2009 Kia Sedona problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Kia Sedona, most often about lighting. There are 5 recalls for this model year.

Complaints
5
Recalls
5
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Median mileage
161,000 mi
at time of problem

Key facts

  • Suspension is the most-reported problem area, named in 1 of 5 complaints (20%).
  • Lighting (1) and steering (1) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 161,000 mi.
  • Owners reported 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries.
  • The 2009 Kia Sedona has 5 recalls on file.
  • It ranks 15th of 16 Kia Sedona model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
  • That is 83% fewer complaints than the 2008 model year (30).

2009 Kia Sedona problems by category

  • Other / Unknown
    3 complaints
  • Suspension
    1 complaints
  • Lighting
    1 complaints
  • Steering
    1 complaints

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)Complaints
Unknown or other3
Exterior lighting:brake lights1
Steering1
Suspension1

When problems happen (mileage)

Under 10k10k–30k30k–60k60k–100k100k–150k1150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2009 Kia Sedona complaints that list mileage.

2009 Kia Sedona recalls (5)

  • Recall 20V088000Feb 14, 2020228,829 vehicles
    ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

    Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2006-2010 Sedona and 2007-2009 Sorento vehicles. Moisture may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short.

    Risk: An electrical short within the ABS Module may cause an engine compartment fire, even when the vehicle is turned off, increasing the risk of an injury.

    Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will install a relay in the main junction box to prevent power from being directed to the HECU when the vehicle's ignition switch is turned off, free of charge. The recall began June 5, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC186.

  • Recall 16V389000Jun 1, 2016219,800 vehicles
    LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

    Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Kia Sedona vehicles manufactured from June 15, 2005, through April 04, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the secondary hood latch may bind and remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed.

    Risk: If the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

    Remedy: Kia will notify owners and dealers will replace the secondary hood latch or clean and lubricate the latch, depending on the vehicle's location and the condition of the latch. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on July 27, 2016. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall number is SC134.

  • Recall 16V387000Jun 1, 201697,884 vehicles
    SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

    Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2006-2012 Kia Sedona vehicles manufactured from June 15, 2005, through August 14, 2012 and originally sold in, or currently registered in Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. In the affected vehicles, the front lower control arms may break due to corrosion from salt water exposure such as from road salt use.

    Risk: A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Kia will notify owners and dealers will replace the front lower control arms on 2006-2007 models. 2008-2012 models will either have their front lower control arms replaced or additional anti-corrosion coating will be applied. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on July 27, 2016. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC133.

  • Recall 13V550000Nov 5, 201379,867 vehicles
    SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

    Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2006-2012 Kia Sedona vehicles manufactured from June 15, 2005, through August 14, 2012 originally sold in, or currently registered in Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Wisconsin, Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio, Rhode Island, West Virginia or the District of Columbia. In the affected vehicles, the front lower control arms may break due to corrosion resulting from prolonged exposure to salty environments.

    Risk: A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Kia will notify owners and dealers will inspect the degree of corrosion of the front lower control arms, and will either rustproof or replace them, free of charge. The recall began on December 20, 2013. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall number is SC100.

  • Recall 13V114000Apr 1, 2013980,377 vehicles
    EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

    Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo, model year 2007-2011 Sedona, Sorento and Sportage, model year 2010-2011 Soul, model year 2008-2011 Optima, model year 2010 Forte, model year 2007-2009 Amanti, and model year 2009 Borrego vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Kia recalled 623,658 model year 2007-2010 Rondo and Sportage, model year 2007-2011 Sorento, model year 2007 Sedona, model year 2010-2011 Soul, and model year 2011 Optima vehicles. In September 2013, Kia informed the agency that it was adding an additional 356,719 vehicles to this campaign. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 980,377. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.

    Risk: Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of PARK without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Kia will send an interim notification to owners in May 2013. When parts are available, owners will receive a second notification and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall campaign number is SC098.

Recent 2009 Kia Sedona complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed Aug 7, 2026INOther / Unknown
    My 2009 Kia Sedona is under Safety Recall SC133 (NHSTA 16V-387) for front lower control arms that can corrode and break. The dealership has had the vehicle at ANDY MOHR KIA in [XXX] for two weeks and states the frame is too heavily rusted to safely mount the new control arms. They will not perfom the recall repair. The vehicle is currently undriveable due to the structural condition related to the salt-belt corrosion issue covered by the recall. I have an open Kia Consumer…
    NHTSA complaint #11755466 · source
  2. Filed Jul 18, 2022FLOther / Unknown
    The door locks on passenger sliding doors,do not keep doors shut,they remain open on both sides and have to use a screw driver to rotate the mechanism.
    NHTSA complaint #11474442 · source
  3. Filed May 26, 2021SCLighting
    An L shape plastic part broke off under the brake pedal that is causing the brake lights to remain on, intermittently, when I am not using them. It has drained my battery causing me to be late to work.
    NHTSA complaint #11418672 · source
  4. Filed Nov 4, 2020161,000 miMNTowedSteeringSuspension
    Tl* the contact owns a 2009 kia sedona. The contact stated that while driving and coming to a stop, he heard an abnormal sound coming from the front of the vehicle. The contact exited the vehicle and inspected under the hood of the vehicle but found no issue with the vehicle. The contact then drove to a nearby parking lot and had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic. The contact was informed that the lower control arm needed to be replaced due to severe rusting. The…
    NHTSA complaint #11373016 · source

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology