Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 48 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Kia Sedona, and it carries 5 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unknown or other | 7 | 15% |
| Electrical system | 3 | 6% |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 6% |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 4% |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 2 | 4% |
| Air bags | 2 | 4% |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 4% |
| Engine | 2 | 4% |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 4% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 2 | 4% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
My 2009 Kia Sedona is under Safety Recall SC133 (NHSTA 16V-387) for front lower control arms that can corrode and break. The dealership has had the vehicle at ANDY MOHR KIA in [XXX] for two weeks and states the frame is
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
The door locks on passenger sliding doors,do not keep doors shut,they remain open on both sides and have to use a screw driver to rotate the mechanism.
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
An L shape plastic part broke off under the brake pedal that is causing the brake lights to remain on, intermittently, when I am not using them. It has drained my battery causing me to be late to work.
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AND COMING TO A STOP, HE HEARD AN ABNORMAL SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND INSPECTED UNDER THE
NHTSA complaint: Steering
THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND A FIRE STARTED SOMEWHERE IN THE ENGINE AND THE WHOLE CAR BURNED.
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
THE BRAKE LIGHTS TURNED ON AND CANNOT BE TURNED OFF EXCEPT FOR DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY. THEY ARE ON ALL OF THE TIME WHILE DRIVING AND DRIVERS CANNOT TELL WHEN I APPLY MY BRAKES. THEY ARE ON AFTER I POWER OFF THE VEHICL
NHTSA complaint: Electronic stability control (esc)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA SEDONA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING AN INSPECTION, THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE CONTROL ARM WAS RUSTED AND THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD BARELY PASS THE INSPECTION. IN 2017, THE CONTACT ST
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
THE FRONT BRAKE CALIPER MOUNTING BRACKETS BOLTS LOOSEN AND FALL OUT CAUSING CALIPER FAILURE. THIS ALSO CAUSE THE CALIPER TO BECOME LOOSE AND SCRUB THE INSIDE OF THE RIM WHICH IN TURN DAMAGES BOTH THE CALIPER AND THE RIM
NHTSA complaint: Wheels
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2009 Kia Sedona. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2006-2010 Sedona and 2007-2009 Sorento vehicles. Moisture may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short.
Risk: 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.
Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will install a relay in the main junction box to prevent power from being directed to the HECU when the vehicle's ignition switch is turned off, free of charge. Th
Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Kia Sedona vehicles manufactured from June 15, 2005, through April 04, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the secondary hood latch may bind and remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed.
Risk: 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.
Fix: Kia will notify owners and dealers will replace the secondary hood latch or clean and lubricate the latch, depending on the vehicle's location and the condition of the latch. These repairs will be pe
Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2006-2012 Kia Sedona vehicles manufactured from June 15, 2005, through August 14, 2012 and originally sold in, or currently registered in Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachuse
Risk: A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Kia will notify owners and dealers will replace the front lower control arms on 2006-2007 models. 2008-2012 models will either have their front lower control arms replaced or additional anti-corrosio
Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo, model year 2007-2011 Sedona, Sorento and Sportage, model year 2010-2011 Soul, model year 2008-2011 Optima, model year 2010 Forte, model year 2007-2009 Amanti, and model year 2009 Borrego vehicles. Originally, in April 201
Risk: 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 trans
Fix: Kia will send an interim notification to owners in May 2013. When parts are available, owners will receive a second notification and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. Owners
| Reliability raw | 70 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 74 | good |
| Maintenance | 81 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 62 | average |
| Performance | 59 | average |
| Efficiency | 35 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other minivans & vans in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 48 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and unknown or other is the most reported area with 7 of them (15%). There are 5 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 70/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 74/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2009 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 67/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.