There are 37 owner-reported electrical system complaints for the 2008 Kia Sedonain NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
The contact owned a 2008 Kia Sedona. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked at a friend’s residence, the contact exited the vehicle and took the baby she was caring for inside the residence of the friend. Upon returning outside, the contact became aware that the vehicle was on fire and the vehicle was engulfed in flames. The Fire Department arrived on the scene and extinguished the fire. The Fire Marshall informed the contact that the fire had started in the engine compartment. Additionally, a Fire Report was filed; however, the information was unavailable. The fire caused damage to the friend residence. The contact stated that the fire melted the aluminum siding on the house. No injuries were sustained. The vehicle was covered under a liability insurance policy. The vehicle was a total loss. The homeowners insurance Fire Inspector tagged the vehicle and requested that the vehicle remain on the premises. The vehicle was still located at the residence, as per the Fire Inspector. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 315,465.
I brought this car (owned by by son and his wife, used by me) in March 2022 re recall SC186 to the Kia dealership in Berwyn, IL and they said the new part was needed, and they'd call me when it was in for me to return to have it replaced, but they never did call to say the part was in. -- I called various times through August 2022 to check, and they gave me a runaround. I called Kia customer service on 8/25, and their records showed that the Berwyn Kia claimed they did the recall on 04/08/22 -- AND THEY LIED - THEY NEVER HAD ME COME IN TO HAVE THE PART REPLACED! And because the recall is listed as done, no other dealership can replace the part! I filed complaint #[XXX] with Kia customer service - they said they would inform Berwyn Kia of my complaint, but might or might not get an answer from the dealer. I guess I will return to Berwyn Kia to confront them on this matter -- but I wonder how often they say they do recall repairs but don't in fact do them!!!! Can you do anything to help?? Who else should I complaint to about this? INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
[XXX] owned a 2008 Kia Sedona minivan, VIN #[XXX]. This was his only vehicle at the time. On or about April 26, 2021, [XXX] heard a loud noise coming from the driveway and went outside to investigate. The van was engulfed in flames, mainly in the engine compartment. He attempted to put the fire out himself. His neighbor called the Pinellas Park fire department who responded and put out the fire. The vehicle was a total loss. The van had been parked for approximately five hours after he used it earlier that day to pick up children from school The spontaneous vehicle fire was a serious safety risk, and he is fortunate to have not lost his home in the fire along with the vehicle. The day before the fire, the ABS indicator light on the dash came on. He made an appointment to have the van serviced on April 27, but the fire destroyed the vehicle before it could be looked at. Shortly after this happened, [XXX] learned of Manufacturer Recall Number SC186; NHTSA Recall Number 20V088. He was never notified by Kia North America, before or after the fire which destroyed the vehicle. [XXX] has opened case number [XXX] with and was assured that Kia would be providing reimbursement for the Kia Sedona vehicle he had to replace. Kia North America requested pictures of the fire damaged vehicle, which he sent to them. He offered to allow Kia to inspect the wreckage of the vehicle, but no action was ever taken despite assurances that Kia would send a representative to inspect the vehicle. In September 2021, Kia North America stopped responding to Mr. Brackett, and no longer returns his or my communication. If the NHTSA requires any more information, please contact my office. /s [XXX] Florida Bar #[XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
CAR CAUGHT FIRE BECAUSE OF ELECTRICAL CONNECTION IN THE DIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT WIRING. THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET WITH THE HEADLIGHTS OFF. CAR WAS TOTALED. INSURANCE AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN INFORMED. *TR
NOTICE FOR A RECALL FOR AN ELECTRICAL PART WAS SUBMITTED 4/9. THERE HAS BEEN NO WORD FROM THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT A REPAIR OR IF WE ARE ABLE TO SAFELY DRIVE OUR VEHICLE. THERE IS NO CLEAR HELP HOTLINE TO GIVE MORE GUIDANCE. CAN THE THE NHTSA ASK THEM TO POST A CLARIFICATION AND A DEADLINE FOR DECISIVE ACTION (EITHER A REPAIR OR REFUND)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V088000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE NOTIFICATION THAT WAS RECEIVED WAS AN INTERIM NOTIFICATION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. A DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT PREVIOUSLY THE BATTERY, STARTER, AND STARTER RELAY WERE REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE FUSE PANEL, THE ALTERNATOR, AND IGNITION WERE INSPECTED HOWEVER, THE MECHANICS WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE A PROGNOSIS FOR THE FAILURE. MASTRIA KIA LOCATED AT 1555 NEW STATE HWY, RAYNHAM, MA 02767, (508) 802-6800, WAS CONTACTED BY PHONE AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE DIAGNOSED HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO GUARANTEES AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THE MECHANIC WOULD BE ABLE TO RETRIEVE INFORMATION AS TO THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000.
