Electrical system
Free remedy
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2006-2010 Sedona and 2007-2009 Sorento vehicles. Moisture may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short.
Research · Minivan - 2WD
2008 Kia SedonaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 170 owner complaints for the 2008 Kia Sedona. Most complaints involve electrical system (45) and vehicle speed control (38). The EPA rates it 18 mpg combined.
Combined MPG
18mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
5campaigns
Latest Feb 2020
Owner complaints
170
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$3,550est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
5 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN
Suspension: lower arm
Free remedy
Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2006-2012 Kia Sedona vehicles manufactured from June 15, 2005, through August 14, 2012 and originally sold in, or currently registered in Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. In the affected vehicles, the front lower control arms may break due to corrosion from salt water exposure such as from road salt use.
Latches
Free remedy
Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Kia Sedona vehicles manufactured from June 15, 2005, through April 04, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the secondary hood latch may bind and remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 31, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
170 complaints filed with NHTSA · Apr 2008 – Feb 2026
- Electrical system45
- Vehicle speed control38
- Structure25
- Electronic stability control (esc)15
- Suspension15
- Exterior lighting15
- Service brakes12
- Latches/locks/linkages11
- Service brakes, hydraulic8
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
By model year
Complaints for each Sedona model year we’ve synced.
View as table
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 250 |
| 2003 | 200 |
| 2004 | 213 |
| 2005 | 185 |
| 2006 | 385 |
| 2007 | 157 |
| 2008 | 170 |
| 2009 | 48 |
| 2010 | 32 |
| 2011 | 65 |
| 2012 | 108 |
| 2014 | 39 |
| 2015 | 140 |
| 2016 | 297 |
| 2017 | 134 |
| 2018 | 49 |
| 2019 | 39 |
| 2020 | 20 |
| 2021 | 10 |
- Crashes reported
- 4
- Fires reported
- 10
- Injuries reported
- 2
- Deaths reported
- 0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 31, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Electrical system
45 reports1 crash7 fires
“The contact owned a 2008 Kia Sedona. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked at a friend’s residence, the contact exited the vehicle and took the baby she was caring for inside the residence of the friend. Upon returning outside, the contact became aware that the vehicle was on fire and the vehicle was engulfed in flames. The Fire Department arrived on the scene and extinguished the fire. The Fire Marshall informed the contact that the fire had started in the engine compartment. Additionally, a Fire Report was filed; however, the information was unavailable. The fire caused damage to the friend residence. The contact stated that the fire melted the aluminum siding on the house. No injuries were sustained. The vehicle was covered under a liability insurance policy. The vehicle was a total loss. The homeowners insurance Fire Inspector tagged the vehicle and requested that the vehicle remain on the premises. The vehicle was still located at the residence, as per the Fire Inspector. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 315,465.”
Vehicle speed control
38 reports1 crash
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SEDONA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.”
Structure
25 reports
“The contact owns a 2008 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that upon having a state safety inspection performed on the vehicle, the contact was informed by a mechanic that there was severe corrosion on the subframe of the vehicle. The inspector informed the contact that the vehicle might be under recall for the issue. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 31, 2026
Engines, transmissions & drive
1 version rated by the EPA
- EPA class
- Minivan - 2WD
- Engines
- 3.8L 6-cyl
- Transmissions
- Automatic 5-spd
- Drive
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 31, 2026EPA listing
EPA fuel economy by version
City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sedona Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 16 | 23 | 18 | $3,550 | 494 |
- 18mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 31, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2008 Kia Sedona as of Oct 31, 2026.
Maintenance basics
General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
- Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
6–12 months - Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
Every oil change - Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
1–2 years - Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
1–2 years - Brake fluid—
2–3 years - Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
5–10 years - Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
— - 12V battery—
3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
2008 Sedona questions
How many recalls does the 2008 Kia Sedona have?
5 safety recalls as of Oct 31, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
What are the most common 2008 Kia Sedona problems?
Owners filed 170 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (45), vehicle speed control (38), structure (25). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2008 Kia Sedona get?
The EPA rates the 2008 Kia Sedona at 18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 31, 2026