Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
100–25K
825–50K
350–75K
575–100K
5100–150K
3150K+
34 reports with mileage · 14 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Electrical System. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electronic Stability Control (esc). Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
3 crash reports2 fire reports3 injury reports
What owners actually said
48 reports
16,000 miles · Dec 2, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
CONSTANT POOL OF OIL UNDER THE HOOD. (TO ME IT IS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT - I'VE BEEN TOLD IT'S NEAR THE TRANSMISSION CASE AND ALSO TOLD IT'S NEAR THE INTAKE MANIFOLD). THE OIL POOL WAS FIRST NOTICED BY MY HUSBAND WHEN HE WAS CHECKING OUR FLUIDS BEFORE A TRIP. IT WAS POINTED OUT TO THE DEALER IN JULY WHEN WE WERE THERE WIT…
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CONSTANT POOL OF OIL UNDER THE HOOD. (TO ME IT IS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT - I'VE BEEN TOLD IT'S NEAR THE TRANSMISSION CASE AND ALSO TOLD IT'S NEAR THE INTAKE MANIFOLD). THE OIL POOL WAS FIRST NOTICED BY MY HUSBAND WHEN HE WAS CHECKING OUR FLUIDS BEFORE A TRIP. IT WAS POINTED OUT TO THE DEALER IN JULY WHEN WE WERE THERE WITH ENGINE PROBLEMS AND THEY "CLEANED OIL OFF" AS STATED ON INVOICE. WHEN QUESTIONED ABOUT IT THEY HAD NO ANSWER AS TO WHAT IT WAS FROM. THE OIL WAS THERE AGAIN AND HAS BEEN THERE CONSTANTLY SINCE JULY. THE DEALER TELLS US IT'S OIL THAT'S BEEN SPILLED FROM OIL CHANGES BUT EVERYTIME THEY CLEAN IT OFF IT APPEARS AGAIN. THE OIL WAS CLEANED OFF TWICE IN OCTOBER BUT IT'S STILL THERE. ENGINE IS ALSO VERY LOUD AND VIBRATES. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED IN JULY - NO WORK PERFORMED OTHER THAN WIPING IT OFF AND NO DIAGNOSTICS TO FIGURE OUT WHERE IT'S COMING FROM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10369023
4,000 miles · Dec 2, 2010
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure
PASSENGER SLIDING DOOR ON MY 2009 KIA SEDONA IS VERY HARD TO OPEN. IT HAS BEEN SINCE WE GOT IT. SOMETIMES THE DOOR GETS STUCK AND WILL NOT OPEN AT ALL FROM THE INSIDE. SOMEONE HAS TO GET OUT ANOTHER DOOR AND OPEN IT FROM THE OUTSIDE. ON ONE OCCASION THE DEALER'S MECHANIC TOLD US TO OPEN THE DOOR SLOWER - IT STILL GOT STU…
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PASSENGER SLIDING DOOR ON MY 2009 KIA SEDONA IS VERY HARD TO OPEN. IT HAS BEEN SINCE WE GOT IT. SOMETIMES THE DOOR GETS STUCK AND WILL NOT OPEN AT ALL FROM THE INSIDE. SOMEONE HAS TO GET OUT ANOTHER DOOR AND OPEN IT FROM THE OUTSIDE. ON ONE OCCASION THE DEALER'S MECHANIC TOLD US TO OPEN THE DOOR SLOWER - IT STILL GOT STUCK. ON ANOTHER OCCASION THE MANAGER OF THE DEALERSHIP SAT IN THE VAN AND AFTER PLAYING WITH THE DOOR SHOWED US HOW TO OPEN IT BY PULLING ON THE HANDLE TWO TIMES AND PUSHING VERY HARD ON IT. THE DEALER WOULDN'T DO ANY WORK TO THE DOOR. IT CONTINUED TO GET STUCK FREQUENTLY AND WHEN IT DOES OPEN IT IS ONLY AFTER WE PUSH ON IT VERY HARD. WE TOOK IT TO ANOTHER DEALER WHO AT LEAST TRIED TO LUBRICATE THE DOORS. IT SEEMS TO GET STUCK LESS FREQUENTLY BUT IS STILL HARD TO OPEN AND STICKS ONCE IN A WHILE. THE 2ND DEALER WROTE ON INVOICE "DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN EVEN WITH EXCESSIVE FORCE". I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS MY CHILDREN MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO GET THE DOOR OPEN IN AN EMERGENCY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THIS IN JULY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10369022
8,000 miles · Dec 2, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling
2009 KIA SEDONA BOUGHT NEW IN DECEMBER OF 2009. IN MARCH ENGINE STARTED TO SEEM VERY LOUD. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IN EARLY APRIL. TAKEN TO DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WAS IN SHOP 3 MORE TIMES BEFORE THEY UPDATED THE SOFTWARE IN AUGUST. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DOESN'T COME…
