2017 Kia Sedona problems, complaints & recalls
Updated from NHTSA data · How we count
Owners have filed 116 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 Kia Sedona, most often about engine. There are 4 recalls for this model year.
- Complaints
- 116
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 7
- Median mileage
- 63,500 mi at time of problem
Key facts
- Engine is the most-reported problem area, named in 60 of 116 complaints (52%).
- Electrical System (19) and body & structure (12) follow.
- Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 63,500 mi.
- Owners reported 0 crashes, 3 fires and 7 injuries.
- The 2017 Kia Sedona has 4 recalls on file.
- It ranks 2nd of 16 Kia Sedona model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
- That is 53% fewer complaints than the 2016 model year (247).
2017 Kia Sedona problems by category
- 60 complaints
- Other / Unknown22 complaints
- Electrical System19 complaints
- Body & Structure12 complaints
- Airbags11 complaints
- Lighting10 complaints
- Visibility & Wipers4 complaints
- Transmission & Drivetrain4 complaints
- Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion3 complaints
- Brakes3 complaints
- Seats & Seat Belts3 complaints
- Steering2 complaints
- Acceleration & Cruise Control2 complaints
- Wheels & Tires1 complaints
- Suspension1 complaints
- Driver Assistance & Safety Tech1 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 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 58 |
| Unknown or other | 21 |
| Electrical system | 19 |
| Air bags | 11 |
| Structure:body | 9 |
| Exterior lighting | 8 |
| Power train | 4 |
| Visibility/wiper | 4 |
When problems happen (mileage)
2017 Kia Sedona recalls (4)
- AIR BAGS
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.
Risk: 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:SOFTWARE · EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
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.
Risk: A turn signal activating in the opposite direction of what was intended by the driver increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the SJB software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 12, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC217.
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
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.
Risk: 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
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.
Risk: 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.
Recent 2017 Kia Sedona complaints
Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
- Filed Aug 17, 2026NYEngineOther / Unknown
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…
NHTSA complaint #11757573 · source - Filed May 11, 2026146,658 miILFireEngine
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH, the contact the oil light illuminated, and the vehicle decelerated independently. The contact mention he pulled over to the right side of the road, exited the vehicle and when he lifted the hood of the vehicle, he noticed flames coming from the engine. No injuries were sustained. No medical attention. There was no police report filed. The fire department did not show at the scene to…
NHTSA complaint #11736979 · source - Filed Apr 15, 2026CAEngine
Same defect on NHTSA (Investigation PE23-019) my vehicle is 1 month outside of the manufacturing date listed, having the same issues, but they will not cover it-even though the same engine is in it. KIA bulletin WTY039 Vehicle is overheating, coolant is bubbling
NHTSA complaint #11731432 · source - Filed Apr 14, 2026TXEngine
There was an unusual amount of oil "slug" created by the engine which caused the engine to be inoperable. Therefore, we had to replace the engine.
NHTSA complaint #11731057 · source - Filed Apr 14, 2026TXElectrical System
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.
NHTSA complaint #11731053 · source - Filed Apr 13, 2026COEngine
My vehicle would not start, after jumping and idling for a few moments, all dash lights started flashing and vehicle wouldnt go into gear. I shut it off as it started making a hum and smelled like something wasnt right. A mobile mechanic who came to my rescue after breaking down did a diagnostic of my engine. I was told I had low to no oil. I asked how was this possible as I had only driven around 2,000 miles since my recent oil change at the KIA dealer ( Wesley Chapel, FL).…
NHTSA complaint #11730765 · source - Filed Apr 7, 2026WIEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
137,000 Miles, regular oil changes every 4,000 miles,even adding 2 quarts during the 4,000 miles it would still come up short by 1 quart. Started throwing p0018 timing code,high pressure fuel pump on front blew off the valve cover,Im assuming due to jumping out of timing,as the high pressure pump sits ontop of one of the Camshaft rollers. Engine started knocking and is now useless.
NHTSA complaint #11729795 · source - Filed Mar 3, 2026GAEngine
Vehicle Information: 2017 Kia Sedona VIN: [XXX] Engine: 3.3L GDI Mileage at failure: 186,000 miles Complaint: I am filing this complaint regarding sudden engine failure in my 2017 Kia Sedona equipped with the 3.3L GDI engine. The vehicle had approximately 186,000 miles at the time of failure and had just undergone a routine oil change prior to the incident. While driving on the highway, a warning light illuminated on the dashboard. Shortly after the warning light appeared,…
NHTSA complaint #11721656 · source
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Other 2017 Kia models
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