2016 Kia Sedona Engine Problems

Your engine has experienced internal failure due to problems with the rod and bearing components. This type of failure typically means the engine cannot run and will require significant repair or replacement.

My family and I were all driving in the car. We were at a stoplight, and fully stopped as it was a red light. All of a sudden, we heard a weird noise, and all of the dash lights on our car appeared, and then the car fully turned off.

The Sedona just stopped in traffic with out warning with my kids in the van. No type or warning lights came on. I had recently got an oil change and tune up.

2016 Kia Sedona SX-L (VIN: [XXX]) equipped with 3.3L Lambda II GDI engine. This is the second engine failure — first engine failed due to head bolt studs separating from the block, second (mechanic sourced) engine began heavy smoking and nearly caught fire due to possible oil starvation/rod bearing failure. Vehicle is parked and unsafe to operate.

Complete engine failure while driving with 4 passengers along freeway. Engine began to have a knocking noise, with no warning lights. Engine failed a few miles down the road, and started a small fire in the engine bay.

Timing Chain Failure/Cam Shaft Failure/Bank 2 Failure/drastic loss of engine oil. Got home before engine seized, could have crashed if engine failed on freeway. Codes confirmed techs suspicion.

While driving the vehicle started making a rattling sound and the engine started to fail. There were no engine lights or warning signs. The vehicle only had around 78,000 miles on it and had regular maintenance.

Engine failed with no warning lights. Oil completely gone with no signs of leaks. Coolant reservoir empty with no signs of where it went.

The engine failed while driving on the interstate. Believed to have been catastrophic failure. Sudden loss of power and maneuverability could have LED to a collision.

Our 2016 Kia Sedona was recently diagnosed with engine failure. Here's a summary: 1.

Car would not accelerate while driving, while this did not cause an accident in this incident there was definitely the potential for that outcome. Upon inspecting the vehicle, found the vehicle was low on oil by 4 quarts, and no warning lights were on indicating there was a problem with the vehicle.

My van has 126k miles and regularly gets an oil change. We are the original owners and haven't had any issues with it either. As I was driving up hill, I realized I was losing acceleration power.

Kia sedonas have known headgasket engine coolant leak issue that can result in engine failure and is dangerous. Engine coolant leak had been confirmed by smell initially, as well as white smoke, low coolant in reservoir. Then took to 2 separate mechanics who both verified engine coolant leak.

On 25 March 2024, my wife was driving our 2016 Kia Sedona with my two children. Without warning, the engine stopped, the vehicle jolted to a halt, and my wife was left stranded in the middle of the road with no ability to pull the vehicle onto the shoulder.

Engine failed at less than 90k miles. Kia wants to put a new engine in for $15,000. I bought it used so no 100k mile warranty.

The vehicle started making a rattling noise, but there were no lights on the dash at all!. My husband checked the oil and there was no oil. (It wasn't even due for an oil change yet.) Even after adding 5 quarts of oil, the engine threw a rod through the oil pan while it was being driven down the road.

Engine caught fire while traveling on the highway. It was towed to the dealer. Dealer told us that engine failure and fire had been caused by oil leak, which occurred even with us bringing the car in for routine maintenance regularly and as recommended by Kia.

The vehicle while driving and accelerating at any given time stops accelerating even when you are pressing the accelerator all the way in. Usually occurs when I am on highways or normal roads. No check engine light or indication of failure has come up to retrieve a code and be able to diagnose the issue.

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sedona. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH there was raddling noise and then flames. The check engine light came on.

While driving I smelled a burning odor. Then my heat started blowing cold air. I immediately went to a car shop and when they opened the hood, there was white smoke.

The contact owned a 2016 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he felt the vehicle was bumping and thought there was a flat tire. The ESP fault and low tire pressure warning lights were illuminated.

While driving, there was a spontaneous explosion from under the hood accompanied by a gush of oil from under the car. The car did not catch fire but there were sparks. The oil that spilled from under the car caused the car to slip out of control.

Your engine is making a knocking noise and losing power, similar to problems reported with Kia's 4-cylinder GDI engines. This type of engine knock typically indicates internal engine problems that should be inspected immediately. A mechanic will need to diagnose the source of the knock and determine if engine repair or replacement is necessary.

