2017 Kia Sedona Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often report engine problems, typically a knocking or rattling noise from the 3.3L V6 that ends with the engine stalling or seizing, sometimes with no warning light first. Many of those complaints come in well past 100,000 miles, while a separate group of early complaints involves power sliding doors that open while driving, fail to close, or do not reverse when something is in their path.

1. 1
   Engine

   Engine knocking, stalling and seizure (3.3L V6)

   • 51 complaints (38%)
   • median 66,500 mi at 4.4 yrs old (10 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $9,940 (median of 8 quotes)
   • filed 2018–2026

   Complaints describe a knocking, ticking or rattling noise from under the hood that can appear suddenly, followed by the engine losing power, stalling, or seizing entirely; several mention smoke, oil or metal debris. In a number of reports the vehicle had been serviced on schedule and no oil or check-engine warning came on before the failure, and owners say shops found little or no oil without a visible leak. Dealers and mechanics typically diagnosed bottom-end noise or internal failure and quoted a replacement engine or long block. Mostly reported between roughly 60,000 and 140,000 miles, often while driving at road or highway speed.

   4 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask for oil change records and whether oil consumption was ever measured between services, and have a pre-purchase inspection listen for bottom-end noise. Check oil level and condition right after a test drive, and note whether any warning light came on.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I purchased a 2017 Kia Sedona from a Kia dealer in queens, ny, in 2017 with 50 miles. I had an engine malfunction at around 65,000 while driving on a highway with a relative and my children on new year's eve 12/31/20. When I initially started the car, I heard a rattling sound, which I thought was due to the cold weather; however, as I drove off and drove further and approached the highway, the car started to decelerate. After the car decelerated, the car cut off while I was driving. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11396229, filed 2021-02, 65,000 miles

   “Vehicle's engine seized while driving on the road. My mechanic I towed it to afterwards said that there was no oil in the engine. Engine was within KIA's recommended 7500 mile range between oil changes. No sign of oil leaking, and no warning lights came on before the incident to indicate there was a problem”

   NHTSA complaint #11472234, filed 2022-07
2. 2
   Body and structure

   Power sliding doors open while driving or fail to close

   • 20 complaints (15%)
   • median 25,000 mi at 2.1 yrs old (10 state mileage)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2017–2026

   Owners describe sliding doors that report as shut, then unlatch and come ajar while the van is moving, or doors that fail to open, pop and retract, or will not close without hand pressure. Some report the door closing on a person or object without reversing, and others say the door simply stops working and needs a motor or latch. Dealers often replaced a door motor or latch, and in some cases could not reproduce the problem. Reported from as low as a few thousand miles up to about 70,000 miles, with many under 25,000 miles.

   Recall 18V338000

   What to check: Cycle both sliding doors several times, including while parked on a slope, and check the door-open warning with the van in gear. Ask whether the power sliding door recall work was completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Both sliding doors on my Sedona have been malfunctioning and opening while the car is in drive and moving on the road at 10+ miles an hour. The car will confirm that all doors are shut and the indicator lights are off when I pull away from the curb or parking spot. Once I am on the road, both doors have intermittently had their open door light indicators come on while I am driving. Once I stop the car and inspected the door with the indicator light on, I confirmed that they are indeed unlatching and coming ajar.”

   NHTSA complaint #11072918, filed 2018-02, 14,000 miles

   “The driver side back door does not stop if there is something there. It almost closed on my son who had to get out of the way fast because it closed and didn't sense he was there.”

   NHTSA complaint #11123985, filed 2018-09, 26,000 miles
3. 3
   Air bags

   Airbag warning light and passenger airbag module

   • 13 complaints (10%)
   • median 40,500 mi at 3.9 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2016–2025

   Complaints describe the airbag warning light staying on from start-up or coming on repeatedly, with dealers or independent shops pointing to the front passenger airbag module. Several owners say the light returned or the fault persisted after the airbag recall work was done, and some were told the module was on back order. A few reports involve airbags failing to deploy in a collision. Mostly noted between about 30,000 and 90,000 miles; several right after recall service.

