2008 Kia Sedona Owner Complaints

The contact owned a 2008 Kia Sedona. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked at a friend’s residence, the contact exited the vehicle and took the baby she was caring for inside the residence of the friend. Upon returning outside, the contact became aware that the vehicle was on fire and the vehicle was engulfed in flames. The Fire Department arrived on the scene and extinguished the fire. The Fire Marshall informed the contact that the fire had started in the engine compartment. Additionally, a Fire Report was filed; however, the information was unavailable. The fire caused damage to the friend residence. The contact stated that the fire melted the aluminum siding on the house. No injuries were sustained. The vehicle was covered under a liability insurance policy. The vehicle was a total loss. The homeowners insurance Fire Inspector tagged the vehicle and requested that the vehicle remain on the premises. The vehicle was still located at the residence, as per the Fire Inspector. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 315,465.

NHTSA ID

11719444

Incident

Feb 17, 2026

Mileage

315,465 mi

The contact owns a 2008 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that upon having a state safety inspection performed on the vehicle, the contact was informed by a mechanic that there was severe corrosion on the subframe of the vehicle. The inspector informed the contact that the vehicle might be under recall for the issue. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000.

NHTSA ID

11699341

Incident

Nov 13, 2025

Mileage

96,000 mi

The contact owns a 2008 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that the ABS warning light was illuminated. The message "ESC OFF" was displayed. The contact stated that the headlights were inoperable. Additionally, the engine had overheated, causing an electrical short and battery failure. The battery was replaced several times; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle shut off unexpectedly. The contact was able to pull into a parking lot. The vehicle was restarted and driven at 25 MPH; however, the failure recurred. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The vehicle failed to restart and remained on the side of the road. The contact stated that several mechanics had previously diagnosed the vehicle with electrical failures. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

NHTSA ID

11698939

Incident

Nov 12, 2016

Mileage

80,000 mi

The contact owns a 2008 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH and attempting to stop the vehicle, there was an abnormal sound coming from the steering wheel. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the control arm was damaged and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 160,000.

NHTSA ID

11617496

Incident

Jun 7, 2024

Mileage

160,000 mi

Van caught fire in the engine compartment burned the firewall

NHTSA ID

11577005

Incident

Mar 12, 2024

Right lower control arm broke while I was driving

NHTSA ID

11530206

Incident

Jul 1, 2023

The contact owns a 2008 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that the key fob failed to open and unlock the doors as well as to deactivate the alarm system. The contact stated that the rear driver’s and passenger’s side windows failed to open fully, and the passenger’s side front door failed to close correctly as the chime and dome light remained on while driving. The contact stated to remedy the door failure her spouse placed a piece of metal between the door and the sensor to correct the failure. The rear passenger’s side sliding door also failed to connect with the sensor correctly as the door chime and dome light remained on. The check engine warning light would illuminate while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure was unknown to the contact however, the contact stated that she was informed that the battery, air bag sensors, and four catalytic converters needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to a radiator center where the failure was diagnosed as a relay that needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that they had a SMOG test completed and was informed that only one catalytic converter had to be replaced. The catalytic converter was not replaced due to the cost. The contact stated that while her spouse was driving approximately 30 MPH, the brake was depressed, and the vehicle failed to stop as the brake started to pulsate. The contact stated that the vehicle collided with another vehicle. The contact stated that no injuries were sustained in either vehicle. The contact stated that the California Highway Patrol was contacted and was on the scene however, a report was not filed. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnoses or repairs. The contact stated that she received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V088000 (Electrical System, Service Brakes, Hydraulic) in January of 2021. The dealer was notified and stated that the parts were not available as they had to order them. The

NHTSA ID

11505387

Incident

Jul 12, 2016

Mileage

90,000 mi

Driver seat just broke from the slide frame seat just falls back and is not safe to drive the seat is very badly designed should not have broken.also sliding door driver's side got lock were it doesn't open at all.

