KIA Sedona Air Bags Problems
Owners have filed 239 complaints with NHTSA about air bags problems on the KIA Sedona across 18 model years. The 2006 model year has the most (80). The words owners use most often: “air bag” (46% of reports).
- 239air bags complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 56mention a crash
- 44mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- $1,500typical repair cost reported by owners
- 26%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Air bag: mentioned in 110 of 239 complaints (46%)
- Passenger seat: mentioned in 24 of 239 complaints (10%)
- Bags deploy: mentioned in 19 of 239 complaints (8%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical air bags repair on the KIA Sedona at $1,500, and half of them between $890 and $2,650.
Based on 23 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2011–2026), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do air bags problems happen?
Based on 169 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 239 complaints, 56 mention a crash, 44 an injury.
KIA Sedona air bags complaints by model year
| Model year | Air Bags complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Sedona | 1 | 10% | — |
| 2019 Sedona | 2 | 5% | 119,000 |
| 2018 Sedona | 6 | 13% | 73,000 |
| 2017 Sedona | 13 | 10% | 40,500 |
| 2016 Sedona | 19 | 6% | 50,000 |
| 2015 Sedona | 11 | 8% | 65,000 |
| 2014 Sedona | 3 | 8% | 83,000 |
| 2012 Sedona | 9 | 8% | 65,000 |
| 2011 Sedona | 4 | 6% | — |
| 2010 Sedona | 2 | 6% | 80,500 |
| 2009 Sedona | 3 | 6% | 95,000 |
| 2008 Sedona | 8 | 5% | 70,000 |
| 2007 Sedona | 9 | 6% | 66,000 |
| 2006 Sedona | 80 | 21% | 85,000 |
| 2005 Sedona | 16 | 9% | 90,000 |
| 2004 Sedona | 9 | 5% | 36,000 |
| 2003 Sedona | 25 | 15% | 88,000 |
| 2002 Sedona | 19 | 10% | 84,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
Air bags
Model years: 2017, 2018, 2019
Problem: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Sedona, Soul, Soul EV, 2017-2018 Forte, and 2017 Forte Koup vehicles. The Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) cover may contact a memory chip on the printed circuit board and damage the electrical circuit. Circuit damage may result in deactivated air bags that will not deploy in a crash.
Risk: Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the ACU, and either update the software or replace the unit, as necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 21, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC226.
Air bags: air bag/restraint control module
Model years: 2011, 2012
Problem: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Kia Forte, Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Kia Optima and 2011-2012 Kia Optima Hybrid and Sedona vehicles. In the event of a crash, the air bag control unit (ACU) may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners from deploying.
Risk: If the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.
Fix: Kia will notify owners. For model year 2011 Sedona vehicles, Kia will instruct dealers to verify the ACU part number and, if necessary, install an extension wire harness kit between the ACU Connector and the Vehicle Harness Connector. For all other affected vehicles, Kia will instruct dealers to install the extension wire harness kit. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC165.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
I purchased the minivan as a used car last year and I noticed that the airbag light turned on when a passenger would sit on the front passenger seat. I tried to get a diagnosis ever since but many shops that I brought my minivan to didnât work with airbags. So I eventually brought my minivan to a…
In getting the ACU recall fixed, it was found that the Airbag Module is not responding. The ACU cannot be fixed unless the airbag module is fixed. It is my understanding that this is the part before the ACU. This is at a cost of $959 and not covered under the current recall.
This concerns an unresolved airbag safety issue that went undetected due to a negligent recall inspection at a Kia dealership. On March 16, 2026, I brought my vehicle to Ed Voyles Kia of Chamblee, GA for a recall inspection to determine whether damaged wiring under the passenger seat was causing my…
Recall appointment was set with Ken Ganley Kia auto iNew Port Richey , FL. It was set for two weeks out. They told us what the recall was before we got there. They didnât order the part to fix it. Now Itâs been since March 23rd and we have never heard from them. I feel theyâve had ample…
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH, the vehicle was suddenly rear-ended when the other vehicle failed to stop. As a result, the vehicle was pushed into the vehicle in front. The driver-side and passenger-side air bags did not deploy. After the…
Frequently asked questions
Do all KIA Sedonas have air bags problems?
No. NHTSA has 239 owner complaints about air bags for the KIA Sedona. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the KIA Sedona air bags?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list air bags. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix air bags problems on the KIA Sedona?
Owners report a typical cost of $1,500 (half paid between $890 and $2,650), from 23 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about air bags problems on the KIA Sedona?
The most frequent phrase is “air bag”, in 110 of 239 complaints, followed by “passenger seat” (24).
Other KIA Sedona problems
See all KIA Sedona problems.