2016 Kia Sedona Airbags Problems

This concerns an unresolved airbag safety issue that went undetected due to a negligent recall inspection at a Kia dealership. On March 16, 2026, I brought my vehicle to Ed Voyles Kia of Chamblee, GA for a recall inspection to determine whether damaged wiring under the passenger seat was causing my airbag warning light to remain on. I dealt with the service advisor throughout the process. After the appointment, I was told the inspection was complete and no wiring damage was found. Upon leaving the dealership, I immediately noticed that my exterior and interior lights, radio, seatbelt indicators, and numerous other systems had stopped working, none of which were issues before my appointment. I contacted the dealership the same day and returned on March 17, 2026. The service advisor relayed the technician's position that these failures were pre-existing and unrelated to the service. After I pushed back, the manager became involved and pointed to a separate BCM recall to explain the replacement, rather than acknowledging that the BCM had failed immediately after their service. My BCM had been functioning normally before the appointment. The service advisor and manager continued to deny any wiring damage. On April 20, 2026, I personally inspected the area under the passenger seat while cleaning my vehicle I immediately found visibly damaged wires, the exact area the technician had examined during the recall. I found this damage within minutes. The damaged wiring under the passenger seat is the very issue this recall was designed to identify. The technician failed to find it, leaving a known safety hazard unresolved. My airbag warning light has been on since before the appointment and remains on today. I have been driving my family in this vehicle with a compromised airbag system. I have photo evidence of the damaged wires and request that NHTSA log this as a formal safety complaint and investigate if this reflects a broader pattern of incomplete recall inspections

NHTSA ID

11732725

Incident

Mar 16, 2026

My 2016 Kia Sedona is affected by Safety Recall SC175 (Front Passenger Seat Occupant Detection System Wiring Harness), documented here: [XXX] . Kia and the servicing dealer, Rick Case Kia, report to NHTSA that this recall was completed in 2019. However, the defect described in SC175 is still present and easily reproducible. The dealer continues to insist the repair was completed, but the symptoms match the recall description exactly and the issue now poses a clear safety risk to the front passenger. I have repeatedly informed Rick Case Kia that the recall was not performed correctly or was never performed at all. Despite this, the dealer refuses to inspect or correct the issue and Kia Corporate refuses further action based solely on the dealer’s claim. This has made it impossible for me to obtain the required recall remedy. The vehicle was taken to the same dealer multiple times between 2019 and before the vehicle reached 10 years of age for other safety recalls. If SC175 had truly been completed, the issue should not be present. If it had NOT been completed, the dealer should have been notified in their system during those visits. This suggests that misrepresentation or incorrect reporting may have occurred. Because Kia Corporate relies entirely on the dealer’s incorrect reporting, I cannot obtain the required repair from any Kia dealer, and the safety defect remains unresolved. I am requesting NHTSA review this case as a potential recall-completion misrepresentation that is preventing me from receiving the mandated safety repair. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11702087

Incident

Nov 30, 2025

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that after purchasing the vehicle from the dealer, the air bag warning light illuminated while driving, and the front passenger’s seat detection system failed to detect a passenger. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle had previously been repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V109000 (Electrical System). The contact was also informed that a diagnostic test was needed to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 300,000.

NHTSA ID

11693362

Incident

Aug 16, 2025

Mileage

300,000 mi

I am filing a formal complaint against Kia regarding Recall SC175 affecting this vehicle Kia has refused to perform this recall on my vehicle, claiming that the work was already completed. However, after reviewing the official campaign documentation (NHTSA Campaign Documentation – SC175), it is evident that the corrective work specified by the recall was not performed on my vehicle. My vehicle continues to exhibit the issue addressed by Recall SC175, confirming that either the recall was not carried out or was performed incorrectly. Despite this, Kia maintains that no further action is necessary because their records indicate completion. At this time, Kia is refusing to address a known safety recall. I am documenting this with NHTSA so that it is formally recorded that Kia is declining to remedy a required recall on one of their vehicles. Please advise on what steps I may take next to ensure compliance and resolution.

NHTSA ID

11687471

Incident

Sep 15, 2025

My vehicle has a recall 19V109000. The description of the issue is "Over time, the Occupant Detection System (ODS) wiring harness located underneath the front passenger seat may break from the seat being occupied." This issue has been diagnosed as having this very specific problem, Kia claims that this problem was previously fixed in my car, however it has not been fixed. I have been trying for sometime to get Kia and my local Kia Dealer to fix it but they just keep responding that this was already fixed. A closer look and its obvious this was never done. I don't have the exact date of when I first noticed it, the harness is damaged and the issue goes away from time to time, and my attempts to fix it have gone back a couple of years, and have gotten nowhere when trying to work with Kia.

NHTSA ID

11677966

Incident

Aug 2, 2025

I have a 2016 kia sedona. Engines on the vehicle have been known to be bad and I already had 1 engine replaced under their extended warranty that covers to 150000 miles after a blown head gasket. I got a new engine 11/2024 however car overheats & coolant leak everywhere&bust hoses. I was told to replace radiator and all cooling/heater hoses, but video show coolant bubbling car still overheating. Replaced one loose hose under warranty. Car overheats again was told to replace relay switch for fan another. Dealer crash my car waited a month for parts and they never repaired damages to my bumper and airbag light. 2 month later car overheats again now coolant spraying into trunk and hose pop again now at heater core. There is no light notice of when car overheating tiil very hot. Or someone tells me my car is smoking by then it is followed by a loud noise and coolant leaking everywhere again. This time the overheating bust the heater core hose in my trunk and was spraying coolant all in trunk while I was getting ready to get of freeway. Very scary. I pulled over just in time for noise and coolant to leak out everything from resovoir again. This is my family car and have 5 kids under 18 and feel very unsafe now. Despite paying for everything kia suggest every 1-2 months they still fail to find cause of overheating and constant hoses breaking or coming loose after the pressure build up and I am scared this car will catch fire or stall one day with my children in car. Already noticed sometime its like car struggles to accelerate despite a supposed new engine but car been constantly overheating even after engine replacement and it also still causes sludge in hose& had 4 coolant flushes in a year and new hoses and now seems people working on car not sure what they doing because I was told I needed new heater hoses 2months later they didn't know my heater core was at back car so didn't replace so this hose burst despite kia recommendation to replace. Please help b4 it too late

NHTSA ID

11673557

Incident

Jun 25, 2025

Airbag warning light repeatedly coming on. First time told harness under seat problem paid then reimbursed as recall. Year later on again dealer took care unknown fix. During May of this year same airbag light on when took in for oil change and asked if could fix seat thing again. I'm very short rest of drivers tall so seat moved positions farthest forward to farthest back. Told must make diagnostic appointment earliest February. Today told front passenger side air bag needs to be replaced. Our minivan carries whole family and never in accident but needs new airbag would of replaced sooner if realized not harness but airbag not working! Van has 76,121miles think component should last longer and still work! Paying as told no recall! Dangerous to have light for other than airbag. Reported Kia Manufacturing. Use Dealer Valley KIA, 16272 S. Highland, Fontana, ca Today invoice #6174973/1. Awaiting part to fix.

NHTSA ID

11570364

Incident

Feb 6, 2024

Hello NHTSA representative, The dealership Lupient KIA in Glendale, WI closed the recall campaign SC175 and the action required was not performed. The KIA customer care closed the case 15510583 without explanation and when contacted opening a different one 15502908 mentioned that the car is out of warranty and they do not care any more. I am looking for your support to get KIA reviewed this anomaly in this dealership and obviously leave a precedent ahead of repairing the vehicle as the diagnosis of the failure cost 295usd plus the repair. According to the safety recall campaign under number SC175 (REV 1 03/20/2019) for KIA SEdona, that can be consulted in https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RCRIT-19V109-3930.pdf, the clip should have been cut during the recall but the clip is still present and there is an error and a broken harness in my vehicle. See picture as evidence that the clip was not removed according to the instructions at the KIA dealership. The safety recall states on step 3 to "Carefully detach the ODS connector retaining clip (B) closest to the ODS connector." and on step 4 to "Carefully cut the retaining clip between the wiring harness and the clip head (C) using side-cutter pliers and discard the clip head. Allow the wiring harness to move freely. Do not replace the retaining clip or secure the harness." as you can see in the attached picture the clip is uncut. In case during the previous safety recall the seat was changed, the statement for the clip is equivalent that it should not be present per the same safety recall. Regards,

NHTSA ID

11528185

Incident

May 5, 2023

* The red airbag dash light comes on only when there is a passenger in the front passenger seat. The "OFF" light by the passenger air bag sign goes off like it should, symbolizing the airbag is turned in. However, the light on the dash coming on has me worried it is defective. *If the passenger airbag does not deploy if needed, that could risk serious injury or death. *This van was sold to us two day ago by a Kia dealership who said it passed all safety inspections. However, since the light only comes on when there is a front passenger, I'm sure it was overlooked. *I am in contact with the dealership we purchased it from. I have not heard back yet. *The warning light came on the first time I had a passenger in the vehicle after purchasing it.

