2015 KIA SEDONA Complaints and Recall Information
The 2015 KIA SEDONA has 9 complaints and 13 recalls filed with NHTSA. Owners most frequently report engine failures without warning, including engine lock-up and rod failure, often requiring engine replacement. Issues with rapid oil and coolant consumption are also commonly mentioned, sometimes leading to overheating and loss of power. Several owners describe incidents where safety was compromised due to sudden vehicle stoppage on highways.
- Engine failure. Several complaints describe sudden engine lock-up or rod failure with no warning lights or indications before the event. Engines often require costly replacement.
- Oil consumption. Owners report excessive oil consumption with no visible leaks, leading to engine damage and safety risks from low oil levels.
- Coolant loss. Rapid coolant consumption without visible leaks causes engine overheating and eventual failure in some cases.
- Head gasket issues. Reports include blown head gaskets causing coolant leaks, white smoke, and oil burning, sometimes necessitating engine replacement.
- Sudden power loss. Vehicles have stalled unexpectedly on roads with no warning, sometimes disabling hazard lights and creating dangerous conditions.
- Dashboard warning lights. Check engine lights intermittently appear and disappear in relation to low fluid levels but do not prevent severe engine damage.
- Lighting problems. Front low beam headlights fail while high beams and fog lights function normally; owners question why this issue lacks a recall.
- Safe mode activation. The engine enters safe mode during highway driving, which slows the vehicle and poses safety hazards, with some owners noting this matches a recall excluded by the dealer.
- Service and warranty concerns. Owners report being denied warranty coverage for engine repairs due to mileage even though the issues are documented and serious.
The 2015 KIA SEDONA has 13 recalls addressing various electrical, lighting, and safety components. Defects involve software errors affecting turn signal function, seat wiring harness issues risking airbag deployment, and power sliding door auto-reverse failures. These recalls cover critical systems impacting occupant safety and vehicle control.
- Turn signal software. Recall 21V725000 affects 88,576 vehicles where the Smart Junction Box software may activate turn signals in the opposite direction, increasing crash risk. Dealers will update software free of charge. No "Do Not Drive" advisory is issued.
- Occupant Detection System wiring. Recall 19V109000 covers 94,389 vehicles with manually-adjusted front passenger seats where wiring harnesses can break, preventing proper airbag deployment and increasing risk to child passengers. Dealers will remove clips or replace seat cushions as needed at no cost.
- Power sliding door. Recall 18V338000 affects 106,428 vehicles with power sliding doors that may not auto-reverse when obstructed, raising injury risk. Dealers will reprogram door control software free of charge. No "Do Not Drive" advisory is issued.
Owners facing repeated engine failures and safety-related defects or unresolved recall repairs may want to explore their rights under state lemon laws. Persistent mechanical issues and recalls can pose serious safety risks and financial burdens requiring proper legal consideration.
2015 KIA SEDONA Summary
2015
Model Year
9
Total Complaints
3
Total Recalls
289393
Vehicles Affected
Recalls
2015 KIA SEDONA
88576 vehicles affected
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
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.
2015 KIA SEDONA
94389 vehicles affected
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.
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.
2015 KIA SEDONA
106428 vehicles affected
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.
Risk: If the door closes on an occupant, there is an increased risk of an injury.
Complaints
2015 KIA SEDONA
ID: 2126632ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine overheated. No warning lights were illuminated. In addition, the thermostat gauge indicated that the engine was overheating. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a cracked head gasket. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under warranty because the mileage was over the limit. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 182,000. The VIN was unavailable.
2015 KIA SEDONA
ID: 2093320ENGINE
The auto will go into safe mode when driving on the highway. You have to try to get to the side of the road without getting run over. This is a recall for most Kia's, but the dealer said my year car is not one of them. But it is doing the same as the ones under recall.
2015 KIA SEDONA
ID: 2092641ENGINE
Engine blew a rod without warning or service light indication. The vehicle is available for inspection. My two children and I were put at risk due to the nature of the engine failure and being able to safely navigate the vehicle off of the highway. The vehicle was inspected by the mechanic of the shop that towed the vehicle. No warning lamps or symptoms of the engine failure until it happened. Low oil was suspected but made no sense since the oil had just been changed a month prior and no leaks detected.
