Makes›Kia›Sedona›2009

2009 Kia Sedona

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2009 models.

Kia Sedona
Pictured: 2011 Kia Sedona LX -- 04-22-2011. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Minivan - 2WD
Body styles
5dr Van FWD EX, 5dr Van FWD LX
Engines
3.8L 6-cyl
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
18 combined · 16 city / 23 hwy
Length
202 in
Curb weight
4,387–4,645 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
5 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Few owner complaints19 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 94 for similar models.

Watch out for

  • 5 recallsMore than similar models (about 2). Confirm repairs with the VIN.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 8 similar 2009 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2009 Kia Sedona is a minivan offered with a 3.8L 6-cyl engine and front-wheel drive.

It measures about 202 inches long and 78 inches wide on a 119-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,645 lb (5dr Van FWD EX).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 18 MPG combined (16 city / 23 highway), 7% worse than the 2009 minivan average of 19.4 MPG, for an estimated $3,700 a year in fuel.

It has 5 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 19 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the service brakes.

What changed for 2009

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2008 Sedona — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2008; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2008 Sedona →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
5dr Van FWD EX202 in78.3 in72 in118.9 in66.1 / 65.7 in4,645 lb57/43
5dr Van FWD LX202 in78.3 in69.3 in118.9 in66.1 / 65.7 in4,387 lb57/43

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Sedona3.8L 6-cylAutomatic 5-spdFront-Wheel Drive16 / 23 / 18-7%$3,700494
Spend $6,500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
19.4 MPG2009 Minivan - 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2009 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2009 Kia Sedona under the current (2011+) test program.

Similar 2009 minivans

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2009 Kia Sedona (this car)18 MPGNot rated5
2009 Toyota Sienna19 MPGNot rated8
2009 Honda Odyssey20 MPGNot rated2
2009 Chrysler Town and Country20 MPGNot rated4
2009 Nissan Quest19 MPGNot rated2
2009 Volkswagen Routan20 MPGNot rated5
2009 Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan20 MPGNot rated2

Recalls (5)

Electrical System · Feb 14, 2020

NHTSA campaign 20V088000 · 228,829 vehicles

Problem
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2006-2010 Sedona and 2007-2009 Sorento vehicles. Moisture may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short.
Risk
An electrical short within the ABS Module may cause an engine compartment fire, even when the vehicle is turned off, increasing the risk of an injury.
Fix
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will install a relay in the main junction box to prevent power from being directed to the HECU when the vehicle's ignition switch is turned off, free of charge. The recall began June 5, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC186.
Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Arm · Jun 1, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V387000 · 97,884 vehicles

Problem
Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2006-2012 Kia Sedona vehicles manufactured from June 15, 2005, through August 14, 2012 and originally sold in, or currently registered in Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. In the affected vehicles, the front lower control arms may break due to corrosion from salt water exposure such as from road salt use.
Risk
A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Kia will notify owners and dealers will replace the front lower control arms on 2006-2007 models. 2008-2012 models will either have their front lower control arms replaced or additional anti-corrosion coating will be applied. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on July 27, 2016. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC133.
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hood › Latch · Jun 1, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V389000 · 219,800 vehicles

Problem
Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Kia Sedona vehicles manufactured from June 15, 2005, through April 04, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the secondary hood latch may bind and remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed.
Risk
If the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix
Kia will notify owners and dealers will replace the secondary hood latch or clean and lubricate the latch, depending on the vehicle's location and the condition of the latch. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on July 27, 2016. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall number is SC134.
Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Arm · Nov 5, 2013

NHTSA campaign 13V550000 · 79,867 vehicles

Problem
Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2006-2012 Kia Sedona vehicles manufactured from June 15, 2005, through August 14, 2012 originally sold in, or currently registered in Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Wisconsin, Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio, Rhode Island, West Virginia or the District of Columbia. In the affected vehicles, the front lower control arms may break due to corrosion resulting from prolonged exposure to salty environments.
Risk
A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Kia will notify owners and dealers will inspect the degree of corrosion of the front lower control arms, and will either rustproof or replace them, free of charge. The recall began on December 20, 2013. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall number is SC100.
Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch · Apr 1, 2013

NHTSA campaign 13V114000 · 980,377 vehicles

Problem
Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo, model year 2007-2011 Sedona, Sorento and Sportage, model year 2010-2011 Soul, model year 2008-2011 Optima, model year 2010 Forte, model year 2007-2009 Amanti, and model year 2009 Borrego vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Kia recalled 623,658 model year 2007-2010 Rondo and Sportage, model year 2007-2011 Sorento, model year 2007 Sedona, model year 2010-2011 Soul, and model year 2011 Optima vehicles. In September 2013, Kia informed the agency that it was adding an additional 356,719 vehicles to this campaign. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 980,377. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
Risk
Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of PARK without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix
Kia will send an interim notification to owners in May 2013. When parts are available, owners will receive a second notification and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall campaign number is SC098.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2009 Kia Sedona is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

19Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
1Involved a crash
1Involved a fire
3Injuries reported
105,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Service Brakes5
Electrical System5
Unknown Or Other5
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)3
Air Bags2
Steering2
Suspension2
Exterior Lighting1
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
15/02: 116/08: 116/12: 217/04: 117/07: 118/05: 118/06: 118/11: 118/12: 119/02: 119/03: 119/06: 119/11: 120/02: 120/11: 121/05: 122/07: 126/08: 115/0217/0418/0619/0219/1121/05max 2

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2009 Kia Sedona buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 5 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Service Brakes — 5 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
  3. Electrical System — 5 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  4. Electronic Stability Control (Esc) — 3 owner reports. Ask the seller and mechanic specifically about this system.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 105,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2009 Kia Sedona. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Sedona years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2021 Sedona21201.6 in★★★★★010
2020 Sedona21201.6 in★★★★★120
2019 Sedona21201.6 in★★★★★239
2018 Sedona21201.6 in★★★★★349
2017 Sedona21201.6 in★★★★★4134
2016 Sedona21201.6 inNot rated4297
2015 Sedona21201.6 inNot rated3140
2014 Sedona20202 inNot rated137
2012 Sedona21202 inNot rated586
2011 Sedona21202 inNot rated652
2010 Sedona19202 inNot rated522
2008 Sedona18202 inNot rated573

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Kia. How we calculate this →