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2017 Kia Sedona Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2017 Kia Sedona carries 4 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering door and air bags. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “Engine rod-bearing failure and sudden seizure.” 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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4 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

Campaign #18V338000 · May 23, 2018

Issue: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Kia Sedona vehicles equipped with a power sliding door (PSD). The PSD may not auto-reverse when its closing is obstructed.

Risk: If the door closes on an occupant, there is an increased risk of an injury.

Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the PSD module software, free of charge. The recall began on June 18, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC164.

AIR BAGS

Campaign #22V031000 · Jan 25, 2022

Issue: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Sedona, Soul, Soul EV, 2017-2018 Forte, and 2017 Forte Koup vehicles. The Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) cover may contact a memory chip on the printed circuit board and damage the electrical circuit. Circuit damage may result in deactivated air bags that will not deploy in a crash.

Risk: Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the ACU, and either update the software or replace the unit, as necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 21, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC226.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL

Campaign #21V725000 · Sep 17, 2021

Issue: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Sedona vehicles. The Smart Junction Box (SJB) software logic may not properly interpret the signals received from the multifunction switch, which could cause the turn signal to activate in the opposite direction of what the driver intended.

Risk: A turn signal activating in the opposite direction of what was intended by the driver increases the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will update the SJB software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 12, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC217.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

Campaign #19V109000 · Feb 19, 2019

Issue: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Sedona vehicles equipped with manually-adjusted front passenger seats. Over time, the Occupant Detection System (ODS) wiring harness located underneath the front passenger seat may break from the seat being occupied.

Risk: If a child is in a child seat in the front seat, a broken ODS wiring harness will not prevent the front passenger air bag from deploying in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the child.

Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will remove the wire harness clip to prevent the wiring harness from breaking. If the harness is found damaged, the front passenger seat cushion will be replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 19, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC175.

Recall data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2017 Kia Sedona.

Reported to NHTSA

Engine rod-bearing failure and sudden seizure

ENGINE

40 NHTSA complaints · 2017-03 → 2026-04

“My 2017 Kia Sedona has has regular oil changes about every 3000 miles. I was not due for an oil change quite yet and a ticking noise coming from the engine started to occur. I made an appointment at the Kia dealership right away”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11713242
“my engine blew while driving on the highway April 2023. my connecting rod snapped. no check engine light or oil warning light ever came on prior to this happening. I had maintained oil changes every 2000 miles since purchase”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11618764
“Engine turned off unexpectedly while driving. It has happened twice since owning the car (bought September 2021). Both instances occurred while I was slowing down into a turn”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11440479

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Sliding door failure to latch or open

STRUCTURE

17 NHTSA complaints · 2017-09 → 2026-04

“The left side sliding door does not completely latch when closing. I have looked for obstruction and do not see any”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11487817
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HATCH AND SLIDING DOORS FAILED TO CLOSE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. ADDITIONALLY, THE HATCH INADVERTENTLY CLOSED ON THE CONTACT'S BODY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11118334
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 KIA SEDONA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR WAS SLIDING CLOSED, THE LEFT HAND OF THE CONTACT'S CHILD WAS SMASHED IN THE DOOR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11025293

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Headlight bulb failure and lights going dark

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

12 NHTSA complaints · 2019-02 → 2024-01

“Driving home at night my main headlights randomly turned off while moving and went completely dark. The headlight setting was set to always on at the time of the incident. I quickly tried flipping to the auto setting and the head lights came back on”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11448285
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11429210
“WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE LOW BEAMS STOPPED WORKING ON MY 2017 KIA SEDONA, REPLACED BOTH LIGHT BULBS AND THEY STILL DO NOT WORK, THE HIGH BEAMS WORK NOT THE LOW BEAMS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11351050

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Paint peeling from body panels

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

7 NHTSA complaints · 2022-10 → 2026-06

“The Sedona is showing paint damage on the rear trunk door. The unit is white. It is starting to flake where the glass ends”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11676139
“Unknown the paint is chipping and peeling around the whole vehicle. Auto shop said it shouldn't be doing that and it could be a painting error of the manufacturer”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11606758
“Backdoor paint around the rear glass is peeling off. It seems may be an indication of a bigger issue”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11522468

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Head gasket and head bolt failure with coolant leak

ENGINE

6 NHTSA complaints · 2023-06 → 2026-08

“The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sedona. The contact noticed a green puddle underneath the vehicle with the low coolant message displayed. The vehicle was initially taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was informed that either the head gasket or the entire engine needed”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11623997
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11527550
“Same defect on NHTSA (Investigation PE23-019) my vehicle is 1 month outside of the manufacturing date listed, having the same issues, but they will not cover it-even though the same engine is in it. KIA bulletin WTY039 Vehicle is overheating, coolant is bubbling”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11731432

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Front passenger air bag module defect

AIR BAGS

13 NHTSA complaints · 2016-11 → 2025-07

“The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that upon start of the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where a diagnostic test was performed, and the dealer discovered that the front passenger's side”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11675356
“The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sedona. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, there were several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the cause of the failure could not be determined”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11542706
“Airbag warning light stays illuminated when the vehicle is on. KIA mailed me a 2017-2018 MY KIA SEDONA VEHICLES ILLUMINATION OF AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT NEW VEHICLE LIMITED WARRANTY EXTENSION letter. Dealer (Dyer KIA, Lake Wales, FL) refuses to honor the warranty”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11595300

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Excessive oil consumption

ENGINE

12 NHTSA complaints · 2022-07 → 2026-04

“Excessive oil consumption”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11705212
“Burning through oil faster than it should, needing to feel up oil every week, has been confirmed by an auto repair shop”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11687085
“Motor has been consuming oil.all oil and maintence was done to this vehicle”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11626877

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine compartment fire

ENGINE

3 NHTSA complaints · 2023-11 → 2026-05

“The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH, the contact the oil light illuminated, and the vehicle decelerated independently. The contact mention he pulled over to the right side of the road, exited the vehicle and when he lifted the hood”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11736979
“The contact owned a 2017 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that after parking in his driveway, there was white smoke coming from the front of the vehicle. The contact is handicapped and was assisted by his wife to exit the vehicle safely”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11707879
“While driving on the highway, the engine stopped working; smoke, metal fragments and oil came out of the front of the car leading to zero visibility. We were extremely lucky that we were able to quickly navigate out of traffic, stop the car on the side of the highway and get all”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11556486

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

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)

26 crashes 1990–2024

How the 26 occupant deaths break down

15

driver deaths

11

passenger deaths

26

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2017 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

3

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 2017 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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