RoadVitals

2017 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.
134
+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.
4
Latest Jan 25, 2022
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
11 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 134 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2017 Kia Sedona, most frequently naming the engine, electrical and body & structure categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 83 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

4 campaigns cover this model year

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

AIR BAGS

Jan 25, 2022
410,619 units potentially affected
The defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Sedona, Soul, Soul EV, 2017-2018 Forte, and 2017 Forte Koup vehicles. The Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) cover may contact a memory chip on the printed circuit board and damage the electrical circuit. Circuit damage may result in deactivated air bags that will not deploy in a crash.
The risk: Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
The remedy: Dealers will inspect the ACU, and either update the software or replace the unit, as necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 21, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC226.
Kia Motors AmericaManufacturer number SC226View on NHTSA.gov

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL

Sep 17, 2021
88,576 units potentially affected
The 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.
The risk: A turn signal activating in the opposite direction of what was intended by the driver increases the risk of a crash.
The 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.
Kia Motors AmericaManufacturer number SC217View on NHTSA.gov

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

Feb 19, 2019
94,389 units potentially affected
The 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.
The risk: 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.
The 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.
Kia Motors AmericaManufacturer number SC175View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Body & structure
Filed Sep 21, 2026

White paint is peeling off and flaking away, far more than I would expect from normal wear.

NHTSA ID
11765891
Incident
Sep 1, 2022
Electrical
Filed Aug 23, 2026

The transmission doesnt know what gear it it in. Code p0705

NHTSA ID
11758955
Incident
Aug 21, 2026
Engine
Filed Aug 17, 2026

on 8/6/26 my wife was driving home when the Sedona Van began emitting white smoke and started making a whining noise. Little did we know the head bolts had pulled out of the engine causing the head gasket to blow and coolant to leak and total engine failure. Safety risk was engine could have seized in the middle of my wife driving home which could have caused a sudden crash. Vehicle was taken to dealership which confirmed total engine failure due to the well-documented engine failures of the 3.3L V6 Lamda - II engines. Dealership stated my VIN # was NOT included in the extended warranty that the NHTSA mandated KIA provide due to this well-documented problem. I was told the extended warranty covered vehicles through 2016 model years, my Sedona is a 2017. Therefore, there was NOTHING they could do. However, this is the SAME issue that has been documented over and over with this engine. But because mine is a 2017 I am being told it is not covered for the total engine replacement by KIA. I was told to call the KIA customer care line which I did. They confirmed my vehicle is NOT covered, but agreed it is the same engine issue that has been seen in the 2013-2016. I was told that I could file a Goodwill case that will be escalated to KIA corporate to see if there is anything they can do to help me. I am now waiting for them to get back to me. I was quoted $13,206 for the engine replacement and likely may need radiator replaced too so probably closer to $15,000 when all done. I am told this is purely mechanical failure and a manufacturer defect. I am waiting for KIA's response but want to file this complaint to see what help is available if they come back and deny covering my engine replacement. simply because it is a 2017. This vehicle has been great so far, has 157,000 well cared for miles until this issue erupted without warning. Dealership said have not seen this on a 2017 Sedona, but it happened, my van is currently dead and will there be more 2017's w/ this issu

NHTSA ID
11757573
Incident
Aug 6, 2026
Body & structure
Filed Jun 12, 2026

White Pearl paint is flaking/peeling of for no apparent reason.

NHTSA ID
11743793
Incident
Nov 14, 2025
Engine
Filed May 11, 2026
Fire reported

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH, the contact the oil light illuminated, and the vehicle decelerated independently. The contact mention he pulled over to the right side of the road, exited the vehicle and when he lifted the hood of the vehicle, he noticed flames coming from the engine. No injuries were sustained. No medical attention. There was no police report filed. The fire department did not show at the scene to extinguish the fire. The vehicle was not destroyed. The vehicle is currently still at the scene. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 146,658.

NHTSA ID
11736979
Incident
May 11, 2026
Mileage
146,658 mi
Engine
Filed Apr 15, 2026

Same defect on NHTSA (Investigation PE23-019) my vehicle is 1 month outside of the manufacturing date listed, having the same issues, but they will not cover it-even though the same engine is in it. KIA bulletin WTY039 Vehicle is overheating, coolant is bubbling

NHTSA ID
11731432
Incident
Jun 5, 2025
Engine
Filed Apr 14, 2026

There was an unusual amount of oil "slug" created by the engine which caused the engine to be inoperable. Therefore, we had to replace the engine.

NHTSA ID
11731057
Incident
Apr 4, 2022
Electrical
Filed Apr 14, 2026

The sliding door located on the driver's side / left side behind the driver's seat will not close completely which causes an alert/warning to be displayed that the door is still open. The door slides on the track but will not close completely. You must apply pressure as it closes to turn of the warning light.

