VehicleVerdict

2009 Kia Sedona problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2009 Kia Sedona is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 5 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 75 owner complaints run below the Sedona median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (15), brakes (9), and engine (9), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

75

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

5

Crash-involved

6

Fires reported

9

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2009 compare to other Sedona years?

See all Sedona years to avoid →

What are the most common 2009 Kia Sedona problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System1520%
Engine912%
Brakes912%
Lighting79%
Speed Control79%
Other68%
Airbags45%
Suspension45%
Steering34%
Latches & Locks34%
Transmission23%
Body & Structure23%
Fuel System11%
Seat Belts11%
Tires & Wheels11%
Seats11%

Does the 2009 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.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE RELAY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 1, 2013 · fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA SEDONA. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND AND IDLED. DURING THE FAILURE, THE ENGINE RPMS REMAINED AT 500. THE DEALER STATED THAT AN UNKNOWN COMPUTER CHIP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 11, 2013

AN OLDER CHEVY S10 DECIDED TO DO A U-TURN AS I WAS ENTERING AN INTERSECTION. I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES AND PRIOR TO IMPACT THE FRONT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED RESULTING IN MY 84 YEAR OLD PASSENGER HITTING THE WINDSHIELD WHEN THE ACTUAL IMPACT TOOK PLACE AND AS THE TRUCK SPUN FROM THE BROADSIDE HIT IN THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · January 23, 2015 · crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE RELAY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · April 1, 2013 · fire

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · June 23, 2010 · crash

2009 Kia Sedona — common questions

Is the 2009 Kia Sedona reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 75 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Sedona year, with 5 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2009 Sedona problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (15 complaints), brakes (9 complaints), engine (9 complaints).

Does the 2009 Kia Sedona have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2009 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.