Kia · Sedona · 2018
2018 Kia Sedona
3
Recalls
46
Complaints
5/5
Safety Rating
The 2018 Kia Sedona has 3 recalls and 46 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 5 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: engine (16 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 28, 2026
Research Context
The 2018 Kia Sedona page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is engine with 16 reported complaints.
Best Research Moves
- Use the complaint log to understand what owners were actually reporting instead of relying only on the raw complaint total.
- Review the recall section even if the total is smaller, because a limited number of recalls can still point to meaningful safety actions.
- This page is primarily a complaints-and-recalls research surface, so compare nearby model years before treating the complaint total as a standalone verdict.
Key Takeaways
- The 2018 Kia Sedona currently shows 3 NHTSA recalls listed on this page and 46 owner-reported complaints.
- This page currently shows no linked NHTSA investigations.
- This page reflects complaint volume, recall history, and NHTSA test data, but it does not diagnose causes or rank reliability by itself.
- Safety data currently shows 5/5 overall NHTSA safety rating.
- The most frequently reported complaint categories on this page are engine (16), electrical system (4), air bags (3).
- Vehicle
- 2018 Kia Sedona
- Recalls
- 3
- Complaints
- 46
- Safety Rating
- 5/5
How to Interpret This Page
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
NHTSA Crash Test Performance
Frontal Crash Test
Side Crash Test
Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
13.0% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
ESC: StandardForward Collision Warning: OptionalLane Departure Warning: Optional
Recall Notices
NHTSANHTSA ID: 22V031000January 25, 2022
AIR BAGS
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.
Remedy Status
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.
NHTSA ID: 19V109000February 19, 2019
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
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.
Remedy Status
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.
NHTSA ID: 18V338000May 23, 2018
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
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.
Remedy Status
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.
Owner Complaints
46 totalSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Apr 6, 2026
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message "Check Auto Emergency System" was displayed and the brake warning light illuminated. Additionally, an unknown fluid was leaking near the front passenger’s side wheel. Th...
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ENGINE
Feb 8, 2026
The vehicle is a 2018 Kia Sedona with approximately 122,000 miles that experienced a catastrophic engine failure resulting in complete engine seizure. The failure has been identified by an independent mechanic as a rod bearing issue. The engine remains intact and is available for...
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SEAT BELTS
Oct 19, 2025
My [XXX] son pulled the seatbelt so tight it got wrapped around his neck. When I pulled over to unbuckle it, it was stuck. I turned the car off and on again to try and loosen it, but it didn't work. In the emergency, I had to cut the seatbelt with scissors. It's the passenger se...
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ENGINE
Oct 10, 2025
While driving under normal conditions and normal operation, the engine lost power, began using excessive fuel, the inside of the vehicle smelled like fuel and white smoke began pouring out of the exhaust.
ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Aug 11, 2025
Engine failed…driving down the road with five small children and without warning all the lights came on and started smoking, leaking fuel, power doors failed, steering, acceleration and more. We had to have the car towed to a shop. A when looking into what’s happening apparently ...
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ENGINE
Jul 18, 2025
While driving on the interstate, about an hour into the trip, there was a banging/tinging sound coming from the front of the van. Immediately the van was pulled off the road to assess the situation as there were NO WARNING MESSAGES OR LIGHTS that came on to alert of any problem. ...
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SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN,ENGINE
FIREJul 9, 2025
There was a fire under my minivan as my husband was driving it, creating smoke and flames. He lost power to the van and had to coast to the right side of the highway where he came to a stop with the flames occurring. This is the family vehicle and I have small children. We had no...
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STRUCTURE
Jul 1, 2025
Driver Side door stuck in the closed position. Electric Motor does not work.
ENGINE
Apr 4, 2025
ENGINE - blown head gasket, cracked block. Vehicle is at dealership service center in for repairs.vehicle has been inspected by the warranty company. No engine light or warnings or messages came up on the car. Approximately 64000.00 miles smelling antifreeze. Took it in to have i...
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ENGINE
Feb 18, 2025
While returning from a road trip to the Phoenix Arizona area I was driving my family in the Kia Sedona van. We were driving on highway [XXX] going over [XXX] accelerating up hill. Without warning the car started to have high rpms and the sensor for the check oil along with the ch...
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Showing 10 recent complaints from 46 total
View Full Complaint LogCompare Related Vehicles
Why Compare These Pages
The strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2018 Kia models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
More Kia Sedona Years
2019 Kia SedonaCompare this year against 2018 for complaint and recall shifts.2r33c2017 Kia SedonaCompare this year against 2018 for complaint and recall shifts.4r129c2020 Kia SedonaCompare this year against 2018 for complaint and recall shifts.1r19c2016 Kia SedonaCompare this year against 2018 for complaint and recall shifts.4r284c2021 Kia SedonaCompare this year against 2018 for complaint and recall shifts.8c2015 Kia SedonaCompare this year against 2018 for complaint and recall shifts.3r133c
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2018 Kia SorentoAnother 2018 Kia option for same-year comparison.3r244c2018 Kia OptimaAnother 2018 Kia option for same-year comparison.2r221c2018 Kia SoulAnother 2018 Kia option for same-year comparison.1r202c2018 Kia SportageAnother 2018 Kia option for same-year comparison.3r153c2018 Kia ForteAnother 2018 Kia option for same-year comparison.3r133c2018 Kia StingerAnother 2018 Kia option for same-year comparison.4r64c
Frequently Asked Questions
How many recalls does the 2018 Kia Sedona have?
The 2018 Kia Sedona has 3 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
How many complaints have been filed for the 2018 Kia Sedona?
NHTSA has received 46 owner-reported complaints for the 2018 Kia Sedona.
What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2018 Kia Sedona?
The 2018 Kia Sedona received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Kia Sedona?
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2018 Kia Sedona are engine (16 reports), electrical system (4 reports), air bags (3 reports).
Does the 2018 Kia Sedona have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA has 3 recalls on record for the 2018 Kia Sedona. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.