2016 KIA Sedona. I was driving on the highway when the Engine started knocking and smoking. I had to cut cars off on the highway to get to the shoulder.

I was at an intersection & was turning left. In the middle of the turn the car started knocking noise and vibrating and turned off in the middle of the intersection. It did not crank for several tries while I was panicking with a car full of kids in a busy intersection.

My 2016 Kia Sedona had complete engine failure. I was driving home from work in January 2025 with both my young daughters and the vehicle completely died out of nowhere no warning light no check engine light no oil light I was stranded alongside the road with a four year-old and a six year-old in January temperatures for hours.

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that while her husband was driving 50 MPH, the contact heard a knocking sound coming from the engine and the vehicle lost power. The contact was able to pull over to the right side of the road, turned off the vehicle for several minutes, restart the vehicle, and the vehicle worked as intended.

In October 2024 we broke down on the highway outside of DesMoines, IA. The van slowed considerably in the midst of 11am traffic on I [XXX] from a lack of power, not from applying the brakes. Cars behind us had no warning, but no one hit us.

After driving home from work, my engine just started pouring out oil. It was all over our road and driveway. Had it towed to shop, they have stated a whole new engine is needed and suggested I report it as Kia has a lot of engine problems

On Wednesday, April 9, the van started making a noise. Then it lost power. It slowed down and then stopped.

On April 1st my vehicles engine started normally and upon leaving the neighborhood began to rough idle. Prior to this, no lights were on and the vehicle had just passed an inspection. The engine was shuddering and there was very little power and the vehicle had difficulty maintaining speed.

On our 2016 kia sedona at 121k miles we had a faulty oil pressure sensor replaced free under warrenty at the same time we had all of the valve cover gaskets replaced and they added 5 quarts of oil. On friday at 130k miles the check engine light came on. The van started knocking and the motor seized up on the highway.

The engine in our 2016 3.3L GDI Sedona seized while we were driving on the freeway going approx 65MPH on 12/29/24. The vehicle was towed to the KIA dealership in our town and examined by the service dept the following morning. We were told that the engine had no oil and it had leaked into the crankshaft where it burned up.

Engine died in the middle of driving. After having it towed and diagnosed, there was no engine oil at all. I still had 1500 miles before the recommended mileage for my next oil change.

Thursday, October 31, 2024, the engine blew on our Sedona. Approximately 164,000 miles on the engine. We maintained regular maintenance on the engine and oil changes.

Car seemed to be running as normal except for a slight rattle sometimes when starting. No warning lights, overheating etc. After listening to radio while parked, Car acted as if battery was dead.

Car has bad oil leak Defective GDI engine which instantly stalled out while driving Car also has bad coolant leak, warped head gasket seal Smell of gas from top of the engine block

On May 10, 2024 my van all of sudden started to jerk, stall and then die. My husband was able to make it to the side of the road before it died, but barely. There was no warning, no oil pressure lights, no engine lights nothing.

In February 2024, while driving on the highway, the van overheated causing us to pull over. Upon opening the hood, it was found that coolant was boiling in the reservoir. After letting the vehicle cool down, I began driving it again.

My family was driving 45 minutes away to a wedding rehearsal when I started to hear a clicking in the engine, like it was running rough. There was no warning lights on the dash but it sounded like it might be out of oil. We were far from home and no service centers nearby so we went directly home after.

Engine shut off while driving with no warnings. All oil burned up and engine failure. Family in the vehicle very dangerous driving on highway.

The problem started in late July of '23 and I already filed a complaint back then. But I want to file again and emphasize that this is systemic issue with all 2016 Kia Sedona vans. Last year, I was driving with five kids in the car on the way to the beach.

While driving the check engine light came on, the radio started talking about an engine failure, and my van lost all power. I was on an interstate going at least 70 MPH, my children in the vehicle and cars, trucks, and semis passing us. We were almost hit trying to get to the side of the road.

