Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2017 Kia Sedona owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that the driver's side sliding door failed to open. There was an abnormal clicking noise detected. The left turn signal failed to work intermittently. Additionally, the left signal would turn on randomly to the right turn signal. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the door motor needed to be replaced. The aftermarket hitch was causing the failure for the turn signal. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to another dealer. The failure mileage was 32,000.
I am writing to file a formal complaint regarding a serious issue my vehicle has been unusable since July due to a defective AC control head. I initially took my vehicle to an authorized dealership, and they informed me that the part required is on national back order. After an extensive search, they located the part at a dealership in California, but the order was canceled. I was then told that many replacement control heads are being returned as defective, leaving me without a functioning vehicle. The dealership has indicated that the back order could take anywhere from one week to three years, which is an unacceptable and indefinite delay. I am currently unable to use my vehicle because temperatures in the Phoenix metro area average between 105+ degrees during this time of year. …
When I first bought the vehicle from the dealer ship I had a problem of it not wanting to start.That was back in March of 2023. Called. the dealer ship and they said to bring it in of course I couldn't do that be cause it wouldn't start and is parked in the garage. After much utubing and such we managed to get it started I live 50 miles from the dealer ship so I did not take it in but occasionally for no reason it will refuse to start it has done this to me at lease 8 times not including today and this time it just will not start. I believe it has something to do with the anti thief program which is in the car. What if it was bad weather out and I stopped some place and could not get it started. I believe I was sold a defective car. The car has only 62,000 miles on it it had only 57,000 miles on it when I bought it. …
I will be driving and my headlight shut off. All of my warning lights come on, I lose all power and everything electrical shuts off. I am unable to use my blinkers, my head lights don't work, my radio doesn't work, and the car once put in park, won't shift. I have taken to 3 mechanics, spent over $800 and no one can figure it out. Kia won't help and claim I need to pay and take it to the dealership. They want $100 just to look at it. I fear for me and my children. This is a serious safety issue. I have seen several complaints online of the same thing. This is an issue with this vehicle and I'm scared I will die driving down the highway when my headlights just shut off
We purchased this car in Dec 2020, and since that time the rear brake light bulbs have been blowing on a regular basis. Now the headlights blew as well. We took it to the Kia dealer who informed us that the bulbs are shorting due to moisture leaking in to the rear sealed beams. There is no crack and no sign of impact. This issue has been found on two other cars that friends of mine have (VIN#'s shown below), and dealer says they are seeing these on a regular basis. This is an extremely dangerous problem, as most drivers don't know that their rear bulbs are not illuminating. This issue must be addressed ASAP. [VIN]; [VIN]
Engine seized. Purchased car on 9-16-24. One 9-17-24 I went to Valvoline and purchased a full synthetic oil change. Within 2000 miles driven since oil change mechanic advised that there was no oil and no leaks. Valvoline assisted my mechanic in the investigation and claimed the Sedona had a oil consumption issues. Manufacturing issues. Car shut off while driving. No light illuminated prior to the shut off and even with no oil there is no check engine light or oil pressure warning.
Driving freeway with much traffic. Engine suddenly quit and nothing worked. Had to coast into a safety shoulder and was almost wrecked in the process. There was no warnings on the instrument panel. Car had been routinely serviced. According to Kia Service, the engine froze due to oil sludge (used synthetic oil). The engine is actually a 2016 model. Mileage is 134,682. Event was 2/623.
The sliding door located on the driver's side / left side behind the driver's seat will not close completely which causes an alert/warning to be displayed that the door is still open. The door slides on the track but will not close completely. You must apply pressure as it closes to turn of the warning light.
Rear tail light housing compartments fill with water causing lights to go out or short. This needs to be turned into a recall for the manufacturer to fix, since there are many other owners of the same vehicle complaining about the same safety issue.
Since January 2020 I have been experiencing malfunctioning electrical issues both while driving and standing still. Without me needing the use of my wipers they will turn on all by themselves while in the off position. This would be both front and rear wipers. As I try to turn them off by moving the wiper arm up and down at times the speed won't change at all or for example the highest speed level would work at the lowest speed level. As well the high beam would activate throughout different times during these occurrences. I also experienced the headlights turning off while night driving. For months as I would bring in the van to be check 3 times to be exact which I have sown video that I still have saved. …
Related recalls
Electrical system › Software
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
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
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2017 Kia Sedona?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the electrical system of the 2017 Kia Sedona, 17% of the model year's 134 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2017 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 2017 Kia Sedona electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 30,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
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.