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.
11
Latest Jul 2, 2026
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.
23%
of 48 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.
1
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 2018 Kia Sedona submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 11 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
Electrical
Filed Jul 2, 2026
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that the air bag and the check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle failed to start and was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with alternator failure; however, the battery was replaced. Additionally, the contact stated that after his wife had pulled into the driveway, the instrument panel turned blank, and the driver noticed smoke coming from under the hood. The driver turned off the vehicle, and the vehicle cooled down. The contact stated that upon attempting to restart the vehicle later in the evening, the vehicle failed to start. The contact opened the hood and noticed that unknown parts had melted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who informed the contact that the battery terminals and an unknown control module had melted due to an electrical failure; however, the vehicle had not yet been diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
NHTSA ID
11747931
Incident
Jan 2, 2026
Mileage
90,000 mi
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Jul 10, 2024
I was driving my 2018 Kia Sedona on [XXX]. I had all 4 of my kids with me in the van, I heard a click, click, click, then the car went dark, in the middle of the road no warning nothing. There was no light or anything that came on as a warning. It just died. It was scary to go through that with my kiddos. We are devastated as the car is only 6yrs old and it wont work at all. Had it towed to my local auto shop. They said the engine is defective and needs to be replaced. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA ID
11601005
Incident
Jul 4, 2024
AirbagsElectricalInterior & seats
Filed Jun 7, 2023
I have the air bag indicator light and the diagnostic codes consistent with NHTSA Campaign Number 19V109, Kia Recall Number SC175. The recall mentions the wiring harness being damaged and my harness is damaged, with two wires severed. However, because my vehicle was manufactured 2 months after the recall cutoff date, Kia believes this recall does not pertain to my vehicle. I believe otherwise.
NHTSA ID
11525832
Incident
May 23, 2023
Mileage
106,700 mi
AirbagsBody & structureElectrical
Filed Feb 10, 2023
Crash reported1 injury reported
My Daughter was driving my Kia Sedona Van - distracted and on wet roads ran into a firehydrant and pole. During the accident, the Air Bags did not employ. The Passenger fell forward and broke the windshield with her head, leading to a Concucussion. We are thankful for two Children who are alive after this accident. We are disappointed tho that the airbags didnt protect our child more.
NHTSA ID
11506536
Incident
Jan 27, 2023
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine
Filed Jun 30, 2022
Fire reported
Our 2018 Kia Sedona SXL caught on fire in the engine compartment while driving. IT almost killed my wife (driver) and my 4 year old son. Car had been driven only 2 blocks after picking up my son from daycare. The car started to produce black smoke incessantly from the engine compartment that made visibility almost impossible. Bystandards were waving with their arms up and trying to warn my wife and she managed to stop in a parking lot and run away with my son. Car got very hot. Despite of keeping regular maintenance, car has had a myriad of issues: electrical components going off and not working anymore (cruise control, rear view camera, navigation system), booming sound from air conditioner like an old airplane is inside the cabin..etc.There were no warning lights suggesting any problem before car caught on fire. Please help.
NHTSA ID
11471701
Incident
Jun 29, 2022
Electrical
Filed Feb 13, 2021
RADIO AND REAR CAMERA NOT WORKING
NHTSA ID
11396091
Incident
Dec 25, 2020
Electrical
Filed Jan 29, 2021
2018NKIA SADONA HAVING ISSUES STARTING UP AFTER SITTING OVER NIGHT GET IN TRY TO START NO START BUT LIGHTS ON DASH TURN ON ENGINE NO CRANK. AFTER DOING ON AND OFF LOCK UNLOCK IT TENDS TO START .. CANNOT CHECK WHAT'S GOING ON DUE TO INTERMITTING ISSUES OVER LONG PERIODS OF TIME. ITS NOT ALL THE TIME SOME TIMES.
NHTSA ID
11390707
Incident
Jan 7, 2021
Electrical
Filed Aug 16, 2020
VEHICLE DIES IF NOT DRIVEN FOR 5-6 DAYS. I BELIEVE THIS IS RELATED TO AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE IN THE PASSENGER SIDE SLIDING DOOR AS THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN IF YOU DON'T USE THE SLIDING DOOR. POTENTIALLY RELATED TO RECALL 18V338000. VEHICLE HAS HAD 3 NEW BATTERIES, SO NOT AN ISSUE WITH THE BATTERY. VEHICLE DIED AT THE DEALERSHIP AFTER BEING PARKED WITHOUT USE FOR 5 DAYS. DEALERSHIP CANNOT DIAGNOSE ISSUE, AND SAYS THE ANSWER IS TO DRIVE THE VAN EVERY DAY. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES FOR THIS ISSUE WITHOUT A RESOLUTION.
NHTSA ID
11349652
Incident
Aug 9, 2020
Mileage
14,750 mi
BrakesElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Nov 11, 2019
THIS IS [XXX] MY PHONE NUMBER [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ID
11279424
Incident
Oct 1, 2019
Electrical
Filed Nov 1, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SLIDING DOOR WOULD OPEN AND CLOSE ON ITS OWN. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BILL COLE AUTOMALL (LOCATED AT 10005 BIG LAUREL HWY, BLUEFIELD, WV 24701, 304-327-0511), BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000.
NHTSA ID
11277470
Incident
Aug 1, 2019
Mileage
9,000 mi
Electrical
Filed May 17, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER SLIDING DOOR SENOR FAILED CAUSING THE CONTACT TO GET TRAPPED BETWEEN THE DOOR. THE FAILURE HAPPENED INTERMITTENTLY. ANCIRA KIA (6139 BANDERA RD, SAN ANTONIO, TX 78238 (210) 509-2913) DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED THE SLIDING DOOR SENOR BUT THE FAILURE REOCCURRED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR A SECOND TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000.
NHTSA ID
11208350
Incident
Oct 2, 2018
Mileage
14,000 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.
Other components reported on this vehicle
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own