Research · Minivan - 2WD

2017 Kia SedonaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 134 owner complaints for the 2017 Kia Sedona. Most complaints involve engine (60) and electrical system (23). The EPA rates it 19–21 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
19–21mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest Jan 2022
Owner complaints
134
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$3,050est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Air bags

Free remedy

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Sedona, Soul, Soul EV, 2017-2018 Forte, and 2017 Forte Koup vehicles. The Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) cover may contact a memory chip on the printed circuit board and damage the electrical circuit. Circuit damage may result in deactivated air bags that will not deploy in a crash.

Air bagsReported Jan 25, 2022NHTSA 22V031000

Exterior lighting: turn signal

Free remedy

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Sedona vehicles. The Smart Junction Box (SJB) software logic may not properly interpret the signals received from the multifunction switch, which could cause the turn signal to activate in the opposite direction of what the driver intended.

Exterior lightingReported Sep 17, 2021NHTSA 21V725000

Electrical system: wiring

Free remedy

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Sedona vehicles equipped with manually-adjusted front passenger seats. Over time, the Occupant Detection System (ODS) wiring harness located underneath the front passenger seat may break from the seat being occupied.

Electrical systemReported Feb 19, 2019NHTSA 19V109000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 31, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

134 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 2016 – Sep 2026
  1. Engine60
  2. Electrical system23
  3. Structure15
  4. Air bags13
  5. Exterior lighting11
  6. Power train4
  7. Service brakes4
  8. Visibility/wiper4
  9. Steering3

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
2
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
11
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

Engine

60 reports3 fires
“on 8/6/26 my wife was driving home when the Sedona Van began emitting white smoke and started making a whining noise. Little did we know the head bolts had pulled out of the engine causing the head gasket to blow and coolant to leak and total engine failure. Safety risk was engine could have seized in the middle of my wife driving home which could have caused a sudden crash. Vehicle was taken to dealership which confirmed total engine failure due to the well-documented engine failures of the 3.3L V6 Lamda - II engines. Dealership stated my VIN # was NOT included in the extended warranty that the NHTSA mandated KIA provide due to this well-documented problem. I was told the extended warranty covered vehicles through 2016 model years, my Sedona is a 2017. Therefore, there was NOTHING they could do. However, this is the SAME issue that has been documented over and over with this engine. But because mine is a 2017 I am being told it is not covered for the total engine replacement by KIA. I was told to call the KIA customer care line which I did. They confirmed my vehicle is NOT covered, but agreed it is the same engine issue that has been seen in the 2013-2016. I…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 17, 2026Unknown or other, EngineODI 11757573

Electrical system

23 reports
“The sliding door located on the driver's side / left side behind the driver's seat will not close completely which causes an alert/warning to be displayed that the door is still open. The door slides on the track but will not close completely. You must apply pressure as it closes to turn of the warning light.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 14, 2026Electrical systemODI 11731053

Structure

15 reports
“The paint is chipping on the entire vehicle exterior. I have searched online and this seems to be a common problem. The vehicle is a 2017, which is way too quick for the paint to be chipping off.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 13, 2024StructureODI 11588362
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 31, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Minivan - 2WD
Engines
3.3L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S6)
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 SX
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.3 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182521$3,050433
Sedona
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.3 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182420$3,200443
Sedona SXL
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.3 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172219$3,400476
  • Sedona SX
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.3 L
    18 city · 25 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Sedona
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.3 L
    18 city · 24 hwy · $3,200/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Sedona SXL
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.3 L
    17 city · 22 hwy · $3,400/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
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

1 tested variant
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Kia Sedona VAN FWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
13.0%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 31, 2026Vehicle 11007
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

2017 Sedona questions

How many recalls does the 2017 Kia Sedona have?

4 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 2017 Kia Sedona problems?

Owners filed 134 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (60), electrical system (23), structure (15). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2017 Kia Sedona get?

The EPA rates the 2017 Kia Sedona at 19–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

How safe is the 2017 Kia Sedona?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2017 Kia Sedona 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 31, 2026