2016 Kia Sedona problems
The Kia Carnival (Korean: 기아 카니발) is a minivan manufactured by Kia since 1998. It was marketed globally under various nameplates, prominently as the Kia Sedona.
The first generation Carnival was introduced in January 1998, and was marketed in a single, short wheelbase version. Second generation models were marketed (2006–2014) in short and long wheelbase variants. A rebadged variant of the second generation was offered in North America as the Hyundai Entourage (2007–2009). Beginning in 2010, the second generation model received updated equipment, including Kia's corporate Tiger Nose grille, as introduced by its then new design chief, Peter Schreyer. Kia introduced its third generation minivan in 2014, solely in a long wheelbase format. The fourth generation was introduced in 2020, when Kia also began using the Carnival nameplate worldwide.
First generation (KV-II; 1998)
The first generation model was manufactured and marketed differently for specific regions, including under a joint venture in the Chinese market with Dongfeng Yueda Kia, as well as the Naza Ria in Malaysia.
In Indonesia and the Philippines, both Carnival/Sedona names were used. Initially introduced as the Carnival in 2001, from 2003 onwards, it was renamed as the Sedona.
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Common 2016 Kia Sedona problems
The 2016 Kia Sedona has been associated with several common problems, primarily related to the engine, transmission, and electrical system.
- Transmission Issues: Transmission problems have been reported in the 2016 Kia Sedona, with some owners experiencing issues with the transmission not shifting correctly and requiring replacement within a short period of time. These issues have been reported even while the vehicle is still under warranty.
- Electrical System Failures: Electrical concerns are the most prevalent NHTSA issues regarding the 2016 Sedona, with complaints about turn signals not responding correctly and headlights abruptly going off, significantly increasing the likelihood of a nighttime collision.
- Expensive Repair Costs: The cost of repairs for the 2016 Kia Sedona has been a concern for some owners, with some reporting expensive repair costs for various issues.
- Oil Burning: Some 2016 Kia Sedona owners have reported that the vehicle burns oil quickly, requiring frequent oil top-ups.
- Factory Defect: There have been reports of a factory defect in the 2016 Kia Sedona, with some owners experiencing sudden and unexplained engine failure, even while the vehicle is still under warranty.
- Headlamp Problems: Some owners have reported issues with headlamps not lighting up after installation, despite the fuses appearing to be in order.
- Power Sliding Door Issues: The power sliding door in some 2016 Kia Sedonas has been reported to not shut properly, requiring expensive repairs.
- Entertainment System Issues: The entertainment system in some 2016 Kia Sedonas has been reported to have issues, with the remote no longer being available for purchase.
- Transmission Noise: Some owners have reported noisy transmission issues in their 2016 Kia Sedonas, which can be particularly noticeable during the first hour of driving.
- Throttle Body Replacement: Some 2016 Kia Sedona owners have reported having to replace the throttle body in their vehicles, often within the first 44,000 miles.
- Grinding Noises: Some owners have reported hearing grinding noises in their 2016 Kia Sedonas, which can be a sign of transmission problems.
These issues have contributed to the 2016 Kia Sedona being listed as one of the years to avoid for the model, with expensive repair costs and electrical and turn signal failures being the most prevalent concerns.
Are there any recalls on a 2016 Kia Sedona?
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016 Sedona and Sorento vehicles. The vehicles may have been manufactured with faulty automatic transmission shift lever assembly components, preventing the shift lever from locking, which can allow the vehicle to rollaway.
Is the Kia Sedona reliable?
The severity of repairs is low, and these issues are less frequent than average, so the Sedona is one of the more reliable vehicles on the road.
How many miles can a 2016 Kia Sedona last?
There's a good reason why the Sedona has lasted for decades – it combines quality, value, and overall reliability. And that reliability has successfully translated well into the Kia Sedona's lifespan. With that said, a well-maintained Kia Sedona can typically last between 200,000 to 300,000 miles.
Do Kia Sedona's have transmission problems?
If you don't routinely and always change your fluids at least every 30,000 miles or so, you may find that your Kia Sedona transmission will quickly slip.
