Kia Sedona battery drain problems

Filed Jul 20, 2026 · Electrical · 200,000 miles · KS

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that the battery drained unexpectedly, and the vehicle failed to start. The battery was replaced twice, and the vehicle was temporarily repaired. The contact’s son replaced the alternator; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was no longer operable. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.

Filed Feb 7, 2025 · Engine · NJ

Our 2016 Kia Sedona was recently diagnosed with engine failure. Here's a summary: 1. The car's engine issues have twice put my family in danger: (1) on [XXX] with my [XXX] wife and 5 children when the car went into limp mode and could not accelerate on a steep road by a major forest in NJ (could have rolled back down a hill and crashed into other cars), and (2) on [XXX] with my [XXX] wife and 2 children when it again encountered an inability to accelerate. In situation (1) we towed it to our local Kia dealership and were told the issue was repaired (worn out spark plugs and low oil), but we had the same issue again 3 months later in December. In situation (2) my wife brought it to that same dealership. After multiple incorrect diagnoses - low oil and dead battery - they finally said we need a new engine. I spoke to Customer Care and, in spite of countless calls and follow-ups, did not receive a timely response and was eventually told that I would have to pay for this out of pocket. 2. We towed our car - at our expense - on 1/29/25 to another dealership in the hopes of better service. They came to the same conclusion: the engine has failed and we need a new one. Still, we have not received adequate answers on why the engine has failed and an appropriate solution to allow us to get our car back, which leads to the final point: 3. We've taken stellar care of this car since we bought it new. For 9 years, we have taken our van ONLY and exclusively to authorized Kia dealerships for service, for all needs great and small. We've spent $7,256 on service at these dealerships, taking all recommendations from service advisors to ensure our car is well-maintained. The car's issues have been misdiagnosed and put the lives of my [XXX]wife and several children in danger. Even after dealing with these dealerships and sending a letter to Kia Consumer Affairs, there has been no proper solution. Please assist us in remedying this matter promptly. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C.

Filed Oct 22, 2024 · Engine · 153,367 miles · KY

Air conditioning became less cool over the summer. Early October 2024, slight rattling noise heard in engine on acceleration. Approximately a week later, the battery died and was replaced. In the following days, rattling noise became louder and also heard a tapping sound. No warning lights, check engine light, etc. Taken to a local mechanic who inspected and informed us the timing chain is nearly completely worn and it has rubbed a hole in the side of the engine. A complete engine replacement is needed!

Filed Jun 1, 2017 · Airbags · 165,107 miles · CA

After a few years of owning the van my battery died. I replaced the battery but because of the low battery voltage it caused the airbag light to illuminate [code: "b1102-ub (vb ?) low voltage (<8v)"]. When the is light on none of the airbags will function in an accident. Even though there is nothing wrong with the system, the light can only be shut off (and thus make the airbags functional) by clearing the code with a special reader that only the dealerships appear to have. The dealership will only do this if you pay $280. This is outrageous, there's no reason the airbag system shouldn't function after the code has been resolved. I feel like this is extortion from kia. The federal government mandates that cars have to have airbags you would expect that they would be required to work if there is nothing wrong with the system.

Filed Jul 28, 2016 · Electrical · 29,000 miles · PR

Battery dead for three different times in past five days. Worked after jump start (with a stanley 450/900 amp jump start system), but during last two occassions (on 07/27/16 and 07/28/16 it got hot too fast specially when car was stationary (engine running) for few minutes. It went hot to boiling (almost to the point of fire explotion), and evaporating acid from both sides's top (huge amount of white toxic smoke). Definitely the battery is damaged. Dealer is willing to replace; but I believe this is a safety critical issue that should be carefully investigated to find the root cause, which may not be the battery alone or itself, but a more serious and complex electro-mechanical design failure. Stats are backing-up my thoughts: the main topics of complaints for this car (so far) are electrical/battery related. I have a video of the smoke from the battery. I owned several other cars with dead battery issues, but never this kind of scenario where battery is about to explode. (note: my VIN number may not appear in us database because I bought car in puerto rico, manufactured in korea).

