2018 Kia Sedona Safety Report
2018 KIA SEDONA Safety Analysis
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2018 Kia Sedona
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2018 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 (3) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Moderate (44) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 5 | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Kia Sedona | 32 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2017 Kia Sedona | 124 | 4 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2020 Kia Sedona | 19 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2016 Kia Sedona | 279 | 4 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2021 Kia Sedona | 8 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2015 Kia Sedona | 133 | 3 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2018 Kia Sedona Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2018 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
15 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Kia onlyElectrical System
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Kia onlyAir Bags
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Air Bags issues Kia onlyStructure
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Structure issues Kia onlyUnknown Or Other
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Kia onlyWheels
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Wheels issues Kia onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2018 Kia Sedona
Reliability Score
The 2018 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 2018 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 2018 Kia Sedona
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2018 Kia Sedona:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bag Deployment Failure Kia is recalling certain 2017-2019 Sedona, Soul, Soul EV, 2017-2018 Forte, and 2015-2018 Sedona vehicles equipped with manually-adjustable front passenger seat belts. The front passenger seat belt may not lock properly, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash. |
Medium | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
| Electrical System Issues Wiring issues can cause the airbag light to come on, potentially leading to a delayed or failed airbag deployment in the event of a collision. |
Medium | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
| Engine Failure Engine failures have been reported, including blown head gaskets, cracked blocks, and coolant leaks. These issues can lead to sudden loss of power and potential safety hazards. |
High | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
| Seat Belt Malfunction A seat belt malfunction was reported where the seatbelt got stuck and was difficult to unbuckle, posing a risk of injury. |
Medium | Occasional | 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 2018 Kia Sedona:
Engine issues are the most common problem, with 44% of reported issues.
Electrical system issues are the second most common problem, with 23% of reported issues.
Air bag issues are the third most common problem, with 15% of reported issues.
Structure issues are the fourth most common problem, with 12% of reported issues.
Recall Details for the 2018 Kia Sedona
The following 3 recalls have been issued for the 2018 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 2015-2018 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 2018 Kia Sedona
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2018 Kia Sedona with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 1 complaint involved crashes. 4 involved fires. 1 reported injuries or fatalities.
My [XXX] son pulled the seatbelt so tight it got wrapped around his neck. When I pulled over to unbuckle it, it was stuck. I turned the car off and on again to try and loosen it, but it didn't work. In the emergency, I had to cut the seatbelt with scissors. It's the passenger seatbelt in the second row, next to the window. I reported the incident to Kia in Puerto Rico by phone. They never called ...
In 2022, our airbag light came on. On 5/10/2022 am Airbag recall was issued and it was fixed. The airbag computer/module was fixed. We got into an accident in August of 2022, and our airbags never went off. And the airbag light has never shut off since it was “fixed” May 2022. It’s now October 2025. They said nothing was wrong with it, after bringing the vehicle in multiple times. And now after b...
While driving under normal conditions and normal operation, the engine lost power, began using excessive fuel, the inside of the vehicle smelled like fuel and white smoke began pouring out of the exhaust.
Driver Side door stuck in the closed position. Electric Motor does not work.
There was a fire under my minivan as my husband was driving it, creating smoke and flames. He lost power to the van and had to coast to the right side of the highway where he came to a stop with the flames occurring. This is the family vehicle and I have small children. We had no warning lights or any indication that there would be a fire in my vehicle as the van had been running smoothly, and I...
Engine failed…driving down the road with five small children and without warning all the lights came on and started smoking, leaking fuel, power doors failed, steering, acceleration and more. We had to have the car towed to a shop. A when looking into what’s happening apparently many others are having to spend thousands to fix this issue and I’m afraid that’s where we are. An investigation needs t...
While driving on the interstate, about an hour into the trip, there was a banging/tinging sound coming from the front of the van. Immediately the van was pulled off the road to assess the situation as there were NO WARNING MESSAGES OR LIGHTS that came on to alert of any problem. Immediately before hearing the noise, the van had a major loss of power going up a slight incline on the interstate. The...
ENGINE - blown head gasket, cracked block. Vehicle is at dealership service center in for repairs.vehicle has been inspected by the warranty company. No engine light or warnings or messages came up on the car. Approximately 64000.00 miles smelling antifreeze. Took it in to have it checked for leaks no apparent leaks. Took in at approximately 72000.00 miles now has a blown head gasket and cracked ...
While returning from a road trip to the Phoenix Arizona area I was driving my family in the Kia Sedona van. We were driving on highway [XXX] going over [XXX] accelerating up hill. Without warning the car started to have high rpms and the sensor for the check oil along with the check engine light began to flash. Steering felt difficult. Safety was a concern having to try to use a dying vehicle to p...
