2016 Kia Sedona Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 4%of 297 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 67,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2016 Kia Sedona, 4% of the 297 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 67,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Driving at 70 MPH with cruise control on, experienced loud bump on smooth highway surface with sudden and total loss of engine speed. Put vehicle in neutral and was able to restart engine. Cruise control was not working at that time. Cruise control was operative later in the day after engine stop and restart. Took vehicle next day to dealer. Dealer said they could find nothing wrong with vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10925601, filed 2016-11, 25,000 miles“On June 6th 2024 My 2016 Kia Sedona experienced sudden power loss accompanied by thick smoke out of the exhaust and a loud ticking while on a busy main intersection. Kia's Gross negligence to recall its known troubled engines is causing needless highway incidents. From stolen cars, engine failures and now fires, this is the second Kia I have had fail.”
NHTSA complaint #11594935, filed 2024-06“On September 28, 2021 we found out the hard way that our minivan's gear shift could be moved from the parked position to reverse, neutral and forward without having the car turned on and without needing to have a foot pressed on the break. While the car was parked (off) on our home's driveway, my three year old and his brother were in the car getting ready to drive to school and my wife was at the door of our house waiting for our other son to come out. …”
NHTSA complaint #11436724, filed 2021-10“2016 Kia Sedona 3.3L V6 Engine overheating due to head gasket failure and coolant leakage, which subsequently caused noxious fumes to enter the cabin of the car which is a health risk especially for people who suffer from asthma, chronic diseases, or other high-risk populations such as pregnant women or children. While travelling with my family of five (including three children), we noticed an intermittent smell inside the cabin of the car while the air-conditioning was turned on, which days later we realized were engine coolant fumes. …”
NHTSA complaint #11576951, filed 2024-03“My 2016 Kia Sedona developed a loud engine knocking / idling noise around 90000 miles. Had at least one oil change at a non-Kia shop around that time and was given vague warning about Kia engines as to why I was hearing the louder idling. At the time of another oil change at 99631 miles I was told there were a large number of metal shavings found in the oil, and my Check Engine light was illuminated with a message about faulty camshaft timing. After bringing to Kia dealership at that time. They first assessed that the camshafts needed to be replaced. …”
NHTSA complaint #11632142, filed 2024-12Related recalls
- 22V612000Aug 10, 2022Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016 Sedona and Sorento vehicles. The vehicles may have been manufactured with faulty automatic transmission…Covers: Kia Sedona 2016, Sorento 2016
Related service bulletins
- 11017172Apr 17, 2025TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are…
- 11000787May 16, 2024This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission…
- 10226555Nov 18, 2022TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity…
- 10174520Apr 24, 2020TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: - TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. This bulletin provides information relating…
- 10169700Dec 4, 2019TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: DCT ACTUATOR ROD LENGTH ADJUSTMENT - This bulletin provides the procedure to adjust the Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) actuator rod lengths using the…
- 10130104Feb 16, 2018TSB - DRIVESHAFT SERVICEABILITY - This bulletin has been revised most recently to include additional information. This bulletin provides information regarding axle shaft…
- 10080040Feb 12, 2016Harsh upshift after performing tsb tra 058/sa208 - kma has recently identified an increase in techline cases with a complaint related to a/t up-shifting hard in most gears…
- 10088981Oct 30, 2015Service action: tcm shift logic improvement (sa208) - this bulletin provides information related to the tcm software upgrade for some 2016my sedona (yp) vehicles to improve…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2 | 10% |
| 2019 | 4 | 10% |
| 2018 | 3 | 6% |
| 2017 | 4 | 3% |
| 2016 | 13 | 4% |
| 2015 | 4 | 3% |
| 2014 | 2 | 5% |
| 2012 | 8 | 7% |
| 2011 | 3 | 5% |
| 2010 | 3 | 9% |
| 2009 | 2 | 4% |
| 2008 | 4 | 2% |
| 2007 | 8 | 5% |
| 2006 | 24 | 6% |
| 2005 | 5 | 3% |
| 2004 | 7 | 4% |
| 2003 | 3 | 2% |
| 2002 | 17 | 9% |
Other parts of the 2016 Kia Sedona
148 complaintsElectrical system
46 complaintsExterior lighting
37 complaintsOther or unknown
34 complaintsBody and structure
25 complaintsAir bags
19 complaintsFuel system
10 complaintsBrakes
8 complaintsSeat belts
8 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
6 complaintsSteering
6 complaintsEngine cooling
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 Kia Sedona
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology