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2014 Kia Sedona Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2014 Kia Sedona carries 1 open NHTSA recall — most recently covering latch. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Power sliding door or tailgate fails to latch.” Kia uses Hyundai Motor Group's powertrains, so service intervals mirror Hyundai's. Kia Promise covers the first 3 years / 36,000 miles of complimentary maintenance. Kia owners with the Theta II 2.0L/2.4L (Optima, Sorento, Sportage 2011-2019) should adhere strictly to oil intervals due to known oil-consumption issues in Kia TSBs.

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1 Open Recall

Source: NHTSA

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

Campaign #16V389000 · Jan 6, 2016

Issue: Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Kia Sedona vehicles manufactured from June 15, 2005, through April 04, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the secondary hood latch may bind and remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed.

Risk: If the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Fix: Kia will notify owners and dealers will replace the secondary hood latch or clean and lubricate the latch, depending on the vehicle's location and the condition of the latch. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on July 27, 2016. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall number is SC134.

Recall data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2014 Kia Sedona.

Reported to NHTSA

Power sliding door or tailgate fails to latch

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STRUCTURE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER

11 NHTSA complaints · 2018-05 → 2023-10

“THE SLIDING PASSENGER DOORS OF THE VAN DO NOT COMPLETELY LATCH. DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN DOOR ALARM STARTS GOING OFF AND SLIDING DOOR STARTS OPENING UP. AT THAT POINT I HAVE TO PULL OVER AND POWER OFF THE DOORS AND TRY TO GET THEM TO LATCH WITH POWER AGAIN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11407244
“The sliding doors of the Van do not stay closed. We could be driving down the road when they open and the chime starts going off”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11476732
“THE PASSENGER ELECTRIC SLIDING DOOR DOESN'T STAY CLOSED IT OPENS WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THE CHIME WILL SOUND WHILE DRIVING DOWN ANY ROAD AND THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT COMES ON. THE ELECTRIC PART DOESN'T WORK IT'S LIKE A LATCH ISN'T HOLDING THE DOOR CLOSED ANY LONGER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11112884

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Doors unlock automatically without driver command

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

4 NHTSA complaints · 2016-06 → 2018-05

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN PARK AND ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, ALL DOORS INDEPENDENTLY UNLOCKED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10873796
“WHEN VAN IS PUT IN PARK, THE LOCKS UNLOCK AUTOMATICALLY. WHEN WE STOP TO LET SOMEONE OUT OF THE VAN IT UNLOCKS, AND IT LOCKS ON IT'S OWN AFTER A MIN OR TWO WHEN WE GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE. I'VE BEEN LOCKED OUT WHEN GETTING GAS OR WALKING AWAY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11096623
“CYBER SAFETY ALERT - BAD SOFTWARE UNLOCKS ALL DOORS 100X /DAY COUNTERMANDING DRIVER INPUT: PLEASE MAKE THIS A RECALL TO FORCE THEM TO FIX THIS VERY DANGEROUS OCCUPANT SAFETY PROBLEM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10876358

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Windshield, sunroof, and wiper component failures

VISIBILITY

3 NHTSA complaints · 2016-02 → 2026-03

“The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that while driving in sunlight, the contact became aware of bubbles on the windshield, causing blurred vision while driving”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11721501
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA SEDONA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11244274
“MY WIPER MOTOR HAD TO BE REPAIRED TWICE BECAUSE OF SNOW AT A COST OF $168.00 I HAVE HAD MANY CARS AND NONE THAT COULD NOT BE USED IN THE SNOW”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10824552

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Internal engine failure and excessive oil consumption

ENGINE

6 NHTSA complaints · 2019-08 → 2026-08

“EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11245630
“THE CAR HAS BEEN BURNING AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL AND SMOKES VERY BADLY WHEN FIRST STARTED FOR OVER ALMOST 2 YEARS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED COMING ON RECENTLY AND CAR RUNS ROUGH AND SHUTS OFF”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11308162
“In XXX, my 2014 Kia Sedona suffered a catastrophic internal engine failure matching the known 3.3L Lambda V6 factory defect”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11760312

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Unintended acceleration, deceleration, or stalling

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

5 NHTSA complaints · 2014-06 → 2018-01

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE VEHICLE SURGED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. A RAPID INCREASE IN THE RPMS ALSO OCCURRED DURING THE MALFUNCTION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10606903
“AT VARIOUS TIMES WHEN WE DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL THE ENGINE WILL NOT RESPOND. UNTIL WE TAP ON THE PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES THEN THE ENGINE RPM'S WILL ADVANCE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10664764
“THE CARS ACCELERATOR STUCK AT 30 MILES PER HOUR , IT WOULD GO NO FASTER AND NO SLOWER. IF I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF , WAITED 5 MINUTES AND TURNED THE ENGINE ON AGAIN THE ACCELERATOR OPERATED NORMALLY FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES THEN WENT BACK TO 30MPH AND WOULD GO NO FASTER OR SLOWER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11063476

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bag warning light or non-deployment

AIR BAGS

3 NHTSA complaints · 2017-10 → 2023-03

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA SEDONA. WHILE STATIONARY, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING. H&H KIA IN OMAHA, NEBRASKA DIAGNOSED THAT A SENSOR INSIDE THE PASSENGER SEAT TRACK WAS FAULTY AND THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11034317
“I was involved in an auto accident on September 28, 2021 which totalled my 2014 Kia Sedona. The crash was severe and was a front impact accident which spun the van 45 degrees and into a tree branch. None of the airbags on the vehicle deployed”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11435612
“PLEASE DO RECALL ON THIS 2014 KIA Sedona, only 53,000 miles, for bad airbag system 2014 KIA airbag light on instr panel comes on, then off, then stays on”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11514072

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Electrical system faults in wiring, starter, and lighting

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

4 NHTSA complaints · 2019-05 → 2024-01

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER DAUGHTER IN LAW WAS DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE WIRING HARNESS UNDER THE FRONT PANEL BEGAN TO SMOKE. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11387526
“PARKED ON STREET, WENT TO START VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. HAD PASSENGER LOOK UNDERNEATH AFTER TESTING BATTERY CHARGE AND OTHER ELECTRICAL FUNCTION. TRIED TO START AGAIN. THE STARTER WAS THROWING SPARKS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11269011
“Intermittent brake light reporting since November and repaired for leaking Fluid. December it continued and been leaking brake fluid. 3 seperate repair companies assessed and found the same issue that the brake module needs to be replaced and electrical compromised”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11567429

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Note: NHTSA also opened 1 defect investigation(s) on this vehicle that closed without action.

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 3,750 mi

Severe service: every 3,750 miles. Normal: 7,500 miles. Theta II 2.0L/2.4L on Optima, Sorento, Sportage (2011-2019): full synthetic only, never extend.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate tires every 7,500 miles. Telluride and Sorento AWD owners benefit from rotation every 5,000 miles to prevent uneven wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect brake pads and rotors every 7,500 miles. Forte and Soul front pads typically last 40,000-55,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 30,000 miles or 24 months. Required for ABS and ESC pump longevity.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace engine air filter every 30,000 miles. Severe or dusty conditions: 15,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Severe service: every 30,000 miles. Normal: 60,000 miles. Use Kia SP-IV — same as Hyundai.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 105,000 mi

Iridium-tipped plugs rated 105,000 miles on most Kia engines. 1.6T (Forte GT, Soul Turbo): 60,000 miles. 3.5L Lambda II V6 (Telluride, Sorento): 105,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Long-Life Coolant

Every 30,000 mi

Kia Long-Life Coolant (pink, same as Hyundai): first change at 60,000 miles, then every 30,000. Do not mix with green or orange coolant.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Transfer Case / Rear Diff (AWD)

Every 60,000 mi

On AWD models, replace transfer case fluid and rear differential fluid every 60,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 15,000 mi

Replace cabin air filter every 15,000 miles. Located behind the glove box on Optima, Forte, and Sportage; behind the dashboard panel on Telluride.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

13 crashes 1990–2024

How the 13 occupant deaths break down

8

driver deaths

5

passenger deaths

13

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2014 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

2

complaints mentioning a crash

2

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2014 Kia Sedona reflects Kia's published service intervals and the Service Reminder system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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