Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2016 Kia Sedona, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Engine148
- Electrical system46
- Exterior lighting37
- Unknown or other32
- Structure25
- Air bags19
- Power train13
- Fuel/propulsion system9
- Seat belts8
- Service brakes7
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 10 injuries and 2 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 20 2016 Sedona vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 7 people died inside them, and 2 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2016 Kia Sedona failed the safety check 2.61% of the time — 32% more often than the average 2016 passenger car (1.97%). Median odometer at inspection: 91,115 miles.
6,826first inspections
2.61%failed on safety
91,115 mimedian odometer
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-star results for 1 variant; 1 of 1 rated variants score five stars overall. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Variant | Overall | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 Kia Sedona VAN FWD | ★★★★★ | 13.0 % |
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
- Forward collision warning
- Optional
- Lane departure warning
- Optional
- Best overall rating
- 5 / 5
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 3 variants: combined 11.4–12.5 L/100 km (about 19–21 mpg US), CO₂ 269–296 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sedona SX · Minivan · Regular gasoline | 12.9 | 9.5 | 11.4 |
| Sedona · Minivan · Regular gasoline | 13.2 | 9.7 | 11.6 |
| Sedona SXL · Minivan · Regular gasoline | 14.2 | 10.5 | 12.5 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
6 Transport Canada recalls for the 2016 Kia Sedona.
| 2024549 15 Aug 2024 | Label Issue: On certain vehicles, the compliance label may be missing information in French. The words listed on the label for "Tires", "Rims", "Front" and "Rear" a… |
| 2022453 10 Aug 2022 | Powertrain Issue: On certain vehicles, a problem with the transmission shifter assembly may allow you to shift out of the Park position (P) without pressing the brake pe… |
| 2021680 5 Nov 2021 | Electrical Issue: Certain vehicles may be equipped with an accessory trailer wiring harness that could fail. Over time, water could leak into the control module and caus… |
| 2021574 17 Sept 2021 | Lights And Instruments Issue: On certain vehicles, an intermittent problem could cause the turn signals to activate in the opposite direction from what a driver intends. For example… |
| 2019103 1 Mar 2019 | Seats And Restraints Issue: On certain vehicles, the wiring for the Occupant Detection System (ODS) could break. This would cause the airbag system to not turn off the airbag when … |
| 2018290 1 Jun 2018 | Structure On certain vehicles, the power sliding door control module may not be calibrated correctly. As a result, a closing door may not stop and reverse direction if b… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
22V612000 · Power train10 Aug 2022 · 28,065 vehicles
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.
21V725000 · Electrical system17 Sept 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.
19V109000 · Electrical system19 Feb 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.
18V338000 · Structure23 May 2018 · 106,428 vehicles
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Kia Sedona vehicles equipped with a power sliding door (PSD). The PSD may not auto-reverse when its closing is obstructed.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Kia told its dealers about the 2016 Kia Sedona: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 11010129 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: ENGINE SUB ASSEMBLY INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT (WTY039) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information associated with the Warranty Extension Program (WTY039) to diagnose a coolant leak from the cylinder head gasket area and, if necessary, replace the engine sub assembly on 2014-2015 MY Sorento, 2014-2017 MY Cadenza, and 2015-2016 MY Sedona vehicles, equipped with 3.3L GDI engines. The warranty coverage for repairs related to th |
| 11006581 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: ENGINE SUB ASSEMBLY INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT (WTY039) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information associated with the Warranty Extension Program (WTY039) to diagnose a coolant leak from the cylinder head gasket area and, if necessary, replace the engine sub assembly on 2014-2015 MY Sorento, 2014-2017 MY Cadenza, and 2015-2016 MY Sedona vehicles, equipped with 3.3L GDI engines. The warranty covera |
| 11001839 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: ENGINE SUB ASSEMBLY INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT (WTY039) - This bulletin provides information associated with the Warranty Extension Program (WTY039) to diagnose a coolant leak from the cylinder head gasket area and, if necessary, replace the engine sub-assembly on 2014-2015 MY Sorento (3.3L GDI Lambda), 2014-2017 MY Cadenza (3.3L GDI Lambda), 2015-2016 MY Sedona (3.3L GDI Lambda) vehicles. |
