Rear sliding doors do not fully close and make loud grinding noise. The only way to shut them is to manually push it closed.
2015 Kia Sedona body problems
moderate 14 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,500 · see body across all vehicles →
Complaints
14
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,500
When does it fail?
Of the 14 body complaints filed for the 2015 Kia Sedona, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA body complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 6 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2015 Sedona has a known pattern of power sliding-door latch failures that can leave doors partially open or opening during driving—a real safety hazard—and paint delamination issues by nine years old. Owners report dealers sometimes lacking parts or declining repairs, so verify door operation carefully on any used example and expect potential repair costs if warranty has expired.
The 2015 Kia Sedona has widespread issues with the automated sliding doors, affecting both driver and passenger sides. Owners report doors failing to latch properly, staying open while driving, making loud grinding or clicking noises during closure attempts, and requiring manual force to fully secure. Warning lights illuminate inconsistently—some owners see door-open indicators, others have no warning despite latches failing. The tailgate latch has also failed in at least one case, opening unexpectedly while driving. One owner mentioned NHTSA Campaign 18V338000 (Structure/Electrical), and another referenced a TSB for faulty sliding-door motors, suggesting Kia is aware of the pattern. Dealers have been inconsistent in addressing the failures—parts availability has been cited as a barrier, and one dealer only partially repaired the issue. Paint delamination on the hood and rear window area is reported in at least one vehicle, described as accelerating at nine years old. One owner also reported a water intrusion issue at the rear well, and during subsequent service, missing carpet and bolts suggested incomplete repairs. These door failures create genuine safety risk since they can open while the vehicle is in motion.
Same Kia Sedona body reports on nearby years: 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Power sliding door latch failure
Automated sliding doors fail to fully latch, remaining partially open or springing back open after closing attempts. Grinding, clicking, or rubbing noises occur during closure. Some doors require manual force to engage the locking mechanism.
When: Recurring throughout vehicle ownership; one specific complaint noted ongoing since February 2021; another for 6 months prior to filing
Symptoms owners cite: Door fails to close fully when power button activated; Loud grinding, clicking, or rubbing noise during closure; Door opens back up automatically after closing attempt; Door visibly not closed when viewed from outside; Manual pushing required on rear of door to engage latch; Interior lights remain on because door registers as 'open'
Repairs/costs cited: Owners mention faulty sliding-door motors as root cause; one dealer cited parts unavailability; manual closure possible by turning power feature off and pushing manually
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One owner referenced NHTSA Campaign 18V338000 (Structure, Electrical System); another mentioned TSB attached to case; Kia extended warranty for at least one complainant; dealer initially stated parts for repair were not available
Tailgate latch failure
Tailgate latch malfunctions, causing the tailgate to remain open or open while vehicle is in motion. Occurred simultaneously with sliding-door latch failures in at least one vehicle.
When: Ongoing since February 2021 in one complaint; mileage not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Tailgate stays open; Tailgate opens while vehicle is in motion
Paint delamination and blistering
Paint flakes and peels off, exposing bare body metal. Blistering and rapid delamination observed on hood front edge and under rear windscreen, described as a latent defect affecting vehicle value.
When: At 9 years old (vehicle model 2015)
Symptoms owners cite: Paint flaking off and exposing body metal; Paint blistering under rear windscreen; Rapid delamination in affected areas
Rear well water intrusion
Water leaks into rear well area. Dealer initially misattributed the leak to a pet, then re-crimped the seal but failed to reinstall carpet and bolts during repair.
When: Reported in 2017; mileage not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Water present in rear well
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer re-crimped the well; failed to reinstall carpet and bolts after repair
Synthesized from 14 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Neither of the rear sliding doors will fully close when engaged or activated by using the automatic door closures. You have to physically press the rear of the doors in order for them to engage the locking mechanisms.
Had body trouble with your 2015 Kia Sedona?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the body problem on the 2015 Kia Sedona?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 14 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the body typically fail?
Based on the 14 complaints filed, body issues most often appear around 53,000 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,500 for body repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to body?
No active recalls currently cover body issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2015/Kia/Sedona.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.