2020 Kia SEDONA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
20 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
65,245 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2020 model year. Data snapshot: . 5 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 20 complaints (25.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 3 | 15.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 15.0% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 10.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 10.0% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 5.0% |
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 | 5 |
| Structure:Body | 4 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights | 1 |
Engine: 5; Structure:Body: 4; Electrical System: 3; Unknown Or Other: 3; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Power Train: 2; Exterior Lighting: 1; Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 15 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 |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2025 | 6 |
| 2026 | 3 |
2020: 1; 2021: 2; 2022: 1; 2023: 2; 2024: 5; 2025: 6; 2026: 3
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 3 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Braking 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 11353557 · 2020-09-07 (September 7, 2020)
NINE TIMES OUT OF TEN THE THIRD ROW SEAT DOESN'T LATCH PROPERLY. USUALLY ONE SIDE WILL LATCH SECURELY AND THE OTHER WON'T. THEN IT GETS STUCK. SUPER DANGEROUS AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED ASAP. VEHICLE HAS 3600 MILES ON IT NOW AND HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE WE PURCHASED IT NEW.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11353557 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11429457 · 2021-08-17 (August 17, 2021)
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? It looks like the ECU communication to my key fob failed and the engine was shutdown while I was driving the car on the highway. Then the anti-theft system called Immobilizer kicked in and prevented me to start the car again. It looks like the memory of my key fob id was erased or something as my car seemed to complain that the fob was not present when it in fact it was right next to me in the center console. How was your safety or the safety…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11429457 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11430054 · 2021-08-22 (August 22, 2021)
Driving down the interstate at 70mph and the vehicle suddenly began to brake and the forward collision warning light illuminated along with the check engine light. The car stopped on the interstate and this happened at 1:15 am and it was in a rural area and it was pitch black outside. Luckily no one plowed into the back of the car. Was able to restart the car and was barely able to get it to the side of the road before it shut down again. 6 miles to the nearest exit attempted to get the car off the highway. After several attempts and turning of…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11430054 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11448844 · 2022-01-25 (January 25, 2022)
my new kumo ho7 235-60-r18, tire fell apart on road trip from fl. to wi. had service done in Clarksville tenn. kia dealership on july 12th 2021. tire had to be replaced. odometer read 5,711 now another tire failed replaced jan. 22nd odometer read 11,765
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11448844 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11536475 · 2023-08-04 (August 4, 2023)
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Sedona. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle in hot temperatures, the vehicle failed to start immediately. After several attempts, the vehicle was able to be started and seemed to return to normal functionality. The contact stated that the failure had become a regular occurrence during the summer months. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure …
Owner-reported narrative. 22,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11536475 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11539097 · 2023-08-17 (August 17, 2023)
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Sedona. The contact was notified by the local Police that the rear brake lights were not illuminating as needed. The vehicle was later taken to the local mechanic who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. Later while driving approximately 20 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the brake pedal extended to the floorboard. The vehicle was immediately towed to the local dealer. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 41,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 41,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11539097 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11570716 · 2024-02-08 (February 8, 2024)
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Sedona. The contact stated while driving 40–45 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the headlights and taillights became inoperable. The contact also stated that the oil level was low after checking the dipstick. The driver's side window was stuck in the down position. The contact depressed the window button, but the window failed to roll up. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the contact was informed that there was a leak i…
Owner-reported narrative. 79,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11570716 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11580142 · 2024-03-29 (March 29, 2024)
Oil consumption test failed. Told by dealer the first part of the repair is not covered under the power train warranty because my vehicle is not listed on the list of affected vehicles even though it has the GDI motor that is listed. It's a V6 and not a 4 cylinder and the V6 is not on the list. Dealership in knoxville has done the oil consumption test. Vehicle was bought new in November of 2019 and services have been preformed according to manufacturers recommendation. Van has 104,500 miles on it. Has a 200,000 power train warranty. Kia custo…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11580142 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
20V399000 · Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
Reported: 2020-07-08 (July 8, 2020)
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.
Consequence: If the alternator B+ terminal nut loosens, electrical arcing may result, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