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2016 Kia Sedona: problems, recalls and fuel economy
NHTSA has 297 owner complaints on file for the 2016 Kia Sedona, and half of them name the engine group[1][2]. The car has 4 recalls and earned 5 stars overall in NHTSA crash ratings[3][4].
Most reported problems
NHTSA lists 297 complaints for this model year[1]. Ten mention a crash, 14 a fire, 10 injuries and 2 deaths[1]. These are owner reports that nobody has verified, and one complaint can name more than one part of the car.
Here are the component groups with the most complaints:
| Component group | Complaints | Fires | Median miles at failure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine[2] | 150 | 11 | 85,500 |
| Electrical system[6] | 46 | 2 | 72,000 |
| Exterior lighting[7] | 37 | 0 | 72,000 |
| Unknown or other[8] | 32 | 4 | 52,083 |
| Structure[9] | 25 | 1 | 63,500 |
| Air bags[10] | 19 | 0 | 50,000 |
Power train has 13 complaints and fuel/propulsion has 9[11][12].
We read a small sample of complaint texts in four groups. This is not a count of all owners, so treat it as a hint about what people describe.
- Engine. In a sample of 12 complaints we read, 5 describe the engine stalling or losing power while driving, and 2 describe a fire[2]. The group has 11 fire reports in total[2].
- Structure. In a sample of 12[9], 10 describe sliding doors that do not close or latch properly. Owners mention noise and a door-open warning on the dash. One says a power sliding door did not reverse after the recall repair.
- Exterior lighting. In a sample of 12[7], 8 describe headlights flickering or going out while driving, often at night. 3 describe turn signals that do not work or flash the wrong side[7].
- Electrical system. In a sample of 12[6], 4 describe power sliding doors that grind, fail to close or close on people. 3 describe lights or turn signals acting up[6].
The air bag and electrical groups each list 2 deaths[6][10]. We did not read air bag complaint texts, so we cannot say what owners describe there.
Recalls
NHTSA shows 4 recalls for the 2016 Sedona[3]. Each one lists a free dealer remedy[13][14][15][16]. Newest first:
- Shift lever (22V612), August 2022. Some 2016 Sedona and Sorento vehicles may have faulty shift lever parts that keep the lever from locking. The car could roll away, which raises the risk of a crash and injury. Dealers inspect and replace the parts as needed, free of charge. Up to 28,065 vehicles were potentially affected[13].
- Turn signal software (21V725), September 2021. The software in the smart junction box may misread the turn signal switch. The signal could blink in the opposite direction from what the driver chose, which raises crash risk. Dealers update the software for free. Up to 88,576 vehicles were potentially affected[14].
- Passenger seat wiring (19V109), February 2019. This covers Sedonas with manually adjusted front passenger seats. The wiring for the occupant detection system under the seat may break over time. If it breaks, the front passenger air bag may still deploy for a child in a child seat, which raises injury risk. Dealers remove a wire clip, and replace the seat cushion if the harness is damaged. The work is free. Up to 94,389 vehicles were potentially affected[15].
- Power sliding door (18V338), May 2018. This covers Sedonas with a power sliding door. The door may not reverse when something blocks it as it closes, so it could close on a person and cause injury. Dealers reprogram the door module software for free. Up to 106,428 vehicles were potentially affected[16].
Ask a dealer to check the VIN for open recalls before you buy.
Fuel economy
EPA lists three versions, all with a 3.3L 6-cylinder engine, an automatic (S6) and front-wheel drive[17][5][18]. They run on regular fuel.
| Version | City / Highway / Combined MPG | EPA annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| Sedona[17] | 18 / 24 / 20 | $3,350 |
| Sedona SX[5] | 18 / 25 / 21 | $3,200 |
| Sedona SXL[18] | 17 / 22 / 19 | $3,550 |
EPA bases the fuel cost on its current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new.
Safety ratings
NHTSA gives the 2016 Sedona (van, front-wheel drive) 5 stars overall, 5 stars for frontal crashes and 5 stars for side crashes[4]. Rollover is 4 stars, with a rollover risk of 13.0%[4].
Engine and size
The EPA test car list rates the 3.3L 6-cylinder at 276 hp[19].
These dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.
How 2016 compares with other years
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 |
The 2016 Sedona has 297 complaints and 4 recalls[3]. Only the 2006 model year has more complaints, at 385[3]. From 2009 on, 2016 has the most complaints in the list. The nearest are 2015 with 139 and 2017 with 134[3].
For recalls, 2016 has 4[3], the same as 2017. The 2015 and 2018 model years each have 3[3]. The list has no entry for 2013.
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so a higher count does not by itself prove a car is worse. Still, the gap between 2016 and its neighbors is large.
Should you buy a used 2016 Sedona?
The 2016 Sedona has strong crash ratings, with 5 stars overall[4]. It also has the biggest complaint pile of any Sedona year since 2009, led by the engine group[1][2][3]. In the samples we read, sliding doors and headlights come up often[7][9]. Before you buy, check that all 4 recalls were done and ask about the sliding doors and the lights[13][14][15][16]. Have a mechanic look at the engine too, since engine complaints list median failure mileage of 85,500[2]. Fuel economy of 19 to 21 combined MPG is an ongoing cost to weigh[17][5][18].
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 Kia Sedona?
- The engine group has the most NHTSA complaints at 150 of 297[1][2]. In the sample we read, owners also describe sliding doors that do not latch and headlights that flicker or go out[7][9].
- Does the 2016 Kia Sedona have any recalls?
- Yes, 4[3]. They cover the shift lever (22V612), turn signal software (21V725), passenger seat wiring (19V109) and the power sliding door (18V338). Each lists a free dealer remedy[13][14][15][16].
- What MPG does the 2016 Kia Sedona get?
- EPA combined ratings are 20 MPG for the Sedona, 21 for the SX and 19 for the SXL[17][5][18].
- How safe is the 2016 Kia Sedona?
- NHTSA rates it 5 stars overall, 5 for frontal and side crashes and 4 for rollover[4].
- Is 2016 a bad year for the Kia Sedona?
- It has 297 complaints, the most of any year from 2009 on, though counts are not adjusted for sales[3].
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 297 owner complaints on file for the 2016 Kia Sedona (10 mention a crash, 14 a fire, 10 injuries, 2 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 150 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 11 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 85,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Kia Sedona model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, VAN FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 13.0%. NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA rating for Sedona SX, 3.3L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 25 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 46 complaints name the electrical system component group (3 crashes, 2 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 72,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 37 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 72,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 32 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 4 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 52,083). NHTSA vehicle records
- 25 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 63,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 19 complaints name the air bags component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 50,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 13 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 9 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (2 crashes, 3 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 25,964). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 22V612, filed August 10, 2022: Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever And Linkage › Column Shift. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 21V725, filed September 17, 2021: Electrical System › Software. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 19V109, filed February 19, 2019: Electrical System › Wiring. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 18V338, filed May 23, 2018: Structure › Body › Door . NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Sedona, 3.3L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 24 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Sedona SXL, 3.3L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 22 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA Test Car List, 2016 Kia Sedona with 3.3L 6-cylinder: rated 276 hp. www.epa.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, SEDONA L/LX/SX 5DR VAN FWD: length 202 in, width 78 in, height 69 in, wheelbase 120 in, curb weight 4,414 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, SEDONA SXL 5DR VAN FWD: length 202 in, width 78 in, height 69 in, wheelbase 120 in, curb weight 4,689 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov