⌘K
Home›Kia›Sedona›2018
Kia · Minivan

2018 Kia Sedona

Gas
Minivan - 2WD
3 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
C
Safety Signal
76 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
RecallsNHTSA campaigns3
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA48
Crash ratingNHTSA overall5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA21 mpg
202120202019201820172016

The 2018 Kia Sedona is sold in the U.S. as a gas minivan with 3 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Sedona SX, is EPA-rated at 21 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of C. Owners have filed 48 complaints, most often about the engine. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
Sedona SXGasFWD3.3L 6-cyl182521$2,950
SedonaGasFWD3.3L 6-cyl182420$3,100
Sedona SXLGasFWD3.3L 6-cyl172219$3,300

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 38803, 38802, 38804.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2018 Kia Sedona is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

Compare coverage →

Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you request a quote or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nothing on this page changes because of it.

Recalls (3)

Source: NHTSA recall database
▲high

Air Bags

SC226
410,619 vehicles
ProblemKia 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.RiskAir bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.FixDealers 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 campaign 22V031000reported Jan 25, 2022Kia Motors America
▲high

Electrical System

SC175
94,389 vehicles
ProblemKia 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.RiskIf 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.FixKia 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 campaign 19V109000reported Feb 19, 2019Kia Motors America
▲high

Structure

SC164
106,428 vehicles
ProblemKia 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.RiskIf the door closes on an occupant, there is an increased risk of an injury.FixKia 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.
NHTSA campaign 18V338000reported May 23, 2018Kia Motors America

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
48complaints filed

1 involved a crash · 4 a fire · 1 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2018: 3 · 2019: 5 · 2020: 2 · 2021: 3 · 2022: 4 · 2023: 5 · 2024: 12 · 2025: 10 · 2026: 4

Most-cited components

Engine21
Electrical System11
Air Bags6
Unspecified3
Structure3
Power Train2

What owners describe

“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.”Dec 16, 2024 · Engine · NHTSA owner report
“Engine in my 2018 Kia has failed. This should be covered under warranty as van only has 90k miles on it but because I am the second owner they are telling me it is not covered. Several other 2018 Kia’s have already been recalled for engine failure. My car was burning oil. This is a manufacturing issue and I am very s…”Nov 27, 2024 · Engine · NHTSA owner report
“Blown engine at 108,000. Known issues with 3.3-liter V6 engine . Kia refises to repair.”Nov 18, 2024 · Engine · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
VAN FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆13%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Other Sedona model years

A

2021 Kia Sedona

0 recalls · 9 complaints

B

2020 Kia Sedona

1 recalls · 20 complaints

B

2019 Kia Sedona

2 recalls · 37 complaints

C

2017 Kia Sedona

4 recalls · 133 complaints

C

2016 Kia Sedona

4 recalls · 295 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

JSON for this page · API