2018 Kia Sedona Airbags Problems
4 owner-reported airbags complaints from NHTSA data
Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
Airbags Recalls (1)
AIR BAGS
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.
Fix: 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.
Owner Complaints (4)
Your airbag warning light came on in 2022 and was supposedly fixed under recall when the airbag control module was replaced. However, you were in an accident in August 2022 where the airbags failed to deploy, and the warning light has remained on ever since. A dealership later told you the entire passenger airbag unit needs replacement for $800+, but Kia refused to cover it under warranty, saying it's unrelated to the 2022 recall fix. The underlying recall issue involved the airbag control unit cover potentially contacting a memory chip, which could disable the airbags entirely. Fixing this will likely require replacement of the passenger airbag unit and possibly recalibration or replacement of the airbag control module.
Parts you may need:
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Your airbag warning light keeps coming back on even after the dealer has replaced nearly every part of the airbag system nine times. The light typically returns within an hour of driving after each repair visit. This ongoing issue may require a complete diagnostic workup or potential replacement of the airbag control module or wiring harness.
Parts you may need:
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The contact owns a 2018 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and an unknown software was updated however, the vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that the air bag needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no additional assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 73,000.
WE PURCHASED BRAND NEW A 2016 KIA SEDONA FROM THE DEALERSHIP. WITHIN THE 2 YEARS WE OWNED IT WE HAD TO TAKE IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOUR TIMES BECAUSE THE AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND STAY ON, OR WOULD FLICKER OFF AND ONE AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THEY FOUND IT TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. THEY REPAIRED IT THE FIRST THREE TIMES AND THE LIGHT WOULD STAY OFF FOR A WHILE. THE FOURTH TIME WE TOOK IT IN THEY SAID THEY WERE GOING TO TRY REPLACING THE WHOLE SEAT TO SEE IF THAT HELPED. WE DECIDED THAT WE DIDN'T WANT TO RISK IT HAPPENING AGAIN AS THE VAN WAS LESS THAN 2,000 MILES FROM BEING OUT OF WARRANTY. SO, WE TRADED IT IN FOR A 2018 KIA SEDONA WHICH NOW, AT 1400 MILES, HAS THE SAME ISSUE! WE HAVE ALREADY TAKEN IT IN TWICE TO THE HAVE ISSUE REPAIRED. WHAT ARE THE ODDS OF HAVING THE EXACT SAME ISSUE?