2021 Kia SedonaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 10 owner complaints for the 2021 Kia Sedona. Most complaints involve engine (2) and electrical system (2). The EPA rates it 21 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.
Safety recalls
Owner complaints by component
- Engine2
- Electrical system2
- Vehicle speed control2
- Tires2
- Structure1
- Exterior lighting1
- Lane departure1
- Air bags1
- Seat belts1
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
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
- 2
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 1
- Deaths reported
- 0
What owners report most
Engine
“This vehicle is burning oil at an alarming rate. Between oil changes it has lost 4 quarts before. I constantly have to check and add oil and have experienced stuck pistons and rough idle due to the oil not being at a safe level. Kia service advisors have admitted there have been reports of this happening with this engine, but no recall or inspection has been initiated to my knowledge. They did just issue an optional emission campaign that I completed, but it is unrelated to the oil burn issue.”
Electrical system
“For starters, my lights go out every six months on queue. Cannot find a reason why. My car sputters or shutters when accelerating. I heard other Kia models have recalls due to the same thing. I have had my car in the shop multiple times and no one can figure out why it is doing it. It feels like the belts are slipping or the transmission is slipping or something, but no one can find a legit reason as to why. This has been happening since I bought the car and it has never stopped with anything I have tried to do or I’ve had inspected.”
Vehicle speed control
“We purchased a brand-new 2021 Kia Sedona in 2021. Since January, we’ve been experiencing an intermittent but serious issue where the vehicle refuses to accelerate or shift beyond a certain point. This issue has put us in dangerous situations multiple times. One incident occurred while crossing a fast-moving, single-lane road—our vehicle would not accelerate to the appropriate speed, placing us at serious risk. On another occasion, while merging onto a highway, the car failed to accelerate, and we feared being rear-ended due to our inability to keep up with traffic. There are no warning lights or error messages to indicate a problem when this occurs. The only temporary solution has been to pull over, turn the car off, and restart it. After doing this, the vehicle functions normally for a few days, weeks, or even months before the issue reoccurs. We have taken the vehicle to our local Kia dealership, but they were unable to replicate the problem or identify any issues. We also brought it to a second Kia dealership with the same result—no diagnosis and no resolution. We are extremely concerned for our safety and would appreciate guidance on how to escalate this…”
Engines, transmissions & drive
- EPA class
- Minivan - 2WD
- Engines
- 3.3L 6-cyl
- Transmissions
- Automatic (S8)
- 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.
EPA fuel economy by version
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sedona Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.3 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 24 | 21 | $3,050 | 436 |
- 21mpg comb.
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
- Frontal crash
- 5 of 5
- Side crash
- 5 of 5
- Side pole
- 5 of 5
- Rollover
- 4 of 5
- Rollover risk
- 13.0%
Maintenance basics
| 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
2021 Sedona questions
How many recalls does the 2021 Kia Sedona have?
0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Oct 31, 2026.
What are the most common 2021 Kia Sedona problems?
Owners filed 10 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (2), electrical system (2), vehicle speed control (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2021 Kia Sedona get?
The EPA rates the 2021 Kia Sedona at 21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).
How safe is the 2021 Kia Sedona?
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2021 Kia Sedona 5 out of 5 stars overall.