2016 Kia Sedona car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Kia Sedona problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Engine problems
- Electrical system problems
- Exterior lighting problems
- Unknown or other problems
- Structure problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2016 Kia Sedona vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Latest 25 complaints 2016 Kia Sedona
The NHTSA has received 211 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2016 Kia Sedona. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 2016 Kia Sedona vehicles.
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-02
- VIN: KNDMB5C14G6
- Components: POWER TRAIN,ENGINE
- Summary: I continued to loose engine oil at a rapid speed. Oil loss was excessive for the amount of driving.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-22
- VIN: KNDMB5C11G6
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: Air conditioning became less cool over the summer. Early October 2024, slight rattling noise heard in engine on acceleration. Approximately a week later, the battery died and was replaced. In the following days, rattling noise became louder and also heard a tapping sound. No warning lights, check engine light, etc. Taken to a local mechanic who inspected and informed us the timing chain is nearly completely worn and it has rubbed a hole in the side of the engine. A complete engine replacement is needed!
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-01
- VIN: KNDME5C16G6
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: Engine is completely shot. I make all oil changes on time and the engine failed. It was burning oil. Only 111k miles.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-01
- VIN: KNDMB5C14G6
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: Car seemed to be running as normal except for a slight rattle sometimes when starting. No warning lights, overheating etc. After listening to radio while parked, Car acted as if battery was dead. AAA couldn't get it started. Had it towed to dealership and was told it was a catastrophic engine failure.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-15
- VIN: KNDMC5C11G6
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: Car would not accelerate while driving, while this did not cause an accident in this incident there was definitely the potential for that outcome. Upon inspecting the vehicle, found the vehicle was low on oil by 4 quarts, and no warning lights were on indicating there was a problem with the vehicle. Monitored the vehicle over the next several days to determine if there were any visible oil leaks and there was not. Further inspection by the dealership confirmed there was no visible oil leak and was followed by an oil consumption test by the dealership. Dealership determine that 2 quarts of oil were consumed by the engine over the course of 1,000 mile which is indicates a failure of the test and problems within the engine.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-21
- VIN: KNDMB5C14G6
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: Engine Seized
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-23
- VIN: KNDMB5C18G6
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: Car has bad oil leak Defective GDI engine which instantly stalled out while driving Car also has bad coolant leak, warped head gasket seal Smell of gas from top of the engine block
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-30
- VIN: KNDME5C15G6
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: On [XXX], my vehicle overheated and started to leek coolant. This happened while driving at about 65 MPH with my family. No check engine lights came up just noted that the HVAC started to blow hot air and then the vehicle shutdown making difficult to break. I remembered that received a letter from Kia on May 26, 2014 that extended the warranty to 15 years / 180,000 miles for this type of issues - warranty number WYT039. I took it to a Kia dealership in Puerto Rico to get service and they diagnose the vehicle with the same issue as stated in the letter. However, Kia claims that they can't do the work because it is in Puerto Rico and I will have to take to USA mainland. I argue that federal law covers Puerto Rico for Safety Recalls and Warranty information and that they can discriminate for this. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-13
- Fire: 1
- VIN: KNDMB5C17G6
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
- Summary: What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The vehicle's engine and electrical system appear to have failed, resulting in a fire originating from the engine compartment. The vehicle is currently at a salvage yard and available for inspection upon request. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The fire occurred while my wife was picking up our children from school. Fortunately, they were able to exit the vehicle safely, but the incident posed a significant risk to their safety and could have resulted in severe injury or death. The vehicle was completely engulfed in flames and is now unusable. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? The specific issue leading to the fire has not yet been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or service center. However, the vehicle had been previously serviced by Gilman Honda on March 12, 2024, due to a loud grinding noise and issues with the air conditioning, for which I was charged $855. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? The vehicle has not yet been inspected by Kia or any other manufacturer representative. I have opened a case with Kia, and they are aware of the incident and have expressed interest in inspecting the vehicle. My insurance company has been informed, but they have not inspected the vehicle. The vehicle has not been inspected by the police. Were there any warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? There were no warning lights or messages indicating a potential problem immediately before the fire. However, the vehicle had been experiencing intermittent grinding noises and air conditioning malfunctions, which were brought to the attention of the service department on March 12, 2024.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-10
