This page covers 3 recalls, 46 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2018 Kia Sedona.
20 mpg combined
11.8 L/100km
Minivan - 2WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Engine complaints make up the bulk of what 2018 Sedona owners report, and the pattern is pretty consistent: engines failing at higher mileage, often described as sudden power loss, excessive oil consumption, or outright seizure. Several owners point to internal engine damage, rod bearing failures in particular come up more than once, leaving vehicles fully inoperative. A smaller cluster of electrical system complaints covers warning lights illuminating unexpectedly, including brake and emergency braking system alerts that appear without a clear triggering event. Airbag-related complaints, while fewer in number, describe warning lights staying on after dealer visits and, in at least one case, airbags not deploying in a collision. A single seatbelt complaint describes a retractor locking in a way that trapped the belt against an occupant, requiring the belt to be cut.
46
Total Complaints
1
Crash-Related
4
Fire-Related
1
With Injuries
By System
The 2018 Kia Sedona has 3 recalls, the most serious involving airbags and occupant detection failures that can leave drivers and passengers without crash protection when they need it most.
Two of the three recalls affect airbag performance in different ways. The airbag control unit cover can press against a memory chip on the circuit board inside, damaging the circuitry and causing the airbags to stay inactive in a crash. Separately, the wiring harness under the front passenger seat can break over time from normal seat use, disabling the passenger seat sensor that detects whether a child seat is present. Without that sensor working correctly, the front passenger airbag can deploy in a crash even when a child is seated there, raising the risk of injury to a young occupant. The third recall affects vehicles equipped with power sliding doors: the door may fail to reverse direction when it meets an obstruction while closing, meaning the door can continue pressing against a person caught in its path.
At a glance
What can fail
The Air Bag Control Unit cover may contact and damage a memory chip on the circuit board, causing the air bags to deactivate and fail to deploy in a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the Air Bag Control Unit and update its software or replace the unit as needed, at no cost to you.
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The Occupant Detection System wiring harness under the front passenger seat may break over time from seat use, affecting the system's operation.
What the fix does
Dealers will remove the wire harness clip to prevent breaking. If damaged, the front passenger seat cushion will be replaced at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The power sliding door may fail to automatically reverse when something blocks it while closing.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the power sliding door module software at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
