Problems · NHTSA complaints
2015 Kia Sedona problems
Owners filed 140 complaints about the 2015 Kia Sedona with NHTSA between Jan 2015 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is engine (51).
Complaints
140
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
9
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Engine51
- Electrical system37
- Structure19
- Exterior lighting17
- Air bags11
- Service brakes6
- Seats6
- Power train4
- Fuel/propulsion system3
- Wheels3
- Vehicle speed control2
- Engine and engine cooling2
- Steering2
- Tires2
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 29, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
6
5
7
14
16
11
11
13
15
23
11
8
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 6 |
| 2016 | 5 |
| 2017 | 7 |
| 2018 | 14 |
| 2019 | 16 |
| 2020 | 11 |
| 2021 | 11 |
| 2022 | 13 |
| 2023 | 15 |
| 2024 | 23 |
| 2025 | 11 |
| 2026 | 8 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Engine
51 reports4 fires
“The check engine light illuminated with diagnostic code P0018 (crankshaft/camshaft position correlation, Bank 2), first recorded on a scan XXX. The vehicle was taken to a franchised Kia dealership in [XXX] on XXX at 88,719 miles. The dealer performed an engine teardown and provided a written diagnosis on XXX: metal debris on the exhaust camshaft position sensor, damaged camshaft phasers, a sheared camshaft pin, and metal contamination throughout the engine. The dealer states the engine requires either a major timing-system repair or complete engine replacement. This failure mode can cause sudden loss of motive power while driving. There was no crash, no injury, and no fire. The engine remains disassembled at the dealership and is available for inspection upon request. The problem was confirmed by a franchised Kia dealer in writing. NHTSA previously examined loss of motive power in this 3.3L V6 engine family in PE23-019, which named 2015-2021 Kia Sedona vehicles with 3.3L engines as peer vehicles. Warning prior to failure: check engine light only.”
Electrical system
37 reports3 fires1 related recall
“Our 2015 Kia Sedona VIN [XXX] developed CAN Bus fault codes U0001 U0100 U0101 rendering it completely undrivable following an incomplete warranty extension repair under WTY019 by Kia of Des Moines on [XXX] RO# [XXX]. The power sliding doors have been a persistent safety concern. The incomplete warranty extension repair left the sliding door not closing properly creating a safety hazard. The vehicle subsequently developed CAN Bus communication faults making it completely undrivable. After 28 days at Kia of Des Moines from May 4 to June 1 2026 under RO# [XXX] the CAN Bus fault was never diagnosed or addressed. The power sliding door still does not function after two warranty extension repairs. Upon retrieval June 1 2026 the vehicle continues to exhibit active CAN Bus warnings BDS warning lights flickering humming sound and rough driving. We believe the sliding door safety issues and CAN Bus failure are directly connected and represent a safety concern for other 2015-2017 Kia Sedona owners.”
Structure
19 reports1 fire1 related recall
“Right side sliding became stuck in closed position. Door was not openable by inside nor outside door handles. Not openable by automatic means such as push button. This situation slowed egress and could be a safety issue during emergency evacuation. During repair, KIA mechanics informed me that the forward latch (not the rear latch) of the sliding door was mechanically locked in closed position. The latch had to be destroyed from inside of vehicle to release latch to open door to be able to repair.”
Exterior lighting
17 reports1 related recall
“The component that is failing in the Kia is the headlighs. It has been inspected by Kia of Orange Park and is determined to need replacement of left and right headlight assemblies. It is available for further inspection but Kia wants more money than I can afford to fix it, so I will be finding another mechanic soon. While traveling home with five others after dark the headlights just went out on a very dark highway. Before we could safely pull over they came back on. We proceeded to continue home and the lights randomly went completely out and back on again for the entire journey. I have not driven the Kia at night since. With the grace of God there was no accident so the police and insurance agency were not involved; only the Kia dealer thus far has inspected the kia. There is an attached report. There were no warning lights, lamps or messages, or symptoms prior to this headlight failure. This happened on Mother's Day 2023. I have no assessment of the cause, with the exception of a full diagnostic of the vehicle which I have paid Kia of Orange Park for, in full. A report is attached or available from the dealership. I am adamant that this issue is a serious,…”
Air bags
11 reports
“I was driving at approximately 20-25 mph when both side curtain airbags deployed. There was no collision or sudden stops. There were no warning lights or symptoms before or after the incident. My battery had been replaced at a local shop 4-5 hours prior to the incident. My child was in the car in her car seat and appears to have no apparent issues following the event. The hearing in my left ear is deteriorated and I have a ringing sound and it makes a distortion sound when the noise levels reach a certain level.”
Service brakes
6 reports2 crashes
“My ABS / Traction control light has been on for about 4 years and the diagnostic system gives a warning about it. see picture. I have not fixed it because it just reverts back to regular brakes. However, I know that KIA has had recalls on the ABS / Traction control computer board. but my model year was not included in the recall. My mechanic says the issue is my ABS / Traction control computer board and not a sensor on wheel. I would like my model year to be investigated to see if it can be included in the recall as I plan on keeping this vehicle for many years. Yes, I can make it available for inspection. Safety is loss of anti-lock brakes.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 29, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.