- VIN: KNDMB5C11G6
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: On May 10, 2024 my van all of sudden started to jerk, stall and then die. My husband was able to make it to the side of the road before it died, but barely. There was no warning, no oil pressure lights, no engine lights nothing. It was running fine and then it wasn't. We took it to a shop because Valley Kia of Modesto was slammed. The mechanic at the shop told us we needed to make sure there was oil in the vehicle as there was none. I told them that I'm always keeping up with my oil. They repaired it and it cost close to $3,000. Then one month later on September 8, 2024. my husband and I are driving and out of the blue this time it starts to make a clinking noise, stall and die on us. It died on the highway and my husband was able to keep it rolling to the side of the road. Again, no warning, no oil pressure light, no signal light, no warning at all. Once we are safe, my husband checks the oil, there is none in the engine. We had only drove 2,446 miles in total from when we picked up the van from the shop on August 6th. From August 6th to September 8th and only 2,446 miles later all of of the oil the mechanic put in the van was gone. I took it to Valley KIA of Modesto and they tried to say it was the other mechanic's fault. I explained that there is an underlying issue with the vehicle causing it to use up so much oil and no warning or anything. There was never any oil leaks under the vehicle, oil leaking out of the engine, or smoke coming out of the tailpipe. Nothing to indicate something was wrong. Now they tell me I need a new engine and is not willing to admit that there is an extended warranty on the oil pressure switch due to it malfunctioning. They did admit that they can tell the check engine light is not registering that the engine is bad or showing any indication it's not running right. Now I have a KIA Sedona that needs a new engine due to faulty sensors and some other underlying issue of extreme oil consumption.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-04
- VIN: KNDMB5C19G6
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: The vehicle suddenly uses all the oil and the engine locks up with no warning. No lights or guages alert the driver/owner.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-06-13
- VIN: KNDMB5C12G6
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: My car started over heating, took it to dealer, they said I had a blown head gasket. Since it isn't covered under warranty, they said I had to pre-approve a $2700 motor teardown in order to see if there were any other problems. Thank goodness there were, the head bolts separated. The engine was covered under dealership extended warranty since I bought it used from a Hyundai dealer.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-02-01
- VIN: KNDMB5C17G6
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: The turn signals do not work properly. Has I attempt to turn left my right blinker turns on, otherwise none of the blinkers work and blowing my rear light bulbs. I addressed this to the dealer however any dealer or mechanic wants to charge me to look into this. As I was reviewing my cars history it has been noted as a manufacturing issues and failure to repair this defect. I purchased this Kia sadoma without being told this was an issue. It seems that the transmission gear li lage issue was not addressed or repaired on my car either. I was not made aware of this issue either. After a year of ownership I only knew of this after reviewing my car history through a database. Now I am very mad and unhappy with the fact that I am driving a vehicle not working properly and everyone wants to charge me a ton of money knowing this is a manufacturing fault issue.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-07
- VIN: KNDMB5C12G6
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: My van has 126k miles and regularly gets an oil change. We are the original owners and haven't had any issues with it either. As I was driving up hill, I realized I was losing acceleration power. Where i should be going faster than 65 mph, I was barely going 40. The outside weather was around 100 degrees and I'd already been driving for an hour. I glanced at the other things on my dash. My coolant meter was straight up, so that didn't flag an issue either. I started to switch lanes to get to the shoulder. As I did, my check engine and oil light flashed on for my van to then turn off. When I tried to start it, it clicked with no ignition. I don't know if there was smoke behind my car or if it was me turning up dirt when I pulled over, but there was a pop sound. It wasnt like a backfire. When i got out, I could smell a burned smell outside my van. There wasn't anything dripping from the bottom of my van either. A person who stopped to help checked my battery and it was fine. When it got towed to my house ($400), another person was surprised with a gummy residue in my oil tank. There are holes punched all over the bottom of my engine, but there is no oil anywhere. They said the engine should be covered with it or there should be oil splatter somewhere. Talking with the KIA dealership, they said it 75% doesn't sound like a recall, and I would have to tow it there at my expense for them to check, too. How can there be no warning of any issue if this isn't tied to the recall? We are now debating on if we want to spend another $400+ to tow it and then again to bring it back if they aren't going to cover the cost of the engine.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-02-10
