Transmission complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2 | 10% | — |
| 2019 | 4 | 10% | 1,000 miles |
| 2018 | 3 | 6% | 6,000 miles |
| 2017 | 4 | 3% | 65,000 miles |
| 2016 | 13 | 4% | 110,000 miles |
| 2015 | 4 | 3% | 80,000 miles |
| 2014 | 2 | 5% | 53,000 miles |
| 2012 | 8 | 7% | 68,000 miles |
| 2011 | 3 | 5% | 39,000 miles |
| 2010 | 3 | 9% | 44,000 miles |
| 2009 | 2 | 4% | 64,000 miles |
| 2008 | 4 | 2% | 33,000 miles |
| 2007 | 8 | 5% | 65,000 miles |
| 2006 | 24 | 6% | 47,000 miles |
| 2005 | 5 | 3% | 90,000 miles |
| 2004 | 10 | 5% | 60,000 miles |
| 2003 | 8 | 4% | 55,000 miles |
| 2002 | 19 | 8% | 55,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Tl* the contact owns a 2019 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle jerked or hesitated without warning, with the accelerator pedal depressed. The contact also stated that the vehicle would perform hard downshifts without warning while depressing the brake pedal. The contact took the vehicle to hagerstown Kia (10307 auto pl, hagerstown, md 21740) where a software update was performed however, the failure persisted. The contact had taken the vehicle back twice and no remedies were performed after each visit. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2019 Kia Sedona. While driving 10 MPH, the vehicle lunged forward without warning. On another occasion, when depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to accelerate and, at times, the rpms increased to 4,000. An abnormal noise was also heard during the failure. The vehicle was taken to murray Kia (located at 1402 ridge pike, conshohocken, pa 19428, [phone]) where unknown software updates were performed; however, the failures continued. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer for unknown software updates, but the failures continued. The manufacturer was not informed of the failures. The failure mileage was 250.
There was a fire under my minivan as my husband was driving it, creating smoke and flames. He lost power to the van and had to coast to the right side of the highway where he came to a stop with the flames occurring. This is the family vehicle and I have small children. We had no warning lights or any indication that there would be a fire in my vehicle as the van had been running smoothly, and I had kept up with all recommended maintenance (see Carfax report). On July 31st, I was told by Kia America that there was a fire in the engine compartment and that it was inconclusive and they could not determine what started the fire. …
The car stalled unexpectedly while driving on side roads and highway feeder roads. It first stalled as I approached a stop sign. The rpms quickly dropped from 2000+ to about 500. The car stalled. I put it in neutral and restarted the car. It turned over several times before restarting. After restarting and as I sat in drive at the stop sign, the car rocked back and forth as the engine pulsed. I left the stop sign and pulled into a highway feeder road. I got in traffic and slowed down. The car stalled again. Again, I restarted it in neutral. This time it re-engaged immediately. I pulled ahead in stop and go traffic where it very quickly stalled again. Again I restarted it in neutral where it took a few attempts to restart. I do have video of the tachometer and speedometer as I anticipated this happening. …
We noticed coolant leaking. We took it to a dealer and they replaced coolant control assembly/ temperature control piece. Also the O-ring that connecting to the engine was leaking. However, this is the 2nd time we are replacing the piece in 3months (not the o-ring). We did that. And spent $900 on it. As soon as we drove it 11miles home, there was oil and coolant leaking again. Took it right back. And there was fluid in the engine. Guy believes it's the head gasket. Out car isn't running. We don't know if we should replace, or junk it and have a loss of money. We are so frustrated. We have 125,000 miles. There were no warnings, no lights, just us noticing the coolant leaking, and the reservoir being full. We have pictures and have taken it to multiple mechanics and dealers.
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that while attempting to park the vehicle, the brake pedal was depressed, and the gear shift lever was moved to Park(P) but failed to lock in place. The contact stated that the vehicle started to roll backwards. The contact used force to lock the gear shift lever in Park(P), and the vehicle came to a complete stop after several attempts. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a faulty automatic transmission shift lever. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The vehicle remained at the dealer unrepaired. Upon investigation, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V612000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that while attempting to park the vehicle, the brake pedal was depressed, and the vehicle failed to respond. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact had experienced the vehicle rolling while attempting to park the vehicle. On another occasion, while the contact was attempting to park the vehicle on an incline, the contact depressed the brake pedal however, the vehicle started to roll away. The contact believed that the vehicle should have been included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V612000 (POWER TRAIN). The vehicle was then taken to a dealer, but was not yet diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
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.
Related recalls (1)
Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Column shift
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Kia Sedona years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2006 (24), 2002 (19), 2016 (13), 2004 (10) and 2003 (8) model years. Transmission complaints make up 6% of all complaints for the 2006.
Is there a recall for Kia Sedona transmission problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 22V-612 (column shift, Aug 10, 2022). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Kia Sedona transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 56,000 miles; 48% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission (39 mentions), followed by the automatic transmission › control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) (3).
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.