Kia Sedona years to avoid (and the best years)
914 NHTSA owner complaints and 14 recalls across 10 model years, 2010 to 2020. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
- 914complaints
- 14recalls
- 31reported crashes
- 42reported fires
- 35reported injuries
- 2reported deaths
Which Kia Sedona years should you avoid?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the Kia Sedona year to avoid is 2016. The typical Kia Sedona year has 56 complaints on file.
- 2016: 295 complaints, 5.2 times the typical year. Most complaints name the engine (50% of complaints) and the electrical system (16% of complaints).
What are the best Kia Sedona years?
The Kia Sedona years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2020 (20), 2010 (32) and 2019 (37). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | vs typical year | Recalls | Crashes | Injuries | Our read | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 20 | 0.4× | 1 | 0 | 0 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2019 | 37 | 0.7× | 2 | 2 | 5 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2018 | 48 | 0.8× | 3 | 1 | 1 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2017 | 133 | 2.4× | 4 | 2 | 11 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2016 | 295 | 5.2× | 4 | 10 | 10 | Approach with caution | Engine |
| 2015 | 138 | 2.4× | 3 | 2 | 2 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2014 | 39 | 0.7× | 1 | 2 | 2 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2012 | 107 | 1.9× | 5 | 5 | 2 | Some concerns to check | Electrical system |
| 2011 | 65 | 1.2× | 6 | 3 | 1 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2010 | 32 | 0.6× | 5 | 4 | 1 | Few red flags | Brakes |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 122 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Engine & powertrain38 (31%)
- Structure & body22 (18%)
- Brakes17 (14%)
- Electrical & infotainment16 (13%)
- Steering, suspension & tires13 (11%)
Recalls (14)
Transmission · 22V612000 · Aug 2022 · model year 2016
A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash and injury.
Airbags · 22V031000 · Jan 2022 · model years 2017, 2018, 2019
Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Exterior lighting · 21V725000 · Sep 2021 · model years 2015, 2016, 2017
A turn signal activating in the opposite direction of what was intended by the driver increases the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 20V399000 · Jul 2020 · model year 2020
If the alternator B+ terminal nut loosens, electrical arcing may result, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fuel system · 20V101000 · Feb 2020 · model years 2011, 2012
A fuel leak increases the risk of fire.
Electrical system · 20V088000 · Feb 2020 · model year 2010
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.
Seat belts · 19V207000 · Mar 2019 · model year 2019
A seat belt that cannot be properly used increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Electrical system · 19V109000 · Feb 2019 · model years 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
If a child is in a child seat in the front seat, a broken ODS wiring harness will not prevent the front passenger air bag from deploying in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the child.
Airbags · 18V363000 · Jun 2018 · model years 2011, 2012
If the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.
Structure · 18V338000 · May 2018 · model years 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
If the door closes on an occupant, there is an increased risk of an injury.
Suspension · 16V387000 · Jun 2016 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012
A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 16V389000 · Jun 2016 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014
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.
Suspension · 13V550000 · Nov 2013 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012
A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Exterior lighting · 13V114000 · Apr 2013 · model years 2010, 2011
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.