RoadVitals

2014 Kia Sedona Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical reportsComplaints 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.
13
Latest Jan 24, 2024
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
34%
of 38 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2014 Kia Sedona submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 13 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming electrical

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

BrakesElectrical
Filed Jan 24, 2024

Intermittent brake light reporting since November and repaired for leaking Fluid. December it continued and been leaking brake fluid. 3 seperate repair companies assessed and found the same issue that the brake module needs to be replaced and electrical compromised. The vehicle is currently at the Kia dealership (Cowboy Kia, Conroe, TX) awaiting repairs.

NHTSA ID
11567429
Incident
Nov 1, 2023
Electrical
Filed Oct 15, 2023

TWO ISSUES: 1. Latch on rear hatch back 2. Buttons on ceiling for side doors became inoperative Problems started after my first recall, but these were sporadic, so it was easy to dismiss it because the dealer was cooperative and professional. But now, I noticed there are no recalls other than complaints about the same issues. I suspect that there is a "switch" or command in the program that reverses, but I don't have a clue, other than it is irritating that I have to wait for some upgrade but it does not seem to be listed in order to resolve these issues that are not my fault, but have something to do with the original side door issue, and then a software security upgrade that I am supposed to wait and get before these are fixed. Who contacts us, in writing about these issues?

NHTSA ID
11550031
Incident
Oct 15, 2023
Mileage
106,080 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 1, 2023

Had anti-theft software installed. Campaign cs2308a by dealership. After install, console buttons for power sliding rear doors don't work. Dealership had vehicle for 5 days and couldn't find fix. Recall campaign is a joke. Causes more problems than fixing issue of thief.

NHTSA ID
11529921
Incident
Jun 16, 2023
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Aug 16, 2022
Fire reported

Fire and smoke appeared from crevice of right side of hood while driving.Temp.gauge shot up and engine over heated.Shut car off at hotel and restarted Kia Sedona next morning to take to a Tulsa,OK nearby dealership.It performed weakly with a thumping sound albeit without over heating.Service dept at midtownkia on 4747 S Yale; informed me I need an engine replacement costing around $16,000.

NHTSA ID
11479554
Incident
Jan 17, 2022
Body & structureElectrical
Filed Jul 31, 2022

The sliding doors of the Van do not stay closed. We could be driving down the road when they open and the chime starts going off. We find this is commonly associated with the scenerios right after the auto-close mechanism closes the door. (This is another issue as it does not reliably close the door.) To resolve the door suddenly opening situation, we have to stop, put the vehicle in park, and usually end up having to have the driver or front passenger get out of the car, wait for the auto-close system to get close to closing and then slam the back end of the door into place to get it to hold. We did try to take it to the Kia Dealership in Ogden Utah but the service manager there said he could not reliably replicate it so could not fix it. Apparently slamming the door is considered a viable alternative to the auto-close mechanism. We were told it is not a defect and that these things happen. It should be noted for other drivers, that the auto-close mechanism does appear to be closed. The door sensor does not chime to give warning that it is not seated all the way. Instead, as mentioned, we will be driving down the road when the door will rattle and open a little ways and the chime immediately starts going off. You will slow down and it the chime will stop, but once you pull over and take a look you will see the back end of the door is open a centimeter or so. Further to this point, if you dont immediately pull over, the door can pop open the rest of the way. What is most concerning is that it can happen anytime. I ahve not found any logical rhyme or reason for the issue. However I have had kids sitting near the door when the door opened on me. Luckily the seatbelts kept them in the car even though we were caught off-guard by the suddeness of the issue.

NHTSA ID
11476732
Incident
Jul 29, 2022
Electrical
Filed Jan 11, 2021
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER DAUGHTER IN LAW WAS DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE WIRING HARNESS UNDER THE FRONT PANEL BEGAN TO SMOKE. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL DEALER DENNIS DILLON KIA (9501 W FAIRVIEW AVE SUITE B, BOISE, ID 83704 (208) 314-3403) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING THE BLOWING MOTOR AND WIRING HARNESS TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND WAS TOLD THAT THE FAILURE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND COSTS NEEDED TO BE PAID OUT OF POCKET. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 68,000.

