TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: OIL PRESSURE SWITCH (OPS) REPLACEMENT (WTY026 REVISION 2) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information regarding the replacement of the Oil Pressure Switch associated with the ‘Warranty Extension Program’ (WTY026) on some 2014-2018MY vehicles listed in the table below, for repairs that may be necessary to address an Oil Pressure Switch leak in the eligible vehicles listed below from 10 years/100,000 miles to 15 years/150,000 miles, whichever comes first, starting from the date the vehicle was
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2016 Kia Sedona engine problems
severe Owners of the 2016 Kia Sedona have filed 125 NHTSA complaints about the engine, typically surfacing around 88,000 miles at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
125
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2012 Sedona | 13 |
| 2014 Sedona | 5 |
| 2015 Sedona | 39 |
| 2016 Sedona (this page) | 125 |
| 2017 Sedona | 50 |
| 2018 Sedona | 17 |
| 2019 Sedona | 6 |
| 2020 Sedona | 3 |
6fires
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 125 engine complaints filed for the 2016 Kia Sedona, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 100,000-125,000 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
Of the 14 model years of Kia Sedona we track for engine problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 125.
Engine accounts for 43% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 10 categories tracked.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: ENGINE SUB ASSEMBLY INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT (WTY039 - REVISION 7) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information associated with the ‘Warranty Extension Program’ (WTY039) to diagnose a coolant leak from the cylinder head gasket area and, if necessary, replace the engine sub assembly on 2014-2015 MY Sorento, 2014-2017 MY Cadenza, and 2015-2016 MY Sedona vehicles, equipped with 3.3L GDI engines. The warranty coverage for repairs related to the cylinder head gasket will be extended from 5 years / 60,000 miles to 15 years / 180,
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: ENGINE SUB ASSEMBLY INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT (WTY039 REVISION 6) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information associated with the ‘Warranty Extension Program’ (WTY039) to diagnose a coolant leak from the cylinder head gasket area and, if necessary, replace the engine sub assembly on 2014-2015 MY Sorento, 2014-2017 MY Cadenza, and 2015-2016 MY Sedona vehicles, equipped with 3.3L GDI engines. The warranty coverage for repairs related to the cylinder head gasket will be extended from 5 years / 60,000 miles to 15 years / 180,00
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN (WTY039) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information associated with the ‘Warranty Extension Program’ (WTY039) to diagnose a coolant leak from the cylinder head gasket area and, if necessary, replace the engine sub assembly on 2014-2015 MY Sorento, 2014-2017 MY Cadenza, and 2015-2016 MY Sedona vehicles, equipped with 3.3L GDI engines. The warranty coverage for repairs related to the cylinder head gasket will be extended from 5 years / 60,000 miles to 15 years / 180,000 miles, whichever comes f
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: ENGINE SUB ASSEMBLY: INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT (WTY039) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information associated with the ‘Warranty Extension Program’ (WTY039) to diagnose a coolant leak from the cylinder head gasket area and, if necessary, replace the engine sub assembly on 2014-2015 MY Sorento, 2014-2017 MY Cadenza, and 2015-2016 MY Sedona vehicles, equipped with 3.3L GDI engines. The warranty coverage for repairs related to the cylinder head gasket will be extended from 5 years / 60,000 miles to 15 years / 180,000 miles, w
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2016 Kia Sedona 3.3L engine exhibits a pattern of catastrophic failures with minimal or no warning. Most commonly, engines seize due to oil starvation: owners find the crankcase bone-dry despite regular oil changes and no visible leaks, while the low-oil pressure warning light fails to illuminate. One owner discovered 4.5 quarts missing in just over 2 months. When the check engine light does appear, it often comes only after power loss or limp-mode activation. Loss of acceleration mid-drive is frequent—vehicles abruptly cap out at 30–40 mph despite pedal to floor—sometimes temporarily recoverable by restarting.
Head gasket leaks also recur across narratives, causing coolant to seep into cylinders and white smoke to pour from under the hood. Kia mailed warranty extension letters promising free repair of this "known issue," yet dealerships demanded diagnostic fees or refused the work claiming broken hoses aren't covered.
Rod bearing failures produce loud knocking and, in at least two cases, have blown holes through the oil pan or caused engine fire at highway speeds. Owners with five children aboard, pulling onto highways or through busy intersections, have experienced sudden power loss mid-acceleration—a genuine safety hazard.
Failures occur as early as 32,000 miles and continue well past 130,000. Despite religious maintenance schedules and receipts showing regular oil changes, owners are denied warranty coverage or told replacement engines cost $8,500–$21,000 out-of-pocket. Kia extended warranties on this engine for other models (Sorento) but has resisted recalling the Sedona.