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2009 KIA SEDONA BOUGHT NEW IN DECEMBER OF 2009. IN MARCH ENGINE STARTED TO SEEM VERY LOUD. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IN EARLY APRIL. TAKEN TO DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WAS IN SHOP 3 MORE TIMES BEFORE THEY UPDATED THE SOFTWARE IN AUGUST. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DOESN'T COME ON BUT THE ENGINE STILL SEEMS VERY LOUD AND VAN VIBRATES AND RUMBLES WHEN FIRST STARTED - ESPECIALLY AFTER SITTING FOR SEVERAL HOURS OR OVERNIGHT. ENGINE SOUNDS LOUD WHILE DRIVING AND SOMETIMES REVS LOUDLY WHEN ACCELERATING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10369020
Mileage unknown · Sep 13, 2010
Electrical System
THE LIGHTS HAVE TO BE SHUT OFF MANUALLY EVERY TIME WE USE THE LIGHTS AND IF WE FORGET, THE LIGHTS COME BACK ON A FEW HOURS LATER BY THEMSELVES AND SOMEONE WILL CALL TO INFORM US THE LIGHTS ARE ON. WE WENT ON A WET GRAVEL ROAD AND GRAVEL STUCK IN THE BRAKE DRUM AND MAKING A GRINDING NOISE. I BACKED UP FAST, HIT THE BRAKES HARD …
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THE LIGHTS HAVE TO BE SHUT OFF MANUALLY EVERY TIME WE USE THE LIGHTS AND IF WE FORGET, THE LIGHTS COME BACK ON A FEW HOURS LATER BY THEMSELVES AND SOMEONE WILL CALL TO INFORM US THE LIGHTS ARE ON. WE WENT ON A WET GRAVEL ROAD AND GRAVEL STUCK IN THE BRAKE DRUM AND MAKING A GRINDING NOISE. I BACKED UP FAST, HIT THE BRAKES HARD A COUPLE OF TIMES TO CLEAR THE GRAVEL FROM THE BRAKE DRUMS. ANOTHER PROBLEM IS THE KEY WILL NOT TURN AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED AND HAVE TO PLAY WITH THE STEERING WHEEL AND TRY TO WIGGLE IT UNTIL THE KEY CAN BE TURNED TO START THE VAN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10355425
6,100 miles · Jul 9, 2010
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury
ON 6/23/2010 AT 3:45PM, I WAS DRIVING A 2009 KIA SEDONA VAN AND ENTERED A BANK PARKING LOT AT A VERY LOW SPEED WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTED TO ACCELERATE RAPIDLY. I WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND HIT THE WALL OF THE BANK. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, AND I SUFFERED INJURIES TO MY RIGHT ARM FROM THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG. I WAS T…
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ON 6/23/2010 AT 3:45PM, I WAS DRIVING A 2009 KIA SEDONA VAN AND ENTERED A BANK PARKING LOT AT A VERY LOW SPEED WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTED TO ACCELERATE RAPIDLY. I WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND HIT THE WALL OF THE BANK. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, AND I SUFFERED INJURIES TO MY RIGHT ARM FROM THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG. I WAS THE ONLY PERSON IN THE CAR, AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES TO ANY OTHER PERSON. PROPERTY DAMAGE WAS ONLY INCURRED TO THE VEHICLE AND THE BANK BUILDING WALL. THERE WERE NO FIRES. THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED TO THE POLICE. THERE WAS NO CITATION GIVEN TO ME BY THE POLICE. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW IN NOVEMBER OF 2009. THIS WAS THE FIRST FAILURE OF THIS KIND. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED, AND WHEN COMPLETED, KIA WILL CONDUCT DIAGNOSTIC TESTS TO DETERMINE WHAT HAPPENED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10342166
21,441 miles · May 18, 2010
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine And Engine Cooling
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA SEDONA. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS OF 5 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE AND ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS COMMON IN HER MODEL VEHICLE. THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR WAS REPLACED AND THE PMC WAS UPGRADED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA SEDONA. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS OF 5 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE AND ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS COMMON IN HER MODEL VEHICLE. THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR WAS REPLACED AND THE PMC WAS UPGRADED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,441 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS NOT UNKNOWN. UPDATED 7/16/10 *CN UPDATED 07/22/10.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10330948