Noticed power loss in engine, engine started knocking, on the way to the mechanic the motor seized up, oil changed per manufacturer specs every 5,000 miles

According to the my local Kia dealer, the head gasket is blown. There was no warning indicators. It was driving perfect until suddenly the engine temperature spiked and I immediately had it towed to the dealer in which they want $13,000 to fix it.

The contact's daughter owns a 2016 Kia Sedona. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed with engine failure and the contact's daughter was provided an estimate for the repair.

There were absolutely no warning lights on my dashboard for the engine, engine oil or anything. I was on a busy 2 lane road with my 7 year old on December 21, 2023 and suddenly the Charging System Warning light and the Immobilizer Indicator came on and the car stopped accelerating. I had to coast off of the road where there was no where to pull over.

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sedona. The contact became aware that the radiator was overheating while driving. There was no warning light illuminated.

No warning lights ever came on. We took the vehicle to the KIA dealer because the fan stayed on when we shut off the engine and the heat stopped working. The KIA dealer said the vehicle needs a new engine due to head gasket leakage.

We were driving with FIVE kids and my 2016 Sedona lost power while driving & wouldn't accelerate over 30mph. Drove home couldn't go over 30 MPH even with the pedal to the floor. Got home, checked oil and it was bone dry.

A few weeks ago, we were taking FIVE kids to the beach (a one-hour drive) when after about 25 minutes, the van (2016 Kia Sedona SXL with a 3.3L V6 GDI engine) would not accelerate above 35MPH. We drove it home in "limp mode" on the shoulder and going 30MPH.

I was driving on 2 two lane highway and starting to go up an incline. All of a sudden the vehicle started making a low rumble type sound and even though my foot was on the accelerator, the vehicle would not continue to drive. Everything basically stopped working.

While driving engine started making a rattling noise and then died. Checked and there was no oil. No warning lights came on at all.

Was driving down the highway on a road trip and the Sedona developed an engine rattle. Pulled over into the nearest gas station to inspect. I checked the oil and the oil was 3 quarts low -- even though my vehicle received regular oil changes/maintenance!

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made abnormally loud rattling sounds with black smoke coming from the engine. Additionally, there was oil leaking onto the ground while driving.

Our engine on the 2016 kia sedona died and has left us stranded 3 hours from home. There was no engine/oil light warning. We have low mileage (but the light that indicates mileage also failed so we are guessing that we have between 50,000 and 60,000 miles.) We are not home but according to our phone records we definitely had oil changed in December 2021 and the oil filter is very clean.

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sedona. The contact stated while sitting in the vehicle, there was smoke coming from under the hood. There were no warning lights illuminated.

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sedona. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the engine. There was no warning light illuminated.

Oil sending unit failed after 100k miles. Had it not been a quick trip, I could have easily ran it dry and stalled the motor. No warning was given.

My husband took the car for an oil change and the mechanic said he heard a noise in the engine. They did the oil change and advised to have it checked out. On the way home, while driving, the car stalled, thankfully in the neighborhood and not on the highway.

10-26-19 driving on hwy at 60 MPH on sat. Night and I could tell the car had lost power to the engine. Coasted to an empty parking lot.

Oil leak caused engine to fail.

Kia service dealer diagnosed high oil consumption on my car with heavy sounds. They recommend to replace whole engine but it's out of warranty. It has only 106k miles on it.

I was driving down the highway and the engine light came on. The car suddenly wouldn't accelerate or go above 1500 RPM. There was also a rattle noise.

Engine randomly began burning oil at an incredible rate (I checked it approximately 500 miles ago and it within appropriate levels) and resulted in damaging the engine. No “low oil pressure” light was activated, and upon starting the vehicle one day it developed a terrible cylinder knock. I checked the oil dipstick, and was completely dry, there was absolutely no oil on the check stick.

I was driving in normal operating conditions, with no traffic when suddenly the engine seized. After contacting a towing company to get my vehicle home, I started checking for anything I could find and noticed that it had zero oil and no visual signs of a leak anywhere. There were never any warning lights or sounds until it abruptly stopped.

Engine overheating and check engine light went on. Vehicle would not start after shutting down.