INTERMITTENT NO START NO CRANK ISSUE. THE RESEARCH I'VE DONE SHOWS IT IS A FAULTY JUNCTION BOX DUE TO ANTITHEFT SYSTEM NOT WORKING CORRECTLY.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SEDONA. THREE HOURS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, FLAMES APPEARED FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 189,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS INCLUDING THE ABS WARNING LIGHT HAD ILLUMINATED. AFTER RESTARTING THE ENGINE, THE ODOR OF BURNING RUBBER WAS PRESENT AND SMOKE WAS SCENE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAN MODULE WAS FAULTY. THE FAN MODULE WAS REPLACED BUT THE FAILURES CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS EXAMINED BY A SECOND INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRE HARNESS WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NO FURTHER INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
THE PASSENGER REAR DOOR WILL NOT OPEN WITH THE KEY FOB, ONLY WITH STRENGTH. HAVE BEEN TOLD THE MOTOR IS WORE OUT FOR THAT PARTICULAR DOOR. IT WAS JUST PARKED, WITH THIS TROUBLE TO THIS DATE. AS STATED, I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE MOTOR TO THIS DOOR IS WORE OUT.
THE AUTOMATIC DOORS KEEP OPENING SLIGHTLY WHILE DRIVING AND CAUSING THE DOOR ALARM TO GO OFF. THE DOORS TEND TO WORK WHEN THEY WANT TOO. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS MATTER BECAUSE THEY ARE OPENING UP NEXT TO CHILDREN.
The contact owns a 2008 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that the key fob failed to open and unlock the doors as well as to deactivate the alarm system. The contact stated that the rear driver’s and passenger’s side windows failed to open fully, and the passenger’s side front door failed to close correctly as the chime and dome light remained on while driving. The contact stated to remedy the door failure her spouse placed a piece of metal between the door and the sensor to correct the failure. The rear passenger’s side sliding door also failed to connect with the sensor correctly as the door chime and dome light remained on. The check engine warning light would illuminate while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure was unknown to the contact however, the contact stated that she was informed that the battery, air bag sensors, and four catalytic converters needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to a radiator center where the failure was diagnosed as a relay that needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that they had a SMOG test completed and was informed that only one catalytic converter had to be replaced. The catalytic converter was not replaced due to the cost. The contact stated that while her spouse was driving approximately 30 MPH, the brake was depressed, and the vehicle failed to stop as the brake started to pulsate. The contact stated that the vehicle collided with another vehicle. The contact stated that no injuries were sustained in either vehicle. The contact stated that the California Highway Patrol was contacted and was on the scene however, a report was not filed. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnoses or repairs. The contact stated that she received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V088000 (Electrical System, Service Brakes, Hydraulic) in January of 2021. The dealer was notified and stated that the parts were not available as they had to order them. The contact stated that the dealer had been contacted several times and stated that the parts were not available. The manufacturer was notified, and a case was opened. The contact stated that she has been waiting for a reply from Kia for over a month. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000. Parts distribution disconnect
THIS VAN HAS THE EXACT SAME ISSUE WITH THE BRAKE SWITCH THAT ALL THE OTHERS HAD IN RECALL. SHIFTER IS STUCK IN PARK. ESC LIGHT IS ON AND BRAKE LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING. THERE ARE NO OPEN RECALLS FOR THIS ISSUE ON THE VIN NUMBER. FURTHER, THE KIA DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO FIX IT FREE OF CHARGE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SEDONA. WHILE DRIVING, THE SLIDING DOORS ERRONEOUSLY UNLOCKED AND OPENED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES. ALSO, WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM WOULD ERRONEOUSLY ACTIVATE. AFTER INSERTING THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION SWITCH, THE VEHICLE WOULD ATTEMPT TO START BEFORE THE IGNITION KEY WAS TURNED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.
NONE OF MY INTERIOR LIGHTS WORK, WITH DOORS OPENED OR CLOSED. NOW MY PARKING BRAKE LIGHTS STAY (REAR PASSENGER & 3RD BRAKE LIGHT) ON EVEN WHEN THE IGNITION IS OFF AND LIGHTS ARE OFF
I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE PASSENGER DOORS. RECENTLY IN MARCH THE LEFT PASSENGER DOOR CAME OPEN WHILE DRIVING WITH MY 7 YEAR OLD IN THAT SEAT. I HAD TO PULL OVER AND CLOSE THE DOOR BUT IT WOULDN'T STAY LATCHED AND ENDED UP TYING IT WITH A ROPE TO KEEP IT CLOSED. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND CALLED KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE WHO FIXED THE CAR AND PAID FOR IT WITH THEIR GOOD WILL SERVICE. THIS WEEKEND THE SAME THING HAPPENED ON THE RIGHT SIDE PASSENGER DOOR. THIS MORNING I CALLED KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD PAY FOR THE $93 PART BUT I HAD TO PAY FOR THE $300 LABOR CHARGE. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRICAL DOORS NOT SHUTTING IN THE PAST. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THE MOTOR IS TO SMALL FOR THE DOOR. I AM NOW CONCERNED BECAUSE THE DOORS ARE NOT LATCHING AND FLYING OPEN AT ANYTIME. MY CHILDREN'S SAFETY IS AT RISK. WHEN SPEAKING WITH STEVE AT KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE I ASKED TO BE CONTACTED WITH THE REGIONAL MANAGER AND WAS REFUSED. STEVE SPOKE TO THE REGIONAL MANAGER WHO SAID THEY WOULD PAY FOR THE PART BUT NOT THE LABOR AND COULDN'T GIVE ME ANY EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THE DOORS ARE NOT LATCHING AND HE WOULD NOT TAKE MY CALL. I DO NOT WANT TO HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT MY CHILDREN'S SAFETY AND THEY DO NOT FEEL SAFE RIDING IN THE CAR. I JUST WANT THE CAR TO OPERATE IN THE WAY IT IS INTENDED AND NOT HAVE THESE SAFETY ISSUES.
