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Minivans aren’t as popular since the arrival of larger SUVs, but the 2018 Kia Sedona still had a following. The automaker boasts that the new Sedona lineup offers “smart features for smooth sailing,” but many owners are having trouble operating this vehicle at all. The defective electrical system, malfunctioning powertrain and bad tires are all causing trouble.
Click on other model year to view more problems: 2019
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NHTSA Complaints for the 2018 Kia Sedona
| Complaint Category | Number of Complaints |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | |
| Air Bags | |
| Unknown Or Other | |
| Engine | |
| Exterior Lighting | |
| Wheels | |
| Structure:body | |
| Steering | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control | |
| Latches/locks/linkages:hatchback/liftgate:lock |
Problems with the Electrical System
To have “smart features,” this model better have a strong electrical system to back these amenities up. Yet, a quick glance at customer reviews shows this isn’t the case.
One NHTSA complaint states, “The contact owns a 2018 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that the passenger side sliding door would open and close on its own. The contact took the vehicle to [dealer], but they could not duplicate or diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not assist. The approximate failure mileage was 9,000.”
This isn’t some random occurrence. In fact, there is a massive recall affecting more than 100,000 vehicles, labeled with NHTSA Campaign Number 18V338000. According to the documentation, the door can close, even if something or somebody is in the way. This poses a risk of injury to occupants, especially children that could get in the way. But, that’s not the end of the electrical system issues. There’s yet another recall, NHTSA Campaign Number 19V109000 that affects more than 94,000 vehicles. This recall says that the occupant detection system wiring harness could break. If a child sits in the front seat after this occurs, the front passenger air bag might deploy and cause injury. At this point, it would appear that Kia doesn’t know the first thing about creating “smart features.” In fact, the only thing that the company has done right so far is to create systems that can hurt children.Pretty ironic for a minivan that’s meant to protect the little ones.
Problems with the Transmission
Part of the powertrain is the transmission. When hauling kids and groceries, it’s vital to have a transmission that responds properly, but that’s not the case with the 2018 Kia Sedona.
One NHTSA comment says, “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 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.”
This is a delicate balancing act that owners have to figure out in order to get to the destination. Kia has nothing to say about this matter and has chosen instead to remain quiet. Obviously this transmission concern goes against the “smooth-sailing” claim, especially when drivers have to press the brake pedal in order to accelerate. They must stop to go – talk about mixed messages.
Problems with the Tires
Most new car owners don’t struggle with tire concerns, but most vehicles aren’t the Kia Sedona. This minivan doesn’t have good tires installed from the factory, further putting busy families at risk.
Here is yet another NHTSA complaint. “The contact owns a 2018 Kia Sedona equipped with Kumho Crugen premium tires, size: 235/65R17. 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.”
While the Kia team was busy focusing on the “smart features,” the standard equipment fell by the wayside. Something as simple as tires weren’t even done right, which shows how much of a lemon this vehicle actually is. As can be expected, Kia had nothing to say about tire issues either and decided to remain silent. Looks like it isn’t smooth-sailing for this automaker now that it’s dealing with irate customers.
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Complaint Data
| Category | Engine |
| Date | Mar 14, 2023 |
| State | CA |
| Description | We barely use it and just for sunday service only which our church is just 2 miles away from our home. We did the oil change last july 2022 and on december 2022, suddenly the engine stops working (only 120 mileage added). No warning lights or indication saying engine oli needs to change. My son heard a clunk noise while he's on the way home. Huntington beach hyundai service center said that the engine broke due to oil issue. |
| Category | Air Bags, Electrical System, Structure:body |
| Date | Feb 10, 2023 |
| State | UT |
| Description | My daughter was driving my kia sedona van - distracted and on wet roads ran into a firehydrant and pole. During the accident, the air bags did not employ. The passenger fell forward and broke the windshield with her head, leading to a concucussion. We are thankful for two children who are alive after this accident. We are disappointed tho that the airbags didnt protect our child more. |
| Category | Exterior Lighting |
| Date | Feb 08, 2023 |
| State | MI |
| Description | The headlights are auto leveling based on load. Although there is no load in my vehicle the headlights do not shine out very far in front of the vehicle. There is a very distinct cut off line on the road. There is no way of adjusting them. This is very dangerous because you cannot see whats ahead of the vehicle in the dark. The attached photo is the headlights shining on my garage door. |
| Category | Unknown Or Other |
| Date | Jan 30, 2023 |
| State | TX |
| Description | Something came through the front grill and damaged the a/c condenser. Grill is open holes and doesn't provide enough protection to the condenser and radiator. |
| Category | Steering |
| Date | Oct 03, 2022 |
| State | CA |
| Description | 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 (800-333-4542). 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 nor messages have appeared. Checked power steering fluid level and it is at the recommended level. |
| Category | Electrical System, Engine, Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Date | Jun 30, 2022 |
| State | LA |
| Description | 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 issues: electrical components going off and not working anymore (cruise control, rear view camera, navigation system), booming sound from air conditioner like an old airplane is inside the cabin.. Etc. There were no warning lights suggesting any problem before car caught on fire. Please help. |
| Category | Air Bags |
| Date | Apr 12, 2022 |
| State | NY |
| Description | The contact owns a 2018 kia sedona. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and an unknown software was updated however, the vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that the air bag needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no additional assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 73,000. |
| Category | Latches/locks/linkages:hatchback/liftgate:lock |