   Recall 22V0310001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Confirm the airbag control unit recall was performed, then start the van and check that the airbag light goes out and that the passenger-seat occupancy indicator behaves normally.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving around a corner doing 25 MPH, on a back road that was dry, I corrected the steering to the left out of the curve and the steering continued to pull to the right and would not correct. Vehicle went down a 20 foot embankment and struck a tree head on. The airbags did not deploy in the collision and the engine did not shut off. I sustained serious injuries, resulting in 4 months of missed work and a double discectomy to repair two severely herniated discs. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11197050, filed 2019-04, 19,000 miles

   “I purchased this van pre-owned from Bridgewater Kia in NJ with an extended warranty in 2018. There was a recent safety recall for airbags and the airbag warning light was on. I brought the car into Bridgewater Kia on July 18, 2022 and was told that the passenger front airbag module needed to be replaced and that it was not part of the recall. I was also told that this defect SHUTS DOWN ALL OF THE AIRBAGS in the vehicle. There are NO airbags working in this vehicle. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11477164, filed 2022-08
4. 4
   Engine

   Coolant leaks and head gasket trouble

   • 6 complaints (4%)
   • median 57,000 mi at 4.5 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2022–2026

   Complaints describe coolant leaking with low-coolant messages, sometimes after a coolant control assembly or O-ring was replaced, and later being told the head gasket or the whole engine needed replacement. Some reports mention stripped engine bolts allowing coolant to escape, or fluid mixing in the engine. Repair estimates given to owners were often high enough that they considered scrapping the van. Reported from about 50,000 to 90,000 miles in the sampled complaints.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Look under the van and at the coolant reservoir level after a drive, and ask whether coolant-related repairs were done. Have a mechanic pressure-test the cooling system before buying.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My 2017 Kia Sedona LX engine is faulty, and the head gasket has blown. My car has less than 100,000 miles (95,560). I have gone online and learned that many Kia Sedona owners have reported faulty engine complaints regarding Kia Sedona. I’m asking that an investigation be conducted.”

   NHTSA complaint #11527550, filed 2023-06

   “We noticed coolant leaking. We took it to a dealer and they replaced coolant control assembly/ temperature control piece. Also the O-ring that connecting to the engine was leaking. However, this is the 2nd time we are replacing the piece in 3months (not the o-ring). We did that. And spent $900 on it. As soon as we drove it 11miles home, there was oil and coolant leaking again. Took it right back. And there was fluid in the engine. Guy believes it's the head gasket. Out car isn't running. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11576751, filed 2024-03
5. 5
   Exterior lighting

   Headlamps and exterior lights failing

   • 18 complaints (13%)
   • median 90,000 mi at 6.7 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2018–2026

   Owners report low beams going out repeatedly, sometimes with new bulbs failing within months, and some find the low beams dead even after replacing bulbs. A few describe all exterior lights cutting out briefly while driving and then returning. Dealers had little explanation for the recurring bulb failures. Generally reported from about 70,000 miles upward.

   What to check: Check that both low beams and high beams work and ask whether bulbs or the headlamp harness were replaced. Look at the bulb sockets for corrosion or heat damage.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Both low beam H7 bulbs have blown out 3 times each. I have used Basic bulbs, and more expensive bulbs and both have failed within several months. I have used gloves when installing them avoiding touching the glass each time. Bulbs seem to fit properly into socket. Called dealer and no advice as to why this reoccurs.”

   NHTSA complaint #11429210, filed 2021-08

   “When driving at night all of the lights on the vehicle go out, but the engine continues to run normally. After 10 -15 seconds the lights come back on and the display has the low tire indicator illuminated. This has happened multiple times. I have had it checked by my mechanic and everything seems normal. Any ideas?”

   NHTSA complaint #11564249, filed 2024-01

Buying note. Given how many sampled complaints center on engine noise and seizure, a thorough mechanical inspection with oil-level and service records matters more than cosmetics on this model year. Also cycle the sliding doors and verify the airbag and headlamp recall-related repairs were completed.

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.