2009 Kia Sedona Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2009 Kia Sedona has a Complaint Index of 50, ranking 9th worst out of 17 model years, and carries a Caution verdict. NHTSA logged 48 complaints, 5 recalls, and 2 fires, with Engine issues topping the list at 31% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 50/100
- #9 of 17 Sedona years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 48
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 5
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 3
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 5
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 18
- 16 city / 23 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 5 / 0
Top 2009 Kia Sedona problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine15 (31%)
- Brakes14 (29%)
- Electrical System14 (29%)
- Other7 (15%)
- Structure & Body5 (10%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires5 (10%)
- Airbags3 (6%)
- Steering3 (6%)
- Transmission & Powertrain2 (4%)
- Fuel System1 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners describe sudden unintended acceleration at low speeds, in one case at a parking lot and another involving reverse gear, leading to crashes.
- Engine problems include loud running, vibration, check engine light triggering after mass air flow sensor and throttle position sensor replacements.
- Electrical failures include headlights and tail lights that stop illuminating, sometimes paired with the vehicle losing acceleration or brakes not responding as expected.
- Sliding doors freeze shut in cold weather or become stuck and require exiting through another door to open from outside.
- Owners report a persistent oil pool under the hood near the transmission case or intake manifold area.
- Front airbags deployed in a low-speed intersection collision, with a passenger striking the windshield.
2009 Kia Sedona recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 20V088000Feb 14, 2020Brakes228,829 vehicles
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2006-2010 Sedona and 2007-2009 Sorento vehicles. Moisture may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short.
Risk: An electrical short within the ABS Module may cause an engine compartment fire, even when the vehicle is turned off, increasing the risk of an injury.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will install a relay in the main junction box to prevent power from being directed to the HECU when the vehicle's ignition switch is turned off, free of charge. The recall began June 5, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC186.
- NHTSA 16V387000Jun 1, 2016Suspension, Wheels & Tires97,884 vehicles
Suspension:front:control arm:lower arm
Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2006-2012 Kia Sedona vehicles manufactured from June 15, 2005, through August 14, 2012 and originally sold in, or currently registered in Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. In the affected vehicles, the front lower control arms may break due to corrosion from salt water exposure such as from road salt use.
Risk: A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners and dealers will replace the front lower control arms on 2006-2007 models. 2008-2012 models will either have their front lower control arms replaced or additional anti-corrosion coating will be applied. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on July 27, 2016. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC133.
- NHTSA 16V389000Jun 1, 2016Structure & Body219,800 vehicles
Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch
Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Kia Sedona vehicles manufactured from June 15, 2005, through April 04, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the secondary hood latch may bind and remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed.
Risk: If the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners and dealers will replace the secondary hood latch or clean and lubricate the latch, depending on the vehicle's location and the condition of the latch. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on July 27, 2016. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall number is SC134.
2009 Kia Sedona fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 16 MPG
- Highway
- 23 MPG
- Combined
- 18 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,600
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2009 compared with other Sedona years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2009 Kia Sedona reliable?
- It ranks 9th worst of 17 Sedona model years with a Complaint Index of 50 and a Caution verdict, meaning it falls in the middle of the pack for reported problems compared to other Sedona years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2009 Kia Sedona?
- NHTSA data shows Engine complaints lead at 31% of total complaints, followed by Brakes and Electrical System issues, each at 29%.
- Does the 2009 Kia Sedona have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2009 Sedona covering brakes, suspension control arms, the hood latch, and electrical wiring, none of them do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2009 Sedona compare to other years?
- It is safer than the worst years like 2006 (Complaint Index 94, Avoid) but worse than 2010 (Complaint Index 25, Good) and 2014 or 2020, which earned Best verdicts.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2009 Kia Sedona?
- EPA rates it at 18 mpg combined (16 city / 23 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,600.