2018 Kia Sedona
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 21 of 48 complaints (44%) mention it.
Complaints filed fell from 133 in 2017 to 48 in 2018.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | vs. 2018 Minivan - 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,950–3,300 | 2,950–3,300 | 2,950–3,300 | 2,950 | 2,950 | |
| Combined MPG | 19–21 | 19–21 | 19–21 | 21 | 21 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 17–18 / 22–25 | 17–18 / 22–25 | 17–18 / 22–25 | 18 / 24 | 18 / 24 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 433–476 | 433–476 | 433–476 | 437 | 436 | |
| Complaints filed | 295 | 133 | 48 | 37 | 20 | |
| Recalls issued | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 10 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 14 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 10 | 11 | 1 | 5 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2018 Kia Sedona have?
3 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2018 Kia Sedona?
Engine: 21 of 48 NHTSA complaints (44%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Kia Sedona get?
EPA rates it 19–21 MPG combined across 3 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2018 Kia Sedona?
EPA estimates $2,950–$3,300 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
EPA-Rated Configurations (3)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.3L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Minivan - 2WD | 18 mpg (high) | 24 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,100 | 443 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.3L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Minivan - 2WD | 18 mpg (high) | 25 mpg (high) | 21 mpg (high) | $2,950 (low) | 433 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.3L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Minivan - 2WD | 17 mpg (low) | 22 mpg (low) | 19 mpg (low) | $3,300 (high) | 476 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 21 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 11 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Brakes | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (3)
AIR BAGS · Campaign 22V031000 · Jan 26, 2022
Defect: 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.
Consequence: Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the ACU, and either update the software or replace the unit, as necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 21, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC226.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING · Campaign 19V109000 · Feb 21, 2019
Defect: 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.
Consequence: If a child is in a child seat in the front seat, a broken ODS wiring harness will not prevent the front passenger air bag from deploying in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the child.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will remove the wire harness clip to prevent the wiring harness from breaking. If the harness is found damaged, the front passenger seat cushion will be replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 19, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC175.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR · Campaign 18V338000 · May 25, 2018
Defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Kia Sedona vehicles equipped with a power sliding door (PSD). The PSD may not auto-reverse when its closing is obstructed.
Consequence: If the door closes on an occupant, there is an increased risk of an injury.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the PSD module software, free of charge. The recall began on June 18, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC164.