| 11001599 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: ANTI-THEFT S/W LOGIC UPGRADE & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2308) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides the procedure to upgrade the software logic of the In-Panel Module (IPM) or Body Control Module (BCM) system on certain 2011-2014MY Sedona (VQ) vehicles produced from March 3, 2010 through April 4, 2014 and certain 2015-2021MY Sedona (YP) vehicles produced from July 29, 2014 through July 8, 2020, which may not |
| 11000787 | This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission is replaced. |
| 11000540 | WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT FORM (WTY039) - This document is a Reimbursement Request form that was mailed with the customer letter advising them to submit the form if they had paid for repairs for this same matter prior to the warranty extension program launch. |
| 11000539 | WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (WTY039) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage, to all owners, for certain repairs related to the vehicles engine in 2015-2016 MY Sedona vehicles from 5 years / 60,000 miles to 15 years / 180,000 miles, whichever comes first, starting from the date the vehicle was first put into service. Under certain severe operating conditions and over time, the engine in the vehicle may develop a coolant leak from the cylinder head gasket area. |
| 11000307 | WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: QUESTION AND ANSWER - This document is the Question and Answer Guide containing the most frequently asked questions regarding the Warranty Extension Campaign WTY039. |
| 11000306 | WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: DEALER PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGER MEMO (WTY039) - This document is the announcement to the dealer Parts and Service Managers that Kia is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage, to all owners, for certain repairs related to the vehicles engine in the following vehicles equipped with 3.3L V6 engines: 2014-2015 MY Sorento vehicles, manufactured from December 17, 2012 through December 11, 2014, 2014-2017 MY Cadenza vehicles, manufactured from February 1, 2013 through July 12, 2017, and 2015-2016 MY Sedona vehicles, manufactured from July 21, 2014 through Ma |
| 11000305 | WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO (WTY039) - This document is the announcement to the dealer principals that Kia is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage, to all owners, for certain repairs related to the vehicles engine in the following vehicles equipped with 3.3L V6 engines: 2014-2015 MY Sorento vehicles, manufactured from December 17, 2012 through December 11, 2014, 2014-2017 MY Cadenza vehicles, manufactured from February 1, 2013 through July 12, 2017, and 2015-2016 MY Sedona vehicles, manufactured from July 21, 2014 through March 17, 2016. This will extend t |
| 10251970 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: ANTI-THEFT S/W LOGICUPGRADE & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2308) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides the procedure to upgrade the software logic of the In-Panel Module (IPM) or Body Control Module (BCM) system on certain 2011-2014MY Sedona (VQ) vehicles produced from March 3, 2010 through April 4, 2014 and certain 2015-2021MY Sedona (YP) vehicles produced from July 29, 2014 through July 8, 2020, which may not b |
| 10249180 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: ANTI-THEFT SOFTWARE LOGIC UPGRADE & DECALL INSTALLATION (CS2308) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides the procedure to upgrade the software logic of the In-Panel Module (IPM) or Body Control Module (BCM) system on certain 2011-2014MY Sedona (VQ) vehicles produced from March 3, 2010 through April 4, 2014 and certain 2015-2021MY Sedona (YP) vehicles produced from July 29, 2014 through July 8, 2020, which m |
| 10242230 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: ANTI-THEFT S/W LOGIC UPGRADE & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2308) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides the procedure to upgrade the software logic of the Integrated Body Control Unit (IBU) or Body Control Module (BCM) system on certain 2011-2014MY Sedona (VQ) vehicles produced from March 3, 2010 through April 4, 2014 and certain 2015-2021MY Sedona (YP) vehicles produced from July 29, 2014 through July 8, 2020, |
| 10241176 | CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: OWNER RE-NOTIFICATION - This document is the owner re-notification advising that Kia has developed a software upgrade that can be installed on the vehicle to restrict the operation of the vehicle's ignition system should a locked vehicle be the subject of a break-in and theft attempt without the key. This software upgrade will be available to the customer free of charge for eighteen (18) months from the date of the original letter. When the software upgrade is complete, Kia will also provide the customer with window stickers that can be applied to the vehicle to |
| 10240563 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: KIA GENUINE REMOTE START CONTROL MODULE UPGRADE FOR ANTI-THEFT LOGIC COMPATIBILITY (CS2310) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information to update the software logic in the Kia Genuine Remote Start Control Module on certain 2012-2022MY model vehicles listed on page 7. Vehicles equipped with a Kia Genuine Remote Start feature and have had the Anti-Theft software logic (CS230*) applied to the Integrated |