NHTSA ID
11731053
Incident
Jan 8, 2024

Manufacturer communications

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

CS2312_TSB_R2

STRUCTURE:BODY

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR AND DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2312) - 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 to install a Theft Deterrent Ignition Cylinder Protector on certain 2010-2022MY Kia vehicles outlined on page 20, which may not have been equipped with an immobilizer and whose Integrated Body Control Unit (IBU) / Body Control Module (BCM) did receive the Anti-Theft Software Logic upgrade under CS2301/02/03/04/05/06/07/08/09 TSBs. In an effort to help prevent thefts of Kia vehicles, a protective cover will be permanently affixed to the ignition cylinder. This Theft Deterrent Ignition Cylinder Protector prevents the removal of the key lock cylinder thereby preventing access to the ignition tumbler.

WTY026_TSB_R2

ENGINE

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: OIL PRESSURE SWITCH (OPS) REPLACEMENT (WTY026 REVISION 2) - 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 regarding the replacement of the Oil Pressure Switch associated with the ‘Warranty Extension Program’ (WTY026) on some 2014-2018MY vehicles listed in the table below, for repairs that may be necessary to address an Oil Pressure Switch leak in the eligible vehicles listed below from 10 years/100,000 miles to 15 years/150,000 miles, whichever comes first, starting from the date the vehicle was first put into service. This warranty extension is to address the Oil Pressure Switch leaking condition at no cost to the customers during this extended warranty period.

TSB_CS2312_R1

STRUCTURE:BODY

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR AND DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2312) - 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 to install a Theft Deterrent Ignition Cylinder Protector on certain 2010-2022MY Kia vehicles outlined on page 20, which may not have been equipped with an immobilizer and whole Integrated Body control Unit (IBU) / Body Control Module (BCM) did receive the Ant-Theft Software Logic upgrade under CS2301/02/03/04/05/06/07/08/09 TSBs. In an effort to help prevent thefts of Kia vehicles, a protective cover will be permanently affixed to the ignition cylinder. This Theft Deterrent Ignition Cylinder Protector prevents the removal of the key lock cylinder thereby preventing access to the ignition tumbler.

TSB_CS2312

STRUCTURE:BODY

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR AND DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2312) - This bulletin provides information to install a Theft Deterrent Ignition Cylinder Protector on certain 2010-2022MY Kia vehicles outlined on page 19, which may not have been equipped with an immobilizer and whose Integrated Body Control Unit (IBU) / Body Control Module (BCM) did receive the Anti-Theft Software Logic upgrade under CS2301/02/03/04/05/06/07/08/09 TSBs. In an effort to help prevent thefts of Kia vehicles, a protective cover will be permanently affixed to the ignition cylinder. This Theft Deterrent Ignition Cylinder Protector prevents the removal of the key lock cylinder thereby preventing access to the ignition tumbler.

CS2312_OWNR

STRUCTURE:BODY

CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (CS2312) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting Customer Satisfaction Campaign. A software upgrade that addresses the social media theft method has been made available to owners of eligible Kia model vehicles free of charge at authorized Kia dealers since 2023. In addition to the anti-theft software, a new zinc-reinforced ignition cylinder protector hardware upgrade has been developed and can be installed at the ignition cylinder location to provide additional protection against the social media theft method. Because the subject Kia vehicles were not factory-equipped with an engine immobilizer and were previously eligible for the software upgrade, these vehicles are eligible until March 31, 2027, to have the ignition cylinder protector installed—if requested—at no cost through an authorized Kia dealership. (Mailing of these notifications to vehicle owners will be completed from December 17, 2025 through February 27, 2026)

PS797

BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS

PITSTOP: TECHNICAL OPERATIONS: EXTERNAL DAMAGE TO ULTRASONIC SENSOR: This Pitstop provides information related to Parking Distance Warning (PDW) alerts and repairs involving ultrasonic sensors. The PDW system alerts the driver while parking, by calculating distance based on the difference in signal transmission and reception times between the vehicle (ultrasonic sensor) and an object. The membrane film of the ultrasonic sensor is used for object detention and can be damaged by stone chips or foreign substances while driving. Damage to the cover of the ultrasonic sensor can also lead to damage to the internal circuit. As a result of this external damage, the PDW system may not receive the proper signal from the ultrasonic sensor. In some cases, the system may cause a false alarm, no alert, or phantom warnings by a “Warning Lamp’ to be displayed on the cluster. The ultrasonic sensor membrane film should be always inspected for external damage and if any part replacement should be treated as a general repair, not as a warranty claim repair for this concern. (Please note that this Pitstop only applies to models/trims that are equipped with the ultrasonic sensors.)

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—
2020201040.7
2019382060.2
2018483058.5
2017Viewing1344059.2
20162964166.6
20151383055.6
2014391152.3
2013010—
20121075159.2
2011656161.0
2010325063.2
2009485055.2
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.