THIS MINI-VAN HAS MANUAL SLIDING DOORS. SINCE NEWLY BOUGHT, THE SLIDING DOORS HAVE BEEN DIFFICULT TO OPEN AND CLOSE. ONE PROBLEM CORRECTED UNDER WARRANTY ELIMINATED THE WARNING DING WHEN UNDER SPEED INDICATING A SLIDING DOOR WAS AJAR. ANOTHER CORRECTED PROBLEM WAS THE LOOSE DOOR HANDLES CAUSED IN PART B THE AMOUNT OF FORCE PASSENGERS HAD TO USE TO OPEN THE SLIDING DOOR WHEN NOT LOCKED, LIKE IT WAS STUCK SHUT. THE CURRENT PROBLEM IS THE RIGHT (DRIVER) SIDE SLIDING DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK AT ALL, EITHER THROUGH THE KEY FOB OR BY MANUALLY OPERATING THE INSIDE LEVER TO UNLOCK THE DOOR. AS IT WILL NOT OPEN, IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY FLAW IN THAT NO ONE INSIDE DURING A CRASH CAN EXIT THROUGH THE DOOR, AND NO ONE OUTSIDE THE MINIVAN CAN OPEN THE DOOR TO FREE A TRAP CHILD ARE INFANT. KIA HAS REPLACED ONE PART WHICH DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM, AND NOW IS REPLACING AN ELECTRICAL CONTROL BOX. *TR
I HAVE A 2008 KIA SEDONA VAN AND HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS JUST RECENTLY WITH THE HEAD LIGHT BULBS BURNING OUT. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE DRIVER FRONT HEAD LIGHT BULB TWICE IN THE LAST 4 MONTHS. AFTER JUST REPLACING THE LAST BULB JUST A LITTLE OVER A MONTH AGO, MY DRIVER SIDE BRAKE TAIL LIGHT BULB IS NOW OUT. IS THERE SOMETHING WRONG WITH A CONNECTION IN THE WIRING WITH THESE BULBS? I HAVE NOTICE SEVERAL KIA SEDONA'S ON THE ROAD THAT HAVE BLOWN HEAD LIGHT BULBS. THOSE BULBS ARE NOT CHEAP AND THEY ARE ALSO HARD TO FIND AS WELL. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT KIA SHOULD BE ADDRESSING. *TR
THE VEHICLE PERIODICALLY WON'T START. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE SHOULD THE VEHICLE STALL WHILE DRIVING OR PULLING INTO TRAFFIC AND VEHICLE WON'T RESTART IMMEDIATELY, IT COULD CAUSE A CRASH. IT IS NOT A STARTER, BATTERY OR OTHER RELATED ISSUE AS FAR AS OUR MECHANIC CAN DETERMINE. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS REPORTS ON LINE BY SEDONA OWNERS AS IT IS APPARENTLY AN INHERENT PROBLEM WITH THE SEDONAS OF VARIOUS YEARS. PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED THAT STARTERS HAVE BEEN REPLACED IN THEIR VEHICLE AND IT WILL RESOLVE THE PROBLEM FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME ONLY TO RETURN A SHORT TIME LATER. OTHERS STATE THAT THEIR MECHANICS THINK IT COULD BE RELATED TO THE ANTI-THEFT DEVICE IN THE VEHICLE. NO ONE SEEMS TO HAVE A SURE FIX FOR THE PROBLEM AND KIA APPARENTLY IS NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT OR MAKING ANY RECALLS TO FIX THE PROBLEM. VARIOUS THINGS WILL GET THE CAR TO START SUCH AS LOCKING AND UNLOCKING THE DOORS SEVERAL TIMES, JIGGLING THE GEAR SHIFT AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL OR OPENING AND CLOSING THE DOORS. SOME DAYS IT WILL DO IT ONLY ONCE AND OTHER DAYS IT WILL DO IT SEVERAL TIMES. *TR
Showing 1–20 of 37 complaints
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 26, 2026