2016 Kia Sedona Reliability
The 2016 Kia Sedona has 297 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about engine and electrical system. Compared with nearby Sedona model years (2014–2018), it rates as a year to avoid: its complaint rate runs well above the Sedona's typical year, while the 2014 has a cleaner record.
By CarWhere Research · Updated 2026-11-04 · Source: NHTSA
297
NHTSA owner complaints
4
Recall campaigns
10
Complaints citing a crash
14
Complaints citing a fire
2016 Kia Sedona complaints by component
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2016 model year, filed between 2016 and 2026. A complaint can name more than one component.
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 148 | 50% |
| Electrical system | 46 | 15% |
| Exterior lighting | 37 | 12% |
| Unknown or other | 32 | 11% |
| Body structure | 25 | 8% |
| Air bags | 19 | 6% |
| Powertrain / transmission | 13 | 4% |
| Fuel / propulsion system | 9 | 3% |
2016 Kia Sedona recalls
4 recall campaigns on NHTSA record for the 2016 model year, by the date NHTSA received the manufacturer's report. Recall repairs are free at a dealer.
| NHTSA campaign | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18V338000 | May 23, 2018 | Body 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. |
| 19V109000 | Feb 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… |
| 21V725000 | Sep 17, 2021 | 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… |
| 22V612000 | Aug 10, 2022 | Powertrain / transmission — 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… |
How the 2016 compares with nearby Sedona years
Verdicts compare these Sedona model years with each other.
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 39 | 1 | Electrical system | Better year |
| 2015 | 140 | 3 | Engine | Solid |
| 2016 (this page) | 297 | 4 | Engine | Avoid |
| 2017 | 134 | 4 | Engine | Caution |
| 2018 | 49 | 3 | Engine | Solid |
Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA and are not adjusted for how many of each year were sold, so they compare years of the same model rather than different models.
What to check on a used 2016 Kia Sedona
- Engine: cold-start it yourself, listen for ticking or knocking, check for oil leaks and oil consumption, and ask for oil-change records.
- Electrical: test every light, window, lock, the infotainment screen and the charging system; scan for stored fault codes.
- Lights: check headlights (low and high), brake lights and turn signals; condensation inside the housings is worth noting.
- Body: look under the car for rust or damaged subframe and rocker areas, and check panel gaps for signs of repair.
- Recalls: confirm each of the 4 campaigns above was completed on this VIN; open recalls are repaired free at a dealer.
- History: run the VIN for salvage, theft and odometer records, and have an independent mechanic inspect the car before you pay.
Check this exact car
Any 2016 Kia Sedona can be better or worse than its model year. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015. Free preview first; the full report is $12.99, one time.
2016 Kia Sedona reliability FAQ
Is the 2016 Kia Sedona reliable?
The 2016 Kia Sedona has 297 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about engine and electrical system. Compared with nearby Sedona model years (2014–2018), it rates as a year to avoid: its complaint rate runs well above the Sedona's typical year, while the 2014 has a cleaner record.
What are the most common 2016 Kia Sedona problems?
The most-reported problem areas in NHTSA owner complaints for the 2016 Kia Sedona are engine (148), electrical system (46), exterior lighting (37), unknown or other (32). One complaint can name more than one component.
Does the 2016 Kia Sedona have recalls?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2016 Kia Sedona, including 18V338000 (body structure — body / door) and 19V109000 (electrical system — wiring). Recall repairs are free at a dealer, and whether one was done is tracked by VIN.
How does the 2016 Kia Sedona compare with the 2015 and 2017 models?
By NHTSA records, the 2015 has 140 complaints and 3 recalls (solid); the 2017 has 134 complaints and 4 recalls (caution). The 2016 has 297 complaints and 4 recalls.
How do I check a specific used 2016 Kia Sedona?
Run its VIN. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015, with a free preview first and the full report at $12.99, one time. Pair it with an independent pre-purchase inspection.
More Kia Sedona research
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation owner complaints (all body-style listings for the 2016 Sedona, de-duplicated by complaint number) and NHTSA recall campaigns, retrieved 2026-11-04.