| Date | Apr 11, 2022 |
| State | PA |
| Description | The contact owns a 2018 kia sedona. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the street, the smart lift automatically engaged and the contact was tramped in between her vehicle and another parked vehicle. The lift does not disengage when sensing a person when lifting or descending. The contact stated that she heard the censor but could not move. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 48,000. |
| Category | Wheels |
| Date | Apr 29, 2021 |
| State | DE |
| Description | At 18,870 miles the left front tire of my 2018 kia sedona sx limited (original to van kumho crugen 235/55/r19) began to pull to the left during highway driving. Went to local firestone dealer. They placed the tire on the right side and pulled to right. They suggested I take it to the kia dealer to have cam bolts adjusted. Went to kia dealer where I purchased the van. They were no help refused to do anything they said nothing wrong with the tire. Went back to firestone and purchased a new kumho crugen 235/55/r19 tire and had it put on. Upon examining the tire they said the steel belts had shifted. Contacted kia dealer with no response. Contacted kia corporate and received a refund for cost of new tire. At 39,444 miles again the left front tire (original to van kumho crugen 235/55/r19) began to pull severely to the left during highway driving. Went to local firestone dealer. The steel belts had shifted severely mishaping the tire. At this point I purchased 4 new tires of a different brand. |
| Category | Electrical System |
| Date | Feb 13, 2021 |
| State | LA |
| Description | Radio and rear camera not working |
| Category | Electrical System, Unknown Or Other |
| Date | Jan 29, 2021 |
| State | NY |
| Description | 2018nkia sadona having issues starting up after sitting over night get in try to start no start but lights on dash turn on engine no crank. After doing on and off lock unlock it tends to start .. Cannot check what's going on due to intermitting issues over long periods of time. Its not all the time some times. |
| Category | Wheels |
| Date | Sep 25, 2020 |
| State | NC |
| Description | 2 of the 4 kumho crugen premium 235/60r18 tires on our kia sedona have had tread separation. 21,000 miles on the car so far. Car was in motion and experienced rattling and shaking each time. |
| Category | Electrical System |
| Date | Aug 16, 2020 |
| State | OR |
| Description | 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. |
| Category | Electrical System, Exterior Lighting, Service Brakes |
| Date | Nov 11, 2019 |
| State | OR |
| Description | This is [xxx] my phone number [xxx]. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6). *tr |
| Category | Electrical System |
| Date | Nov 01, 2019 |
| State | VA |
| Description | Tl* the contact owns a 2018 kia sedona. The contact stated that the passenger side sliding door would open and close on its own. The contact took the vehicle to bill cole automall (located at 10005 big laurel hwy, bluefield, wv 24701, 304-327-0511), but they could not duplicate or diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not assist. The approximate failure mileage was 9,000. |
| Category | Tires |
| Date | Aug 02, 2019 |
| State | TX |
| Description | 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. |
| Category | Electrical System |
| Date | May 17, 2019 |
| State | TX |
| Description | Tl* the contact owns a 2018 kia sedona. The contact stated that the power sliding door senor failed causing the contact to get trapped between the door. The failure happened intermittently. Ancira kia (6139 bandera rd, san antonio, tx 78238 (210) 509-2913) diagnosed and repaired the sliding door senor but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle had not been repaired for a second time. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 14,000. |
| Category | Air Bags, Seats |
| Date | Mar 01, 2019 |
| State | WA |
| Description | We purchased brand new a 2016 kia sedona from the dealership. Within the 2 years we owned it we had to take it into the dealership four times because the airbag light would come on and stay on, or would flicker off and one as I was driving down the road. They found it to be an issue with the passenger airbag. They repaired it the first three times and the light would stay off for a while. The fourth time we took it in they said they were going to try replacing the whole seat to see if that helped. We decided that we didn't want to risk it happening again as the van was less than 2,000 miles from being out of warranty. So, we traded it in for a 2018 kia sedona which now, at 1400 miles, has the same issue! We have already taken it in twice to the have issue repaired. What are the odds of having the exact same issue? |
| Category | Visibility/wiper |
| Date | Nov 21, 2018 |
| State | PA |
| Description | We only had our vehicle 5 months and my husband was sitting in traffic during a snowstorm and the wipers stopped working. We took the vehicle to the dealer and they told us it's not a manufacturer's defect so we would have to pay 7 out of pocket to replace the wiper motor. They claim that happened from someone moving heavy snow off the windshield without clearing off the windshield first. My husband has an ice scraper and he told me he used it, not to mention, he kept the heat on the window the entire time. I think it's ridiculous for them to have us to believe that on the first snowstorm of the year, the wiper teeth got ruined from snow, what's the purpose of the wipers? It has been almost a week since we left the dealer and they had no conscious about us driving out of there with no wipers. We cannot afford 7 so our freedom to drive our brand new car whenever we want is limited until we figure out what we can do. |
| Category | Power Train, Vehicle Speed Control |
| Date | Jul 11, 2018 |
| State | KS |
| Description | 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. |
| Category | Unknown Or Other |
| Date | Jun 11, 2018 |
| State | OH |
| Description | Vehicle mpg is not accurate. States 18-24 mpg. We are getting 17 mpg on average with some highway driving. Filling up tank every 4-5 days about 15 gallon of fuel each fill up. Van is new and has 2500 miles. Feel that mileage claim is not accurate. 3. 3l engine. 2018 kia sedona ex. |
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About the Author:
Brian Jones spent more than 20 years working as an ASE Certified Master Tech and Parts Specialist at multiple dealerships. Brian has become an authority in the industry, traveling across the country to consult for car dealerships and contributing his expertise as a writer for several major automotive publications. In his spare time, Brian enjoys working on pickup trucks, muscle cars, Jeeps and anything related to motorsports.
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I have a 2018 Kia Sedona XLT. In the shop 5 times for same airbag issue. Driver seat has been replaced but still same issue. It is currently in the shop 5th time and been there over a week.