NHTSA ID

11494549

Incident

Nov 1, 2022

I brought this car (owned by by son and his wife, used by me) in March 2022 re recall SC186 to the Kia dealership in Berwyn, IL and they said the new part was needed, and they'd call me when it was in for me to return to have it replaced, but they never did call to say the part was in. -- I called various times through August 2022 to check, and they gave me a runaround. I called Kia customer service on 8/25, and their records showed that the Berwyn Kia claimed they did the recall on 04/08/22 -- AND THEY LIED - THEY NEVER HAD ME COME IN TO HAVE THE PART REPLACED! And because the recall is listed as done, no other dealership can replace the part! I filed complaint #[XXX] with Kia customer service - they said they would inform Berwyn Kia of my complaint, but might or might not get an answer from the dealer. I guess I will return to Berwyn Kia to confront them on this matter -- but I wonder how often they say they do recall repairs but don't in fact do them!!!! Can you do anything to help?? Who else should I complaint to about this? INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ID

11488351

Incident

Mar 24, 2022

Driver side sliding door will not close. Not powered. Multiple mechanic can not fix. Do not know why.

NHTSA ID

11446721

Incident

Jan 1, 2022

[XXX] owned a 2008 Kia Sedona minivan, VIN #[XXX]. This was his only vehicle at the time. On or about April 26, 2021, [XXX] heard a loud noise coming from the driveway and went outside to investigate. The van was engulfed in flames, mainly in the engine compartment. He attempted to put the fire out himself. His neighbor called the Pinellas Park fire department who responded and put out the fire. The vehicle was a total loss. The van had been parked for approximately five hours after he used it earlier that day to pick up children from school The spontaneous vehicle fire was a serious safety risk, and he is fortunate to have not lost his home in the fire along with the vehicle. The day before the fire, the ABS indicator light on the dash came on. He made an appointment to have the van serviced on April 27, but the fire destroyed the vehicle before it could be looked at. Shortly after this happened, [XXX] learned of Manufacturer Recall Number SC186; NHTSA Recall Number 20V088. He was never notified by Kia North America, before or after the fire which destroyed the vehicle. [XXX] has opened case number [XXX] with and was assured that Kia would be providing reimbursement for the Kia Sedona vehicle he had to replace. Kia North America requested pictures of the fire damaged vehicle, which he sent to them. He offered to allow Kia to inspect the wreckage of the vehicle, but no action was ever taken despite assurances that Kia would send a representative to inspect the vehicle. In September 2021, Kia North America stopped responding to Mr. Brackett, and no longer returns his or my communication. If the NHTSA requires any more information, please contact my office. /s [XXX] Florida Bar #[XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ID

11438659

Incident

Apr 26, 2021

On three occasions my vehicle's engine would stumble and refuse to accelerate when gas peddle was depressed to reach a lower gear to accelerate. I was forced to pull out of busy traffic to roadway shoulder, where engine continued to stumble or misfire. When I shut off the ignition and restarted my Kia Sedona, it retuned to normal operation. A second mishap was the sudden opening of the engine compartment hood, which flew up and struck my windshield, completely blocking my view. Fortunately I was able to slow and stop the vehicle without further damage, beside a bent hood and broken hinges and hood struts. You have issued a recall for several states, but not for Florida where this happened.

NHTSA ID

11436588

Incident

Oct 13, 2019

The contact owns a 2008 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who informed him that the catalytic converter was defective. The contact was referred to NHTSA by the independent mechanic for assistance. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The contact stated that the odometer had been rolled back. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11434833

Incident

Sep 13, 2021

Mileage

118,000 mi

I was driving on the freeway and my hood blew up and smashed my front windshield blocking out light. I could not see to drive and the rearview mirror flew off like a projectile

NHTSA ID

11430742

Incident

Aug 23, 2021

Vehicle was not drivable. Driver side front control arm was corroded and cracked/broken.

