2015 Kia Sedona: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Jul 12, 2026 · Engine · KS · fire

Was driving down the road with zero issues known, no check engine light, and only 114K miles. There was a sudden noise that was quiet so I turned down the radio, and then within 2 seconds or so a loud bang occurred, followed by a lot of smoke. I looked in the side mirrors and noted flames coming from underneath the van. Pulled over and got my family out.

Filed Mar 4, 2024 · Engine · 124,943 miles · CA

After driving 3 miles on 2/1, the engine fan ran after the engine was turned off- which never happens. We called Kia for service but nothing was available for 2 weeks; all Kia dealers were similar. No check engine light was illuminated. My husband popped the hood, saw the coolant cap was open and the coolant fluid level in the normal range (slightly above the minimum line). Closing the cap, he test drove the car. Although driving fine, he took the Sedona to a shop where the hood was again popped- the coolant level was showing now above the max fill line, no coolant had been added; as no fluid was seen by the mechanic and since no check engine light was lit, an appointment was made to bring the car back for a full diagnostic. On 2/2/24, after driving 3 miles and making a turn, I thought I saw smoke. But, it was a rainy day so I thought it was condensation from the concrete. After 1 mile, again while slowing to turn, I thought I saw smoke again; I pulled down the window and smelled burning. At this point I was near my home and the check engine light now turned on. Since there was nowhere to safely stop, I proceeded to the front of my home and summoned my husband. He opened the hood and noticed smoke and extreme heat from the engine, but fortunately no fire. After a couple of days, we decided to tow the car to a shop for diagnostics instead of waiting 2 weeks for Kia- we were told the engine had failed. Stunned by the rapidity of these events, we contacted Kia Customer Support and towed the car to our Kia dealer. I have been told the head bolt stripped causing coolant to mix with oil and the engine to fail; the engine itself will cost $8,148 and, and, with ancillary repairs, the total repair will be over $12000. The car has 125k miles and has been fully serviced at Kia over 9 years, lastly 4 months ago which included coolant service. No check engine light was triggered until smoke and extreme heat were emanating from a blown engine, despite progressing degradation.

Filed Nov 20, 2023 · KS · fire

Vehicle was parked in garage and caught on fire. Garage, vehicle, and all contents were a complete loss. Total loss of garage and property excluding the vehicle is around $75,000.

Filed Sep 24, 2023 · Engine, Steering · MD · fire

Engine rod failed, puncturing the engine causing oil to spill, resulting in the car catching on fire while driving.

Filed Aug 22, 2023 · TX · fire

Spontaneously combusted, caught on fire and my family had to evacuate before they burned to death

Filed Jan 10, 2023 · IL · fire

Last Thursday, 5 days into the new year I was coming back from the chiropractor and the grocery store , approximately 15 miles from my home. I got home and parked my van outside (usually park in the garage but would be leaving within the hour so didn't want to open the garage door and let the heat out). I shut the van off and carried groceries inside. Long story short I received a call from my husband that the neighbor called to say there was smoke next to our deck and I looked out the window and my kia was on fire! Rear end just engulfed in flames. I have never had any issues with my van ever. She ran great, had maybe 2 dings in her but was not torn up or abused. My husband is a mechanic and changed oil and spark plugs and we treated her good! It was a very sad day. Sorry to ramble on. You may contact me if you have any questions. I do screen calls for #s I don't know so please leave a voice-mail or contact via email with a # and extention if preferred. I attached photos below. Also have a police report for insurance purposes. Thank you for taking time to read this!

Filed Nov 7, 2022 · Electrical · 80,000 miles · TX · fire

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sedona. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, it would not start. The contact was able to change the battery and the vehicle was able to restart. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and while the vehicle was at the dealer, it caught on fire. The dealer stated that the vehicle had a short circuit that caused the vehicle to catch on fire. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was 80,000.

Filed May 5, 2022 · Engine · OH · fire

We were driving and pulled over to a grocery store and noticed that the dash lights were going crazy and then the cabin started to fill with a little smoke and then the car shut off. The doors would not open and the car had no power at all. We were finally to get us and our kids out. I popped the hood and noticed a small fire next to the ground wire. The engine had caught fire. I put out the fire. There is another set of recalls on Kia's about the engines and the car catching on fire. The Kia dealer said that there is not a recall on this car.

Filed Oct 24, 2021 · Body, Electrical · MA · fire

The car odometer was about 120,000 highway miles. After run with the cruise control for about a 386 miles I stop the car in Angola service station and been there for about 12 minutes with the car off the car got on fire. The electric system shut down immediately and the hood didn't open at all, rear doors didn't open electrical way just manually and the back door get completely sealed.

Filed May 14, 2018 · Electrical · 74,000 miles · TX

About 2 years ago I took my vehicle to the service department to get the A/C heater control unit replaced under factory warning, this was at 70,000 miles, then at about 130,000 I had to get it replaced again, only this time it was not under a factory warranty the replacement part costs from $1200 to $1500. I ended up replacing it myself and as I began to replace the unit I noticed something disturbing. The A/C power button had melted and burnt, the connectors were never replaced the first time kia repaired the A/C control unit under warranty. I then knew what the plastic burning smell was when might A/C was turned on. I asked the kia service technician why does this keep happening he told me it was because I used the car for uber and the system was not designed to be ran as much as I drive the car, the pictures are attached. In april of this year at about 201,232 miles my front blower motor stopped working as I went to get it replaced, I noticed the same issued with the connector. The plastic connector burnt out and shorted the blower motor, and just when I thought that was a coincident, I unplugged the blower motor resistor to check it and found that connector there too had been melting and burning. I am informing you, of this problem because it keeps happening it seems about every 70k to 80k miles on the A/C control unit because I am about to put a 4th A/C control in my vehicle, I am fearful of fire hazard/potential this may cause. This is getting expensive to continue to have to replace/repair parts because the can't withstand heat. The first four pictures are from the A/C control unit the last picture is from the blower motor.

Filed Jun 29, 2015 · Electrical, Seats · 6,700 miles · AL · fire

Had turned on the air in the seat and smelled a plastic burning smell when I parked my car and went in my house to get my swimsuit and towel and returned outside smoke was rolling out of the car. The car was on fire at the drivers side seat.