2016 Kia Sedona · symptom sheet

Engine stalls or loses power while driving

37owner reports
106,000median miles
$8,000median quote
0involved a crash

Newest report May 2, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

202 of the 293 complaints on this car are about the engine. 37 of those describe stalling. Only engine failure is reported more often on this car.

Tick what matches of 37 reports

it stalled while driving

it stalled at idle or a stop

warning lights came on

it restarted right away

no code was stored

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the engine (5 reports) and the battery (3 reports).

Recalls and investigations

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

22V-612Aug 10, 2022

Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Column Shift

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016 Sedona and Sorento vehicles. The vehicles may have been manufactured with faulty automatic transmission shift lever assembly components, preventing the shift lever from locking, which can allow the vehicle to rollaway.

Risk and remedy

Risk: A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash and injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the automatic transmission shift lever assembly components, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 7, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC246.

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

12 of the 37 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $2,000 to $8,000.

$2,000$8,000$8,000

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

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 55,657 and 150,000 miles, from the 14 reports that gave a mileage.

116

217

119

221

322

723

1124

825

226

What owners wrote

“There was a sudden loss of power while in the middle of the highway. Further inspection resulted in low oil and metal flakes in the oil filter. At the time of initial loss of power there was absolutely zero warning or indication of any issues at all.”
Filed Jun 18, 2025

“The engine failed while driving on the interstate. Believed to have been catastrophic failure. Sudden loss of power and maneuverability could have led to a collision. Vehicle was towed to owner's residence. Prior to the failure a rapid knocking sound was heard from the engine. No warning lights were indicated.”
Filed Feb 9, 2025

“Car has bad oil leak Defective GDI engine which instantly stalled out while driving Car also has bad coolant leak, warped head gasket seal Smell of gas from top of the engine block”
Filed Sep 28, 2024

“Engine shut off while driving with no warnings. All oil burned up and engine failure. Family in the vehicle very dangerous driving on highway. It just suddenly died.”
Filed Jul 2, 2024

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 0 of 37 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.