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Kia SedonaModel year report

2018 Kia Sedona Problems

Compared with other Kia Sedona years

Fewer complaints than typical for this model

28/100 0.6× a typical year · 50 = typical

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
49filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
16,895miles, 14 complaints with mileage
Recalls
3campaigns on record
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
5 / 5stars overall
EPA fuel economy
20 mpgcombined, 3.3L 6-cyl FWD · 18 city / 24 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2018 Kia Sedona (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 49 consumer complaints for the 2018 Kia Sedona. The part named most often is engine, with 22 complaints (45% of the total), followed by electrical system (11) and air bags (6). 14 of the complaints include a mileage, and 71% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 16,895 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 5 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 55 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign and 19 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Compared with the other 10 Kia Sedona model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 28 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (fewer complaints than typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Wheels (2), Forward collision avoidance (1), Latches, locks and linkages (1), Seat belts (1), Steering (1), Suspension (1), Tires (1), Vehicle speed control (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).

Example complaints

Engine: “Engine in my 2018 Kia has failed. This should be covered under warranty as van only has 90k miles on it but because I am the second owner they are telling me it is not covered. Several other 2018 Kia’s have already been recalled for engine failure. My car was burning oil. This is a manufacturing issue and I am very stressed about paying to get it fixed out of pocket.”

NHTSA complaint #11627705, filed 2024-11

Electrical system: “I have the air bag indicator light and the diagnostic codes consistent with NHTSA Campaign Number 19V109, Kia Recall Number SC175. The recall mentions the wiring harness being damaged and my harness is damaged, with two wires severed. However, because my vehicle was manufactured 2 months after the recall cutoff date, Kia believes this recall does not pertain to my vehicle. I believe otherwise.”

NHTSA complaint #11525832, filed 2023-06, 106,700 miles

Air bags: “We purchased brand new a 2016 Kia Sedona from the dealership. Within the 2 years we owned it we had to take it into the dealership four times because the airbag light would come on and stay on, or would flicker off and one as I was driving down the road. They found it to be an issue with the passenger airbag. They repaired it the first three times and the light would stay off for a while. The fourth time we took it in they said they were going to try replacing the whole seat to see if that helped. …”

NHTSA complaint #11183515, filed 2019-03, 11,883 miles

Other or unknown: “Vehicle mpg is not accurate. States 18-24 mpg. We are getting 17 mpg on average with some highway driving. Filling up tank every 4-5 days about 15 gallon of fuel each fill up. Van is new and has 2500 miles. Feel that mileage claim is not accurate. 3.3l engine. 2018 Kia Sedona ex.”

NHTSA complaint #11101192, filed 2018-06, 2,500 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

71% of the 14 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 9,000 and 63,000 miles.

29%0–1036%10–257%25–5014%50–757%75–1007%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (14 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 16,895 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

20182019202020212022202320241220252026
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2018 Kia Sedona. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Sedona · VAN FWD★★★★★5 / 5554 · 13.0% risk

Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2018 model year: forward collision warning optional, lane departure warning optional, automatic emergency braking optional.

Neighbouring years: 2017: same overall rating; 2019: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2018 Kia Sedona version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Sedona FWD3.3L 6-cyl6-speed automatic182420$3,350
Sedona SX FWD3.3L 6-cyl6-speed automatic182521$3,200
Sedona SXL FWD3.3L 6-cyl6-speed automatic172219$3,550

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2018 Kia Sedona → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 55 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 55 bulletins →

Other model years of the Kia Sedona

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2021106,8000521—Not enough data
20202065,2451521—Rising
20193930,000252113 · FewerRising
20184916,895352028 · FewerRising
201713440,000452054 · TypicalRising
201629769,000452084 · MoreRising
201514055,000352050 · TypicalRising
20143960,00015200 · FewerFalling
201210870,0005—2165 · MoreFalling
20116579,6606—2139 · TypicalFalling
20103279,8455—1914 · FewerStable
20094845,7125—1852 · TypicalFalling
200817052,8465—1884 · MoreFalling
200715770,6746—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200638583,2507—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200518525,0002—17Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200417645,0002—16Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200316348,0004—16Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200219850,0003—16Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All Kia Sedona model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2018 Kia Sedona have?

NHTSA recorded 49 consumer complaints for the 2018 Kia Sedona as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2018 Kia Sedona is reported most often?

Engine is named most often, in 22 complaints (45% of the total), followed by electrical system with 11.

Has the 2018 Kia Sedona been recalled?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

How did the 2018 Kia Sedona do in NHTSA crash tests?

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2018 Kia Sedona 5 out of 5 stars overall. Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.

What gas mileage does the 2018 Kia Sedona get?

The EPA rates the 2018 Kia Sedona (Sedona, 3.3L 6-cyl) at 20 mpg combined, 18 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,350 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2018 Kia Sedona reported?

Among the 14 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 16,895 miles and the middle half falls between 9,000 and 63,000 miles; 71% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.