NHTSA ID

11523023

Incident

May 19, 2023

1)The airbags failed at time of accident, yes is available for inspection. 2)This is a family car (KIA Sedona 2016) with kids in the car ..if the airbags not working at time of an impact, could and up in deadly/fatality accident. 3) No. 4)The vehicle has been inspected by police and insurance. 5) no warning or issues show anywhere to advise of issue, this car has not been involve in any accident before. Last time took the car to dealer was 1 month ago… November 2022

NHTSA ID

11500025

Incident

Dec 31, 2022

The Airbag seat sensor has malfunctioned. Took the vehicle to the Kia Dealer and they advised it was a 1200.00 part plus 300 plus for labor. This started months ago and the dealer stated it was covered and they "ordered" the part. They then stated my extended warranty would cover it only to be told it doesn't cover these items. When I took the vehicle back to the dealer they said it was not covered. The airbag light is intermittent when it comes on. I am afraid this will cause a problem if I am involved in an accident. This started around 70k miles.

NHTSA ID

11449510

Incident

Mar 3, 2021

The airbag light would come on and go off randomly while driving. We took it to the dealer several times. I believe repairs were made twice and within days it happened again. The other times it was taken into the dealer, the problem could not be replicated as the light would randomly come on/blink. The airbag light stays on all the time now. I've been told it is dangerous to drive the vehicle while the light is on because the airbags will not deploy should the vehicle get in an accident. The passenger side seatbelt like blinks constantly now whether there is a passenger in the front seat or not. I've been told by Kia that the warranty has expired and any cost associated with the repair of the airbag and seatbelt sensor will be our responsibility. This was an ongoing problem well before the warranty expired.

NHTSA ID

11442938

Incident

Sep 25, 2018

WHEN YOU USE YOUR BLINKERS TO CHANGE LANES AT NIGHT THE HEADLIGHTS GO OFF TILL I MOVE THE BLINKER NOB BACK TO THE MIDDLE THIS HAPPENS WHEN YOU ARE GOING DOWN THE ROAD AND IS DANGEROUS NEEDS TO RECALLED ASAP BEFORE SOMEONE GET HURT

NHTSA ID

11384972

Incident

Dec 25, 2020

Mileage

180,000 mi

ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO, I BEGAN EXPERIENCING OCCASIONAL TIMES WHEN I WOULD TURN ON THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL AND THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL WOULD COME ON. THE FIRST FEW TIMES IT HAPPENED, I THOUGHT I MUST'VE TURNED ON THE WRONG SIGNAL AS IT HAPPENED INFREQUENTLY. NOW IT OCCURS OFTEN, WHERE ENGAGING THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL IS VERY UNPREDICTABLE, WITH IT SOMETIMES TURNING ON THE LEFT SIGNAL, SOMETIMES THE RIGHT SIGNAL, SWITCHING BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN THE SIGNALS, OR NO SIGNAL ENGAGING. WHEN ENGAGING THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL AND COMPLETING A LEFT TURN, WHEN THE SIGNAL DISENGAGES, THE RIGHT SIGNAL WILL TURN ON AND FLASH SEVERAL TIMES WITHOUT TURNING ON THE RIGHT SIGNAL. THIS MAKES FOR DANGEROUS LANE CHANGING AND TURNING AS IT IS DIFFICULT TO MAKE SURE THE RIGHT SIGNAL TURNS ON. ADDITIONALLY, THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON FREQUENTLY WHEN AN ADULT IS SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, AS IF THE VEHICLE THINKS A CHILD IS SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN A CRASH. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO KIA TO HAVE THEM FIX THIS, BUT THEY SAID THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH IT WAS 3 YEARS OLD, AND WANTED HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO EVEN LOOK AT IT, NOT INCLUDING FIXING THE PROBLEM. I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE TURN SIGNALS IN THIS MAKE/MODEL AND YEAR, PARTICULARLY WITH THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL. HERE IS A LINK TO A YOUTUBE VIDEO OF ANOTHER KIA WITH THE SAME PROBLEM: HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/IDXLNMXMHQY HERE IS A LINK TO A PAGE WHERE OTHERS HAVE COMPLAINED OF THE SAME PROBLEM: HTTPS://WWW.CARPROBLEMZOO.COM/KIAMOTOR/SEDONA/TURN-SIGNAL-PROBLEMS.PHP THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID

11384632

Incident

Apr 1, 2018

Mileage

50,000 mi

AIRBAGS - THE SENSOR LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AT RANDOM TIMES, THEN WILL TURN OFF FOR A FEW SECONDS, THEN COME BACK ON. THERE IS NOT ONE CERTAIN THING THAT CAUSES THIS (IE BUMPS, BREAKING, ACCELERATION, ETC). NOT SURE IF THIS IS A BAD SENSOR ISSUE OR WHAT IT COULD BE. SEATBELTS - FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEATBELT WILL 'LOCK' INTO PLACE WHILE DRIVING (LIKE AFTER YOU WOULD STOP SUDDENLY), AND THE ONLY WAY TO UNDO IT, IS TO RELEASE THE SEATBELT.