NHTSA ID
11387526
Incident
Dec 22, 2020
Mileage
68,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Oct 16, 2019

PARKED ON STREET, WENT TO START VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. HAD PASSENGER LOOK UNDERNEATH AFTER TESTING BATTERY CHARGE AND OTHER ELECTRICAL FUNCTION. TRIED TO START AGAIN. THE STARTER WAS THROWING SPARKS. FOUND OUT THE STARTER WAS BAD. HAVE A NEW PART ON ORDER AT A PRICETAG OF $220 WITH 94,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
11269011
Incident
Oct 16, 2019
Mileage
94,000 mi
Body & structureElectrical
Filed Jul 8, 2019

THE REAR TAILGATE WILL NOT UNLOCK OR OPEN, AND THERE IS NO MANUAL WAY TO OPEN IT. THIS IS AN UTMOST SAFETY CONCERN FOR ME AND MY FAMILY.

NHTSA ID
11229971
Incident
Jul 7, 2019
Body & structureElectrical
Filed Jul 22, 2018

THE PASSENGER ELECTRIC SLIDING DOOR DOESN'T STAY CLOSED IT OPENS WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THE CHIME WILL SOUND WHILE DRIVING DOWN ANY ROAD AND THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT COMES ON. THE ELECTRIC PART DOESN'T WORK IT'S LIKE A LATCH ISN'T HOLDING THE DOOR CLOSED ANY LONGER. THE DOOR ACTUALLY HAS CAME OPEN WHEN I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN. EACH TIME I TURN LEFT OR RIGHT THE DOOR CHIME WILL GO OFF. IT HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES OTHER THAN THE DATE I'M REPORTING.

NHTSA ID
11112884
Incident
Jul 21, 2018
Mileage
80,000 mi
ElectricalInterior & seats
Filed Jun 24, 2016

CYBER SAFETY ALERT - BAD SOFTWARE UNLOCKS ALL DOORS 100X /DAY COUNTERMANDING DRIVER INPUT: PLEASE MAKE THIS A RECALL TO FORCE THEM TO FIX THIS VERY DANGEROUS OCCUPANT SAFETY PROBLEM. CAR HAS BEEN TO 2 DEALERS 4 X TOTAL, THEY KEEP SAYING ITS UNFIXABLE. KIA CUST SERVICE REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING.(KIA CASE #[XXX], ) DAYTONA BEACH DEALER REFUSES REFUND OR REPLACEMENT CAR. IS THERE ANY WAY FOR SOMEONE FROM NHTSA TO CONTACT KIA IN KOREA AND GET SOME ACTION ON FIXING THE SOFTWARE DOOR UNLOCK 100X / DAY PROBLEM ? THERE ARE 4 DIFF SITUATIONS IN WHICH THE DOORS UNLOCK CREATING A VERY UNSAFE SITUATION FOR CRIME/CARJACKING/ AND WORSE. 2014 KIA SEDONA EX VIN # [XXX] ITS SHOULD BE A SIMPLE SOFTWARE UPDATE FIX TO ALLEVIATE THE PROBLEM : UNLOCKS WITHOUT DRIVER PERMISSION WHEN: 1. PUT IN PARK 2. KEY OUT 3. KEY IN 4. IF YOU WANT TO WARM UP CAR WHILE LOADING CARGO/PEOPLE IT CONSTANTLY COUNTERMANDS THE DRIVER INSTRUCTION TO LOCK DOORS, THIS GOES LIKE THIS: DRIVER PUSHED LOCK BUTTON , IT UNLOCKS ALL DOORS W/O PERMISSION, DRIVE AGAIN PUSHES LOCK, IT IMMEDIATELY UNLOCKS ALL DOORS AGAIN, REPEATS OVER AND OVER AND OVER INFINITELY ... IN THIS DAY /AGE OF TERRORISM, CRIME, KIDNAPPING, ETC... ITS IMPERATIVE THAT NHTSA AND CITIZENS GET THESE SITUATIONS SOLVED SO THAT AT LEAST THE DRIVER CAN KNOW THE DOORS STAY LOCKED WHEN THE LOCK BUTTON IS PUSHED AND THAT THE COMPUTER WON'T CONSTANTLY VETO DRIVER EFFORTS FOR SECURITY. THANKS>.. PLEASE SO SOMETHING < ANYTHING!>.. KIA CUST SERVICE REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING EXCEPT READ FROM A SCRIPT. KIA HEADQUARTERS IN KOREA SEEM NOT TO HAVE CONTACT # INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10876358
Incident
Jun 1, 2016
Mileage
7,500 mi
ElectricalInterior & seats
Filed Jun 13, 2016