Same Kia Sedona engine reports on nearby years: 2015 · 2017 · 2018
Failure modes owners describe
Engine seizure due to oil starvation with non-functional low oil pressure warning
Engines seizing without warning despite low or absent oil levels. Owners report no illumination of low oil or oil pressure warning lights prior to failure, and in several cases the warning lights fail to function even after the vehicle enters limp mode or fails.
When: Variable mileage, ranging from 50k to 150k+ miles; some owners report failures after recent oil changes
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of engine power while driving; Engine seizure without prior warning lights; No oil or very low oil found upon inspection; No visible oil leaks despite significant oil loss; Oil pressure warning light absent or non-functional; Check engine light either absent or appearing only after failure; Some instances of engine knocking or rattling noise shortly before failure
Codes mentioned: P0300, P0019, P0024, P0302, P0304, P0306, P0014, P0018
Repairs/costs cited: Complete engine replacement required; costs reported range from $3,500 to $21,000+ depending on labor and parts sourcing. Some owners forced to purchase used replacement engines due to unavailability of new units.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls issued for the 2016 Sedona with 3.3L Lambda II GDI engine despite extended warranties offered on the same engine in other Kia models (e.g., Sorento). Some owners received letters referencing warranty extensions for coolant leaks (e.g., WYT039), but dealerships inconsistently honored these. Kia Customer Care reported as unresponsive or dismissive in multiple narratives.
Head gasket failure with coolant leak
Head gaskets failing and causing coolant to leak into the engine. Owners report receiving recall notices from Kia about this known issue, but dealerships deny coverage or demand additional diagnostic fees despite the recall letter.
When: Occurs at various mileages, some as low as ~100k miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine coolant leak visible or detected by smell; White smoke from engine; Overheating with boiling coolant in reservoir; Low coolant without visible external leaks; Engine coolant seeping into engine cylinders
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple mechanics have refused to perform repairs due to difficulty accessing the engine. Dealership estimates reported at $1,000+ for diagnostic and repair work despite warranty extension letter from Kia.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Kia issued warranty extension letters (e.g., 'WARRANTY EXTENSION ON 2015-2016 KIA SEDONAS WITH ENGINE COOLANT LEAK') stating repairs would be diagnosed and fixed at no cost. However, dealerships requested payment for diagnosis despite the letter, and ultimately refused or delayed repairs claiming hoses broken by the gasket failure are not covered.
Excessive oil consumption with no visible leaks
Engines consuming 1-5+ quarts of oil over short intervals (1,000-2,400 miles) with no visible external leaks and no warning lights. Owners maintain regular service schedules and find no puddles or drips beneath the vehicle.
When: Reported from 50k miles onward; some instances detected shortly after service or oil changes
Symptoms owners cite: Oil level drops dramatically between services; No visible oil leaks on ground or under vehicle; No smoke from exhaust; No warning lights indicating low oil; Engine may initially run normally, then develop knocking or rough idle
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership oil consumption tests performed in some cases confirmed excessive burn. Owners report costs of $1,000-$1,800 for valve cover and sensor replacements that did not resolve the underlying issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Acknowledged in one case as defect in oil pressure switch via extended warranty letter, but coverage inconsistently applied. Some dealerships blamed owner maintenance practices.
Engine fire due to internal failure
Engines catching fire while vehicle is in operation, with holes blown through the engine block from internal mechanical failure (bearing seizure, rod failure).
When: At various mileages, including as low as 32k miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loud knocking or rattling noise from engine; Engine suddenly loses power or stalls; Smoke from under hood; Flames visible from engine compartment; No warning lights prior to fire in most cases
Repairs/costs cited: Engine requires complete replacement; one instance also damaged oil pan with metal debris scattered across road. Costs $8,500+ for engine replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership confirmed fire caused by oil leak, but no recall action or warranty coverage offered despite owner having brought vehicle for routine maintenance shortly before incident.
Loss of engine acceleration/power with limp mode activation
Vehicle enters limp mode or loses acceleration capability mid-drive, typically triggered by oil-related sensor malfunction. Engine reverts to safe-mode operation limiting speed to 30-35 mph regardless of throttle input.
When: Reported at various mileages; some instances repeat after initial repairs
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden inability to accelerate beyond 30-40 mph despite pedal to floor; Vehicle enters limp mode; Engine may run normally otherwise before sudden loss of power; Check engine light and oil warning light may appear only after limp mode activation; Restarting vehicle may temporarily restore full power
Codes mentioned: Engine control system malfunction codes
Repairs/costs cited: Initial misdiagnoses common (low battery, low oil). Dealerships eventually diagnose as rod bearing failure or internal engine damage. Repairs rejected or quoted at $7,000-$8,000+ with no guarantee of success.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Customer Care reported as slow to respond or unresponsive. One dealership blamed worn spark plugs and low oil initially, but same issue recurred three months later.