- VIN: KNDMB5C17G6
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: In February 2024, while driving on the highway, the van overheated causing us to pull over. Upon opening the hood, it was found that coolant was boiling in the reservoir. After letting the vehicle cool down, I began driving it again. Once back on the highway I heard a loud pop followed by smoke. I immediately pulled over. Coolant had sprayed all over the exterior of the van. When trying to tow the vehicle, it was found that it wouldn’t start. The vehicle was towed home and sat until we received the recall from Kia at the end of May/beginning of June. Once the recall was received and we noticed the symptoms of the recall matched those of our van, we scheduled a diagnostic appointment with MidWest Kia in Wichita, KS. We received news from the dealership that Kia declined the request for repair due to hoses being broken and according to them, they are not covered by this warranty extension in the recall. We started researching and found that faulty head gaskets(the reason for the recall) can cause hoses to deteriorate and even break. We contacted Kia Motors and talked with them about this. They still denied the claim. The cost of the repair would be over $10,000. Ki has records of the phone calls made to appeal.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-09
- VIN: KNDMB5C12G6
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sedona. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware that the turn signal was not operating as designed. The contact stated that the turn signal was activating on the opposite side of the turn signal desired. There were no warning lights illuminated. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-05
- VIN: KNDMB5C15G6
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: Headlight don't turn on even with new bulbs. Break light fill with water and stop working.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-30
- VIN: KNDMC5C11G6
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: My family was driving 45 minutes away to a wedding rehearsal when I started to hear a clicking in the engine, like it was running rough. There was no warning lights on the dash but it sounded like it might be out of oil. We were far from home and no service centers nearby so we went directly home after. The sound progressed into a loud knocking noise and sounded really rough. Once we arrived home, I was able to check the oil and found out it was completely empty. I added 5 quarts of oil to the engine, but it was still making an extremely loud noise. I had it towed to a mechanic the next morning and they told me the engine was shot and beyond repair. They said this is a known problem with Kia engines and that the 4 cylinder engines were recalled but not the 6 cylinder engines. I had no choice but to spend almost $6,000 getting the engine replaced and it seems there is a premium on these engines due to the demand for them. I never thought it would run out of oil considering my last oil change was 3 months ago. There was no warning lights or anything to tell me there was a major problem. The mechanic said if I drove it for a few more minutes, the engine would have completely seized and we would have been stranded. Its frustrating to hear that this issue is known by so many but nothing has been done to correct the issue or reimburse those who were affected by this major issue.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-06-22
- VIN: KNDMB5C18G6
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: Purchased used minivan and several months after purchase was driving on highway and engine power dramatically decreased, check engine light flashed. Pulled over and engine oil had completely drained. Took to mechanic who said engine failed. Kia will not do anything. This seems to be a common issue. I am stuck with a car with blown engine and no recourse. Kia has recalled lots of engines but even though this one is a known problem they are not taking responsibility.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-03-26
- VIN: KNDMB5C15G6
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: 1. Excessive oil consumption. The oil was completely burned out at the time of my oil change. (3,000 miles/ 3 months) 2. The Engine Oil Level Warning Light fails to illuminate if the engine oil level is too low for the vehicle to operate safety and efficiently.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-01
- VIN: KNDME5C11G6
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: Had van since new oil changed on time check engine light came on for cam shaft sensor crank sensor replaced all sensors and van still runs like crap ive been told by many shops to take to dealer and tell them… there are many other cars with same motor getting recalls but this van doesnt get any??? Can you help us out… the van well taken care of and taken to dealers for oil and tires and etc they never state nothing wrong
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-01
- VIN: KNDMB5C18G6
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: Engine shut off while driving with no warnings. All oil burned up and engine failure. Family in the vehicle very dangerous driving on highway. It just suddenly died.
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-03
- VIN: KNDMC5C17G6
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: Door is grinding and not latching on the power sliding door. Does not stop closing when something is in the way as well.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-06-06
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- VIN: KNDMC5C15G6
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
- Summary: The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed at night going downhill, the headlights to the vehicle shut off inadvertently and the contact to almost struck a pedestrian. The contact stated that the vehicle struck a curb, and he became disoriented. The air bags had not deployed. A Police report was filed by the Sacramento Police Department. The contact later sought medical attention with their primary care physician. The contact also stated that the rear driver’s side sliding door failed to lock or unlock. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who was not able to diagnose the vehicle. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-06-17
- VIN: KNDMB5C11G6
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: KIA SEDONAS HAVE KNOWN HEADGASKET ENGINE COOLANT LEAK ISSUE THAT CAN RESULT IN ENGINE FAILURE AND IS DANGEROUS. ENGINE COOLANT LEAK HAD BEEN CONFIRMED BY SMELL INITIALLY, AS WELL AS WHITE SMOKE, LOW COOLANT IN RESERVOIR. THEN TOOK TO 2 SEPARATE MECHANICS WHO BOTH VERIFIED ENGINE COOLANT LEAK. FIRST SAID DID NOT FIX THESE. THE 2ND MECHANIC REFUSED TO FIX DUE TO DIFFICULTY REMOVING THIS PARTICULAR ENGINE TO REPAIR, WOULD NOT TOUCH IT. GOT LETTER IN THE MAIL FROM KIA DIRECTLY SAYING "WARRANTY EXTENSION ON 2015-2016 KIA SEDONAS WITH ENGINE COOLANT LEAK" "TAKE TO DEALER IF ABOVE SYMPTOMS, AND WILL BE DIAGNOSED AT NO COST, FIXED AT NO COST ETC"... KIA OF ASHEVILLE, NC DEALER, WANTED MONEY TO DIAGNOSE DESPITE SHOWING LETTER. PAID THEM. THEY VERIFIED ENGINE COOLANT LEAK W RELATIONSHIP TO HEADGASKETS. NOW WANTS APPROX $1000 TO "LOOK INTO IT MORE" AND KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE IS NOT SUPPORTING DEALER TO FIX THIS KNOWN ISSUE WITH 2015-2016 KIA SEDONAS REGARDING COOLANT LEAK. MY ENGINE COULD HAVE CAUGHT FIRE OR SEIZED IF I HAD NOT BEEN SO CAREFUL WITH IT AND IMMEDIATELY STOPPED DRIVING. I HAVE EVIDENCE VERIFYING THIS FROM INDEPENDENT MECHANICS AS WELL AS KIA. THERE IS A SERIOUS RISK OF DEATH OF DRIVING THESE VEHICLES, WHERE A MAJOR RECALL NEEDS TO HAPPEN IMMEDIATELY. WITHOUT COOLANT, LOOSE HEADGASKETS, ENGINES OVERHEAT AND GET DESTROYED AND MINE HAPPENED SUDDENLY, AND LUCKILY I WAS NOT ON THE INTERSTATE. WELCH AUTOMOTIVE FRANKLIN NC WAS THE FIRST MECHANIC TO DIAGNOSE, THEN STAMEY PERFROMANCE FRANKLIN NC WAS THE SECOND ONE TO CONFIRM, PARAMOUNT KIA ASHEVILLE NC WAS THE MOST RECENT ONE WHO STILL HAS IT AND NOW IS TRYING TO GIVE IT BACK WITHOUT FIXING..... ODDLY ENOUGH THEY RECALLED THE 2015-2016 SORENTOS WITH THE SAME MOTOR AND ISSUES, BUT NOT SEDONAS...... I CAN ADD DIAGNOSIS FROM WELCH AND STAMEY PERFORMANCE AS WELL IF NEEDED, BUT THIS IS KIA SAYING THE HEADGASKET COOLANT LEAK FROM THEIR OWN MECHANIC. ALSO HAVE MORE EVIDENCE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS. THANK YOU!!
2016 Kia Sedona recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 4 recalls for different components of the 2016 Kia Sedona.
- Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
- Components: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
- Summary: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016 Sedona and Sorento vehicles. The vehicles may have been manufactured with faulty automatic transmission shift lever assembly components, preventing the shift lever from locking, which can allow the vehicle to rollaway.
- Consequence: A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash and injury.
- Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the automatic transmission shift lever assembly components, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 7, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC246.
- Manufacturer: Kia Motors America
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: A turn signal activating in the opposite direction of what was intended by the driver increases the risk of a crash.
- 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.
- Manufacturer: Kia Motors America
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: 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.
- 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.
