The sliding door motor does not close the door properly. This is not a warranty issue only a safety issue not covered by Kia. The proper closing of the side door is not their concern.
2016 Kia Sedona body problems
severe 16 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,500 · see body across all vehicles →
Complaints
16
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,500
1fire
When does it fail?
Of the 16 body complaints filed for the 2016 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
Among the 12 model years of Kia Sedona in our records for body problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
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 2016 Sedona's power sliding doors are a frequent failure point—they don't latch reliably and can pop open while driving, which is a real safety concern with kids in the car. Paint peeling around the windows is also reported widely, and repairs run into the hundreds of dollars.
The dominant complaint in this cluster is power sliding doors that won't stay latched. Owners report doors closing normally but failing to lock, leaving the dashboard door-ajar warning active. Many describe a groaning or grinding sound during closure. The real safety issue: doors unlock and swing open while the vehicle is moving, sometimes hard enough to trigger interior lights. One owner's sister has the same problem, and online forums show this repeating across multiple 2016 Sedonas. Kia issued TSB SA-210 for 2015–2016 models addressing inoperative power sliding doors, but owners report the issue recurs after dealer repairs. Dealers attribute failure to the door motor and quote $700+ for replacement, though some have told customers the warranty doesn't cover the latch function itself—only full motor failure.
Paint peeling around windows and door trim is the second major complaint. Multiple owners describe paint flaking off near window glass, around sliding door frames, and below rear windows, exposing primer and rust. One owner's paint started peeling around year one and worsened significantly. Dealers offer only touch-up paint, which owners view as a band-aid on a systemic finish problem.
A single complaint about front mud flaps popping out and rubbing tire sidewalls rounds out the list.
Same Kia Sedona body reports on nearby years: 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Power sliding door won't latch or latch fails under load
Driver and passenger power sliding doors fail to latch properly after closing. The doors appear shut but the dashboard door-ajar warning remains lit, and in some cases doors unlock or pop open while the vehicle is in motion. Owners report this is a recurring issue even after dealer service attempts.
When: Reported within 2 years of ownership; one owner noted failure at 43,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Door closes but does not latch; Dashboard shows door still open; Loud groaning or grinding sound when door closes; Door unlatches immediately after closing; Door opens while driving; Door ajar warning light illuminates while driving; Doors re-open after being manually closed
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer quoted $700+ for motor and cable replacement; some dealers refused repair while motor still moves door
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB SA-210 issued for 2015–2016 model years (Group BOD, #116, November 2015) addresses inoperative power sliding door; Kia service centers have performed repairs that have recurred
Power sliding door motor degradation
The motor that operates the power sliding doors fails prematurely, typically within 1–2 years of ownership. When the motor begins to fail, doors make loud noise during closure and do not latch properly, creating a safety hazard by not securing passengers.
When: Reported as early as less than 1 year, more commonly within 2 years of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Loud noise when door closes; Door appears closed but is not latched; Door does not latch securely during operation
Repairs/costs cited: Motor replacement required; cost not always specified but one owner cited $700+ estimate for motor and cable
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Kia acknowledges door latch issues but has stated that motor coverage under warranty does not extend to latch malfunction in the latching mechanism; some dealers decline to repair
Paint peeling and delamination around window trim
Paint is peeling, flaking, or delaminating around window trim, door windows, and sliding door frames. Affected areas show primer or undercoat and some have begun to rust. Owners report this is spreading across the vehicle despite no accident damage or poor maintenance.
When: Reported to begin approximately 1 year into ownership; worsening over time
Symptoms owners cite: Paint peeling near all window glass; Paint flaking off around sliding door windows; Paint delaminating below and above sliding door glass; Paint delaminating below back door window; Rust spots appearing under peeled areas; Paint loss progressing to other vehicle areas
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers quoting temporary touch-up paint rather than full repaint; owners report this is insufficient
Mud flaps rubbing against tires
Front mud flaps pop out of position and rub against the tires, creating loud noise especially when turning.
Symptoms owners cite: Mud flaps popping out; Rubbing noise against tires when turning
Synthesized from 16 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
I own a 2016 Kia sedona lx. Vehicle is stationary. I began having problems with the driver's side sliding door not latching when closing a few months ago. The thing is, I rarely ever use that side for loading or unloading. More times than not I use the passenger side (curb side) door. When the door is attempting to latch, it makes a very weird sound like it is groaning. It closes, but does not…
Had body trouble with your 2016 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 2016 Kia Sedona?
It's a meaningful issue. 16 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,500.
At what mileage does the body typically fail?
Based on the 16 complaints filed, body issues most often appear around 65,417 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/2016/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.