| 10239108 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: KIA GENUINE REMOTE START CONTROL MODULE UPGRADE FOR ANTI-THEFT LOGIC COMPATIBILITY (CS2310) - This bulletin provides information to update the software logic in the Kia Genuine Remote Start Control Module on certain 2012-2022MY model vehicles listed on page 6. Vehicles equipped with a Kia Genuine Remote Start feature and have had the Anti-Theft software logic (CS230*) applied to the Integrated Body Control Unit (IBU) or Body Control Module (BCM) may experience five (5) inadvertent honks after starting the vehicle with the remote start feature. |
| 10238214 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: ANTI-THEFT S/W LOGIC UPGRADE & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2308) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides the procedure to upgrade the software logic of the Integrated Body Control Unit (IBU) or Body Control Module (BCM) system on certain 2011-2014MY Sedona (VQ) vehicles produced from March 3, 2010 through April 4, 2014 and certain 2015-2021MY Sedona (YP) vehicles produced from July 29, 2014 through July 8, 2020, w |
| 10237022 | CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia has developed a software upgrade that can be installed on the vehicle to restrict the operation of the vehicle's ignition system should a locked vehicle be the subject of a break-in and theft attempt without the key. This software upgrade will be available to the customer free of charge for eighteen (18) months from the date of this letter. When the software upgrade is complete, Kia will also provide the customer with window stickers that can be applied to your vehicle to discourage a |
| 10236654 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: ANTI-THEFT S/W LOGIC UPGRADE & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2308) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides the procedure to upgrade the software logic of the Integrated Body Control Unit (IBU) or Body Control Module (BCM) system on certain 2011-2014MY Sedona (VQ) vehicles produced from March 3, 2010 through April 4, 2014 and certain 2015-2021MY Sedona (YP) vehicles produced from July 29, 2014 through July 8, 2020, w |
| 10235095 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: ANTI-THEFT S/W LOGIC UPGRADE & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2308) - This bulletin provides the procedure to upgrade the software logic of the Integrated Body Control Unit (IBU) or Body Control Module (BCM) system on certain 2011-2014MY Sedona (VQ) vehicles produced from March 3, 2010 through April 4, 2014 and certain 2015-2021MY Sedona (YP) vehicles produced from July 29, 2014 through July 8, 2020, which may not be equipped with an immobilizer. This logic upgrade will add anti-theft ignition start logic to the vehicle's system operation. Follow the p |
| 10226555 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission is replaced, refer to applicable vehicles in the chart starting on page 2. |
| 10220349 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: OIL PRESSURE SWITCH (OPS) REPLACEMENT - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information regarding the replacement of the Oil Pressure Switch associated with the 'Warranty Extension Program' (WTY026) on some 2014-2018MY vehicles listed in the table below, for repairs that may be necessary to address an Oil Pressure Switch leak in the eligible vehicles listed below from 10 years/100,000 miles to 15 years/150,000 miles, whichever c |
| 10220346 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: MAINTENANCE REMINDER FEATURE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area.This bulletin provides information on setting the "Service Interval Reminder" feature available on most 2014-2023MY Kia vehicles (refer to model list on page 2). If the service interval reminder is set, the customer will be informed to have the next maintenance service performed, which can positively affect vehicle longevity and performance. Refer to TSB ENG241 for 2023MY~ vehicles equi |
| 10216912 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN OIL PRESSURE SWITCH (OPS) REPLACEMENT - This bulletin provides information regarding the replacement of the Oil Pressure Switch associated with the 'Warranty Extension Program' (WTY026) on some 2014-2018MY vehicles listed in the table below, for repairs that may be necessary to address an Oil Pressure Switch leak in the eligible vehicles listed below from 10 years/100,000 miles to 15 years/150,000 miles, whichever comes first, starting from the date the vehicle was first put into service. This warranty extension is to address the Oil Pressure Switch leaking condition |
| 10210274 | WARRANTY EXTENSION: REIMBURSEMENT FORM - This document is a Reimbursement Request form for 15-18 MY Cadenza customers which was mailed with the customer letter advising them to submit the form if they had paid for repairs for this same matter prior to the warranty extension program launch. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
DP24002 · Engineopened 27 Feb 2024 · closed 5 Mar 2024
3.3L Engine Loss of Motive Power (LOMP)
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation