Sign inCreate free garage
Research · Minivan - 2WD

2009 Kia SedonaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 48 owner complaints for the 2009 Kia Sedona. Most complaints involve service brakes (8) and electrical system (8). The EPA rates it 18 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
18mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
5campaigns
Latest Feb 2020
Owner complaints
48
Top: service brakes
Fuel cost / yr
$3,550est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

5 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

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.

Electrical systemReported Feb 14, 2020NHTSA 20V088000

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.

Latches/locks/linkagesReported Jun 1, 2016NHTSA 16V389000

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.

SuspensionReported Jun 1, 2016NHTSA 16V387000
See all 5 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 31, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

48 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jun 2009 – Aug 2026
  1. Service brakes8
  2. Electrical system8
  3. Exterior lighting7
  4. Electronic stability control (esc)7
  5. Vehicle speed control7
  6. Engine and engine cooling5
  7. Suspension4
  8. Steering3
  9. Air bags3

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 yearNHTSA complaints
2002250
2003200
2004213
2005185
2006385
2007157
2008170
200948
201032
201165
2012108
201439
2015140
2016297
2017134
201849
201939
202020
202110
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
5
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 31, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Service brakes

8 reports1 crash1 fire
“THE BRAKE LIGHTS TURNED ON AND CANNOT BE TURNED OFF EXCEPT FOR DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY. THEY ARE ON ALL OF THE TIME WHILE DRIVING AND DRIVERS CANNOT TELL WHEN I APPLY MY BRAKES. THEY ARE ON AFTER I POWER OFF THE VEHICLE AND PARK AND LOCK THE SEDONA. THE ESC OFF LIGHT WAS ALSO ILLUMINATED WHEN I STARTED THE CAR. THE VEHICLE HAS 25,000 MILES AND IS KEPT IN NAPLES, FLORIDA.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 20, 2019Electronic stability control (esc), Service brakesODI 11281379

Electrical system

8 reports1 fire
“THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE ALTERNATOR IS BEING REPLACED SINCE 09/19/17. ENGINE OIL LEAKS FROM THE FRONT CYLINDER BANK'S VALVE COVER GASKET. OIL DRIPS ONTO THE ALTERNATOR, THE ALTERNATOR IS THEN OIL SOAKED & DAMAGED RESULTING IN THE CHARGING SYSTEM BECOMING INOPERATIVE. THE CHARGING SYSTEM WARNING LAMP IN THE CLUSTER WILL THEN ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WILL RUN ON BATTERY POWER UNTIL THE BATTERY VOLTAGE DROPS BELOW THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE'S MINIMUM OPERATIONAL VOLTAGE. THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF AND NOT RESTART, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. THIS ENGINE IS MANUFACTURED BY HYUNDAI & IS THE SAME ENGINE DESIGN AS THE 2007-2012 HYUNDAI VERACRUZ, WHICH HAS A RECALL CAMPAIGN #121 FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE. KIA NEEDS TO IMPLEMENT A RECALL FOR THIS!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 8, 2018Electrical system, EngineODI 11150094

Exterior lighting

7 reports1 fire
“An L shape plastic part broke off under the brake pedal that is causing the brake lights to remain on, intermittently, when I am not using them. It has drained my battery causing me to be late to work.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 26, 2021Exterior lightingODI 11418672
All 2009 Sedona problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 31, 2026
04 —Key specs

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
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Sedona
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
162318$3,550494
  • Sedona
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L
    16 city · 23 hwy · $3,550/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 31, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2009 Kia Sedona as of Oct 31, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 31, 2026Vehicle 5201Vehicle 5200
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat 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.
09 —FAQ

2009 Sedona questions

How many recalls does the 2009 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 2009 Kia Sedona problems?

Owners filed 48 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes (8), electrical system (8), exterior lighting (7). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2009 Kia Sedona get?

The EPA rates the 2009 Kia Sedona at 18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 31, 2026