We have a 2018 KIA Sedona SXL that started to have a knock the beginning of the year. We noticed it was dry on oil even though we faithfully get our oil serviced. I took it in for an oil change right away and they were also surprised as I have always went there for my oil services. They informed me that my Kia engine is notorious for burning through oil and maybe just try coming in more frequently...
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.
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 stressed about paying to get it fixed out of pocket.
Blown engine at 108,000. Known issues with 3.3-liter V6 engine . Kia refises to repair.
Paint peeling
Engine failed. Replacement is required. Currently at dealership where auto was purchased. Dropped off 30 JUL '24. Waitng for replacement.
I took the vehicle to get serviced to check the engine light coming on. The Kia dealership stated that the CVVT Assembly and Oil Control Valve had to be replaced. The entire engine would have to be replaced if there was engine damage. The check engine would turn off for a couple of days and then turn back on. When the light would turn off, there was a lack of power, causing a lag in the throttle c...
108,000 miles failed engine due to know rod issues with this engine
While driving at highway speed all the dashboard lights came on and the engine instantly quit. I managed to pull the wheel and coast to the side of the road, which was difficult with no power steering. I tried restarting the engine, but it would not stay running. I had to have the car towed to the mechanic who, upon inspection, found the engine seized due to no oil. An engine replacement was requi...
Since shortly after buying the van we have been getting airbag warning lights. Just about every part of the system has been replaced, but the airbag light still comes back on. Just got the van back from the dealer today for the 9th time, and after about an hour of driving, the light is back on again.
I was driving my 2018 Kia Sedona on [XXX]. I had all 4 of my kids with me in the van, I heard a click, click, click, then the car went dark, in the middle of the road no warning nothing. There was no light or anything that came on as a warning. It just died. It was scary to go through that with my kiddos. We are devastated as the car is only 6yrs old and it wont work at all. Had it towed to my loc...
Showing 20 of 44 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2018 Kia Sedona
Has the 2018 KIA SEDONA been recalled?
Yes, the 2018 KIA SEDONA has 3 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2018 KIA SEDONA have?
The 2018 KIA SEDONA has 44 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 1 involved crashes. 1 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2018 KIA SEDONA?
The 2018 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 2018 KIA SEDONA?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2018 KIA SEDONA involve engine (15 complaints), electrical system (4 complaints), air bags (3 complaints). Other affected components include structure, unknown or other, wheels.
How many crash reports does the 2018 KIA SEDONA have?
There are 1 crash reports associated with the 2018 KIA SEDONA out of 44 total complaints (2.3% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2018 KIA SEDONA have?
There are 4 fire reports for the 2018 KIA SEDONA out of 44 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2018 KIA SEDONA?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2018 KIA SEDONA.
How many injuries are reported for the 2018 KIA SEDONA?
1 injury has been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2018 KIA SEDONA. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2018 KIA SEDONA?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2018 KIA SEDONA is generally recommended. It has 44 complaints, 3 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 2018 KIA SEDONA?
The components with the most failures on the 2018 KIA SEDONA are: 1. ENGINE (15 complaints), 2. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (4 complaints), 3. AIR BAGS (3 complaints), 4. STRUCTURE (2 complaints), 5. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (2 complaints). ENGINE is the single most-reported problem area with 15 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2018 KIA SEDONA?
Be cautious of potential air bag and engine issues. Ensure the air bag system is functioning properly and consider a pre-purchase inspection for engine problems. The 2018 KIA SEDONA has 44 NHTSA complaints and 3 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2018 KIA SEDONA?
The 2018 KIA SEDONA receives a reliability score of 5/100, indicating below-average reliability. This is based on 44 owner complaints, 3 recalls, and 5 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Air bag deployment failure and Electrical system issues.
What are the known issues with the 2018 KIA SEDONA?
Known issues with the 2018 KIA SEDONA include: Air bag deployment failure, Electrical system issues, Engine failure, Seat belt malfunction. These are based on patterns found across 44 NHTSA complaints. 3 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Are there any recalls for the 2018 KIA SEDONA?
Yes, there are recalls for air bag and electrical system issues.
What are the most common issues with the 2018 KIA SEDONA?
The most common issues are engine failures, electrical system problems, and air bag malfunctions.
Is the engine covered under warranty if it fails?
Engine failures may be covered under warranty, but check the specific terms and conditions with the manufacturer.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of potential air bag and engine issues. Ensure the air bag system is functioning properly and consider a pre-purchase inspection for engine problems.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2018 Kia Sedona
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2018 Kia Sedona. The data includes 44 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 3 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 1 reported crashes, 4 fire incidents, 1 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2018 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