RoadVitals

2009 Kia Sedona

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
48
+1 complaint in 30 days
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
5
Latest Feb 14, 2020
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
5
5 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 48 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2009 Kia Sedona, most frequently naming the driver assistance, brakes and engine categories. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 41 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

5 campaigns cover this model year

View all 5

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
20V088000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

Feb 14, 2020
228,829 units potentially affected
The 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.
The risk: 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.
The 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.
Kia Motors AmericaManufacturer number SC186View on NHTSA.gov
16V389000

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

Jun 1, 2016
219,800 units potentially affected
The 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.
The risk: 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.
The 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.
Kia Motors AmericaManufacturer number SC134View on NHTSA.gov
16V387000

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

Jun 1, 2016
97,884 units potentially affected
The 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.
The risk: A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.
Kia Motors AmericaManufacturer number SC133View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 48
Filed Aug 7, 2026

My 2009 Kia Sedona is under Safety Recall SC133 (NHSTA 16V-387) for front lower control arms that can corrode and break. The dealership has had the vehicle at ANDY MOHR KIA in [XXX] for two weeks and states the frame is too heavily rusted to safely mount the new control arms. They will not perfom the recall repair. The vehicle is currently undriveable due to the structural condition related to the salt-belt corrosion issue covered by the recall. I have an open Kia Consumer Affairs case (XXX) but have not received a resolution. The dealership escalated this, but there has been no timely response or resolution. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11755466
Incident
Jul 27, 2026
Filed Jul 18, 2022

The door locks on passenger sliding doors,do not keep doors shut,they remain open on both sides and have to use a screw driver to rotate the mechanism.

NHTSA ID
11474442
Incident
Jun 9, 2022
Brakes
Filed May 26, 2021

An L shape plastic part broke off under the brake pedal that is causing the brake lights to remain on, intermittently, when I am not using them. It has drained my battery causing me to be late to work.

NHTSA ID
11418672
Incident
Apr 29, 2021
SteeringSuspension
Filed Nov 4, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AND COMING TO A STOP, HE HEARD AN ABNORMAL SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND INSPECTED UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE BUT FOUND NO ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT THEN DROVE TO A NEARBY PARKING LOT AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO SEVERE RUSTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 161,000.

NHTSA ID
11373016
Incident
Nov 4, 2020
Mileage
161,000 mi
Filed Feb 27, 2020
Fire reported

THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND A FIRE STARTED SOMEWHERE IN THE ENGINE AND THE WHOLE CAR BURNED.

NHTSA ID
11311935
Incident
Aug 1, 2018
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Nov 20, 2019

THE BRAKE LIGHTS TURNED ON AND CANNOT BE TURNED OFF EXCEPT FOR DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY. THEY ARE ON ALL OF THE TIME WHILE DRIVING AND DRIVERS CANNOT TELL WHEN I APPLY MY BRAKES. THEY ARE ON AFTER I POWER OFF THE VEHICLE AND PARK AND LOCK THE SEDONA. THE ESC OFF LIGHT WAS ALSO ILLUMINATED WHEN I STARTED THE CAR. THE VEHICLE HAS 25,000 MILES AND IS KEPT IN NAPLES, FLORIDA.

NHTSA ID
11281379
Incident
Nov 19, 2019
Mileage
25,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Jun 17, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA SEDONA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING AN INSPECTION, THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE CONTROL ARM WAS RUSTED AND THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD BARELY PASS THE INSPECTION. IN 2017, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUNBURY MOTORS KIA (570-286-7746, LOCATED AT 2030 N SUSQUEHANNA TRAIL, SELINSGROVE, PA 17870) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS RUST ON THE CONTROL ARM, BUT NOT ENOUGH FOR A REPLACEMENT. THE TECHNICIAN APPLIED AN UNDERCOATING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE DEALER DID WHAT WAS NEEDED AT THE TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. *TT CONSUMER STATED KIA REFUSES TO REPLACE THE CONTROL ARM BECAUSE THEY SAY THE UNDERCOATING IS ALL THEY ARE REQUIRED TO DO.*JB

NHTSA ID
11220575
Incident
Apr 15, 2017
BrakesOther / unspecified
Filed Mar 14, 2019

THE FRONT BRAKE CALIPER MOUNTING BRACKETS BOLTS LOOSEN AND FALL OUT CAUSING CALIPER FAILURE. THIS ALSO CAUSE THE CALIPER TO BECOME LOOSE AND SCRUB THE INSIDE OF THE RIM WHICH IN TURN DAMAGES BOTH THE CALIPER AND THE RIM. THIS HAPPENS WHILE IN MOTION BOTH ON HIGHWAYS AND CITY STREETS.

NHTSA ID
11186702
Incident
Mar 13, 2019
Mileage
170,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

TSB_BOD055_R1

EXTERIOR LIGHTING; STRUCTURE

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFORMATION FOR HEADLAMP CONDENSATION AND MOISTURE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information relating to some Kia models that may exhibit fogging, condensation, and/or moisture inside a headlamp assembly. Generally, a fogging condition is considered normal and can be eliminated by turning on the headlamps with the engine running for up to 30 minutes or during normal driving conditions. Headlamp assembly replacement WILL NOT be necessary in most cases.

TSB_BOD051_CLSD

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TSB_BOD051_CLOSED: TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN CLOSED

DOR-M9J4S-07

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR

These SKUs are Exhaust Manifolds with Catalytic Converters. The customer communication requested return of unsold inventory due to a loss of CARB certification. These SKUs can no longer be sold as they do not meet CARB standards, but parts on vehicles are not effected.

DOR-M3J3F-07

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR

These SKUs are Exhaust Manifolds with Catalytic Converters. The customer communication requested return of unsold inventory due to a loss of CARB certification. These SKUs can no longer be sold as they do not meet CARB standards, but parts on vehicles are not effected.

TSB_TRA046_R1

POWER TRAIN

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: - TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission is replaced, refer to applicable vehicles on page 2. Refer to the shop manual on KGIS for the specific Kia model for the correct transmission fluid check/fill procedures.

PS539

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

PITSTOP - ENGINE COMPONENT RE-USE GUIDELINES - In general, parts and components removed during engine repairs should be considered serviceable, and should be thoroughly cleaned and transferred to the new engine.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Kia Sedona by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2021900—
2020201042.0
2019362060.0
2018483059.9
20171314059.5
20162914166.5
20151373055.7
2014381150.0
2013010—
20121075160.2
2011656161.0
2010325063.1
2009Viewing485055.2
20081705053.4
20071576052.1
20063857050.7
20051852051.4
20041752357.6
20031634464.8
20021983361.4

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.