| Issue ID | 1705916 |
| Internal NHTSA # | 11375854 |
| Manufacurer | Kia Motors America |
| Brand | KIA |
| Model | SEDONA |
| Model Year | 2015 |
| File date | 20/10/20 |
| Component | POWER TRAIN |
| Product type code | VEHICLE |
| Description of the problem | Our 2015 kia second minivan overheated repeatedly in 2020 for unknown reasons resulting in a total engine failure and complete loss of value. After leaving a highway, the minivan overheated, resulting in a blinking engine light. It was quickly parked and later driven to a mechanic, who could not replicate the problem. After a period of operation at normal temperatures, it began to misfire. No warning lights appeared prior to or during these misfires. Nonetheless, we had the starter coils replaced based on a repair code. After another period of normal operation, it again began to misfire and overheated without triggering any warning lights. We drove it immediately to our mechanic, who determined that the head gasket was blown. A kia dealer to which we towed the car confirmed this assessment and reported it needed a $6k new engine that would cost $3k to install. (neither we nor our independent mechanic could locate a used engine for less than $4k.) in its current state, the dealer estimates that the 5 year old minivan's trade-in value is $500. Kia regional is unable to confirm that a replacement engine is available and their representative reported that it is remanufacturing these engines and may need to wait for parts to be created and shipped from south korea. The 2015 sedona engine is of the same type (kia lambda ii 3. 3l v6 gasoline direct injection) included in vehicles that were the subject of the recent engine fire lawsuit (andrea smolek v. Hyundai motors america and kia motors america). However, the sedona was not included in the settlement of that case or the related recall. |
| Vehicle Mileage at Failure | 80000 |
| Number of Occurences | |
| Source of the issue | NHTSA WEB SITE |
| City and State | SILVER SPRING, MD |
| VIN pattern | KNDMB5C14F6XXXXXX |
| Was vehicle invloved in a crash? | N |
| Was vehicle involved in a fire? | N |
| Was incedent reported to police? | N |
| Was medical attention required? | N |
| Was part original equipment? | |
| No. of injured persons | |
| No. of fatalities | |
| Date of purchase | 07/08/26 |
| Was original owner? | N |
| Anti-lock brakes | N |
| Cruise control | N |
| Number of cylinders | |
| Drive train type | |
| Transmission type | |
| Vehicle speed | 35 |
| DoT tire identifier | |
| Tire size | |
| Location of tire code | |
| Type of tire failure code | |
| Was defective tire repaired? | |
| Date of manufacture | |
| Type of child seat code | |
| Type of restraint | |
| Dealer's name | |
| Dealer's telephone number | |
| Dealer's city | |
| Dealer's state code | |
| Dealer's ZIP code |