2019 Kia SEDONA: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
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 11271050 · 2019-10-25 (October 25, 2019)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 KIA SEDONA. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, WHEN DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND, AT TIMES, THE RPMS INCREASED TO 4,000. AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS ALSO HEARD DURING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MURRAY KIA (LOCATED AT 1402 RIDGE PIKE, CONSHOHOCKEN, PA 19428, [phone removed]) WHERE UNKNOWN SOFTWARE UPDATES WERE PERFORMED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURES CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR UNKNOWN SOFTWARE UPDATE…
Owner-reported narrative. 250 miles reported. Look up ODI 11271050 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 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 11364624 · 2020-10-16 (October 16, 2020)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE LOSS POWER AND SPUTTERED AND JERKED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER, RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PITRE KIA (9640 EAGLE RANCH RD. NORTHWEST ALBUQUERQUE, NM 87114, [phone removed]) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TEST DRIVEN WITHOUT ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE …
Owner-reported narrative. 400 miles reported. Look up ODI 11364624 at NHTSA ↗
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 11430520 · 2021-08-25 (August 25, 2021)
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Left side rear door. Yes it is available for inspection How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Door is hard to open sometimes does not open, I have to do a lot of force for it to open. I have two babies in carsite on the back of the car, if an accident occur their life will be at risk. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes, several times. Dealer try to correct it multiples t…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11430520 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
19V207000 · Seat Belts: Rear/Other:Buckle Assembly
Reported: 2019-03-18 (March 18, 2019)
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2019 Sedona vehicles equipped with an 8-passenger seat arrangement. The seat belt buckle for the second-row middle seat may have been improperly installed on the wrong side of the seat, preventing the proper use of the 3-point seat belt. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Consequence: A seat belt that cannot be properly used increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the seat belt installation, and reinstall the seat belt buckle to the correct side if necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 8, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia 's number for this recall is SC177.
NHTSA campaign record ↗22V031000 · Air Bags
Reported: 2022-01-25 (January 25, 2022)
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.
Consequence: Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