VehicleVerdict

2016 Kia Sedona problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 366 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.3 times the median Sedona year — the 2016 model ranks #2 of 20 Sedona years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 6 deaths and 16 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

The trouble concentrates in one system: engine issues account for 41% of all reports (149 of 366), far ahead of electrical system at 44. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

366

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

1

Investigations

20

Crash-involved

24

Fires reported

16

Injuries

6

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2016 compare to other Sedona years?

Sedona NHTSA complaints by model year, 2016 highlighted579 complaints2002: 328 complaints2003: 214 complaints2004: 226 complaints2005: 272 complaints2006: 579 complaints2007: 234 complaints2008: 246 complaints2009: 75 complaints2010: 49 complaints2011: 87 complaints2012: 146 complaints2013: 0 complaints2014: 54 complaints2015: 177 complaints2016: 366 complaints2017: 180 complaints2018: 62 complaints2019: 45 complaints2020: 26 complaints2021: 15 complaints
Sedona NHTSA complaints by model year, 2016 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Sedona years to avoid →

What are the most common 2016 Kia Sedona problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine14941%
Electrical System4412%
Lighting3710%
Other318%
Body & Structure226%
Airbags185%
Transmission134%
Fuel System103%
Seat Belts82%
Brakes82%
Steering62%
Speed Control51%
Latches & Locks51%
Seats41%
Tires & Wheels31%
Visibility & Wipers31%

Does the 2016 Kia Sedona have recalls?

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

22V612000TransmissionAugust 10, 2022 · 28,065 units

Defect

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

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.

21V725000Electrical SystemSeptember 17, 2021 · 88,576 units

Defect

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.

19V109000Electrical SystemFebruary 19, 2019 · 94,389 units

Defect

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

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.

18V338000Electrical SystemMay 23, 2018 · 106,428 units

Defect

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY AND BURNED TO THE GROUND. WE CONTACTED KIA MOTORS REGARDING THIS. IT TOOK THEM WEEKS BEFORE THEY SENT OUT A REPRESENTATIVE TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. UPON INCEPTION OF THE VEHICLE THEY SIMPLY DENIED THAT THE ENGINE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY FAULTY PARTS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 13, 2018 · fire

“No lights on the dash, no maintenance or check engine lights. The van began making noises under the hood and then blowing white smoke from the exhaust. The electrical connectors to the fan were melted and hot. To the cooling fan, radiator, etc. The fan connector caused the car to over heat. ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 2, 2024 · fire

“RENTED A CAR FROM THE AIRPORT IN DENVER AND IT WAS THE LAST 4 CARS ON THERE LOT. I WAS DRIVING THE CAR LOST IN DENVER CAR WAS PULLING TO THE CENTER OF THE CARON BOTH SIDES. I SAID THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THIS CAR. I WAS LOOKING FOR STREET SIGNS ABOUT 20 MPH AND THE CAR TOOK OFF AND HIT 2 CARS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · June 8, 2017 · crash

“I WAS DRIVING GOING WESTBOUND ON HIGHWAY 84 IN PENNSYLVANIA AND HIT A DEER GOING 65MPH. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. I WALKED OUT TO THE MILE MARKER AND WHEN I TURNED AROUND MY CAR WAS ON FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. EVENTUALLY MY CAR BLEW UP AND I LOST EVERYTHING.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · September 26, 2017 · crash · fire

“THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY AND BURNED TO THE GROUND. WE CONTACTED KIA MOTORS REGARDING THIS. IT TOOK THEM WEEKS BEFORE THEY SENT OUT A REPRESENTATIVE TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. UPON INCEPTION OF THE VEHICLE THEY SIMPLY DENIED THAT THE ENGINE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY FAULTY PARTS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · June 13, 2018 · fire

2016 Kia Sedona — common questions

Is the 2016 Kia Sedona reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 366 complaints put the 2016 model at #2 of 20 Sedona years. It is one of the Sedona years to avoid.

What are the most common 2016 Sedona problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (149 complaints), electrical system (44 complaints), lighting (37 complaints).

Does the 2016 Kia Sedona have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2016 Kia Sedona. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2016 Kia Sedona under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

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.

How safe is the 2016 Kia Sedona?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2016 Kia Sedona earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

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.