NHTSA ID

11429285

Incident

Jul 20, 2021

THE VAN'S SLIDING SIDE DOORS NO LONGER OPEN DUE TO PLASTIC CLIPS IN THE TRACKS BREAKING. THE DOORS CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE. BOTH DOORS BROKE THE SAME DAY. MY SON IS IN A WHEELCHAIR AND WE USE THE SIDE SLIDING DOOR WITH A RAMP TO GET HIM IN HIS WHEELCHAIR INTO THE VEHICLE. HE IS FIVE AND WAS TRAPPED IN THE VEHICLE. WE HAD TO OPEN THE BACK HATCH AND FOLD DOWN THE REAR SEATS IN ORDER TO GET HIM IN HIS WHEELCHAIR OUT. THIS IS NOT A SAFE SITUATION. I CAN NO LONGER RIDE HIM OR ANY PASSENGERS IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT'S AN ENTRAPMENT ISSUE IF I WAS TO BE IN AN ACCIDENT. I NOTE THAT THIS SAME ISSUE HAS BEEN ADDRESSED WITH A RECALL ON LATER YEAR MODELS THAN MINE, BUT HAS YET TO BE RECALLED ON THE 2008.

NHTSA ID

11389807

Incident

Aug 1, 2020

Mileage

128,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER BOYFRIEND WAS DRIVING AROUND A CURVE, THE VEHICLE VEERED OFF THE HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH DOWN INTO AN INCLINE. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE IN A YARD. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE CONTROL ARM ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WAS RUSTED AND FRACTURED IN THREE PLACES. THERE WERE NO INJURIES THAT CAUSED ANYONE TO BE TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A STORAGE AREA. THE DEALER BERGSTROM KIA OF APPLETON (2445 W COLLEGE AVE, APPLETON, WI 54914 (920) 993-3000) TOLD THE CONTACT TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT WAS SENT TO THE RECALL SECTION AND SENT PICTURES OF THE CRASH. AFTER SEVERAL CALLS, THE MANUFACTURER CONCLUDED THAT THEY WOULD NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. VIN TOOL SEARCH CONFIRMED THE VEHICLE HAD A PENDING RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V387000 (SUSPENSION).THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 171,000.

NHTSA ID

11372961

Incident

Sep 24, 2020

Mileage

171,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS INCLUDING THE ABS WARNING LIGHT HAD ILLUMINATED. AFTER RESTARTING THE ENGINE, THE ODOR OF BURNING RUBBER WAS PRESENT AND SMOKE WAS SCENE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAN MODULE WAS FAULTY. THE FAN MODULE WAS REPLACED BUT THE FAILURES CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS EXAMINED BY A SECOND INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRE HARNESS WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NO FURTHER INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ID

11353008

Incident

May 20, 2019

Mileage

100,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V088000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GREENWAY KIA OF RIVERGATE (1536 GALLATIN PIKE N, MADISON, TN 37115) AND WAS REJECTED TO BE SERVICED DUE TO PARTS NOT BEING AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT PART WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID

11352734

Incident

Jun 5, 2020

WHILE DRIVING AT 55MPH 2 LANE RUAL ROAD CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THEN AFTER MIN LATER ESC OFF LIGHT CAME ON AND ALL THE SUDDEN I LOST ALL THROTTLE AND RPM GAS PETAL TO FLOOR AND WOULD ONLY COST AT 20MPH AND LESS ON INCLINE ALMOST REAR ENDED DUE TO LOSS OF THROTTLE WITH NO NOTICE TO TRAFFIC BEHIND ME .. TURNED ON EMERGENCY FLASHERS FOUND A PLACE 10 MILES DOWN THE ROAD TO PULL OFF .. NO CELL SERVICE IN RUAL AREA CRANKED VEH BACK UP AND ALL LIGHTS WERE OFF STARTED AND THROTTLED RIGHT FOR ABOUT A MILE THEIR WAS NO RAIN SNOW JUST SUNNY DAY ..HAVE CALLED KIA THEY SAID THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF SUCH SINCE WE HAVE THE COVID .. I WENT ONLINE AND SEE ALOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE SO I HAVE NO FAITH THAT KIA WILL FIX IT SINCE ALL THE REVIEWS .. I HAD A THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR ORDERED IT THRU KIA WHICH AT FIRST THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT SELL THE SENSOR ONLY BUT THE WHOLE THROTTLE BODY.. I HAD TO REFER THEM TO A TSA BULLETIN AND GUESS WHAT THEY COULD ORDER ONE AT $40 COMPARED TO $350 .. I REPLACED THE PART AND IT IS STILL DOING THE SAME THING ..FRUSTRATED WITH THIS IT SHOULD BE A RECALL SINCE THIS IS A ONGOING ISSUE WITH KIA AND HUANDA VEH TILL DATE FROM WHAT I HAVE READ ONLINE .. IF YOU WISH TO LOOK AT MY VEH TO SEE THE PROBLEM YOU ARE WELCOME TO BECAUSE ITS UNSAFE FOR ME TO DRIVE 165,000 MILES

