CarModelProblems.com

2008 Kia Sedona Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Electrical System — runs 2.4× the fleet median for that category across the 2547 model-years tracked on this site.
170Complaints
5Recalls
4Crashes
10Fires
2Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Electrical System (26.5% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.

Electrical System complaints here are 2.4× the median for that category across the 2547 model-years tracked on this site.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Electrical System45 · 26.5%RecalledRecall 20V088000
Vehicle Speed Control37 · 21.8%not available
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)15 · 8.8%not available
Exterior Lighting14 · 8.2%RecalledRecall 13V114000
Suspension12 · 7.1%RecalledRecall 16V387000 · Recall 13V550000
Structure:body:door12 · 7.1%not available

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)15 · 8.8%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING14 · 8.2%
SUSPENSION12 · 7.1%
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR12 · 7.1%
SERVICE BRAKES12 · 7.1%
Unspecified / other11 · 6.5%
STRUCTURE:BODY10 · 5.9%
AIR BAGS8 · 4.7%

Percentages are the share of the 170 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 5 campaigns

Electrical System

NHTSA campaign 20V088000 · 2020 · reported 02/14/2020

An electrical short within the ABS Module may cause an engine compartment fire, even when the vehicle is turned off, increasing the risk of an injury. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm

NHTSA campaign 16V387000 · 2016 · reported 06/01/2016

A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

NHTSA campaign 13V114000 · 2013 · reported 04/01/2013

Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of PARK without first applying the brake.… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch

NHTSA campaign 16V389000 · 2016 · reported 06/01/2016

If the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm

NHTSA campaign 13V550000 · 2013 · reported 11/05/2013

A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“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…”NHTSA complaint 10862997 — filed 05/04/2016 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“NONE OF MY INTERIOR LIGHTS WORK, WITH DOORS OPENED OR CLOSED. NOW MY PARKING BRAKE LIGHTS STAY (REAR PASSENGER & 3RD BRAKE LIGHT) ON EVEN…”NHTSA complaint 10780867 — filed 10/08/2015 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“FOR THE FIRST INCIDENT, WHILE COMING TO A STOP SIGN, MY SON WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE IGNITION POWERED OFF, POWER STEERING FAILED…”NHTSA complaint 10760368 — filed 08/31/2015 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

1420122724201412172016119201810202020732022342024422026

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Kia Sedona?

Electrical system issues are the most-reported category, cited in 45 of 170 NHTSA complaints (26.5%), followed by vehicle speed control (37), electronic stability control (esc) (15), exterior lighting (14). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2008 Kia Sedona have?

170 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 4 involved a crash, 10 involved a fire, and 2 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 2008 Kia Sedona have any recalls?

Yes — 5 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 20V088000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2008 Kia Sedona's reported problems?

Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.