Oil consumption is an abnormal rate. Oil needs to be refilled almost every week, and the leak has caused deterioration of spark plugs.
Engine & cooling
Kia Sedona Engine problems by year
549 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Kia Sedona's engine & cooling. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.
Engine complaints by model year
Latest Sedona engine complaints
I was driving, my car just stopped, couldn't start, started smoking and started on fire.
This vehicle is burning oil at an alarming rate. Between oil changes it has lost 4 quarts before. I constantly have to check and add oil and have experienced stuck pistons and rough idle due to the oil not being at a safe level. Kia service advisors have admitted there have been reports of this happening with this engine, but no recall or inspection has been initiated to my knowledge. They did just issue an optional emission campaign that I completed, but it is unrelated to the oil burn issue.
This vehicle has been consuming oil at a fast rate. We have had them do oil consumption tests multiple times and each time they tell us it's considered normal. They have also told us that an oil warning light would come on if it's too low, but that has never happened. We have had zero warning lights and have had to constantly monitor the oil level and top it off. We have it serviced regularly by the same place. Now, the oil is burning at a faster rate, after driving 700-800 miles round trip, with full oil, it...
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was on the lowest line on the dipstick and we noticed black marks on the garage floor near the exhaust and have heard sounds. Still no warning lights on. We topped the oil off again and have taken it back to the dealership to assess the problem. I have read online that different Kia models have been recalled for this exact same issue. I have been worried that we would end up with major engine problems because of what's happening and now that could be the case, or worse, having a fire or something when my kids are in the car. This seems to be an issue for multiple Kia vehicles and I'm not sure why the 2019 Sedona hasn't been included but that is why I'm making this report.
In January 2026, I brought my vehicle to a Kia dealership specifically complaining that it was "burning oil." The dealership documented this exact complaint on the invoice, but only repaired external leaks. They failed to perform an oil consumption test, failed to diagnose the internal burning issue, and failed to warn me of any ongoing risk. Approximately four months later, while 400 miles from home en route to vacation and with no warning lights appearing, the engine suffered catastrophic oil starvation and...
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seized. Forced to pay out of pocket for towing, emergency logistics, and an immediate replacement vehicle to continue the trip. An out-of-pocket engine teardown confirmed the internal failure, and my extended warranty denied coverage due to the low oil condition.
In [redacted], my 2004 Kia Sedona caught fire shortly after I arrived at work in [[redacted]]. My [[redacted]] daughter was with me because she was sick. After parking, I removed her from the back seat and went inside the salon. Minutes later, I returned and saw smoke coming from the engine. Within seconds, the front of the vehicle caught fire. The vehicle was parked near a building, and the fire and smoke spread toward the building. The fire department responded and made a report. The vehicle was completely...
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disabled and later sold to a salvage yard because I could not drive or transport it. My insurance did not cover the fire because I did not have fire coverage. I am especially concerned because my daughter had been inside the vehicle moments before the fire. Fortunately, I removed her before the fire started. I later contacted Kia America, which opened Case No. [redacted] and requested the vehicle's location for investigation. Kia also requested preservation of the vehicle, but it had already been destroyed by the fire and sold to salvage. I am requesting that NHTSA review this incident for possible safety defects, recalls, investigations, or similar fire complaints involving the 2004 Kia Sedona or its components. I can provide the fire report, Kia correspondence, and other supporting records. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
While driving my van I had stopped to put car in reverse to park and as I was putting van back into drive to finish parking the engine quit, I was unable to restart the vehicle, just a click sound. All the lights doors everything electric worked, still purchased a new battery in case that was the issue. There were no service engine lights, oil lights or any other warning signal on the dash. My brother assisted me and checked my oil which was depleted and gummy on the tip. I reached out to a mechanic to see...
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about an engine replacement and after telling him the issue stated I should check with Kia because there has been some issues noted with that particular engine, I have reached out to my local Kia dealership Dutch Miller in barboursville WV, however there is no answer and I've left two voicemails and still have heard nothing back from them. From my research for engines it stated there was issue with the oil leaking into the coolant without any indications or lights warning due to head bolts loosening over time which was a manufactured part issue, I saw also there was a campaign concerning this and wanted to include my problems with your agency.
In 2025 I had my camshaft replaced by Fox Valley VW of [[redacted]]. They completed work on my camshaft with a misfire notification of cylinders 2, 4 and 6. Most recently, our sedona had a head gasket blow resulting in it needing a full replacement of the long block assembly. This was determined by the Kia Service Center of McGraf Kia on [[redacted]]. My vehicle has the 3.3L Lambda engine in which Kia extended the warranty on the head bolts and head gaskets. (Kia Campaign WTY035 and [[redacted]]). During our...
