2019 Kia SEDONA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
37 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
30,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2019 model year. Data snapshot: . 13 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 10 of 37 complaints (27.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 4 | 10.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 5.4% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 5.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 5.4% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 2.7% |
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 | 10 |
| Structure:Body | 9 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Power Train | 4 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 3 |
| Service Brakes | 3 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
| Air Bags | 2 |
Engine: 10; Structure:Body: 9; Electrical System: 4; Power Train: 4; Fuel System, Gasoline: 3; Service Brakes: 3; Unknown Or Other: 3; Air Bags: 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 | 6 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 6; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 24 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 |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 8 |
| 2025 | 6 |
| 2026 | 7 |
2019: 3; 2020: 4; 2021: 2; 2022: 4; 2023: 3; 2024: 8; 2025: 6; 2026: 7
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 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 11383081 · 2020-12-11 (December 11, 2020)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE JERKED OR HESITATED WITHOUT WARNING, WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD PERFORM HARD DOWNSHIFTS WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HAGERSTOWN KIA (10307 AUTO PL, HAGERSTOWN, MD 21740) WHERE A SOFTWARE UPDATE WAS PERFORMED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE BACK TWICE AND NO REMEDIES WERE PERFORMED AFTER EACH VIS…
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11383081 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11522140 · 2023-05-15 (May 15, 2023)
I had to replace the left brake light 4 times already. I see other Kia Sedonas that have the same brake light out all the time.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11522140 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11311236 · 2020-02-24 (February 24, 2020)
PURCHASED NEW. @ 7400 MILES WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IT SMELLED LIKE SOMETHING WAS BURNING. TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP WHO STATED CYLINDER HEAD WAS LEAKING ANTIFREEZE. ENTIRE ENGINE HAD TO BE REBUILT (ALL HEADS/GASKETS EXCHANGED). 7800 MILES FLUID LEVELS BOTTOMED OUT. DEALER STATED CAR HADN'T 'BURPED' FROM GASKET REPAIR. 9300 MILES WHILE CITY DRIVING THE BLIND SPOT COLLISION WARNINGS STARTED YELLING. I PLACED THE CAR IN PARK AND TURNED IT OFF. WHEN I TURNED IT BACK ON THE CAR SAID POSSIBLE TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND I COULD NOT SHIFT. POPPED THE S…
Owner-reported narrative. 7,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 11311236 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11348473 · 2020-08-10 (August 10, 2020)
SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH MY ENGINE OR TRANSMISSION WHICHEVER WHICH ONE IT IS I DO NOT KNOW I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER 5 OR MORE TIMES THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM OR THE OR THEY SAY IT'S OPERATING AS ASSIGNED HOW'S THE CAR OPERATING AS DESIGNED WHEN THE VEHICLE SOON AS YOU PUSH THE ACCELERATOR AT BUCKS IT JERKS IT HESITATES TO GO AND THAT ONE THAT GOES IT TAKES OFFIT ALSO DOES THE SAME THING WHEN SLOWING DOWN IN A BUCK LITTLE JERK AND THEN DOWNSHIFT VERY HARD THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN DRIVING DURING CERTAIN CONDITIONS
Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11348473 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11192764 · 2019-03-31 (March 31, 2019)
2019 KIA SEDONA WITH 2600 MILES ON IT, WHILE DRIVING THE CAR DOWN THE ROAD, IT HAS EXTREME ALIGNMENT ISSUES WANTING TO GO TO THE LEFT, ALMOST CAUSED 3 DIFFERENT ACCIDENTS PUTTING MY LIFE AND MY FAMILY'S LIFE IN DANGER. IN ORDER TO KEEP THE THE CAR GOING STRAIGHT, YOU REALLY HAVE TO HOLD THE STEERING WHEEL TIGHTLY.
Owner-reported narrative. 2,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11192764 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11287729 · 2019-12-08 (December 8, 2019)
BOUGHT A BRAND NEW CAR AT 20 MILES ON ODOMETER. WHILE DRIVING HOME STEERING WHEEL WAS SHAKING BADLY. I WAS SURPRISED TO FEEL THIS SINCE IT IS A BRAND NEW CAR. I WENT TO SERVICE NEXT DAY THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH TIRES OR SUSPENSION AND WAS TOLD THIS IS HOW THIS CAR DESIGN TO DRIVE. I WAS TOLD THAT IF THERE IS KNOW VISIBLE ISSUE WITH THE TIRES KIA WOULD NOT REPLACE IT UNDER WARRANTY. NOW I'M STUCK WITH THIS BRAND NEW CAR THAT DRIVES LIKE 10 YEARS OLD CAR.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11287729 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11590999 · 2024-05-28 (May 28, 2024)
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Sedona. The contact stated while driving, he became aware of a strong and unpleasant fuel odor that made him and his granddaughter sick. The contact stated that the check engine warning light flashed on and off several times. The vehicle was taken on several occasions to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with a fuel leak and several parts related to the fuel leak failure were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated the failure had been for a year and the dealer had not been able to repair the…
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11590999 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11745095 · 2026-06-18 (June 18, 2026)
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that the heat and A/C control knobs had melted twice, and the contact had purchased and personally replaced the entire control panel. Additionally, the contact stated that there was an abnormal strong fuel odor coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and the low-pressure fuel pump and fuel injectors were replaced on separate occasions. However, the failure recurred while leaving the dealer. The vehicle was…
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11745095 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11755275 · 2026-08-06 (August 6, 2026)
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the engine overheated. The vehicle was driven to the local dealer, who diagnosed that the engine head bolts had failed. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The engine was replaced. The contact stated that later while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer who diagnosed that the ignition coil had failed. The ignition coil and sp…
Owner-reported narrative. 146,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11755275 at NHTSA ↗