CarBrief

The 2017 Kia Sedona has 134 owner complaints on file with NHTSA[1] and four recalls[2][3][4][5]. Its NHTSA overall safety rating is 5 stars[6].

134owner complaints[1]
4recalls[7]
19–21MPG combined (EPA)[8]
5★NHTSA overall rating[6]

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 134 owner complaints for this model year[1]. Two mention a crash, 3 mention a fire, 11 mention injuries and none report a death[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one component group.

Component group Complaints
Engine[9] 62
Unknown or other[10] 27
Electrical system[11] 23
Structure[12] 15
Air bags[13] 13
Exterior lighting[14] 11
Brakes[15] 4
Visibility/wiper[16] 4

Engine. This is the largest group, with 62 complaints, 3 fires and 4 injuries. The median mileage at failure is 85,012[9]. In the sample of engine complaints we read, owners describe the engine stalling or shutting off while driving in 7 of 12 texts[9]. Some of the others describe loud noises or a failed engine.

Air bags. In a sample of 12 air bag complaints, 8 describe a warning light that stays on or comes and goes[13]. Some say it continued after a recall repair[13][2].

Structure. In a sample of 12 structure complaints, 9 describe power sliding doors that fail to open, close or latch[12]. A few describe a door that did not stop when something was in the way. Two describe chipping or peeling paint[12].

Electrical. In a sample of 12 electrical complaints, owners describe sliding door faults in 4, headlight or bulb failures in 4 and backup camera trouble in 2[11].

Recalls

NHTSA lists four recalls for this model year. Each one names a free remedy.

The air bag recall covers several Kia models as well as the Sedona[2].

Fuel economy

EPA rates the 2017 Sedona at 17 to 18 mpg city, 22 to 25 mpg highway and 19 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the version[17][8][18]. All are 3.3L 6-cylinder, front-wheel drive, Automatic (S6), on regular fuel[17][8][18].

Version City / Highway / Combined Annual fuel cost
Sedona[17] 18 / 24 / 20 mpg $3,350
Sedona SX[8] 18 / 25 / 21 mpg $3,200
Sedona SXL[18] 17 / 22 / 19 mpg $3,550

EPA's fuel cost uses its current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the van was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the front-wheel-drive van 5 stars overall, 5 stars for frontal crashes, 5 stars for side crashes and 4 stars for rollover[6]. Its rollover risk figure is 13.0%[6].

Engine and size

EPA lists the 3.3L 6-cylinder at 276 hp[19]. Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US vans.

Version Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
L/LX/SX[20] 202 in 78 in 69 in 120 in 4,414 lb
SXL[21] 202 in 78 in 69 in 120 in 4,689 lb

How 2017 compares with other years

2002: 248 complaints, 4 recalls20022003: 197 complaints, 5 recalls2004: 213 complaints, 3 recalls20042005: 185 complaints, 2 recalls2006: 385 complaints, 7 recalls20062007: 157 complaints, 6 recalls2008: 170 complaints, 5 recalls20082009: 48 complaints, 5 recalls2010: 32 complaints, 5 recalls20102011: 65 complaints, 6 recalls2012: 108 complaints, 5 recalls20122014: 39 complaints, 1 recalls2015: 139 complaints, 3 recalls20152016: 297 complaints, 4 recalls2017: 134 complaints, 4 recalls13420172018: 49 complaints, 3 recalls2019: 39 complaints, 2 recalls20192020: 20 complaints, 1 recalls2021: 10 complaints, 0 recalls2021
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Sedona model year. The 2017 is highlighted[7].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20022484
20031975
20042133
20051852
20063857
20071576
20081705
2009485
2010325
2011656
20121085
2014391
20151393
20162974
20171344
2018493
2019392
2020201
2021100

The 2017 model year has 134 complaints and 4 recalls[7]. The 2016 model year has 297 complaints and 4 recalls, and 2015 has 139 complaints and 3 recalls[7]. The 2018 model year has 49 complaints and 3 recalls[7]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many vans were sold, so treat them as a rough guide.

Should you buy a used 2017 Sedona?

The 2017 Sedona has a 5-star overall NHTSA rating[6], and its four recalls each have a free remedy[2][3][4][5]. Owners in our samples describe sliding door faults, air bag warning lights and engine stalls, so test the doors and check for warning lights on a drive[9][12][13]. Ask for proof that all four recalls were done, and have a mechanic look over the engine. Fuel costs run $3,200 to $3,550 a year by EPA's estimate[17][8][18].

Frequently asked questions

What are the common problems with the 2017 Kia Sedona?
NHTSA has 134 complaints[1]. Engine is the largest group at 62[1][9]. In the samples we read, owners describe sliding door faults, air bag warning lights and engine stalling[9][12][13].
Has the 2017 Kia Sedona been recalled?
Yes. NHTSA lists four recalls: 22V031, 21V725, 19V109 and 18V338[2][3][4][5].
What is the gas mileage of the 2017 Kia Sedona?
EPA rates it at 19 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the version[17][8][18].
How safe is the 2017 Kia Sedona?
NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall and 4 stars for rollover[6].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 134 owner complaints on file for the 2017 Kia Sedona (2 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 11 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Recall 22V031, filed January 25, 2022: Air Bags. NHTSA recall database
  3. Recall 21V725, filed September 17, 2021: Electrical System › Software. NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 19V109, filed February 19, 2019: Electrical System › Wiring. NHTSA recall database
  5. Recall 18V338, filed May 23, 2018: Electrical System › Software. NHTSA recall database
  6. 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
  7. Owner complaints and recalls for every Kia Sedona model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  8. 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
  9. 62 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 3 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 85,012). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 27 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 19,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 23 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 30,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 15 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 13,679). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 13 complaints name the air bags component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. 11 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  15. 4 complaints name the brakes component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  16. 4 complaints name the visibility/wiper component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  17. 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
  18. 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
  19. EPA Test Car List, 2017 Kia Sedona with 3.3L 6-cylinder: rated 276 hp. www.epa.gov
  20. 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
  21. 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

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.