Crankshaft sensor and timing code failures
Multiple timing and crankshaft-related codes appearing alongside engine misfire and oil consumption. Vehicle may fail to accelerate smoothly, with engine shaking and check engine light blinking.
When: Reported at 100k+ miles in several cases
Symptoms owners cite: Crankshaft alignment/position sensor codes; Camshaft timing codes; Multiple cylinders misfiring; Engine shaking or rough operation; Check engine light blinking; Oil level significantly low despite recent change
Codes mentioned: P0300, P0019, P0024, P0302, P0304, P0306, P0014, P0018
Repairs/costs cited: Mechanics attribute to poor engine design and oil starvation. No successful repairs documented in narratives; owners forced to replace vehicles or engines.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One mechanic stated 'poor design' as root cause but no manufacturer acknowledgment or recall issued.
Rod bearing failure with engine seizure
Rod bearings failing internally, often after oil starvation, causing engine to seize. In some cases, engine throws a rod through the oil pan.
When: Reported at mileages from 79k to 130k miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loud knocking/clicking from engine; Sudden total loss of engine power; No oil or very low oil upon inspection; Holes blown through engine block or oil pan; Metal debris and chunks scattered; In one case, engine caught fire after rod failure
Repairs/costs cited: Complete engine replacement required. Costs $5,000-$8,500 for replacement engine plus labor.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealerships confirmed bearing damage in some cases but denied warranty coverage, claiming oil starvation was due to owner neglect despite regular maintenance records.
Synthesized from 125 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 10 most recent
Engine died in the middle of driving. After having it towed and diagnosed, there was no engine oil at all. I still had 1500 miles before the recommended mileage for my next oil change. No warning lights. Engine is totally seized and will need to be replaced. Kia dealership stated that an indicator should have told me that my oil was low and the engine should have shut off prior to running dry.…
Kia service dealer diagnosed high oil consumption on my car with heavy sounds. They recommend to replace whole engine but it's out of warranty. It has only 106k miles on it. I am afraid the car is posing safety issue as well and it has less miles on it. I filed complain with kia consumer corporate a case has been generated on their system [XXX] but no one had contacted me yet. INFORMATION…
There were absolutely no warning lights on my dashboard for the engine, engine oil or anything. I was on a busy 2 lane road with my 7 year old on December 21, 2023 and suddenly the Charging System Warning light and the Immobilizer Indicator came on and the car stopped accelerating. I had to coast off of the road where there was no where to pull over. There are only 61,355 miles on my car and I…
I was driving the car and noticed a smell. I looked down and saw the the temperature gauge was in the red zone but there were no dashboard lights or any sounds to let me know there was a problem . I pulled over and called AAA. They took the car to a AAA repair shop. The repair shop called me and said the head gasket was blown and that the car needed a new engine as the cost to repair would be…
2016 KIA Sedona. I was driving on the highway when the Engine started knocking and smoking. I had to cut cars off on the highway to get to the shoulder. The car was towed to a local mechanic who told us there were holes blown through the engine and it would need replaced. This was after a year and a half of driving it so we still had a loan on the car that we couldn't afford to just scrap the…
Valve cover is cracked, loosing coolant and oil, ruining alternator, smoking, smells like it’s burning. Runs rough, dash lights up. Dies while driving
Coolant all over everything! Mechanics will not touch it. Constantly adding coolant. Can’t drive far. Without overheating. Cracked heater core less then 90,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sedona. The contact became aware that the radiator was overheating while driving. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact replaced the thermostat, the radiator cap, and flushed the coolant and radiator system. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed that the temperature gauge was indicating that the vehicle had started overheating. Due to…
I was at an intersection & was turning left. In the middle of the turn the car started knocking noise and vibrating and turned off in the middle of the intersection. It did not crank for several tries while I was panicking with a car full of kids in a busy intersection. When I got it to crank again it turned off again. Some good Samaritans then helped by holding traffic and pushing us out of…
My 2016 Kia Sedona has only 79900 miles on it, yet needs an engine replacement. It is experiencing the EXACT same issues as the other kia engines that have been recalled/replaced by kia, yet they will not help fix it, because "there are no problems with my engine, but there are with the other kia engines" A vehicle should not need a new engine at 79000 miles. There were zero warnings to this.…
Had engine 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 engine problem on the 2016 Kia Sedona?
It's a meaningful issue. 125 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 15 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 55,657 and 116,000 miles, with the median around 88,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 55,657; a quarter make it past 116,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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.