2016 Kia Sedona · symptom sheet

Check engine light or misfire

34owner reports
108,000median miles
$6,000median quote
0involved a crash

Newest report Mar 25, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

195 of the 293 complaints on this car are about the engine. 34 of those describe misfire.

Tick what matches of 34 reports

rough idle or shaking

a P0300-series code

the light flashes

it came back after repair

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the sensor (7 reports).

Recalls and investigations

One recall on the engine covers the 2016 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.

19V-109Feb 19, 2019

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 and remedy

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.

NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Sedona

DP24-002opened Feb 27, 2024

Engine · model years 2016

3.3l engine loss of motive power (lomp). Closed mar 5, 2024.

NHTSA summary

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a petition on February 20, 2024, requesting the opening of an investigation into an alleged defect of the "engine" on the following vehicle model stated by the petitioner: 2016 Kia Sedona vehicles equipped with the 3.3L V-Shaped GDI Lambda-II engine. The petitioner raised the issue of a Loss of Motive Power. On November 13, 2023, ODI opened PE23-019 to address allegations of loss of motive power, on the 3.3L V6 Lambda-II engine for 2016-2017 Kia Sorento and included the 2016 Kia Sedona as a peer vehicle. This investigation is ongoing and addresses the potential safety-related defect raised by the petitioner. In view of the open Investigation, PE23-019, ODI considers the petition moot and is closing this action. The closing of the petition does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The Agency reserves the right to make that determination at the close of PE23-019.

PE05-035opened Jun 28, 2005

Electrical · model years 2003

Electrical fire. Closed oct 19, 2005, led to recall 05V-463.

NHTSA summary

BY LETTER DATED OCTOBER 4, 2005, KIA NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO. 05V463) INVOLVING ALL MODEL YEAR (MY) 2002, 2003 KIA SEDONA EX VEHICLES AND CERTAIN MY 2004 KIA SEDONA EX VEHICLES.KIA?S RECALL COVERS 74,276 VEHICLES.KIA REPORTS THAT FIRES WERE CAUSED BY WIRING UNDER FRONT SEATS BEING MISROUTED; THIS ALLOWED THE WIRE TO BE PINCHED BY METAL SEAT COMPONENTS.OVER TIME, THE SHORT IN THE WIRING UNDER THE SEAT CAUSES OVERHEATING OF COMPONENTS IN THE FUSE BOX (LOCATED UNDER THE DRIVER SIDE INSTRUMENT PANEL).SPECIFICALLY, THE CIRCUIT BREAKER DIODES CYCLE ON-OFF-ON ETC. AND OVERHEAT.KIA WILL INSPECT VEHICLES FOR PROPER WIRE ROUTING AND INSTALL PROTECTIVE COVERING OVER CERTAIN METAL PARTS UNDER FRONT SEATS.DEALERS WILL ALSO APPLY A LABEL WARNING TECHNICIANS NOT TO REMOVE THE CIRCUIT BREAKER DIODES WHICH CANNOT BE SERVICED BUT CAN BE DAMAGED BY REMOVAL ATTEMPTS.BASED ON KIA?S SAFETY RECALL ACTION, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.

What owners paid

14 of the 34 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $1,900 to $8,000.

$1,900$6,000$8,000

$0k$2k$4k$6k$8k

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 90,000 and 126,000 miles, from the 17 reports that gave a mileage.

120

422

523

1624

725

126

What owners wrote

“Engine started knocking loosing power just like our 4cylinder GDI engine. These engines are also not safe to be operating”
Filed Mar 25, 2026

“Engine overheating and check engine light went on. Vehicle would not start after shutting down.”
Filed Sep 15, 2025

“No lights on the dash, no maintenance or check engine lights. The van began making noises under the hood and then blowing white smoke from the exhaust. The electrical connectors to the fan were melted and hot. To the cooling fan, radiator, etc. The fan connector caused the car to over heat.”
Filed Mar 11, 2024 · 138,231 miles

“Experienced overheating issues at only 105,000 miles due to leaking cylinder head gasket diagnosed at multiple mechanics, including the local Kia dealership. I was informed that this engine has a common defect where the head gasket bolts strip out of the engine block.”
Filed Jan 18, 2024 · 105,000 miles

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 0 of 34 reports involved a crash and 1 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.

File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.