What are the most common problems with the 2008 Kia Sedona?

Electrical system complaints lead with 45 reports. Speed control follows with 38, then structure with 25.

Does the 2008 Kia Sedona have recalls?

Yes. The by-year fact lists 5 recalls for 2008. See the Recalls section for the details.

How many complaints does the 2008 Kia Sedona have?

NHTSA has 170 owner complaints on file. They are unverified reports from owners.

What is the gas mileage of the 2008 Kia Sedona?

See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.

Is the 2008 Kia Sedona reliable?

The record shows 170 complaints, led by electrical problems. Read the problems and recalls sections, then compare with other years in the by-year section.

2008 Kia Sedona Problems, Recalls and MPG

NHTSA has 170 owner complaints on file for the 2008 Kia Sedona^[1]. The electrical system is the biggest group, with 45 complaints^[2].

170owner complaints^[1]

5recalls^[3]

18MPG combined (EPA)^[4]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Here are the complaint groups owners raise most, biggest first.

Electrical System. 45 complaints^[2]. Owners describe blown main fuses, a burned fuse box, sensors failing early, sudden stalling and a loss of power steering.
Speed Control. 38 complaints^[5]. In the stories we read, owners describe the van dropping to idle with no throttle response, and cruise control that would not let go when they pressed the brake.
Structure. 25 complaints^[6]. Owners describe power sliding doors that keep closing on hands, open on their own while driving, or refuse to work. Others say the doors freeze shut in cold weather.
Brakes. 20 complaints^[7]. Owners describe warped front discs that were replaced again and again, pulsing pedals, a burning smell and a parking brake that needed repeated adjusting.
Suspension. 15 complaints^[8].
Electronic Stability Control (Esc). 15 complaints^[9].
Exterior Lighting. 15 complaints^[10].
Engine. 12 complaints^[11].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2008 Sedona is necessarily included.

Electrical System (20V088), February 2020. About 228,829 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire, injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[12]
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hood › Latch (16V389), June 2016. About 219,800 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[13]
Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Arm (16V387), June 2016. About 97,884 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[14]
Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Arm (13V550), November 2013. About 79,867 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[15]
Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch (13V114), April 2013. About 980,377 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, reduced braking. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[16]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
Sedona, 3.8L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[4]	16 / 23 / 18	$3,700

Safety ratings

NHTSA lists these versions as not rated: VAN SWB W/SAB FWD^[17], VAN LWB W/SAB FWD^[18].

Engine and size

These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.

Version	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Curb weight
SEDONA 5DR VAN FWD EX^[19]	202 in	78 in	72 in	119 in	4,645 lb
SEDONA 5DR VAN FWD LX^[20]	202 in	78 in	69 in	119 in	4,387 lb

How 2008 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Sedona model year. The 2008 is highlighted^[3].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
2002	248	4
2003	197	5
2004	213	3
2005	185	2
2006	385	7
2007	157	6
2008	170	5
2009	48	5
2010	32	5
2011	65	6
2012	108	5
2014	39	1
2015	139	3
2016	297	4
2017	134	4
2018	49	3
2019	39	2
2020	20	1
2021	10	0

NHTSA's counts for the Sedona show 170 complaints and 5 recalls for 2008^[3]. Among the 19 model years listed, 12 have fewer complaints than 2008 and 6 have more^[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2021 (10) and the most are for 2006 (385)^[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2008 Sedona?

The 2008 Sedona has a long complaint list, with 170 reports on file^[1]. Electrical trouble leads the list^[2], and speed control comes next^[5]. Fires are named in 10 complaints, so those reports deserve a careful look^[1]. The page also shows 5 recalls for this year^[3]. Check the recall section and the repair history before you buy.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Kia Sedona?: Electrical system complaints lead with 45 reports^[2]. Speed control follows with 38^[5], then structure with 25^[6].
Does the 2008 Kia Sedona have recalls?: Yes. The by-year fact lists 5 recalls for 2008^[3]. See the Recalls section for the details.
How many complaints does the 2008 Kia Sedona have?: NHTSA has 170 owner complaints on file^[1]. They are unverified reports from owners.
What is the gas mileage of the 2008 Kia Sedona?: See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.
Is the 2008 Kia Sedona reliable?: The record shows 170 complaints^[1], led by electrical problems^[2]. Read the problems and recalls sections, then compare with other years in the by-year section.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Kia Sedona

2008 this page
2012 108 complaints, 5 recalls
2015 139 complaints, 3 recalls
2016 297 complaints, 4 recalls
2017 134 complaints, 4 recalls
2018 49 complaints, 3 recalls

Compare all model years of the Kia Sedona

All Kia models

Similar cars from 2008: minivans

2008 Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan 302 complaints, 2 recalls
2008 Toyota Sienna 429 complaints, 9 recalls

All minivans we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 170 owner complaints on file for the 2008 Kia Sedona (4 mention a crash, 10 a fire, 2 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
45 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 7 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 72,500). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Kia Sedona model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Sedona, 3.8L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 23 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
38 complaints name the speed control component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 25,000). NHTSA vehicle records
25 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 54,527). NHTSA vehicle records
20 complaints name the brakes component group (1 crashes, 3 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 81,500). NHTSA vehicle records
15 complaints name the suspension component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 88,200). NHTSA vehicle records
15 complaints name the electronic stability control (esc) component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 62,500). NHTSA vehicle records
15 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (0 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 85,566). NHTSA vehicle records
12 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 56,000). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 20V088, filed February 14, 2020: Electrical System. NHTSA recall database
Recall 16V389, filed June 1, 2016: Latches / Locks / Linkages › Hood › Latch. NHTSA recall database
Recall 16V387, filed June 1, 2016: Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Arm. NHTSA recall database
Recall 13V550, filed November 5, 2013: Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Arm. NHTSA recall database
Recall 13V114, filed April 1, 2013: Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch. NHTSA recall database
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, VAN SWB W/SAB FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, VAN LWB W/SAB FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, SEDONA 5DR VAN FWD EX: length 202 in, width 78 in, height 72 in, wheelbase 119 in, curb weight 4,645 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, SEDONA 5DR VAN FWD LX: length 202 in, width 78 in, height 69 in, wheelbase 119 in, curb weight 4,387 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2008 Kia Sedona: problems, recalls and fuel economy