Owners describe a broad electrical problem affecting multiple systems in the 2018 Sedona. One reported the vehicle catching fire in the engine compartment while driving with no warning lights, filling the cabin with black smoke. Another had complete electrical failure in the middle of traffic—clicking sounds followed by total shutdown with kids in the vehicle.
A recurring complaint involves the vehicle dying after sitting 5–6 days, with owners suspecting a parasitic drain on the passenger-side sliding door circuit. Despite replacing the battery three times, one dealership simply recommended driving the van daily instead of fixing it. The power sliding doors themselves are problem children: some open and close on their own, others trapped owners, and sensors that were replaced failed again.
Airbag systems show two distinct problems. One owner has a damaged wiring harness with severed wires matching Kia's own recall but was denied coverage because the vehicle was manufactured two months after the recall cutoff. Another experienced complete airbag non-deployment during an accident, leaving a passenger with a head injury.
Starting issues plague multiple owners—no-crank conditions after overnight parking that resolve only after repeated lock/unlock cycling. Owners also report intermittent failures of cruise control, rear-view camera, and navigation.
Failure modes owners describe
Engine compartment fire
Vehicle caught fire in the engine compartment while driving, producing heavy black smoke with no warning lights. Occurred after only 2 blocks of driving.
When: During normal operation, no mileage stated
Symptoms owners cite: Black smoke from engine compartment; Vehicle became very hot; No warning lights before fire
Complete electrical system failure / sudden loss of power
Vehicle lost all electrical power while driving with no warning. Owner heard clicking sounds immediately before complete shutdown. Occurred in middle of traffic.
When: During normal operation, no specific mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Clicking sounds; Complete electrical shutdown; No warning lights before failure; Vehicle died in middle of road
Repairs/costs cited: Auto shop diagnosed defective engine requiring replacement
Battery drain / parasitic draw when vehicle not driven
Vehicle dies if parked without use for 5-6 days, owner suspects electrical drain from passenger side sliding door circuit. Dealership unable to diagnose despite three visits.
When: After 5-6 days of no use
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle dies after sitting 5-6 days; No start condition after period of inactivity; Issue does not occur if sliding door not used
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle has required 3 new batteries
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 18V338000 potentially related; dealership recommended driving vehicle daily instead of repair
Power sliding door sensor failure
Passenger side sliding door sensor failed, causing door to open/close on its own and trapping owner. Failure was intermittent. Sensor was replaced at dealership but failure recurred.
When: 14,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Door opens and closes on its own; Intermittent failures; Owner trapped between door
Repairs/costs cited: Ancira Kia diagnosed and replaced sliding door sensor, but failure reoccurred
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware, but vehicle not repaired second time
Power sliding door open/close malfunction
Passenger side sliding door opens and closes on its own. Dealership unable to reproduce or diagnose the issue.
When: 9,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Door opens and closes on its own
Repairs/costs cited: Not repaired; dealership could not duplicate
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware and did not assist
Airbag wiring harness damage
Airbag indicator light on with diagnostic codes consistent with NHTSA Campaign 19V109 / Kia Recall SC175. Owner has damaged wiring harness with two severed wires. Vehicle manufactured 2 months after recall cutoff, so Kia denied coverage.
When: Approximately 9,000 miles per narrative #5 timing
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag indicator light on; Two wires severed in harness
Codes mentioned: 19V109
Repairs/costs cited: Wiring harness damaged with severed wires
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 19V109 / Kia Recall SC175; Kia denied coverage due to manufacture date being 2 months after recall cutoff
Airbag deployment failure
During accident involving collision with fire hydrant and pole on wet roads, airbags failed to deploy. Passenger struck windshield with head, causing concussion.
When: During accident event
Symptoms owners cite: Airbags did not deploy during collision; Passenger head-struck windshield
No-start condition after overnight parking
Intermittent no-start condition after vehicle sits overnight. Engine will not crank despite dashboard lights operating. Problem resolves after repeated lock/unlock cycles. Difficult to diagnose due to intermittent nature.
When: After overnight parking
Symptoms owners cite: No crank condition; Dashboard lights operate; Intermittent failure; Resolves with lock/unlock cycling
Repairs/costs cited: Cannot diagnose due to intermittent nature over long periods
Various intermittent electrical component failures
Multiple electrical components failing intermittently including cruise control, rear view camera, and navigation system. Also reported booming/loud noise from air conditioner.
When: During normal operation
Symptoms owners cite: Cruise control failure; Rear view camera failure; Navigation system failure; Loud booming noise from air conditioner
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer
allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.