CYBER SECURITY ISSUE: WHEN DRIVER STOPS CAR: DOOR UN-LOCK 100X/DAY, CONSTANT BATTLE FOR SECURITY. DEALER SAYS THERE IS NO WAY TO FIX IT, BUT REALLY THERE IS. SOFTWARE PATCH FROM KIA WOULD ALLOW DEALER WITH SCAN TOOL TO CHANGE PREFERENCES SO THAT THE DOOR LOCKS STAY LOCKED UNTIL USER DETERMINES THAT THE "COAST IS CLEAR" OF CRIMINALS, TERRORISTS, CARJACKERS, KIDNAPPERS, KILLERS, ROBBERS, RAPISTS,ETC THIS MAY SOUND INNOCUOUS BUT THE REALITY IS: IF DRIVER UNLOCKS JUST THE DRIVER DOOR, THE ALL OTHER DOORS INCLUDING TAILGATE UNLOCK MAKING CAR OPEN TO THE WORLD, WHEN DRIVER RELOCKS THE DOORS, THE COMPUTER UNLOCKS THEM AGAIN, THIS GOES ON UNTIL THE FRUSTRATED DRIVER EITHER EXITS THE CAR OR RESTARTS CAR AND PUTS IT IN GEAR, THEN HE HAS TO AGAIN RELOCK THE DOORS. VERY UNSAFE : IN THIS DAY AND AGE OF CYBER SECURITY ISSUES WITH TERRORIST AND CARJACKING, KIDNAPPING ETC. ALL DOORS ARE ALSO UNLOCKED WHEN THE CAR IS PUT IN PARK, DRIVER RELOCKS, THEN WHEN KEY IS WITHDRAWN FROM IGNITION DOORS AGAIN UNLOCK, DRIVER RELOCKS AGAIN, WHEN DRIVER PUTS KEY RESTARTS THE CAR, ALL DOORS AGAIN UNLOCK... ITS NEAR CONSTANT EXPOSURE TO THE WORLD OF CRIMINALS. I HAVE CONTACTED KIA DEALERS, TAKEN IT IN TWICE-NO LUCK, CALLED KIA HEADQUARTERS CUST SERVICE 6-7 TIMES - NO RESPONSE AFTER 1 WEEK, CALLED 14 KIA DEALERS - NO HELP, EVEN TWEETED 4 TIMES TO KIA CEO [XXX].- NO RESPONSE AFTER 5 DAYS.. PLEASE MAKE THIS A RECALL FOR SW UPDATE OR REPLACE BCM WITH UPDATED VERSION.. CRIMINALS ARE SMART AND THEY KNOW THEY SIMPLY HAVE TO WAIT THAT SOME POOR VICTIM STOPS THE CAR TO KNOW THAT THE DOORS WILL OPEN, AND THEY THEN CAN ARGUE THAT THE VICTIM ACTUALLY OPENED THE DOORS MAKING IT AS IF IT WERE AN INVITATION. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU AHEAD OF TIME ! THIS IS VERY INSECURE CRITICALLY DANGEROUS ISSUE AND ALSO DISTRACTS THE DRIVER ALOT (DISTRACTED DRIVING IS DANGEROUS). INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10873812
Incident
May 30, 2016
Mileage
7,500 mi
Electrical
Filed Jun 13, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN PARK AND ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, ALL DOORS INDEPENDENTLY UNLOCKED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MULTIPLE DEALERS WHO WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,300. ...UPDATED 08/15/16 *BF *CN

NHTSA ID
10873796
Incident
May 30, 2016
Mileage
7,300 mi
BrakesElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Feb 21, 2016

I WAS DRIVING THE 2014 KIA SORENTO ON US27 IN CINCINNATI, OHIO (55MPH ZONE) AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE VEHICLE SLOWED (I WASN'T PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL) AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY ROADWAY. I HAD TO FLOOR THE GAS TO GET IT TO MOVE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY. THERE WAS A ODOR OF SOMETHING BURNING WHEN I FINALLY GOT OUT OF THE ROAD. THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED DURING THE TIME. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO A LOCAL KIA DEALER. THEY SAID IT HAD 5 MAJOR CODES ON DIAGNOSTIC, THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM THAT LEAD ME TO THE DEALER. BUT THEY WOULDN'T RETURN THE VEHICLE DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS.

NHTSA ID
10837349
Incident
Feb 19, 2016
Mileage
53,000 mi

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.

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