2015 Kia Sedona Complaints

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 08/03/2026

Vehicle was stolen by hotwiring without alarm or security system triggered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 08/02/2026

Vehicle was stolen. Inspection has been completed by police & insurance. Vehicle is currently being repaired.

ENGINE — Filed 07/30/2026

The check engine light illuminated with diagnostic code P0018 (crankshaft/camshaft position correlation, Bank 2), first recorded on a scan XXX. The vehicle was taken to a franchised Kia dealership in [XXX] on XXX at 88,719 miles. The dealer performed an engine teardown and provided a written diagnosis on XXX: metal debris on the exhaust camshaft position sensor, damaged camshaft phasers, a sheared camshaft pin, and metal contamination throughout the engine. The dealer states the engine requires either a major timing-system repair or complete engine replacement. This failure mode can cause sudden loss of motive power while driving. There was no crash, no injury, and no fire. The engine remains disassembled at the dealership and is available for inspection upon request. The problem was confirmed by a franchised Kia dealer in writing. NHTSA previously examined loss of motive power in this 3.3L V6 engine family in PE23-019, which named 2015-2021 Kia Sedona vehicles with 3.3L engines as peer vehicles. Warning prior to failure: check engine light only. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

ENGINE — Filed 07/10/2026

Was driving down the road with zero issues known, no check engine light, and only 114K miles. There was a sudden noise that was quiet so I turned down the radio, and then within 2 seconds or so a loud bang occurred, followed by a lot of smoke. I looked in the side mirrors and noted flames coming from underneath the van. Pulled over and got my family out.

STRUCTURE — Filed 04/15/2026

Right side sliding became stuck in closed position. Door was not openable by inside nor outside door handles. Not openable by automatic means such as push button. This situation slowed egress and could be a safety issue during emergency evacuation. During repair, KIA mechanics informed me that the forward latch (not the rear latch) of the sliding door was mechanically locked in closed position. The latch had to be destroyed from inside of vehicle to release latch to open door to be able to repair.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE — Filed 06/02/2026

Our 2015 Kia Sedona VIN [XXX] developed CAN Bus fault codes U0001 U0100 U0101 rendering it completely undrivable following an incomplete warranty extension repair under WTY019 by Kia of Des Moines on [XXX] RO# [XXX]. The power sliding doors have been a persistent safety concern. The incomplete warranty extension repair left the sliding door not closing properly creating a safety hazard. The vehicle subsequently developed CAN Bus communication faults making it completely undrivable. After 28 days at Kia of Des Moines from May 4 to June 1 2026 under RO# [XXX] the CAN Bus fault was never diagnosed or addressed. The power sliding door still does not function after two warranty extension repairs. Upon retrieval June 1 2026 the vehicle continues to exhibit active CAN Bus warnings BDS warning lights flickering humming sound and rough driving. We believe the sliding door safety issues and CAN Bus failure are directly connected and represent a safety concern for other 2015-2017 Kia Sedona owners. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

POWER TRAIN — Filed 12/20/2025

My Husband was driving my van with me and my 2 children inside the vehicle and the vehicle lost all power and stalled in the middle of the road and would not restart there was no warning light no noise from the motor or anything. The problem has been confirmed by a independent garage and a Kia dealer this happened on 12/20/25

ENGINE — Filed 07/10/2025

Van was well cared for. Engine failure occurred while on interstate, causing immediate high-pitched squealing. Problem with 2015 models seems to be known to Kia, and they told us we'd have to replace the engine entirely. No warnings, messages, or symptoms prior to or following failure. Still turns on but afraid to hurt engine further while driving with the terrible noise. We are crushed that such a good vehicle, having been well taken care of and serviced, should have such a distinct, unavoidable, and irreversible loss. Grateful that we were able to pull over, despite the numerous cars surrounding us, and to be safely towed. Won't trust Kia the same way in the future.

ENGINE — Filed 03/13/2025

Engine burned up all oil. No check engine lights. No active leaks confirmed by dealership. Engine is now damaged

ENGINE — Filed 07/04/2025

The car has 107,000 miles, and one day while driving, the coolant temperature suddenly spiked. I scheduled an appointment at Kia service (Glassman Kia Michigan), and the available appointment was in four weeks. The local mechanic checked the water pump and, after removing it, determined it was good, but he installed an aftermarket gasket because that's the only one available in local stores. At Kia, they replaced the pump with a new one, but the overheating problem persisted. After the car spent five weeks at the service center, they determined it was the head gasket. They offered me an engine replacement (costing $10,000). They never contacted Kia headquarters about a warranty replacement. Engines in 2015-16 Kia Sedonas have head gasket problems, and apparently, this is covered for 150,000 miles. Why do I have to pay for engine replacement?

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING — Filed 07/10/2025

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine overheated. No warning lights were illuminated. In addition, the thermostat gauge indicated that the engine was overheating. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a cracked head gasket. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under warranty because the mileage was over the limit. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 182,000. The VIN was unavailable.

