KIA Sedona Electrical System Problems
Owners have filed 481 complaints with NHTSA about electrical system problems on the KIA Sedona across 19 model years. The 2006 model year has the most (79). The words owners use most often: “sliding door” (10% of reports).
- 481electrical system complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 12mention a crash
- 5mention an injury
- 6related recalls
- 36%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.
- Sliding door: mentioned in 48 of 481 complaints (10%)
- Caught fire: mentioned in 31 of 481 complaints (6%)
At what mileage do electrical system problems happen?
Based on 327 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 481 complaints, 12 mention a crash, 70 a fire, 5 an injury.
KIA Sedona electrical system complaints by model year
| Model year | Electrical System complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Sedona | 2 | 20% | — |
| 2020 Sedona | 3 | 15% | 78,000 |
| 2019 Sedona | 4 | 10% | 23,700 |
| 2018 Sedona | 11 | 23% | 14,750 |
| 2017 Sedona | 23 | 17% | 30,000 |
| 2016 Sedona | 46 | 15% | 72,000 |
| 2015 Sedona | 37 | 27% | 55,000 |
| 2014 Sedona | 12 | 31% | 68,000 |
| 2012 Sedona | 33 | 31% | 72,218 |
| 2011 Sedona | 12 | 18% | 55,000 |
| 2010 Sedona | 7 | 22% | 75,000 |
| 2009 Sedona | 8 | 17% | 91,500 |
| 2008 Sedona | 45 | 26% | 72,500 |
| 2007 Sedona | 40 | 25% | 85,000 |
| 2006 Sedona | 79 | 21% | 94,500 |
| 2005 Sedona | 22 | 12% | 12,141 |
| 2004 Sedona | 18 | 10% | 60,000 |
| 2003 Sedona | 29 | 18% | 56,000 |
| 2002 Sedona | 50 | 25% | 52,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (6)
Electrical system:software; exterior lighting:turn signal
Model years: 2015, 2016, 2017
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Electrical system:alternator/generator/regulator
Model years: 2020
Problem: Kia Motors America (KIA) is recalling certain 2020 Sedona vehicles. The battery positive (B+) terminal nut on the alternator may not have been tightened properly during assembly, possibly causing it to loosen over time.
Risk: If the alternator B+ terminal nut loosens, electrical arcing may result, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the alternator B+ terminal nut, tightening it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began August 14, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC192.
Electrical system; service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module
Model years: 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Electrical system:wiring
Model years: 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Structure:body:door; electrical system:software
Model years: 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Electrical system:wiring
Model years: 2006
Problem: On certain passenger vehicles equipped with adjustable brake pedals, the stop lamp switch wiring harness may be out of position. An improperly positioned stop lamp switch wiring harness could make contact with the u-joint assembly of the steering column. Repeated contact may eventually cause the wiring harness insulation to chafe.
Risk: Chafed insulation could cause a short of the wiring harness resulting in the loss of brake lights, engine stalling, or an inability to start the vehicle increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the wiring harness for chafing and, repair if necessary. In addition, the dealer will secure the wiring harness to prevent contact with the u-joint assembly. The recall began on september 29, 2006. Owners may contact kia at 1-800-333-4542.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Both Sliding door on left and right side wouldnât close and stayed open for a short period of time. Now the door canât be opened because it doesnât latch.
Vehicle was stolen. Inspection has been completed by police & insurance. Vehicle is currently being repaired.
The transmission doesnt know what gear it it in. Code p0705
2016 Kia Sedona with power sliding doors. Both rear power sliding doors fail to completely latch upon closing. Doors make loud clicking sounds while attempting to close and require manual pushing to latch. Kia of Attleboro diagnosed and confirmed in writing that both rear door roller arm assemblies…
The contact owns a 2007 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that while his son was in the driveway about to drive off, the vehicle started smoking. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V088000 (Electrical System, Service Brakes…
Frequently asked questions
Do all KIA Sedonas have electrical system problems?
No. NHTSA has 481 owner complaints about electrical system 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 electrical system?
Yes: 6 safety recalls list electrical system. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about electrical system problems on the KIA Sedona?
The most frequent phrase is “sliding door”, in 48 of 481 complaints, followed by “caught fire” (31).
Other KIA Sedona problems
See all KIA Sedona problems.