NHTSA ID

11270102

Incident

Oct 21, 2019

Mileage

119,000 mi

WE PURCHASED BRAND NEW A 2016 KIA SEDONA FROM THE DEALERSHIP. WITHIN THE 2 YEARS WE OWNED IT WE HAD TO TAKE IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOUR TIMES BECAUSE THE AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND STAY ON, OR WOULD FLICKER OFF AND ONE AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THEY FOUND IT TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. THEY REPAIRED IT THE FIRST THREE TIMES AND THE LIGHT WOULD STAY OFF FOR A WHILE. THE FOURTH TIME WE TOOK IT IN THEY SAID THEY WERE GOING TO TRY REPLACING THE WHOLE SEAT TO SEE IF THAT HELPED. WE DECIDED THAT WE DIDN'T WANT TO RISK IT HAPPENING AGAIN AS THE VAN WAS LESS THAN 2,000 MILES FROM BEING OUT OF WARRANTY. SO, WE TRADED IT IN FOR A 2018 KIA SEDONA WHICH NOW, AT 1400 MILES, HAS THE SAME ISSUE! WE HAVE ALREADY TAKEN IT IN TWICE TO THE HAVE ISSUE REPAIRED. WHAT ARE THE ODDS OF HAVING THE EXACT SAME ISSUE?

NHTSA ID

11183514

Incident

Jun 22, 2018

Mileage

48,000 mi

AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF FREQUENTLY WITH NO EXPLANATION AS TO WHY. THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT LIGHT BLINKS ON AND OFF WITH NO PASSENGER AND NOTHING IN THE SEAT. THIS HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE OR AT START UP OF THE VEHICLE THE LIGHTS MAY STAY ON. I FEAR THAT IF NEEDED MY AIRBAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY PROPERLY.

NHTSA ID

11034238

Incident

May 25, 2017

Mileage

28,500 mi

MY MOTHER AND HER FRIEND WERE DRIVING APPROX. 35 MILES PER HOUR WHEN THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WENT OFF THE ROAD CAUSING THEM TO GO INTO THE FRYING PAN RIVER IN BASALT, CO. THERE WAS APPROX. 42.1 DEGREE SLOPE. MY MOTHER WAS THE PASSENGER. WE RETRIEVED HER PICTURES AND VIDEO. SHE WAS VIDEO TAPING WITH HER CELL PHONE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE PASSENGER WINDOW WAS DOWN. SHE SAID, "OH [XXX]", AND APPEARED TO REACH TO REMOVE HER SEATBELT. THEY WENT INTO THE RIVER. THEY WERE FOUND AT 4:30 PM WITH CAR SUBMERGED IN WATER AND BOTH DROWNED. NO DAMAGE TO THE CAR. THE SIDE AIRBAGS HAD GONE OFF AND THE FRONT WINDOWS WERE UP WITH THE AIRBAGS STICKING OUT WHEN THEY WERE FOUND. THE FRONT AIRBAGS DID NOT GO OFF. MY CONCERN IS THAT MY MOM KNEW SHE WOULD GET OUT BUT WHEN SHE TOOK A DEEP BREATH THE AIRBAGS KNOCKED HER AIR OUT. AND WE KNOW THE WINDOWS WERE DOWN BUT WENT UP. IF THE ELECTRICAL SHORTED OUT FROM BEING UNDER WATER, WHY DID THE WINDOWS GO UP AND NOT STAY WHERE THEY WERE, WHICH WAS OPEN. ALSO, THE DRIVERS SEAT MOVED FORWARD AFTER GOING INTO THE WATER. AND WE QUESTION IF AIRBAGS WENT OFF TO EARLY. BOTH THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYING AND WINDOWS GOING UP IMPEDED MY MOM GETTING OUT. THE POLICE REPORT SEEMS TO QUESTION WHY THE AIRBAGS WENT OFF ALSO. THERE WAS A REPORT THAT ANOTHER KIA SEDONA WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AND ALL THE DOORS FLEW OPEN. I'M WORRIED THAT WE WILL START SEEING MORE AND MORE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH KIA. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

10903653

Incident

Sep 19, 2015

Mileage

7,267 mi