2016 Kia Sedona Problems

What owners report

Owner complaints for this model year center on the engine, most often rattling or knocking noises, coolant loss, overheating and, in several cases, engine replacement. A second cluster concerns lighting and turn-signal behavior, and a third involves the power sliding doors failing to latch or close fully. Many reports arrive well past 60,000 miles, though lighting and door complaints also appear at lower mileage.

1. 1
   Engine

   Engine noise, coolant loss and overheating (head/head bolt

   • 78 complaints (26%)
   • median 100,000 mi at 7.1 yrs old (17 state mileage)
   • 13 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $3,000 (median of 15 quotes)
   • filed 2019–2026

   Owners describe rattling, ticking or knocking sounds from the engine that may appear without any warning light, sometimes along with low coolant, white smoke from the exhaust or repeated overheating. Some say a mechanic found coolant leaking or a cylinder head problem and recommended engine replacement; others report a failed timing chain or a cracked block after a radiator repair. Several mention dealers or independent shops diagnosing the engine as needing replacement, and a few describe complete loss of power while driving. Mostly reported between roughly 60,000 and 160,000 miles, with several reports above 100,000 miles.

   6 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask for service records and whether any engine warranty extension or engine sub-assembly inspection bulletin has been applied. Check coolant level and condition, look for a fuel or coolant smell in the oil, and listen for rattle or knock at cold start and under acceleration.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #11758359, filed 2026-08, 155,326 miles

   “Air conditioning became less cool over the summer. Early October 2024, slight rattling noise heard in engine on acceleration. Approximately a week later, the battery died and was replaced. In the following days, rattling noise became louder and also heard a tapping sound. No warning lights, check engine light, etc. Taken to a local mechanic who inspected and informed us the timing chain is nearly completely worn and it has rubbed a hole in the side of the engine. A complete engine replacement is needed!”

   NHTSA complaint #11621410, filed 2024-10, 153,367 miles
2. 2
   Exterior lighting

   Headlights cutting out or flickering, especially with turn

   • 101 complaints (34%)
   • median 72,000 mi at 4.6 yrs old (39 state mileage)
   • 9 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $6,000 (median of 15 quotes)
   • filed 2017–2026

   Owners report low beams or headlights shutting off or flickering while driving, often when the turn signal stalk or high beams are used and frequently with the headlight switch left in the auto position. Some say the lights come back after cycling the switch or restarting the vehicle, and a few describe near-misses after driving with lights out. Complaints also mention water collecting inside the rear light housings and causing bulbs to stop working. Dealers are described as inspecting but often not resolving the behavior. Reported from about 36,000 miles upward, with many examples between 50,000 and 140,000 miles, at night and at all speeds.

   Recall 21V725000

   What to check: Test the headlights at night while operating the turn signal and high beams in every switch position. Check the rear light housings for condensation or standing water, and ask whether the smart junction box software recall was completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving at night my headlights will often flicker off for one to three seconds when I'm either activating the turn signal (either right or left) or attempting to turn on my high beams. I always drive with the headlights in auto , so I have not experienced the issue with any other setting.”

   NHTSA complaint #11318868, filed 2020-03, 72,000 miles

   “While driving when I use my turn signals the headlights will either flash high beams or completely go out then back on. Also my driver's side sliding door doesn't shut completely with the power door option this just started around the 100k mile mark.”

   NHTSA complaint #11378631, filed 2020-12, 100,000 miles
3. 3
   Body and structure

   Power sliding doors do not latch or close completely

   • 47 complaints (16%)
   • median 58,083 mi at 4.0 yrs old (26 state mileage)
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2016–2026

   Owners report the power sliding doors grinding, screeching or failing to latch, with the rear edge left standing open or the door reopening on its own; some say the door opened while driving. Several owners say the door then had to be closed by hand or only opened with the overhead button. Complaints mention a dealer reprogramming or repairing the door under a recall, with the problem returning afterward. Reported from roughly 40,000 to 130,000 miles, and also on low-mileage vehicles.