2,000 miles · Jan 27, 2010
Latches/locks/linkages
HE SLIDING DOORS ON THE 2009 KIA SEDONA FREEZE SHUT. LEADING TO PULLING AND YANKING ON THE HANDLES TO GET THE DOORS TO OPEN. THIS HAPPENS ON A VERY REGULAR BASIS AND HAS SINCE THE FIRST FREEZE OF PURCHASING THE VAN IN OCTOBER OF 2009. AFTER NOTICING THAT TWO OTHER VANS IN THE AREA HAVE THE SAME ISSUE, I HAVE DECIDED TO MAKE A CO…
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HE SLIDING DOORS ON THE 2009 KIA SEDONA FREEZE SHUT. LEADING TO PULLING AND YANKING ON THE HANDLES TO GET THE DOORS TO OPEN. THIS HAPPENS ON A VERY REGULAR BASIS AND HAS SINCE THE FIRST FREEZE OF PURCHASING THE VAN IN OCTOBER OF 2009. AFTER NOTICING THAT TWO OTHER VANS IN THE AREA HAVE THE SAME ISSUE, I HAVE DECIDED TO MAKE A COMPLAINT. AT TIMES WE HAVE LOADED OUR CHILDREN THROUGH THE FRONT DOORS TO ALLOW THEM GETTING IN THE VAN. ANOTHER TIME WE HAD TO DRIVE OUR OTHER VEHICLE. IT WILL EVENTUALLY CAUSE THE HANDLES TO BREAK OFF THE VAN WITH THE AMOUNT OF FORCE WE NEED TO USE TO OPEN THE DOORS. *CN
NHTSA ODI #10302609
151 miles · Jun 22, 2009
Structure
ERRATIC OPENING AND CLOSING OF REAR PASSENGER POWER SLIDING DOOR. *TR
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2006-2010 Sedona and 2007-2009 Sorento vehicles. Moisture may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Electrical System
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2006-2010 Sedona and 2007-2009 Sorento vehicles. Moisture may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short.
Consequence: 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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2006-2010 Sedona and 2007-2009 Sorento vehicles. Moisture may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short.
Consequence: 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.
Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2006-2012 Kia Sedona vehicles manufactured from June 15, 2005, through August 14, 2012 and originally sold in, or currently registered in Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. In the affected vehicles, the front lower control arms may break due to corrosion from salt water exposure such as from road salt use.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Kia Sedona vehicles manufactured from June 15, 2005, through April 04, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the secondary hood latch may bind and remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2006-2012 Kia Sedona vehicles manufactured from June 15, 2005, through August 14, 2012 originally sold in, or currently registered in Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Wisconsin, Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio, Rhode Island, West Virginia or the District of Columbia. In the affected vehicles, the front lower control arms may break due to corrosion resulting from prolonged exposure to salty environments.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo, model year 2007-2011 Sedona, Sorento and Sportage, model year 2010-2011 Soul, model year 2008-2011 Optima, model year 2010 Forte, model year 2007-2009 Amanti, and model year 2009 Borrego vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Kia recalled 623,658 model year 2007-2010 Rondo and Sportage, model year 2007-2011 Sorento, model year 2007 Sedona, model year 2010-2011 Soul, and model year 2011 Optima vehicles. In September 2013, Kia informed the agency that it was adding an additional 356,719 vehicles to this campaign. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 980,377. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2009 Kia Sedona Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year