2015 KIA SEDONA
ID: 2063090UNKNOWN OR OTHER
A few months ago we became aware that our Sedona was burning through coolant and oil very quickly. We began to monitor closely and were adding coolant and oil frequently. We did not see any oil leaking on the engine or driveway. We brought the car into the Cherry Hill Kia service center to get checked. We were aware of a recall involving coolant and oil and thought this could be related. I told the mechanic we were checking the coolant and oil every week because it would run low and the check engine light would come on. We would add both oil and coolant and the check engine light would go out soon after. The Kia mechanic told us we needed new radiator hoses and an alternator. I pressed the mechanic because I did not understand how that would affect the oil consumption. We paid for the diagnostic and oil change and took our car to another mechanic and they replaced the entire radiator and alternator. This was in October, 24. In January of 25 we were driving on a 45 mph road with no shoulder when the lights on the dashboard lit up and we began to lose power. The vehicle stopped and we could not even get the hazard lights to function. My children were in the car. The police had to be called to stop traffic so we could safely push the car off the road until it could be towed. The vehicle is currently at Burlington Kia and we have been informed we need a whole new engine. We have always been diligent about maintaining our cars. I have no doubt that this is the result of poor engineering and design and puts families like ours in danger. Please help us and by holding Kia accountable.
2015 KIA SEDONA
ID: 2063089ENGINE
A few months ago we became aware that our Sedona was burning through coolant and oil very quickly. We began to monitor closely and were adding coolant and oil frequently. We did not see any oil leaking on the engine or driveway. We brought the car into the Cherry Hill Kia service center to get checked. We were aware of a recall involving coolant and oil and thought this could be related. I told the mechanic we were checking the coolant and oil every week because it would run low and the check engine light would come on. We would add both oil and coolant and the check engine light would go out soon after. The Kia mechanic told us we needed new radiator hoses and an alternator. I pressed the mechanic because I did not understand how that would affect the oil consumption. We paid for the diagnostic and oil change and took our car to another mechanic and they replaced the entire radiator and alternator. This was in October, 24. In January of 25 we were driving on a 45 mph road with no shoulder when the lights on the dashboard lit up and we began to lose power. The vehicle stopped and we could not even get the hazard lights to function. My children were in the car. The police had to be called to stop traffic so we could safely push the car off the road until it could be towed. The vehicle is currently at Burlington Kia and we have been informed we need a whole new engine. We have always been diligent about maintaining our cars. I have no doubt that this is the result of poor engineering and design and puts families like ours in danger. Please help us and by holding Kia accountable.
2015 KIA SEDONA
ID: 2058701ENGINE
All of a sudden my vehicle has started consuming large amounts of oil. My wife was driving with my two small children when a check engine light went on and she pulled over and there was no oil left in the engine! i am unsure of the scale of the problem or if any significant damage has occurred. I worry that the car is at 149k that I will go over the 150k and be out of luck for a recall claim. I know that this was a complaint with other kia engines, but the 3.3 GDI Lambda seems to have the same issue. Please take care of it!
2015 KIA SEDONA
ID: 2056356ENGINE
In 2021 we purchased the van and within hours the motor blew. The car dealer had the motor rebuilt and it has been good until recently. It seems the head gasket is blown as it’s using coolant and blowing white smoke. It’s also burning oil. This should not happen every couple years
2015 KIA SEDONA
ID: 2054577EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Low Head Lights do not work. High beams and fog lights work. This seams to be a KIA problem across makes and models. Why has a recall not been issued?
2015 KIA SEDONA
ID: 2053776ENGINE
Driving at approx. 45 mph the engine locked up and failed causing the van to die and not be able to restart. There was no warnings, lights etc before failure. Luckily the road was empty to be able to navigate to the side of the road to avoid a dangerous situation. Should it have been a busy highway it would have put everyone at risk with a disabled vehicle not being able to move at speed. Kia Dealership investigated the failure and although there was lower oil and coolant level the manifold gasket test failed to meet the requirements for a Kia failure and remedy was a $9000 new engine.