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ownership, my husband and I kept up with all regular maintenance; oil changes with the proper oil, measuring our fluid levels, changing brakes etc. Our coolant never needed to be topped off until our engine stalled and died on a regular drive home. Our engines internal temperature never increased beyond reasonable/expected levels even in the heat of the summer. Our check engine light came on twice during our ownership, during the initial cam shaft repair and now, the blown gasket. My husband was driving the car home from work, as normal, on Wednesday [redacted]. He came to a full stop, accelerated and heard a pop and the vehicle couldn't accelerate to full speed. He was able to safely make it home, where it promptly died in our drive when he shifted to "Park". The camshaft repair is important context because it was a warranty job, so it had to be approved by an insurance agent. The agent deemed our vehicle and engine well maintained and approved the warranty coverage. Our vehicle is now sitting at Kia in [[redacted]] with a $7600 repair that we, the owners, feel was no fault of our own. Please consider the current extended warranties WTY035 and WTY039 as evidence of the history of this issue and I have attached the past and current invoice and quote, including the detailed notes from the mechanics. Thank you for your consideration at this time. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Total engine failure at 120k miles, no warning signs.
In [redacted], my 2014 Kia Sedona suffered a catastrophic internal engine failure matching the known 3.3L Lambda V6 factory defect. The engine block threads stripped out, destroying the head gasket and causing extreme, immediate loss of radiator fluid and over-pressurization of the coolant expansion tank. A professional mechanic provided an engine replacement estimate of $16,000, which exceeded the vehicle value. To mitigate damages, the vehicle was salvaged at [[redacted]] on [redacted]. On XX, Kia America...
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Customer Care (Case #[redacted]) formally issued a written denial of warranty coverage, claiming my VIN is excluded from Campaign [[redacted]] despite the vehicle experiencing the exact failure parameters covered under the factory extended engine warranty. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The vehicle radiator exploded while driving on the freeway. Towed to mechanic radiator replaced and housing. Problem persosted. With a simple pressure test the coolant in the reservoir began to boil immediately meaning there's a cracked engine block.
on 8/6/26 my wife was driving home when the Sedona Van began emitting white smoke and started making a whining noise. Little did we know the head bolts had pulled out of the engine causing the head gasket to blow and coolant to leak and total engine failure. Safety risk was engine could have seized in the middle of my wife driving home which could have caused a sudden crash. Vehicle was taken to dealership which confirmed total engine failure due to the well-documented engine failures of the 3.3L V6 Lamda - II...
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engines. Dealership stated my VIN # was NOT included in the extended warranty that the NHTSA mandated KIA provide due to this well-documented problem. I was told the extended warranty covered vehicles through 2016 model years, my Sedona is a 2017. Therefore, there was NOTHING they could do. However, this is the SAME issue that has been documented over and over with this engine. But because mine is a 2017 I am being told it is not covered for the total engine replacement by KIA. I was told to call the KIA customer care line which I did. They confirmed my vehicle is NOT covered, but agreed it is the same engine issue that has been seen in the 2013-2016. I was told that I could file a Goodwill case that will be escalated to KIA corporate to see if there is anything they can do to help me. I am now waiting for them to get back to me. I was quoted $13,206 for the engine replacement and likely may need radiator replaced too so probably closer to $15,000 when all done. I am told this is purely mechanical failure and a manufacturer defect. I am waiting for KIA's response but want to file this complaint to see what help is available if they come back and deny covering my engine replacement. simply because it is a 2017. This vehicle has been great so far, has 157,000 well cared for miles until this issue erupted without warning. Dealership said have not seen this on a 2017 Sedona, but it happened, my van is currently dead and will there be more 2017's w/ this issu
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the engine overheated. The vehicle was driven to the local dealer, who diagnosed that the engine head bolts had failed. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The engine was replaced. The contact stated that later while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer who diagnosed that the ignition coil had failed. The ignition coil and spark plug seals were replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 146,000.
The check engine light illuminated with diagnostic code P0018 (crankshaft/camshaft position correlation, Bank 2), first recorded on a scan [redacted]. The vehicle was taken to a franchised Kia dealership in [[redacted]] on [redacted] at 88,719 miles. The dealer performed an engine teardown and provided a written diagnosis on [redacted]: metal debris on the exhaust camshaft position sensor, damaged camshaft phasers, a sheared camshaft pin, and metal contamination throughout the engine. The dealer states the engine...
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requires either a major timing-system repair or complete engine replacement. This failure mode can cause sudden loss of motive power while driving. There was no crash, no injury, and no fire. The engine remains disassembled at the dealership and is available for inspection upon request. The problem was confirmed by a franchised Kia dealer in writing. NHTSA previously examined loss of motive power in this 3.3L V6 engine family in PE23-019, which named 2015-2021 Kia Sedona vehicles with 3.3L engines as peer vehicles. Warning prior to failure: check engine light only. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2018 Kia Sedona lx stalled while my wife was driving on the highway. No warning lights were on until the vehicle lost all power. Luckily my wife was able to pull the car safely to the side. The vehicle only has 36960 miles. Brought vehicle to the dealer and they said engine was seized. That Kia would not attempt a repair unless I gave copies of oil/oil filters from oil changes that I performed. I did not have these so Kia is not honoring the warranty. I changed the oil every year regardless of the miles. Did not...
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miss. The oil is clean as I just changed the oil a couple months ago. Someone could have been killed. We got that van for our disabled adult son. Thankfully he wasn't in the vehicle. We've been ripped off but at least my family is safe.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data