- Manufacturer: Kia Motors America
- Components: STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
- Summary: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Kia Sedona vehicles equipped with a power sliding door (PSD). The PSD may not auto-reverse when its closing is obstructed.
- Consequence: If the door closes on an occupant, there is an increased risk of an injury.
- Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the PSD module software, free of charge. The recall began on June 18, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC164.
Negative 2016 Kia Sedona car reviews
Positive 2016 Kia Sedona car reviews
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At 26K now and still very pleased. The mini van has performed very well. I really enjoy the comfort, room, and features. There was only one warranty repair to the brakes at 11K, otherwise just routine maintenance. At 68,000, I can confidently say that this is a terrific vehicle!
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Hi there! I wanted to share my experience with my van. I bought it with 33,000 miles for $17k and it's been a great ride so far! The car drives smoothly, performs well and is very comfortable. The only downside is the audio system, but that's a minor issue. We did have to replace both motors for the sliding doors due to a recall, but thankfully it was taken care of. When we bought it last year, consumer reports gave it a reliability rating of 5/5, but now it's rated as 3/5. However, I'm happy to report that we've had no issues with it at 50k miles! We even upgraded to Michelin Defender tires and they've been fantastic. I'll keep you updated on how it goes. Thanks for reading!
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We recently purchased the 2016 Sedona SX with the entertainment package and some other options. It has a bolder stance and looks cooler than other minivans we drove. The ride is the quietest of all minivans we tested. It has tons of features, including cooled seats and a great navigation system. With three children, it's easy to get in and out of, and the memory driver seat is perfect for my wife and me, who are of different heights. This minivan has too many awesome features to list. We bought it mainly as an extra vehicle for vacation road trips. The only downside is that it may take some time to figure out all the technology it has. I predict that this will be the number one minivan on the market once people give Kia the opportunity. We also have a Kia Optima SXL, which has been perfect in all ways. I will follow up in a few months. Update: after 6 months and only 2995 miles, it has been amazing! The highway mpg is great at 25-26. Our three kids watch the built-in DVD with wireless headsets and then play on Xbox 360 while my wife and I can listen to music and talk! Kia did an awesome job designing this minivan for families! We are very pleased with this purchase. My wife needed a very safe minivan with technology, and this was by far the best on the market! She doesn't drive much, just the kids to school and around our area for shopping. At first, she thought it was a little too big, but with the cameras, she just loves it. I like it so much that I may sell my Optima SXL and buy another for myself. Update after 1 year: This has been an incredible minivan from day one. It is super quiet while driving with very little road noise if any. We have taken it on several road trips, and I'm amazed that it gets 26 mpg on the highway! We still enjoy all of the technology and most of all the safety features.We love driving our Sedona SX minivan! It has been a great vehicle for us. We have taken it on several road trips and it has always performed well. The highway MPG is consistently good at 24-26, although the city MPG could be better. We have had to replace the motors in the power doors, but thankfully it was covered by the warranty. Overall, we highly recommend the Sedona SX. It looks and drives like new, and we plan on keeping it for the long haul. We are also considering buying another Kia for our next vehicle. Thank you, Kia, for building such a reliable and stylish minivan!
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This is definitely the best family vehicle we have ever owned! It is incredibly spacious with ample storage. We absolutely adore the front console, and our kids are thrilled with the captain's chairs. On our last road trip, it got fantastic mileage and handled snowy and icy conditions with ease. The only downside, if you can even call it that, is that Kia doesn't offer a stock DVD/Entertainment system. However, we made do with our portable devices. The Sedona was much more affordable than its competitors, making it an excellent purchase overall. Seriously, parents, if you're deciding between a van and an SUV (like I was), this vehicle will far exceed your expectations with its style, comfortable seating, great mileage, ample storage, and lower insurance rates. Happy shopping!
