The 2009 Kia Sedona has 48 NHTSA owner complaints and 5 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of September 2026). The most-reported system is electrical at 6 complaints, typically surfacing around 88,940 miles (~$850 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
0
Critical
5
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2009 Sedona?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average
5 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2009 Kia Sedona? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
electrical — 6 owner reports
· tends to show around 88,940 mi · ~$850 to fix
engine — 6 owner reports
· tends to show around 23,744 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
cruise control — 5 owner reports
· tends to show around 22,033 mi · ~$600 to fix
lighting — 4 owner reports
· tends to show around 94,212 mi · ~$250 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: cruise control is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 22,033 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 5 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 7.2/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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Vehicle was repaired in 2013 but by 2014 was acting up again. Same problem as initial repair. A recall repair that goes bad in within 20,000 miles is not a good repair. When asked to repair it again Kia put in the wrong part I had to take it back a 3rd time to get it fixed. The…
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Kia sedona. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer for routine service when the contact was informed that there was a manufacturer's recall that needed to be performed on the vehicle. The dealer replaced the intake air temperature…
Anti-lock brakes and engine stability control. In july at approx 12,800 miles the ABS and ESC lights came on. When pressed the brake pedal thumped as if braking on ice or snow. Gas pedal would rumble and vibrate when van started in motion. Took to dealer and told the…
Had a problem with your 2009 Kia Sedona?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2006-2010 Sedona and 2007-2009 Sorento vehicles
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. The recall began June 5, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC186.
Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Kia Sedona vehicles manufactured from June 15, 2005, through April 04, 2014
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 performed free of charge. The recall began on July 27, 2016. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall number is SC134.
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, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia
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-corrosion coating will be applied. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on July 27, 2016. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC133.
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.2 out of 10 based on 48 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 Kia Sedona is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2009 Kia Sedona?
The 2009 Kia Sedona is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average; 5 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2009 Kia Sedona?
Inspect the electrical first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 6 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 88,940 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2009 Kia Sedona a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 48 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is electrical. Typical failure occurs around 88,940 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2009 Kia Sedona?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 6 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 88,940 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 88,940 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Kia Sedona has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2009 Kia Sedona?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 48 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 6 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2009/Kia/Sedona.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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