WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT HEADLIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS ALL GO OUT FOR A MINUTE AND THEN THEY COME BACK ON. THIS COULD HAPPEN 1-3 TIMES OF DRIVING.
2016 Kia Sedona
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Sedona years
Owner complaints for the 2016 Kia Sedona are substantially higher than the model-year median of 120.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Sedona years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
100 reports with mileage · 195 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.
- Engine. Review the 146 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 46 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Exterior Lighting. Review the 37 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
46 reportsMY 2016 KIA SEDONA LX IS HAVING ISSUES WITH THE SLIDING DOORS NOT CLOSING ALL THE WAY. THE DRIVER SIDE SLIDING DOOR WAS WORKED ON WHEN WE BOUGHT IT BUT IT HAS REVERTED TO NOT LOCKING ONCE CLOSED EVERY TIME WE CLOSE IT. THE PASSENGER SLIDING DOOR IS STILL RANDOM. IT'S ONLY WHEN WE HAVE THEM OPENING/CLOSING WITH THE POWER OPTION. …
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MY 2016 KIA SEDONA LX IS HAVING ISSUES WITH THE SLIDING DOORS NOT CLOSING ALL THE WAY. THE DRIVER SIDE SLIDING DOOR WAS WORKED ON WHEN WE BOUGHT IT BUT IT HAS REVERTED TO NOT LOCKING ONCE CLOSED EVERY TIME WE CLOSE IT. THE PASSENGER SLIDING DOOR IS STILL RANDOM. IT'S ONLY WHEN WE HAVE THEM OPENING/CLOSING WITH THE POWER OPTION. WHEN THE POWER OPTION IS TURNED OFF AND WE MANUALLY OPEN/SHUT THE DOORS, THEY DO LATCH AND THERE IS NO ISSUE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DUTCH MILLER KIA OF CHARLESTON (335 MACCORKLE AVENUE SW, SOUTH CHARLESTON, WV 25303) TO BE SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V338000 (STRUCTURE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), BUT THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REMEDY FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER SLIDING …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DUTCH MILLER KIA OF CHARLESTON (335 MACCORKLE AVENUE SW, SOUTH CHARLESTON, WV 25303) TO BE SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V338000 (STRUCTURE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), BUT THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REMEDY FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER SLIDING DOOR DID NOT AUTO-REVERSE AND CRUSHED THE CONTACT'S UPPER ARM. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE WAS OPENED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
POWER SLIDING DOORS MAKE LOUD GRINDING NOISES WHEN CLOSEING AND OPENING. IN ADDITION THE POWER SLIDING DOORS CONTINUED TO CLOSE ON ME WHILE I WAS TRYING TO PUSH IT BACK OPEN. CAR WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY AND OFF, MY FRONT PASSENGER PRESSED THE OVERHEAD PSD BUTTON BEFORE HE REALIZED THE KIDS HADN'T FINISHED CLIMBING OUT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA SEDONA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE KEY FAILED TO TURN IN THE IGNITION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE REAR HATCH WAS DIFFICULT TO OPEN AFTER BEING UNLOCKED WITH THE KEY FOB. …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA SEDONA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE KEY FAILED TO TURN IN THE IGNITION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE REAR HATCH WAS DIFFICULT TO OPEN AFTER BEING UNLOCKED WITH THE KEY FOB. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,960.