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The Sedona is a dream for anyone with small kids. Compared to my previous 2015 Dodge Journey, it's a luxury ride. The Sedona has ample room and it's easy to get my kids in and out of their car seats. The air conditioning works excellently in the back seats, which is crucial for me since I live in Phoenix, AZ. We have the 8 passenger model, so we never need to have the rear seats up, leaving us with plenty of cargo room. It rides smoothly, handles nicely, and is very comfortable. Although I had to replace one of the motors on the rear sliding door (mine is a 2016 with 18,000 miles), it was covered under warranty. Without a warranty, it would have been over $1,000 at the dealership I went to. The sound system is not the best quality and there is no navigation or power lift-gate (which I feel should be standard on a minivan). All in all, my husband and I were those people that said we would never drive a minivan, yet we are both bummed we didn't purchase this before we wasted money on the Dodge.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2016 Kia Sedona problems:
2016 Sedona reliability over time....? | Kia Forum
Mar 19, 2021 ... When I purchased it back in 2019, consumer reports had it rated as 'extremely reliable'. Now they have it rated as 'average' for reliability and ...
2016 Kia Sedona Problems and Complaints - 5 Issues
Problem with your 2016 Kia Sedona? Our list of 5 known complaints reported by owners can help you fix your 2016 Kia Sedona.
2016 Kia Sedona Problems | Kelley Blue Book
How reliable is the 2016 Kia Sedona? See the most common repairs performed and learn if your vehicle is at risk for major repairs in the next 12 months.
Any reason NOT to buy a newer (2016+) Kia Sedona? Also would ...
Mar 27, 2023 ... Engine: Decent, some issues with head studs pulling out on the v6 but while known, not common. Ignition: buy one with a smart key/push button ...
Kia Sedona Reliability and Common Problems - In The Garage with ...
5 days ago ... 2002-2012, 2014, and 2016 Kia Sedonas may exhibit abnormal startup noises, which may set in at around 90,000 miles. Some owners have described ...
Other years of Kia Sedona
Are you having problems with your 2016 Kia Sedona?
Ernesto Harber 2024-10-29
Although we are sorry to hear about your negative experience, we would like to assure you that this is not a common occurrence. We take pride in the quality of our vehicles and stand behind their performance. We recommend bringing your van to one of our certified service centers for a thorough inspection and any necessary repairs. Thank you for bringing this to our attention.
Tomas McLaughlin 2024-10-15
Regarding the sales reps, they were welcoming. However, my experience with the KIA vehicles has not been satisfactory. My husband purchased a 2016 KIA Sedona less than a year ago, and it has required frequent servicing. The vehicle was infested with ants when we received it, and despite bringing it to the dealer's attention, nothing was done. Additionally, the tailgate leaked water, and it took multiple visits to the service center to resolve the issue. As a result, the van now has a musty smell. The service center also scratched the tailgate, but they were unable to fix it during my visit. After a month, the navigation screen was pushed in from one side and popping out from the other side, which was resolved by tightening some screws. The DVD player also malfunctioned, and it was discovered that some screws were loose, preventing it from opening. Recently, the traction light came on, and the brakes made a cracking sound and jammed up, requiring the replacement of the hubs. Overall, I am disappointed with the quality of the vehicle and the service provided by KIA. I do not plan to purchase a KIA again or recommend it to others. I believe that KIA needs to prioritize their customer service and compensate me for the inconvenience caused by the numerous visits to the service center.I have identified an issue with the interior lights of the Kia Sedona van. As a result, I am concerned about the safety of driving this vehicle.
Uriah Smitham 2024-04-17
Despite having all the options, this Sedona has been the worst car we have ever owned. We put on 17K miles in just over a year, mostly on the highway, but unfortunately, when we went to trade it in at a Kia dealer, we lost over $15K in value. We were hoping to trade back to a Sorento, which we had before trading it in for this vehicle. However, based on our experience with this Sedona, we would not consider owning another one.
Jayden Littel 2024-01-28
We owned our Sedona for a month but unfortunately, we quickly grew tired of it and eventually replaced it. Initially, we purchased it because it was more current than the Grand Caravan and more affordable, better driving, with a better second row solution than the Odyssey. However, we later discovered some important missing safety features that we regretted not checking for, such as NO third row LATCH connectors and no daytime running lights (DRLs). It was disappointing to find out that DRLs were not standard on the Sedona, despite being standard on most cars today. The dealer even tried to lie to us and tell us that parking lights were DRLs. It was frustrating to find out that a FAMILY van was missing third row latch connectors, especially when even the aging Grand Caravan has them as standard. We had the LX model with the Convenience Package, which was not a cheap van, yet it had a very small center 4.3