2016 Kia Sedona · symptom sheet

Engine overheats or leaks coolant

29owner reports
123,000median miles
$2,700median quote
0involved a crash

Newest report Aug 20, 2026 · checked Sep 19, 2026

148 of the 295 complaints on this car are about the engine. 29 of those describe overheating.

Tick what matches of 29 reports

the temperature gauge climbed into the red

coolant is disappearing or on the ground

white smoke from the tailpipe

the heater stopped blowing hot

the dealer found a head gasket or cracked block

the engine was replaced afterward

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the head gasket (14 reports), the coolant hose or reservoir (7 reports) and the radiator (5 reports).

Recalls and investigations

No recall on the engine covers the 2016 model year as of Sep 19, 2026.

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.

What owners paid

6 of the 29 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $400 to $10,000.

$400$2,700$10,000

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

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 102,974 and 140,000 miles, from the 14 reports that gave a mileage.

222

623

1624

325

226

What owners wrote

“The vehicle radiator exploded while driving on the freeway. Towed to mechanic radiator replaced and housing. Problem persosted. With a simple pressure test the coolant in the reservoir began to boil immediately meaning there's a cracked engine block.”
Filed Aug 20, 2026 · 155,326 miles

“According to the my local Kia dealer, the head gasket is blown. There was no warning indicators. It was driving perfect until suddenly the engine temperature spiked and I immediately had it towed to the dealer in which they want $13,000 to fix it.”
Filed Apr 26, 2024

“Head bolts pulled out of block causing head gasket to fail needing engine replaced”
Filed Apr 4, 2024

“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

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 0 of 29 reports involved a crash and 2 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.