2017 Kia Sedona Safety Report
2017 KIA SEDONA Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2017 Kia Sedona
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2017 Kia Sedona. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | High (4) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | High (124) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 4 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Engine | Compare engine issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2021 | Compare against the 2021 Kia Sedona with 8 complaints and 0 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2016 | Check the 2016 Kia Sedona before buying across this generation. |
Kia Sedona Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Kia Sedona years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Kia Sedona | 44 | 3 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2016 Kia Sedona | 279 | 4 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2019 Kia Sedona | 32 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2015 Kia Sedona | 133 | 3 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2020 Kia Sedona | 19 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2021 Kia Sedona | 8 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2017 Kia Sedona Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2017 Kia Sedona, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Engine
42 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Kia onlyUnknown Or Other
14 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Kia onlyStructure
9 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Structure issues Kia onlyAir Bags
7 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Air Bags issues Kia onlyElectrical System
7 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Kia onlyExterior Lighting
5 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Exterior Lighting issues Kia onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2017 Kia Sedona
Reliability Score
The 2017 Kia Sedona receives a reliability score of 5 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates below-average reliability. Significant issues have been reported by owners and should be carefully evaluated before purchase.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2017 Kia Sedona
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2017 Kia Sedona
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2017 Kia Sedona:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Issues Engine knocking and seizing have been reported, often due to excessive oil consumption and oil control valve failure. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Air Bag Recalls Kia has issued multiple recalls for air bag issues, affecting the 2017-2019 Sedona models. |
High | Common | 20k-60k miles |
| Electrical System Wiring problems have caused issues such as excessive oil consumption and oil control valve failure. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Structural Problems Door latches and locks have shown signs of failure, leading to safety concerns. |
Low | Common | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2017 Kia Sedona:
Engine issues, including knocking and seizing, are the most common problems.
Air bag recalls are a significant concern, affecting multiple models.
Electrical system issues, particularly with wiring, are frequent.
Structural issues, such as door latches and locks, are less common but still occur.
Recall Details for the 2017 Kia Sedona
The following 4 recalls have been issued for the 2017 Kia Sedona by NHTSA:
Summary: 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.
Consequence: Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Summary: 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.
Consequence: A turn signal activating in the opposite direction of what was intended by the driver increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the SJB software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 12, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC217.
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
Summary: 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.
Consequence: If the door closes on an occupant, there is an increased risk of an injury.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2017 Kia Sedona
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2017 Kia Sedona with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 1 involved fires.
Vehicle Information: 2017 Kia Sedona VIN: [XXX] Engine: 3.3L GDI Mileage at failure: 186,000 miles Complaint: I am filing this complaint regarding sudden engine failure in my 2017 Kia Sedona equipped with the 3.3L GDI engine. The vehicle had approximately 186,000 miles at the time of failure and had just undergone a routine oil change prior to the incident. While driving on the highway, a...
My husband and I originally bought our White 2017 Kia Sedona LX on 9/12/18 from Hertz automotive sales. Since that time we had had no engine issues. We maintained our brakes, and standard upkeeps on the car. Eight years in and still our car had given us no issues. Our most recent oil change was on 9/13/25 and it was inspected during that oil change and no issues were noted. The car had since...
My 2017 Kia Sedona has has regular oil changes about every 3000 miles. I was not due for an oil change quite yet and a ticking noise coming from the engine started to occur. I made an appointment at the Kia dealership right away. Just a few days before my appointment there was no warning light for the oil or engine until the engine failed, went limp and I lost power steering control, the brakes ...
Engine with around 107K miles has had regular maintenance done to it. Went out one morning to start my van and there was a knocking noise coming from under the hood. We then had it towed to an engine/transmission repair shop to have it looked at and was told that we needed a new/used engine and the price was thru the roof. this is a very trusted shop so took there advice. To have the engine re...
The contact owned a 2017 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that after parking in his driveway, there was white smoke coming from the front of the vehicle. The contact is handicapped and was assisted by his wife to exit the vehicle safely. The vehicle later caught on fire, and flames were visible in the front passenger side that spread to the rear of the vehicle. No warning lights illuminated before o...
Excessive oil consumption
Oil Control valve failed and oil leaking
Burning through oil faster than it should, needing to feel up oil every week, has been confirmed by an auto repair shop.⁸
seats break easily and dont lock in place as well as control modulae harness from door to rear tail lights burn up
On [XXX], while driving my 2017 Kia Sedona on a road trip through Killeen, Texas, the engine suddenly began making a loud knocking noise without any prior warning, leading to catastrophic engine failure and complete loss of motive power. The vehicle became inoperable and was towed to University Kia in Waco, Texas. The day prior, on [XXX], the vehicle underwent a thorough pre-trip inspection and fu...