   Recall 18V338000

   What to check: Cycle both power doors several times, including from the overhead switch and with an obstruction in the path, to confirm they latch and reverse. Ask whether the power sliding door recall (18V338000) was completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Before starting the car. The sliding drivers side door continuously will make a grinding sound when closing and then not latch. After this the only way to open the door is with the button on the ceiling. I am not able to open the door manually. It now happens everytime I close the door. I can submit a video.”

   NHTSA complaint #11348694, filed 2020-08, 81,694 miles

   “2016 Sedona driver side push button sliding door will not latch properly on its own. It makes an awful noise and the back of the door doesn't latch; which causes the door to not lock also. This poses a variety of safety issues. I have also had the door sensors reset/programmed for the recall that was for the door not returning if obstructed; however I have personally gotten caught in the door and it's still not retracting as it should in my opinion. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11310975, filed 2020-02, 200,000 miles
4. 4
   Electrical system

   Turn signal activates wrong direction or does not engage

   • 56 complaints (19%)
   • median 57,500 mi at 4.5 yrs old (28 state mileage)
   • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $2,000 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2016–2026

   Owners describe signaling left and having the right indicator come on, both indicators alternating, or no signal engaging at all; the stalk sometimes needs a hard push to work. Complaints link the behavior to the multifunction switch or junction box logic and note it happened more often over time. Some owners say a dealer performed a recall-related software update and the symptom returned or persisted. Commonly reported between about 40,000 and 100,000 miles, at intersections and during lane changes in all conditions.

   Recall 21V725000

   What to check: Ask whether the turn-signal software recall (21V725000) was performed, and test both directions and the hazards before buying to see whether the indicator matches the stalk position.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The turn signal indicator randomly fails to active the left turn signal. When signaling right it always works, when signaling left it is hit or miss. It has become more often over the last year. This creates problem when I signal left and start to move then realize the left signal did not come on I have had to jerk back into lane to avoid accident.”

   NHTSA complaint #11342930, filed 2020-08, 41,000 miles

   “Turn lights and stick signals most the time do not work appropriately I turn on to the left and the right side come on some times nothing happens some times I try to use to de left and the fourth way hazard come on. I really scare to have a crash because I send the wrong signal or get a ticket”

   NHTSA complaint #11412939, filed 2021-04, 3 miles
5. 5
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Gear shift lever will not lock in Park

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   A few owners describe the shift lever failing to lock in Park or seizing so the van could roll, and one complaint notes a dealer diagnosed a faulty automatic transmission shift lever assembly. Another owner reports difficulty selecting drive and says the vehicle was not covered by the shift-lever recall. Repairs described include shift lever assembly replacement. Reported from low mileage up to about 110,000 miles, typically while parking or shifting at a stop.

   Recall 22V612000

   What to check: Ask whether the vehicle was built with the affected shift lever parts and whether recall 22V612000 applies to its VIN. On a test drive, shift in and out of Park on a slight incline and confirm the lever locks.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “We have a 2016 Kia Sedona, bought in 2017 as a Kia certified. We have had several recalls since our ownership. For the last 2-3 years we have driven it sparingly. We took it to the Kia dealership for regular oil change at 97,000 + miles. There was no mention of any major engine concerns. We again took it in to the Kia dealership, for a spare tire cable issue at 99,186 miles again no mention of engine issues. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11505224, filed 2023-02, 102,974 miles

   “The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that while attempting to park the vehicle, the brake pedal was depressed, and the vehicle failed to respond. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact had experienced the vehicle rolling while attempting to park the vehicle. On another occasion, while the contact was attempting to park the vehicle on an incline, the contact depressed the brake pedal however, the vehicle started to roll away. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11653732, filed 2025-04, 130,000 miles

Buying note. Check the engine carefully, including coolant level, oil condition and any rattle or knock, and confirm which open recalls and warranty extensions have been completed for the VIN. Also test the headlights, turn signals and both power sliding doors, since these come up repeatedly in owner complaints.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.