Filed Dec 16, 2013 · Electrical · 37,000 miles · UT

I own a 2007 kia sedona lx. I have had it since nov if 2009. I m replacing my battery every six month due to the fact that the vehicle has a draw and has had since the day I bought it.. It was under warranty by kia and I have taken it there complaining about this problem. I was told that when they test my charging system it has the normal factory draw. I took it there again and was told it is working fine and not to return. They made me feel crazy. I have been fighting this problem for 4 years. And have been buying batteries every six months. Now that my vehicle is no longer under warranty, kia has magically found a problem with it. Upon fixing the problem, the vehicle still drains the battery dead over a period of 2 days! I have called kia headquarters in irvine california. They haven?t been helpful whatsoever. I have stopped many people that own my year of van and asked is they experience the same problem. I m surprised to find that many of them have complained about replacing batteries very often! So this is a factory issue!

Filed Aug 6, 2007 · Electrical · 64,000 miles · GA

I had gone to lunch and stopped by the grocery store first and then went by the gas station for a moment. When I came out, I got into my van and it would not crank. No warning, no prior trouble, noises, slow crank, nothing. It would not even attempt to crank. I had to walk back to work. Later that evening, my father came to look at it and we assumed it was a dead battery. We replaced the battery and the battery light as well as the break light remained on. My father suspected the alternator. We called the kia dealership and they told us there had been a recall on alternators, but as usual, our VIN number did not show up as one recalled. $400.00 later, I am wondering why our vehicle was not on the recall list. We have spent nearly $2,000 on "warranty maintenance" just to make sure nothing goes wrong and if it does it should be covered. Unfortunately for us, we spent well over $1500.00 on our 60,000 mile maintenance to insure the warranty stays in affect just 3 months ago. Of course, we are told now that the alternator is not covered after 60,000 miles. Why am I paying so much money if nothing is going to be covered.

Filed Aug 12, 2005 · Electrical · 210 miles · NY · fire · 1 injury

2002 sedona was repaired 2 times with less then 200 miles on it for battery draining- claim was it was the radio didn't shut off with the car. Then last month with 59.000 miles on it I complained of the car hesitating and lights flickering, airbag light came on for no reason, claim to repair was tune-up- 1700.00 and two months later my battery went on fire with 5 people in it, 3 children and one is carried out handicapped. Lights flickered, odometer went nuts without the engine racing, door locks locked and unlocked, battery light, break light, and airbag light came back on. Wipers went on without turning them on with the switch and the hazards went on without pushing the button. I am more then happy to file a consumer complaint and a lawsuit. My dealer went out of business I was told when my car went on fire two weeks ago. So now it is at another dealer and at 65,000 not covered, it will be covered. I am actually compiling a class action lawsuit on the safety of these batteries. I want my car fixed and all these vans recalled to find out the reason, I would not want one of my families killed and don't want to wait till it happens to someone else's. All of us can't be wrong and as a safety problem and a possible means of killing people when the doors lock and won't let you out when the car is on fire - ?? Get with it people. Recall these cars before someone gets killed. Use my car as your test subject, I offer it. Now my daughters lungs hurt from the smell of the sulfur hurrying to get the kids out.

Filed Dec 15, 2003 · Electrical · 35,000 miles · CA

Unknown electrical drain in electrical system leaves battery dead. Has happened on several occasions requiring jump starts.

Filed Jul 24, 2003 · Electrical, Visibility · NJ

Kia-sedona. Winshield cracks. Battery draines when van sits 2 or more days. I hv contacted the dealr. Am scheduling service. Have had to jump start the van 3 times in the last year. Winshield cracked recently while driving(no objects involved). Believe this is an ongoing problem. Friend has similiar problem with 2002 sedona. Dealer replaced. Driver window closes too tightly when button is held to close. Makes cracking noise.