I was driving and my engine seized and my car is now undrivable. I immediately looked up recalls and see that there were several recalls and recalls surrounding the engine as well. I am told I now need a brand new engine and was referred to file a report as the issue experienced should not have been happening.
Engine stared clattering at the end of a 2 hour drive home. Engine died entering a round about 1-1/2 miles from home. It restarted and limped to my home. Arranged to have it towed to mechanic shop. They informed me there is issues with rod bearings and that Kia has a class action suite but Kia is telling me that my vin is not involved.
The Sedona is showing paint damage on the rear trunk door. The unit is white. It is starting to flake where the glass ends.
Without warning lights coming on my engine started knocking on May 15, 2025. Turns out the bearing between the top of the motor and the bottom of the motor is stripped. 5 months before this happened they replaced the 2 fuel pumps, cvvt, cam shaft sensor and assembly, timing chain and spark plugs. Again I had no warning about that work that the dealership said I needed. Now I need a new motor and ...
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that upon start of the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where a diagnostic test was performed, and the dealer discovered that the front passenger's side air bag module was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure t...
I heard a knocking sound in my car which I thought was coming from the engine towards the end of May. It was really bad on May 29, 2025, so I did not drive it again. I called my local dealership and scheduled an appointment for June 2, 2025. The vehicle had to be towed from my house to the dealership as it did not seem safe to drive. The battery had died when I tried to start it, so I called AAA f...
Catalytic converter system failure
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sedona. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the front passenger's side air bag module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V031000 (Air Bags). The failure persisted. The manufact...
On [XXX] my family and I were on our way to Oklahoma. Luckily we were on a highway instead of interstate when our Kia motor blew. There were no oil warning lights illuminated, nothing. My husband luckily was able to steer the van to the side of the road safely. My vehicle had to be towed and when codes were run on it by the oil changers, NO CODES POPPED UP and there were metal shaving in my oil fi...
My right side turn signal keeps getting water inside and not working
Showing 20 of 124 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2017 Kia Sedona
Has the 2017 KIA SEDONA been recalled?
Yes, the 2017 KIA SEDONA has 4 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2017 KIA SEDONA have?
The 2017 KIA SEDONA has 124 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 2 involved crashes. 11 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2017 KIA SEDONA?
The 2017 KIA SEDONA received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 5/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 KIA SEDONA?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2017 KIA SEDONA involve engine (42 complaints), unknown or other (14 complaints), structure (9 complaints). Other affected components include air bags, electrical system, exterior lighting.
How many crash reports does the 2017 KIA SEDONA have?
There are 2 crash reports associated with the 2017 KIA SEDONA out of 124 total complaints (1.6% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2017 KIA SEDONA have?
There are 2 fire reports for the 2017 KIA SEDONA out of 124 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2017 KIA SEDONA?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2017 KIA SEDONA.
How many injuries are reported for the 2017 KIA SEDONA?
11 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2017 KIA SEDONA. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2017 KIA SEDONA?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2017 KIA SEDONA is acceptable with caveats. It has 124 complaints, 4 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2017 KIA SEDONA?
The components with the most failures on the 2017 KIA SEDONA are: 1. ENGINE (42 complaints), 2. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (14 complaints), 3. STRUCTURE (9 complaints), 4. AIR BAGS (7 complaints), 5. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (7 complaints). ENGINE is the single most-reported problem area with 42 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2017 KIA SEDONA?
Be aware of potential engine and air bag issues, and check for recalls regularly. The 2017 KIA SEDONA has 124 NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2017 KIA SEDONA?
The 2017 KIA SEDONA receives a reliability score of 5/100, indicating below-average reliability. This is based on 124 owner complaints, 4 recalls, and 4 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Engine Issues and Air Bag Recalls.
What are the known issues with the 2017 KIA SEDONA?
Known issues with the 2017 KIA SEDONA include: Engine Issues, Air Bag Recalls, Electrical System, Structural Problems. These are based on patterns found across 124 NHTSA complaints. 4 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Are there any recalls for the 2017 KIA SEDONA?
Yes, there are recalls for engine and air bag issues.
What are the most common issues with the 2017 KIA SEDONA?
Engine issues and air bag recalls are the most common.
Are there any electrical system issues with the 2017 KIA SEDONA?
Yes, electrical system issues, particularly with wiring, have been reported.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be aware of potential engine and air bag issues, and check for recalls regularly.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2017 Kia Sedona
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2017 Kia Sedona. The data includes 124 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 4 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 2 reported crashes, 2 fire incidents, 11 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2017 Kia Sedona an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 5 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16