VehicleVerdict

2008 Kia Sedona problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 246 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.5 times the median Sedona year — the 2008 model ranks #5 of 20 Sedona years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 62 reports (25% of the total).

246

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

5

Crash-involved

18

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2008 compare to other Sedona years?

See all Sedona years to avoid →

What are the most common 2008 Kia Sedona problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System6225%
Speed Control3815%
Body & Structure2510%
Brakes219%
Lighting167%
Suspension156%
Other135%
Engine125%
Latches & Locks114%
Airbags83%
Fuel System73%
Visibility & Wipers42%
Steering42%
Transmission42%
Seats31%
Tires & Wheels31%

Does the 2008 Kia Sedona have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

20V088000Electrical SystemFebruary 14, 2020 · 228,829 units

Defect

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.

16V387000SuspensionJune 1, 2016 · 97,884 units

Defect

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

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.

16V389000Latches & LocksJune 1, 2016 · 219,800 units

Defect

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

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.

13V550000SuspensionNovember 5, 2013 · 79,867 units

Defect

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

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.

13V114000LightingApril 1, 2013 · 980,377 units

Defect

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

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

I REPLACED A BLOWN 10 AMP FUSE ON A DEALER INSTALLED TRAILER WIRING HARNESS ADAPTER. 15-20 MINUTES LATER I NOTICED A FIRE COMING FROM DRIVER'S SIDE REAR LIGHT ASSEMBLY. REMOVED FUSE, REMOVED LIGHTING ASSEMBLY, PUT OUT FIRE. IN LOOKING AT DAMAGE, TRAILER HARNESS ADAPTER WAS MELTED ALONG WITH SEVERAL…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · October 18, 2013 · fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SEDONA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · June 30, 2017 · crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SEDONA. THAT CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE DRIVERS SIDE SLIDING DOOR OPENED AND THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DOOR WOULD NOT CLOSE AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · July 14, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT STATED SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WHILE STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT RECENTLY SHE PARKED, THE VEHICLE AND IT FAILED TO REVERSE, SHE CHECKED THE OIL LEVEL HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO OIL IN…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · June 27, 2020 · fire

I REPLACED A BLOWN 10 AMP FUSE ON A DEALER INSTALLED TRAILER WIRING HARNESS ADAPTER. 15-20 MINUTES LATER I NOTICED A FIRE COMING FROM DRIVER'S SIDE REAR LIGHT ASSEMBLY. REMOVED FUSE, REMOVED LIGHTING ASSEMBLY, PUT OUT FIRE. IN LOOKING AT DAMAGE, TRAILER HARNESS ADAPTER WAS MELTED ALONG WITH SEVERAL…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · October 18, 2013 · fire

2008 Kia Sedona — common questions

Is the 2008 Kia Sedona reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 246 complaints put the 2008 model at #5 of 20 Sedona years. It is one of the Sedona years to avoid.

What are the most common 2008 Sedona problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (62 complaints), speed control (38 complaints), body & structure (25 complaints).

Does the 2008 Kia Sedona have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2008 Kia Sedona. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Kia Sedona years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Sedona years to avoid are 2006, 2016, 2002, 2005, 2008. The cleanest record among Sedona years belongs to 2013.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.