Car Defect Radar
Get the report
Built from NHTSA complaints and recalls collected for this model, generated October 26, 2026. Totals reflect what has been collected, not every complaint ever filed.
Confirm 5 recalls before you buy.

Ask the seller for proof the repair was completed, or run the free VIN check. Recall repairs are done at no cost by a dealer.

Recalls

5 total · 5 to confirm

Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.

Electrical system recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 20V088000 · Feb 2020

An electrical short within the ABS Module may cause an engine compartment fire, even when the vehicle is turned off, increasing the risk of an injury.

Remedy
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will install a relay in the main junction box to prevent power from being directed to the HECU when the vehicle's ignition switch is turned off, free of charge. The recall began June 5, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC186.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Suspension recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 16V387000 · Jun 2016

A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy
Kia will notify owners and dealers will replace the front lower control arms on 2006-2007 models. 2008-2012 models will either have their front lower control arms replaced or additional anti-corrosion coating will be applied. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on July 27, 2016. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC133.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Safety recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 16V389000 · Jun 2016

If the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy
Kia will notify owners and dealers will replace the secondary hood latch or clean and lubricate the latch, depending on the vehicle's location and the condition of the latch. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on July 27, 2016. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall number is SC134.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Suspension recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 13V550000 · Nov 2013

A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy
Kia will notify owners and dealers will inspect the degree of corrosion of the front lower control arms, and will either rustproof or replace them, free of charge. The recall began on December 20, 2013. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall number is SC100.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Exterior lighting recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 13V114000 · Apr 2013

Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of PARK without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy
Kia will send an interim notification to owners in May 2013. When parts are available, owners will receive a second notification and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall campaign number is SC098.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Owner complaints by system

32 total

Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.

Engine & powertrain

Worth reading
4

Most reports here involve unintended acceleration. Of these, 1 mention a crash.

unintended acceleration 1fire 1
A recent report: My vehicle transmission valve body shift solenoid D has malfunctioning causing my engine overheat and nearly explode

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11570715 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Electrical & infotainment

Worth reading
5

Most reports here involve sudden stalling.

sudden stalling 1fire 1
A recent report: MANUFACTURER RECALL CODE SC186 REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED ON 7/2/20. RECALL WAS DUE TO FLUID LEAKING FROM ABS INTO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND COULD CAUSE CAR TO CATCH FIRE.. ON 12/21/20, POWER STEERING…
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MANUFACTURER RECALL CODE SC186 REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED ON 7/2/20. RECALL WAS DUE TO FLUID LEAKING FROM ABS INTO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND COULD CAUSE CAR TO CATCH FIRE.. ON 12/21/20, POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACED AND 4 NEW TIRES INSTALLED. ALL SERVICE/REPAIR DONE AT DEALERSHIP. ON 1/14/21, DRIVER WAS ON MORNING COMMUTE AND WHEN EXITING THE HIGHWAY, THE ENGINE MADE CLICKING NOISES. A FEW MILES LATER ON LOCAL ROADS, DRIVER APPROACHED THE SLIGHT INCLINE INTO PARKING LOT AT WORK. AT THE BOTTOM OF THE INCLINE, THE VAN COMPLETELY STOPPED AND STALLED OUT. DRIVER PUSHED ACCELERATOR, CAR DID NOT MOVE FORWARD. DRIVER NOTICED "STEAM" COMING FROM UNDER HOOD. DRIVER TURNED OFF IGNITION, EXITED VEHICLE TO CALL A TOW TRUCK. WITHIN 10 MINUTES, HEAVY SMOKE AND FLAMES WERE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. FIRE DEPARTMENT AND POLICE ARRIVED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. NO NOTABLE WEATHER EVENTS. INSURANCE COMPANY WILL MOST LIKELY CALL A COMPLETE LOSS OF VEHICLE. WE MAINTAINIED OUR 2010 KIA SEDONA VERY WELL, WITH 85,000 MILES. OUR CONCERN IS THAT AFTER THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE DONE, THAT THE VEHICLE STILL CAUGHT FIRE.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11388907 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Brakes

Worth reading
11

Most reports here involve unintended acceleration. Of these, 2 mention a crash.

unintended acceleration 3rollaway 1
A recent report: Abs pump control module is defective, leaking fluid causing safety issues.This part is hard to find and very expensive, also has to be programmed to your vehicle with no guarantees that it will…
Read full complaint

Abs pump control module is defective, leaking fluid causing safety issues.This part is hard to find and very expensive, also has to be programmed to your vehicle with no guarantees that it will work.called Kia customer service and asked for help with this issue but was rejected.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11697189 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Steering, suspension & tires

Minor
3

Most reports here involve loss of steering.

loss of steering 1
A recent report: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING AN UNKNOWN SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING AN UNKNOWN SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR TRAILING CONTROL ARM HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS SCHEDULED FOR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,845. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 04/02/14*LJ *TR

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #10565592 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Airbags & seat belts

Worth reading
2

Most reports here involve airbags not deploying. Of these, 1 mention a crash, 1 mention an injury.

airbags not deploying 1
A recent report: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA SEDONA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, A VEHICLE RAN A STOP SIGN. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE STRUCK THE OTHER VEHICLE'S FRONT DRIVER AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOORS. THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA SEDONA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, A VEHICLE RAN A STOP SIGN. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE STRUCK THE OTHER VEHICLE'S FRONT DRIVER AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOORS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BACK AND HEAD INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED BY A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11101698 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Structure & body

Minor
6

Most reports here involve other issues.

other issues 6
A recent report: The sliding doors have a rubber piece that over time, gets stuck and causes the door to not latch and close, leaving the door to come open as you are driving. This has been a known issue with these…
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The sliding doors have a rubber piece that over time, gets stuck and causes the door to not latch and close, leaving the door to come open as you are driving. This has been a known issue with these sliding doors on my Kia Sedona. This is highly unsafe due to the ability of the door to come open as you are driving and potentially causing harm for someone to fall out and or be injured.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11736906 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Other systems

Minor
1

Most reports here involve other issues.

other issues 1
A recent report: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA SEDONA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE DRIVER'S SEAT BACK RECLINED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KIA OF DES MOINES (4475 MERLE HAY RD, DES MOINES…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA SEDONA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE DRIVER'S SEAT BACK RECLINED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KIA OF DES MOINES (4475 MERLE HAY RD, DES MOINES, IA 50310), BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD HELP WITH THE REPAIR COST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11083436 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Is 32 complaints a lot? They were filed between 2010 and 2026, roughly 2 a year, which is fewer than the typical model in this dataset. We do not have sales figures for this model, so treat this as a rough volume, not a rate per car on the road. Popular, high-volume models naturally collect more complaints over time.

How does it compare with other years? The 2010 has 32 complaints on file, fewer than the 2011 (65). Of the 10 model years of the Kia Sedona we cover, the 2016 has the most (295). Older model years have had longer to collect complaints.