Kia Sedona Best and Worst Years (2005–2021)
Kia Sedona years to avoid are 2005, 2006, 2007, 2016, and 2017, with 2016 having the highest complaint index (100) and 385 complaints logged for 2006. The best years are 2014, 2020, and 2021, each with low complaint indexes (19, 6, and 13) and few recalls.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
Avoid 2005Avoid 2006Avoid 2007Avoid 2016Avoid 2017Best 2014Best 2020Best 2021
- Model years
- 17
- 2005–2021
- NHTSA complaints
- 1,871
- Recall campaigns
- 19
- Crashes reported
- 80
- Fires reported
- 79
- Top problem area
- Engine
Sedona Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Kia Sedona problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Avoid | 81 | 185 | 20 | 9 | 2 | Brakes | 17 | — |
| 2006 | Avoid | 94 | 385 | 13 | 8 | 7 | Electrical System | 18 | — |
| 2007 | Avoid | 88 | 157 | 7 | 8 | 6 | Electrical System | 18 | — |
| 2008 | Caution | 69 | 170 | 4 | 10 | 5 | Electrical System | 18 | — |
| 2009 | Caution | 50 | 48 | 3 | 2 | 5 | Engine | 18 | — |
| 2010 | Good | 25 | 32 | 4 | 3 | 5 | Brakes | 19 | — |
| 2011 | Good | 38 | 65 | 3 | 1 | 6 | Engine | 21 | — |
| 2012 | Caution | 56 | 107 | 5 | 5 | 5 | Electrical System | 21 | — |
| 2013 | No verdict | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | — | — | — |
| 2014 | Best | 19 | 39 | 2 | 2 | 1 | Electrical System | 20 | 5★ |
| 2015 | Caution | 63 | 138 | 2 | 9 | 3 | Engine | 20 | 5★ |
| 2016 | Avoid | 100 | 296 | 10 | 14 | 4 | Engine | 20 | 5★ |
| 2017 | Avoid | 75 | 134 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Engine | 20 | 5★ |
| 2018 | Good | 31 | 48 | 1 | 4 | 3 | Engine | 20 | 5★ |
| 2019 | Good | 44 | 38 | 2 | 1 | 2 | Engine | 21 | 5★ |
| 2020 | Best | 6 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Structure & Body | 21 | 5★ |
| 2021 | Best | 13 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 0 | Engine | 21 | 5★ |
Sedona years to avoid: what went wrong
2016 Kia Sedona Index 100 · 296 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2016 Sedona ranks worst overall with a complaint index of 100, 296 complaints, 10 crashes, 14 fires, and 2 deaths. Engine problems dominated at 51 percent of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 81,950 miles. Four recalls apply, including a faulty transmission shift lever and a Smart Junction Box software issue affecting turn signals. Owners described vehicles lunging forward unexpectedly at low speeds and fires starting near the front of the vehicle.
2016 engine problems →2016 electrical system problems →2016 structure & body problems →
2006 Kia Sedona Index 94 · 385 complaints · 7 recalls
The 2006 Sedona had 385 complaints, the second-worst rank among all years, with a complaint index of 94. Electrical System problems led at 27 percent of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 92,000 miles. Suspension and airbag issues followed closely. Seven recalls apply to this year, covering ABS module moisture damage, front lower control arms, and a hood latch defect. Owners described unintended acceleration events, airbags failing to deploy in crashes, and a remote starter defect that caused the vehicle to move unexpectedly.
2006 electrical system problems →2006 suspension, wheels & tires problems →2006 airbags problems →
2007 Kia Sedona Index 88 · 157 complaints · 6 recalls
The 2007 Sedona recorded 157 complaints and a complaint index of 88, with 3 deaths reported, the only avoid year with fatalities. Electrical System issues topped the list at 32 percent of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 84,000 miles. Six recalls apply, including the same ABS module, control arm, and hood latch campaigns as 2006. Owners reported vehicles rolling unexpectedly after parking, sudden acceleration, and airbags failing to deploy during crashes.
2007 electrical system problems →2007 structure & body problems →2007 engine problems →
2005 Kia Sedona Index 81 · 185 complaints · 2 recalls
The 2005 Sedona logged 185 complaints and a complaint index of 81, with 20 crashes, 9 fires, and 16 injuries reported. Brakes were the top problem area, making up 44 percent of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 8,500 miles. Suspension and electrical issues followed. NHTSA lists two recalls, including a throttle cable freezing issue in cold weather. Owners reported brake failure leading to crashes at low mileage, and some described sudden loss of steering or engine shutdown.
2005 brakes problems →2005 engine problems →2005 suspension, wheels & tires problems →
2017 Kia Sedona Index 75 · 134 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2017 Sedona had 134 complaints and a complaint index of 75. Engine issues were the top problem area at 47 percent of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 76,506 miles. Four recalls apply, including an airbag control unit defect and the same Smart Junction Box software issue as 2016. Owners reported airbags failing to deploy in crashes, steering that would not correct out of a curve, and engine smoke or fire after parking.
2017 engine problems →2017 electrical system problems →2017 structure & body problems →
Most common Kia Sedona problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Engine558 (30%)
- Electrical System482 (26%)
- Structure & Body307 (16%)
- Brakes264 (14%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires207 (11%)
- Airbags186 (10%)
- Other184 (10%)
- Transmission & Powertrain87 (5%)
- Fuel System81 (4%)
- Steering64 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What years of the Kia Sedona should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the years to avoid are 2005, 2006, 2007, 2016, and 2017. The 2016 model has the highest complaint index at 100, and 2006 has the most complaints at 385.
- What is the best year for the Kia Sedona?
- The 2014, 2020, and 2021 model years earn a Best verdict, with complaint indexes of 19, 6, and 13 respectively, and few or no recalls.
- Does the 2016 Kia Sedona have engine problems?
- Yes. Engine complaints make up 51 percent of all complaints for the 2016 Sedona, with a median failure mileage of 81,950 miles, the top problem area for that year.
- Are there Kia Sedona recalls related to safety?
- Yes. Across all years there are 19 recall campaigns, including ABS module moisture damage, faulty control arms, hood latch defects, a transmission shift lever issue, and Smart Junction Box software problems affecting turn signals.
- How many total complaints does the Kia Sedona have?
- NHTSA lists 1,871 total complaints across all Kia Sedona model years from 2005 to 2021, with Engine (30 percent) and Electrical System (26 percent) as the top problem areas.