My 2016 Sedona’s engine is not operational. At this moment it is sitting at the dealership after having a diagnostic completed in which I was informed that it will cost me $21,000+ to replace my engine. I am SHOCKED to be informed of this!

in June 2026 sever engine knocking at startup and during slight acceleration lead us to have vehicle inspected. there were no warring lights on and no other indicators of issues. An independent mechanic as well as a Kia dealer performed inspections and indicated a lifter bearing failure due to inadequate oil delivery.

I am writing to report an incident with my 2016 Kia Sedona, which experienced a sudden engine failure. The failure was diagnosed with engine codes P0014 and P0018, indicating camshaft timing and crankshaft correlation issues, consistent with internal engine failure and symptoms related to the known Theta II engine defect with Kia’s of that year, including metal debris and timing issues.

Engine suddenly started knocking and shaking entire van. Engine seizing up and needs to be replaced. No prior trouble with the engine.

My engine just stopped working while I was driving. No warning signs just stopped working. It had to replaced.

I brought my 2016 Kia Sedona into a mechanic to get checked over and get some new front tires put on on 8/19/24. I was informed that the oil needed changing. So, I changed it as I have always done for years.

Regularly serviced vehicle (2016 Kia Sedona SXL 3.3L) within recommended intervals; most recently on 9/10/2024 at ~117k miles. Invoice indicates dealer put in full capacity of oil (6qt). Vehicle also received multipoint inspection including checking all fluids; non were reported low or in need of flush/replacement.

Description of Incident: What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The engine of my 2016 Kia Sedona seized due to a lack of oil. The oil pressure warning light, which is designed to alert the driver to low oil pressure or oil-related issues, did not illuminate to indicate any problem.

Air conditioning became less cool over the summer. Early October 2024, slight rattling noise heard in engine on acceleration. Approximately a week later, the battery died and was replaced.

On [XXX], my vehicle overheated and started to leek coolant. This happened while driving at about 65 MPH with my family. No check engine lights came up just noted that the HVAC started to blow hot air and then the vehicle shutdown making difficult to break.

My car started over heating, took it to dealer, they said I had a blown head gasket. Since it isn't covered under warranty, they said I had to pre-approve a $2700 motor teardown in order to see if there were any other problems. Thank goodness there were, the head bolts separated.

Purchased used minivan and several months after purchase was driving on highway and engine power dramatically decreased, check engine light flashed. Pulled over and engine oil had completely drained. Took to mechanic who said engine failed.

Excessive oil consumption. The oil was completely burned out at the time of my oil change. (3,000 miles/ 3 months) 2.

Had van since new oil changed on time check engine light came on for cam shaft sensor crank sensor replaced all sensors and van still runs like crap ive been told by many shops to take to dealer and tell them… there are many other cars with same motor getting recalls but this van doesnt get any???

Engine Control system warning came on without warning 2 days before we Took it to our local mechanic. He fixed it with a $2700 price. Told us the accutuator on bank #2 was bad.

I purchased my kia Sedona new and have always properly maintained it. It now has approximately 140,000 miles on it. Our sedona started to get hot so we let it cool down then took it straight to the dealership.

I was driving my vehicle when my car engine started making a large grinding noise and there were zero sensors going off about anything wrong. I immediately pulled over and saw oil just dumping out of the engine

The vehicle suddenly and without warning lost all power on an interstate. Could not accelerate past 20mph, with my wife and kids in the car. We were stuck on the side of the road, going only 20mph in a 65mph area.

Engine seized without warning. Oil was empty, no warning light or any indication at all, just died. Lost all power in middle of traffic, couldn’t steer or control the car.

Engine failure at 155,540 miles. Presented a knocking sound. When evaluated by the dealership, metal fragments were present at the oil pan, indicating internal breakage.

While driving down the highway we noticed the RPM’s were getting high while accelerating. There were no warning indicators on the dash and the car recently passed state emissions. By the time we could safely pull over there was a knocking sound from the engine.

Head bolts pulled out of block causing head gasket to fail needing engine replaced

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sedona. The contact stated while driving at approximately 35 MPH, he heard an abnormal clicking noise coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated.

