2018 Kia SEDONA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
48 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
16,895 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2018 model year. Data snapshot: . 14 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 21 of 48 complaints (43.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 12.5% |
| Steering behavior | 5 | 10.4% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 6.3% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 4.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 2.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 21 |
| Electrical System | 11 |
| Air Bags | 6 |
| Structure:Body | 3 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
| Power Train | 2 |
Engine: 21; Electrical System: 11; Air Bags: 6; Structure:Body: 3; Unknown Or Other: 3; Exterior Lighting: 2; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Power Train: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 9 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 9; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (9). 34 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 12 |
| 2025 | 10 |
| 2026 | 4 |
2018: 3; 2019: 5; 2020: 2; 2021: 3; 2022: 4; 2023: 5; 2024: 12; 2025: 10; 2026: 4
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 6 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11349652 · 2020-08-16 (August 16, 2020)
VEHICLE DIES IF NOT DRIVEN FOR 5-6 DAYS. I BELIEVE THIS IS RELATED TO AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE IN THE PASSENGER SIDE SLIDING DOOR AS THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN IF YOU DON'T USE THE SLIDING DOOR. POTENTIALLY RELATED TO RECALL 18V338000. VEHICLE HAS HAD 3 NEW BATTERIES, SO NOT AN ISSUE WITH THE BATTERY. VEHICLE DIED AT THE DEALERSHIP AFTER BEING PARKED WITHOUT USE FOR 5 DAYS. DEALERSHIP CANNOT DIAGNOSE ISSUE, AND SAYS THE ANSWER IS TO DRIVE THE VAN EVERY DAY. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES FOR THIS ISSUE WITHOUT A RESOLUTION.
Owner-reported narrative. 14,750 miles reported. Look up ODI 11349652 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11471701 · 2022-06-30 (June 30, 2022)
Our 2018 Kia Sedona SXL caught on fire in the engine compartment while driving. IT almost killed my wife (driver) and my 4 year old son. Car had been driven only 2 blocks after picking up my son from daycare. The car started to produce black smoke incessantly from the engine compartment that made visibility almost impossible. Bystandards were waving with their arms up and trying to warn my wife and she managed to stop in a parking lot and run away with my son. Car got very hot. Despite of keeping regular maintenance, car has had a myriad of iss…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11471701 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11241300 · 2019-08-02 (August 2, 2019)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 KIA SEDONA EQUIPPED WITH KUMHO CRUGEN PREMIUM TIRES, SIZE: 235/65R17 (NA). WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK VIOLENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIRE TREAD SEPARATED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED, BUT NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,040 AND THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Owner-reported narrative. 19,040 miles reported. Look up ODI 11241300 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11487739 · 2022-10-03 (October 3, 2022)
Steering wheel became stiff and it's not steering. Yes, vehicle is available for inspection. Driving on freeway with my children in the vehicle when wheel became stiff. Was able to get off ramp and get home. Incident happened on 10/02/2022, currently on 2 hour hold with Kia [phone removed]). Called local dealership, but was sent to voice mail for service department. No, vehicle has not been inspected. There were no warning lamps or messages at time of incident nor prior symptoms. Turned vehicle on this AM (10/03/2022) and no warning lights…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11487739 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11675165 · 2025-07-21 (July 21, 2025)
While driving on the interstate, about an hour into the trip, there was a banging/tinging sound coming from the front of the van. Immediately the van was pulled off the road to assess the situation as there were NO WARNING MESSAGES OR LIGHTS that came on to alert of any problem. Immediately before hearing the noise, the van had a major loss of power going up a slight incline on the interstate. The van threw a rod and had I not noticed the sound and pulled over, this could have been potentially a deadly situation had I kept driving and the engin…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11675165 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11727513 · 2026-03-27 (March 27, 2026)
The vehicle is a 2018 Kia Sedona with approximately 122,000 miles that experienced a catastrophic engine failure resulting in complete engine seizure. The failure has been identified by an independent mechanic as a rod bearing issue. The engine remains intact and is available for inspection upon request. The vehicle is currently not operational and the battery has been disconnected. This vehicle is a family vehicle that regularly transports our four children. At the time of the incident, our [XXX] child was in the vehicle with us. The failur…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11727513 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11110837 · 2018-07-11 (July 11, 2018)
IF YOU REMOVE PRESSURE FROM THE ACCELERATOR WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WANTS TO SHIFT SOMETIMES THERE IS A LOSS OF ACCELERATION AND THE VEHICLE WILL START SLOWING DOWN WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING WITH NO ENGINE WARNING LIGHT COMING ON. THIS INTERMITTENT PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS AT APPROX. 2, 9, 19, 25, 40, 55 AND 62 MPH. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE ACCELERATOR BECOMES DISABLED, THE VEHICLE STARTS TO SLOW. TAPPING THE BRAKE WILL SLOW THE VEHICLE FASTER AND THE ACCELERATOR IS OK/ENABLED.
Owner-reported narrative. 6,293 miles reported. Look up ODI 11110837 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11731469 · 2026-04-15 (April 15, 2026)
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message "Check Auto Emergency System" was displayed and the brake warning light illuminated. Additionally, an unknown fluid was leaking near the front passenger’s side wheel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and an oil change was performed but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was about 63,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 63,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11731469 at NHTSA ↗