Kia Sedona engine problems, 2016–2021
252 of the 545 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Kia Sedona 2016–2021 name the engine (NHTSA’s “Engine” heading — the engine and its cooling system). The loudest years: 2016 (153), 2017 (62), 2018 (21). Filed under the same heading across these years: 2 manufacturer bulletins, 1 NHTSA investigation. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Kia Sedona engine problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the engine | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 0 | — | — | 5 TSBs | the year → |
| 2020 | 5 | 25% | — | 7 TSBs | the year → |
| 2019 | 11 | 29% | — | 11 TSBs | the year → |
| 2018 | 21 | 44% | — | 13 TSBs | the year → |
| 2017 in depth | 62 | 46% | — | 13 TSBs | the record → |
| 2016 in depth | 153 | 52% | 88k | 31 TSBs · 1 investigation | the record → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the engine. Nothing here is a rate.
When the engine complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2016: 1 · 2017: 2 · 2018: 1 · 2019: 3 · 2020: 9 · 2021: 4 · 2022: 23 · 2023: 28 · 2024: 85 · 2025: 67 · 2026: 29
Across the model years, half of the 42 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the engine problem between 54,000 and 117,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the engine, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sedona. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the engine. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was then towed the following day to the dealer.
While driving I smelled a burning odor. Then my heat started blowing cold air. I immediately went to a car shop and when they opened the hood, there was white smoke. After getting 3 separate opinions, all agreed that the engine was fried and needs to be replaced. There were no warning signs, lights, etc...
the engine failed do to lack of oil, no oil light lite. No warning that the engine used up all the oil
The car stalled unexpectedly while driving on side roads and highway feeder roads. It first stalled as I approached a stop sign. The rpms quickly dropped from 2000+ to about 500. The car stalled. I put it in neutral and restarted the car. It turned over several times before restarting.
Head gasket blew and caused coolant to leak into the engine. We broke down on the side of the interstate. Our vehicle sat at the dealer for 5 months awaiting a new engine to be put in. No warnings beforehand
What is on file about the engine, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsNHTSA investigation
- DP24002 3.3L Engine Loss of Motive Power (LOMP)opened Feb 27, 2024 · closed Mar 5, 2024
- The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a petition on February 20, 2024, requesting the opening of an investigation into an alleged defect of the "engine" on the following vehicle model stated by the petitioner: 2016 Kia Sedona vehicles equipped with the 3.3L V-Shaped GDI Lambda-II engine. The petitioner raised the issue of a Loss of Motive Power. On November 13, 2023, ODI opened PE23-0…
2 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading, any model year
- Mar 18, 2026
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: OIL PRESSURE SWITCH (OPS) REPLACEMENT (WTY026 REVISION 2) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information regarding the replacement of the Oil Pressure Switch associated with the ‘Warranty Extension Pr
- Dec 18, 2025
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: ENGINE SUB ASSEMBLY INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT (WTY039 - REVISION 7) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information associated with the ‘Warranty Extension Program’ (WTY039) to diagnose a coolant leak from the cylinder head gasket ar
Every one filed under the heading is listed. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Kia Sedona years have the most engine complaints?
2016, 153; 2017, 62; 2018, 21. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2016 (52%).
Is there a recall for the engine on the Kia Sedona?
No recall campaign is filed under this heading on any of these model years. A bulletin is not a recall: it carries no federal duty to repair for free.
When do engine problems show up on the Kia Sedona?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 80,900 miles across the model years; half of them between 54,000 and 117,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Engine" heading cover?
The engine and its cooling system. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.