MY MOTHER AND HER FRIEND WERE DRIVING APPROX. 35 MILES PER HOUR WHEN THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WENT OFF THE ROAD CAUSING THEM TO GO INTO THE FRYING PAN RIVER IN BASALT, CO. THERE WAS APPROX. 42.1 DEGREE SLOPE. MY MOTHER WAS THE PASSENGER. WE RETRIEVED HER PICTURES AND VIDEO. SHE WAS VIDEO TAPING WITH HER CELL PHONE AT THE TIME OF TH…
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MY MOTHER AND HER FRIEND WERE DRIVING APPROX. 35 MILES PER HOUR WHEN THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WENT OFF THE ROAD CAUSING THEM TO GO INTO THE FRYING PAN RIVER IN BASALT, CO. THERE WAS APPROX. 42.1 DEGREE SLOPE. MY MOTHER WAS THE PASSENGER. WE RETRIEVED HER PICTURES AND VIDEO. SHE WAS VIDEO TAPING WITH HER CELL PHONE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE PASSENGER WINDOW WAS DOWN. SHE SAID, "OH [XXX]", AND APPEARED TO REACH TO REMOVE HER SEATBELT. THEY WENT INTO THE RIVER. THEY WERE FOUND AT 4:30 PM WITH CAR SUBMERGED IN WATER AND BOTH DROWNED. NO DAMAGE TO THE CAR. THE SIDE AIRBAGS HAD GONE OFF AND THE FRONT WINDOWS WERE UP WITH THE AIRBAGS STICKING OUT WHEN THEY WERE FOUND. THE FRONT AIRBAGS DID NOT GO OFF. MY CONCERN IS THAT MY MOM KNEW SHE WOULD GET OUT BUT WHEN SHE TOOK A DEEP BREATH THE AIRBAGS KNOCKED HER AIR OUT. AND WE KNOW THE WINDOWS WERE DOWN BUT WENT UP. IF THE ELECTRICAL SHORTED OUT FROM BEING UNDER WATER, WHY DID THE WINDOWS GO UP AND NOT STAY WHERE THEY WERE, WHICH WAS OPEN. ALSO, THE DRIVERS SEAT MOVED FORWARD AFTER GOING INTO THE WATER. AND WE QUESTION IF AIRBAGS WENT OFF TO EARLY. BOTH THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYING AND WINDOWS GOING UP IMPEDED MY MOM GETTING OUT. THE POLICE REPORT SEEMS TO QUESTION WHY THE AIRBAGS WENT OFF ALSO. THERE WAS A REPORT THAT ANOTHER KIA SEDONA WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AND ALL THE DOORS FLEW OPEN. I'M WORRIED THAT WE WILL START SEEING MORE AND MORE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH KIA. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Official recalls
422V612000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:column Shift
Aug 10, 2022
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash and injury.
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. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC246.
21V725000 · Electrical System:software; Exterior Lighting:turn Signal
Sep 17, 2021
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A turn signal activating in the opposite direction of what was intended by the driver increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the SJB software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 12, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC217.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Electrical System:software
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.
Consequence: A turn signal activating in the opposite direction of what was intended by the driver increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the SJB software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 12, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC217.
Exterior Lighting:turn Signal
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.
Consequence: A turn signal activating in the opposite direction of what was intended by the driver increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the SJB software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 12, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC217.
19V109000 · Electrical System:wiring
Feb 19, 2019
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will remove the wire harness clip to prevent the wiring harness from breaking. If the harness is found damaged, the front passenger seat cushion will be replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 19, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC175.
18V338000 · Electrical System:software; Structure:body:door
May 23, 2018
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the door closes on an occupant, there is an increased risk of an injury.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the PSD module software, free of charge. The recall began on June 18, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC164.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Electrical System:software
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.
Consequence: If the door closes on an occupant, there is an increased risk of an injury.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the PSD module software, free of charge. The recall began on June 18, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC164.
Structure:body:door
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.
Consequence: If the door closes on an occupant, there is an increased risk of an injury.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the PSD module software, free of charge. The recall began on June 18, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC164.
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
1DP24002 · 3.3L Engine Loss Of Motive Power (lomp)
Opened Feb 27, 2024 · Closed Mar 5, 2024
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a petition on February 20, 2024, requesting the opening of an investigation into an alleged defect of the "engine" on the following vehicle model stated by the petitioner: 2016 Kia Sedona vehicles equipped with the 3.3L V-Shaped GDI Lambda-II engine. The petitioner raised the issue of a Loss of Motive Power. On November 13, 2023, ODI opened PE23-019 to address allegations of loss of motive power, on the 3.3L V6 Lambda-II engine for 2016-2017 Kia Sorento and included the 2016 Kia Sedona as a peer vehicle. This investigation is ongoing and addresses the potential safety-related defect raised by the petitioner. In view of the open Investigation, PE23-019, ODI considers the petition moot and is closing this action. The closing of the petition does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The Agency reserves the right to make that determination at the close of PE23-019.
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