CarBrief

NHTSA has 49 owner complaints for the 2018 Kia Sedona, and the engine is the component group named most often[1][2]. The van also has 3 recalls, and each one lists a free remedy[3][4][5].

49owner complaints[1]
3recalls[6]
19–21MPG combined (EPA)[7]
5★NHTSA overall rating[8]

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 49 owner complaints on file for this model year[1]. One mentions a crash, 5 mention a fire, and 1 mentions injuries[1]. None report deaths[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one component group.

Component group Complaints Fires Crashes
Engine[2] 22 5 0
Electrical system[9] 11 1 1
Air bags[10] 6 0 1
Power train[11] 3 2 0
Structure[12] 3 0 1

Seats and brakes each have 2 complaints, with no crashes, fires or injuries[13][14]. That is too few to call a pattern.

Engine. The engine group has 22 complaints and all 5 of the fires[2]. In the sample of 12 engine complaint texts we read, 8 describe an engine that failed, stalled or needed replacing[2]. 4 involve low or burned oil[2]. 3 describe smoke or fire from the engine compartment, and 3 describe a dispute over warranty coverage[2].

Electrical system. There are 11 complaints[9]. The median mileage at failure is 14,750[9]. In the 10 texts in our sample, 3 describe the power sliding door acting up, such as a sensor failing or the door opening and closing on its own[9]. 4 describe a van that would not start or died suddenly[9].

Air bags. There are 6 complaints[10]. In the sample of 6 texts, 5 describe an air bag warning light that came on or came back after dealer work[10]. 2 describe air bags that did not deploy in a crash[10].

Recalls

NHTSA lists 3 recalls for this model year[6]. Newest first:

One owner in our air bag sample says a warning light stayed on after the recall work was done[10]. If you own this van, ask a dealer to check that all three recalls were completed.

Fuel economy

EPA rates all three listed versions with a 3.3L 6-cylinder engine, Automatic (S6), front-wheel drive and regular fuel[15][7][16].

Version City / highway / combined MPG EPA annual fuel cost
Sedona[15] 18 / 24 / 20 $3,350
Sedona SX[7] 18 / 25 / 21 $3,200
Sedona SXL[16] 17 / 22 / 19 $3,550

The annual cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the van was new[15].

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives this van 5 stars overall, 5 stars in the frontal test and 5 stars in the side test[8]. The rollover rating is 4 stars, with a rollover risk of 13.0%[8].

Engine and size

The EPA test car list rates the 3.3L 6-cylinder engine at 276 hp[17]. Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US vans[18].

Measure L/LX/SX SXL
Length[18][19] 202 in 202 in
Width 78 in 78 in
Height 69 in 69 in
Wheelbase 120 in 120 in
Curb weight 4,414 lb 4,689 lb

How 2018 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 recalls20172018: 49 complaints, 3 recalls4920182019: 39 complaints, 2 recalls20192020: 20 complaints, 1 recalls2021: 10 complaints, 0 recalls2021
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Sedona model year. The 2018 is highlighted[6].
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 2018 model year has 49 complaints and 3 recalls[6]. Among the years from 2014 to 2021 in NHTSA's list, 2018 has fewer complaints than 2015 (139), 2016 (297) and 2017 (134)[6]. It has more than 2014 (39), 2019 (39), 2020 (20) and 2021 (10)[6].

On recalls, 2018 has the same number as 2015 (3)[6]. It has fewer than 2016 and 2017 (4 each) and more than 2014 (1), 2019 (2), 2020 (1) and 2021 (0)[6]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many vans were sold, so treat the comparison as a rough guide.

Should you buy a used 2018 Sedona?

The 2018 Sedona has fewer complaints than 2015, 2016 and 2017 and more than 2014, 2019, 2020 and 2021[6]. The engine group draws the most complaints, and in the sample we read, owners describe engine failures, some tied to oil[2]. The sample is small, so it shows what owners report, not how often it happens. Before you buy, ask for service records, confirm with a Kia dealer that all three recalls were done, check that the air bag warning light stays off and test the power sliding door[3][4][5][10][9]. The van earns 5 stars overall from NHTSA[8].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2018 Kia Sedona?
NHTSA has 49 complaints[1]. The engine group has 22 and the electrical system has 11[1][2][9]. In a sample of engine complaints we read, owners describe engine failures and low or burned oil[2].
Does the 2018 Kia Sedona have any recalls?
Yes, 3[6]: air bag control unit (22V031), passenger seat sensor wiring (19V109) and power sliding door (18V338). Each lists a free remedy[3][4][5].
What is the gas mileage of the 2018 Kia Sedona?
EPA rates it at 20 combined MPG for the Sedona, 21 for the SX and 19 for the SXL[15][7][16].
How safe is the 2018 Kia Sedona?
NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall and 4 stars for rollover[8].
Is 2018 a good year for the Kia Sedona?
It has 49 complaints, fewer than 2015, 2016 and 2017 and more than 2014, 2019, 2020 and 2021[6]. Counts are not adjusted for sales.

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 49 owner complaints on file for the 2018 Kia Sedona (1 mention a crash, 5 a fire, 1 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 22 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 5 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Recall 22V031, filed January 25, 2022: Air Bags. 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. Owner complaints and recalls for every Kia Sedona model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  7. 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
  8. 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
  9. 11 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 14,750). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 6 complaints name the air bags component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 3 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 3 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 2 complaints name the seats component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. 2 complaints name the brakes component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  15. 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
  16. 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
  17. EPA Test Car List, 2018 Kia Sedona with 3.3L 6-cylinder: rated 276 hp. www.epa.gov
  18. 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
  19. 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.