports. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure was 73,000.
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.
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sedona. The contact stated while driving at approximately 35 MPH, he heard an abnormal clicking noise coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle back to the residence and checked the oil and the coolant level. The contact stated that there was coolant leaking and that the oil level was low. The contact stated he filled the coolant reservoir and topped off the oil level and continued to drive the vehicle. The contact stated that he heard a loud clicking sound however, there was no warning light illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to a local dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and informed the contact that the head gasket was blown, and that coolant had leaked into the long block. The contact stated that the dealer advised that the engine needed to be replaced. …
The vehicle started making a rattling noise, but there were no lights on the dash at all!. My husband checked the oil and there was no oil. (It wasn't even due for an oil change yet.) Even after adding 5 quarts of oil, the engine threw a rod through the oil pan while it was being driven down the road. Then the engine caught on fire. Thankfully, my husband was able to get the car to the side of the road without causing an accident or getting burned. There were chunks of metal and oil sprayed all over the road. We had to have it towed and upon an independent mechanic's inspection, found out that the engine was completely destroyed and would have to be replaced and would probably cost about $8,500 (not including the added cost of a rental vehicle while the engine is replaced.) We had just had the oil leak recall completed in May and the local Kia dealership said everything was fine. …
Engine caught fire while traveling on the highway. It was towed to the dealer. Dealer told us that engine failure and fire had been caused by oil leak, which occurred even with us bringing the car in for routine maintenance regularly and as recommended by Kia. Yes, our safety was put at risk as our engine failed and caught fire while we were traveling at high speed on a highway. There was no warning prior to this happening, and I had just brought the car into the dealer for routine maintenance within two weeks prior to the fire. With that said, I had been bringing the car to the dealer for routine maintenance regularly and bringing to their attention that the "low oil" warning light would appear intermittently, which it should not have done as I WAS bringing the car in for regular maintenance and oil changes. …
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sedona. The contact became aware that the radiator was overheating while driving. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact replaced the thermostat, the radiator cap, and flushed the coolant and radiator system. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed that the temperature gauge was indicating that the vehicle had started overheating. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to the dealer. Upon inspection of the vehicle, the mechanic discovered that the head bolts on the cylinder heads had been stretched, causing coolant to leak into the engine cylinders. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that while her husband was driving 50 MPH, the contact heard a knocking sound coming from the engine and the vehicle lost power. The contact was able to pull over to the right side of the road, turned off the vehicle for several minutes, restart the vehicle, and the vehicle worked as intended. There were no warning lights illuminated. An independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and opened a case; however, the case number was not available. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 88,500.
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle lost motive power and drove forward about the length of the vehicle before the vehicle stalled. The contact and the occupants were stranded for an hour. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who replaced the starter and informed the contact that the piston or tie rod was fractured. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 222,627.
While driving down the road, the car started sputtering and smoking. There were no warning lights on the dash, or irregular readings. My son pulled over and flames were coming from underneath the vehicle. Upon immediate inspection, there was an oil trail in the road behind the vehicle and pieces of the rod and oil pan. They said it looked like the engine threw a rod, damaging the oil pan, and causing the fire. We are still awaiting an independent inspection and solution from Kia, but they're taking their time. Thankfully my son was able to exit the vehicle quickly and safely.
NHTSA investigations
3.3L Engine Loss of Motive Power (LOMP)
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a petition on February 20, 2024, requesting the opening of an investigation into an alleged defect of the "engine" on the following vehicle model stated by the petitioner: 2016 Kia Sedona vehicles equipped with the 3.3L V-Shaped GDI Lambda-II engine. The petitioner raised the issue of a Loss of Motive Power.
Engine complaints in other Sedona years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2016 Kia Sedona?
NHTSA has 150 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2016 Kia Sedona, 51% of the model year's 297 complaints. The component named most often is cooling system › radiator assembly (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2016 Kia Sedona engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2016 Kia Sedona, though it has 4 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 2016 Kia Sedona engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 88,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 11 fires and 3 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.