The engine light came on sunday 25 Feb, I took it to autozone the next am and had the code read, it was for the crankshaft alignment sensor. My mechanic told me it may be several issues when that code came up and I should have it serviced soon but that it wasn't an emergency. The following day it had a new code show up on the entertainment system on the way home from my wifes job.

we kept regular maintenance of vehicle and adhering oil change specs. one morning we start the van to let it warm up to go to bus stop, and it is making a TERRIBLE tingling ting a ling ting a ling noise from what seems to be the top end of the engine. We immediately turn it off.

Our 2016 Kia Sedona SX with the 3.3L engine was consuming engine oil very quickly and experienced overheating. It is available for inspection. One time when the engine overheated, my wife was driving on the highway during a very cold day and had to pull over to stop the car.

Experienced overheating issues at only 105,000 miles due to leaking cylinder head gasket diagnosed at multiple mechanics, including the local Kia dealership. I was informed that this engine has a common defect where the head gasket bolts strip out of the engine block.

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the heater was no longer blowing hot air. Additionally, the engine was overheating.

Valve cover is cracked, loosing coolant and oil, ruining alternator, smoking, smells like it’s burning. Runs rough, dash lights up. Dies while driving

Coolant all over everything! Mechanics will not touch it. Constantly adding coolant.

Engine failed without warning on a trip to urgent care with our daughter. Was running normally, then started losing some acceleration and knocking loudly. Further inspection showed almost no oil in car, with no evidence of a leak.

My car was at a stop sign. Upon accelerating after the stop, the engine stopped working without any warning. There were no warning indicators that there was a problem prior to the car ceasing to work.

The engine oil leaking for any anywhere, first look like transmission fluid leaking, but clear it didn't find any leaking, and check engine oil tank didn't find any leaking, find from recall have same problem but not my VIN number, and in my car didn't show warning light.

We have a 2016 kia sedona, bought in 2017 as a kia certified. We have had several recalls since our ownership. For the last 2-3 years we have driven it sparingly.

I was driving the car and noticed a smell. I looked down and saw the the temperature gauge was in the red zone but there were no dashboard lights or any sounds to let me know there was a problem . I pulled over and called AAA.

My 2016 Kia Sedona has only 79900 miles on it, yet needs an engine replacement. It is experiencing the EXACT same issues as the other kia engines that have been recalled/replaced by kia, yet they will not help fix it, because "there are no problems with my engine, but there are with the other kia engines" A vehicle should not need a new engine at 79000 miles. There were zero warnings to this.

I was driving down the road and my van made a horrible noise and stopped moving. I was able to coast to a right turn lane to get out of traffic where I realized all of the oil was on the ground under my van. After towing it to the dealer they confirmed that a rod went through the oil pan for no apparent reason.

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 kia sedona. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle failed to accelerate with an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine mounts failed and needed to be replaced.

While driving wasn't getting much power then car stopped in the middle of the street I had this issue previously and kia said it was my fault and I didn't put oil would not repair so I fixed myself now the same exact thing is happening.

I was driving my car, all of a sudden there was a loud knocking sound. The car suddenly wouldn’t accelerate. I was in the middle of a busy intersection with kids!

Motor Blew

With a 140000 miles and the timing chain and component already failing my mechanic told it could die anytime soon local or on the highway

Van completely locked up on me. Oil dipstick no oil, seems this is an issue and a Kia problem. Seems I need a new engine.

Engine Failure

The 3.3l v6 failed with no warning

The engine will not start. It has been diagnosed as an engine failure. It is available for inspection.

Engine is completely shot. I make all oil changes on time and the engine failed. It was burning oil.

Engine Seized

The vehicle suddenly uses all the oil and the engine locks up with no warning. No lights or guages alert the driver/owner.

Blown head gasket, possible head bolt issue.

The engine failed. It burned through all of the oil, didn't give any warnings or light and just died.

Vehicle engine will randomly shut off while driving, causing complete power failure, including power steering. It has happened 7 times in 5 months. It has happened four times while slowing to a stop, twice while easing through a drive thru, and once while going 30mph down a main city street.