ENGINE — Filed 09/01/2024

The auto will go into safe mode when driving on the highway. You have to try to get to the side of the road without getting run over. This is a recall for most Kia's, but the dealer said my year car is not one of them. But it is doing the same as the ones under recall.

ENGINE — Filed 05/12/2025

Engine blew a rod without warning or service light indication. The vehicle is available for inspection. My two children and I were put at risk due to the nature of the engine failure and being able to safely navigate the vehicle off of the highway. The vehicle was inspected by the mechanic of the shop that towed the vehicle. No warning lamps or symptoms of the engine failure until it happened. Low oil was suspected but made no sense since the oil had just been changed a month prior and no leaks detected.

AIR BAGS — Filed 07/19/2024

I was driving at approximately 20-25 mph when both side curtain airbags deployed. There was no collision or sudden stops. There were no warning lights or symptoms before or after the incident. My battery had been replaced at a local shop 4-5 hours prior to the incident. My child was in the car in her car seat and appears to have no apparent issues following the event. The hearing in my left ear is deteriorated and I have a ringing sound and it makes a distortion sound when the noise levels reach a certain level.

SEATS — Filed 12/12/2023

We have had multiple seat latches fail on our vehicle. We have attempted to WD40 the mechanism and have ensured there is nothing in the tract but the second row passenger seat as well as the larger drivers side third row seat are not latching onto the tract. The mechanism moved freely but they are not latching into place. I had submitted a safety recall claim for our second row seat a while back as it created a significant safety issue with our child in the seat. Now the rear seat is having a similar problem. The biggest issue is that it will seem that it is latching and then during times of safety concerns (occupied while driving) it unlatches. My son was sitting in the rear and lurched with the latch causing him to bite his tongue. The second row seat has yet to be fixed, and moved around while driving further causing a safety concern.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 06/14/2023

Vehicle was parked in garage and caught on fire. Garage, vehicle, and all contents were a complete loss. Total loss of garage and property excluding the vehicle is around $75,000.

STEERING,ENGINE — Filed 08/18/2023

Engine rod failed, puncturing the engine causing oil to spill, resulting in the car catching on fire while driving.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 08/21/2023

Spontaneously combusted, caught on fire and my family had to evacuate before they burned to death

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 01/05/2023

Last Thursday, 5 days into the new year I was coming back from the chiropractor and the grocery store , approximately 15 miles from my home. I got home and parked my van outside (usually park in the garage but would be leaving within the hour so didn't want to open the garage door and let the heat out). I shut the van off and carried groceries inside. Long story short I received a call from my husband that the neighbor called to say there was smoke next to our deck and I looked out the window and my kia was on fire! Rear end just engulfed in flames. I have never had any issues with my van ever. She ran great, had maybe 2 dings in her but was not torn up or abused. My husband is a mechanic and changed oil and spark plugs and we treated her good! It was a very sad day. Sorry to ramble on. You may contact me if you have any questions. I do screen calls for #s I don't know so please leave a voice-mail or contact via email with a # and extention if preferred. I attached photos below. Also have a police report for insurance purposes. Thank you for taking time to read this!

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 11/05/2021

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sedona. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, it would not start. The contact was able to change the battery and the vehicle was able to restart. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and while the vehicle was at the dealer, it caught on fire. The dealer stated that the vehicle had a short circuit that caused the vehicle to catch on fire. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was 80,000.

ENGINE — Filed 04/30/2022

We were driving and pulled over to a grocery store and noticed that the dash lights were going crazy and then the cabin started to fill with a little smoke and then the car shut off. The doors would not open and the car had no power at all. We were finally to get us and our kids out. I popped the hood and noticed a small fire next to the ground wire. The engine had caught fire. I put out the fire. There is another set of recalls on Kia's about the engines and the car catching on fire. The Kia dealer said that there is not a recall on this car.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE,ENGINE — Filed 10/06/2021

The car odometer was about 120,000 highway miles. After run with the cruise control for about a 386 miles I stop the car in Angola service station and been there for about 12 minutes with the car off the car got on fire. The electric system shut down immediately and the hood didn't open at all, rear doors didn't open electrical way just manually and the back door get completely sealed.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 08/21/2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SEDONA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5-10 MPH APPROACHING A RED LIGHT, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE A FAILURE. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 TO 25 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE AND A TREE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE SCENE AND REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000.

STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEATS — Filed 06/29/2015

HAD TURNED ON THE AIR IN THE SEAT AND SMELLED A PLASTIC BURNING SMELL WHEN I PARKED MY CAR AND WENT IN MY HOUSE TO GET MY SWIMSUIT AND TOWEL AND RETURNED OUTSIDE SMOKE WAS ROLLING OUT OF THE CAR. THE CAR WAS ON FIRE AT THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT.

SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 11/10/2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SEDONA. WHILE PULLING INTO THE GARAGE AND ATTEMPTING TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE BRAKES FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE GARAGE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE DIAGNOSTIC RESULTS WERE UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,500. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.