2015 Kia Sedona Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2015 Kia Sedona has a Complaint Index of 63, ranking it 7th worst out of 17 model years, with a Caution verdict. Engine problems (38% of complaints) and electrical issues (34%) dominate, including fires, plus 3 recalls covering electrical and body systems.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 63/100
- #7 of 17 Sedona years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 138
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 2
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 9
- Injuries
- 2
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 20
- 18 city / 24 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
Top 2015 Kia Sedona problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine53 (38%)
- Electrical System47 (34%)
- Structure & Body26 (19%)
- Airbags11 (8%)
- Other11 (8%)
- Brakes6 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires5 (4%)
- Transmission & Powertrain4 (3%)
- Fuel System3 (2%)
- Steering2 (1%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engine can catch fire, in some cases after a rod failure punctures the block and spills oil while driving.
- Electrical shorts have caused underhood fires, sometimes after the vehicle failed to start and needed a new battery.
- Some owners report sudden brake failure at low speed, including one case where the vehicle rolled into a garage and another where it could not stop before a crash.
- Dashboard lights have flickered erratically before the cabin filled with smoke and the engine shut off, trapping doors closed.
- A driver's side panel has come open on its own while parked and failed to latch shut again.
- Backup and seatbelt chime volume has been reported as too low to hear, even after dealer visits.
2015 Kia Sedona recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 21V725000Sep 17, 2021Electrical System88,576 vehicles
Electrical system:software
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Sedona vehicles. The Smart Junction Box (SJB) software logic may not properly interpret the signals received from the multifunction switch, which could cause the turn signal to activate in the opposite direction of what the driver intended.
Risk: A turn signal activating in the opposite direction of what was intended by the driver increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the SJB software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 12, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC217.
- NHTSA 19V109000Feb 19, 2019Electrical System94,389 vehicles
Electrical system:wiring
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Sedona vehicles equipped with manually-adjusted front passenger seats. Over time, the Occupant Detection System (ODS) wiring harness located underneath the front passenger seat may break from the seat being occupied.
Risk: If a child is in a child seat in the front seat, a broken ODS wiring harness will not prevent the front passenger air bag from deploying in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the child.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will remove the wire harness clip to prevent the wiring harness from breaking. If the harness is found damaged, the front passenger seat cushion will be replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 19, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC175.
- NHTSA 18V338000May 23, 2018Structure & Body106,428 vehicles
Structure:body:door
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Kia Sedona vehicles equipped with a power sliding door (PSD). The PSD may not auto-reverse when its closing is obstructed.
Risk: If the door closes on an occupant, there is an increased risk of an injury.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the PSD module software, free of charge. The recall began on June 18, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC164.
2015 Kia Sedona fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18 MPG
- Highway
- 24 MPG
- Combined
- 20 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,250
- 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.
2015 compared with other Sedona years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2015 Kia Sedona reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2015 Sedona a Complaint Index of 63 and a Caution verdict, ranking it 7th worst among 17 model years of the Sedona. Engine and electrical complaints, including several fires, are the main concern.
- What are the most common problems with the 2015 Kia Sedona?
- NHTSA complaints show Engine issues make up 38% of complaints and Electrical System issues make up 34%. Structure & Body complaints, including power sliding door problems, account for another 19%.
- Does the 2015 Kia Sedona have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2015 Sedona: an electrical Smart Junction Box software issue, an Occupant Detection System wiring harness problem, and a power sliding door that may not auto-reverse.
- Are there fire risks with the 2015 Kia Sedona?
- NHTSA complaint data records 9 fire incidents for the 2015 Sedona, several tied to engine and electrical system failures, including cases where the engine caught fire after a rod failure.
- How does the 2015 Sedona compare to other Sedona years?
- With a Complaint Index of 63, the 2015 Sedona ranks worse than years like 2014 (Best, index 19) and 2020 (Best, index 6), but better than 2016 (Avoid, index 100) and 2006 (Avoid, index 94).