NHTSA ID

11350575

Incident

Aug 4, 2020

Mileage

165,000 mi

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 THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED AS WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING SMOKE WAS SEEN IN THE VEHICLE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL FAILED TO ENGAGE WHILE DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED ON THE FINAL FAILURE A FEW WEEKS LATER THE VEHICLE STALLED, WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH AND CAME. THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE ON FIRE ON ENGINE. THE CONTACT STATED THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND A FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT WAS FILED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V088000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) HOWEVER THE CONTACT HAD NOT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION ON THE RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED A LOCAL DEALER WAS CONTACTED HOWEVER, NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED AND PROVIDED MANUFACTURER NUMBER. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE AND A CASE WAS OPENED. THE CONTACT STATED SHE WAS AWAITING A CALL BACK FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 198,000.

NHTSA ID

11339089

Incident

Jun 27, 2020

Mileage

198,000 mi

CAR CAUGHT FIRE BECAUSE OF ELECTRICAL CONNECTION IN THE DIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT WIRING. THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET WITH THE HEADLIGHTS OFF. CAR WAS TOTALED. INSURANCE AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN INFORMED. *TR

NHTSA ID

11329092

Incident

May 24, 2020

Mileage

146,000 mi

WHILE WORKING ON MY 2008 KIA SEDONA, I DISCOVERED SEVERE PERFORATING CORROSION ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM. I DISCOVERED THAT KIA HAD INITIATED A VOLUNTARY RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V387000. I CONTACTED KIA AT 1-800-333-4542 TO SEE IF THEY WOULD APPLY RECALL SC133 TO MY CAR EVEN THOUGH IT IS NOT IN ONE OF THE IDENTIFIED STATES (ALTHOUGH VIRGINIA DOES USE ROAD SALT IN WINTER). AFTER I CALLED THEM TWICE AND SENT THE ATTACHED PICTURES THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULDN'T COVER IT AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR A DEALERSHIP TO DIAGNOSE IT AND SEND THEM THEIR OPINION FOR THEM TO RECONSIDER. I DO NOT THINK THAT I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY ANYTHING OUT OF POCKET TO VERIFY WHAT THE PICTURES CLEARLY SHOW. THIS CORROSION COULD RESULT A BROKEN CONTROL ARM AND RESULT IN THE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. PLEASE CONTACT KIA FOR ME OR CHANGE THE CAMPAIGN TO MANDATORY AND EXPAND IT TO ALL STATES. *TR

NHTSA ID

11328700

Incident

Dec 16, 2019

Mileage

145,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V088000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CONTACTED ORLANDO KIA (8701 E COLONIAL DR ORLANDO, FL 32817, 407-678-17170) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND STATED THAT THE DEALERS HAVE PARTS TO DO THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCE A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID

11328368

Incident

Apr 8, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V088000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE NOTIFICATION THAT WAS RECEIVED WAS AN INTERIM NOTIFICATION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. A DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

11322898

Incident

Apr 8, 2020