2020 Kia Sedona

Showing the 2020 Sedona EX. NHTSA's VIN data shows it with a 3.3 L engine, but that may not be every version of it, so the numbers below cover every version of this model year. Every version

Owner complaints, recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings from public NHTSA and EPA data, updated Oct 17, 2026.

Fuel economy
21 mpgcombined; city 18, highway 24; every version of this model year
Five years of fuel
$15,470U.S. average; Ohio $13,820 at local prices; every version of this model year; fuel only, not other costs of owning it; 15,000 miles a year, at EIA fuel prices for the week of Oct 12, 2026
NHTSA overall safety rating
5 starslowest across the versions NHTSA tested
Recall campaigns
1over its history; check a VIN for open ones
Owner complaints
20filed with NHTSA; not adjusted for sales

Trims

NHTSA's VIN data lists these trims for the 2020 Sedona. A trim's engine and numbers are shown as its own only where EPA names versions after the trim and no other version could be it; "seen with" means a source shows that engine on the trim, not that it was the only one. Recalls and complaints cover the whole model year: whether a recall applies to a car depends on its VIN, on NHTSA's recall lookup.

Problems owners report

Owners have filed 20 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Sedona. These are unverified owner reports, counted by the part of the car they name; one complaint can name several parts. Counts aren't adjusted for how many were sold, so they don't show how reliable a car is.

Complaints by part of the car
PartComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuries
Engine5000
Structure5000
Electrical system3000
Unknown or other3000
Exterior lighting2000
Fuel/propulsion system2000
Power train2000
Seats1000
Service brakes1000
Tires1000
Wheels1000

Complaints by model year

Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, and counts aren't adjusted for sales, so a shorter bar doesn't mean a more reliable year.

  1. 2006385
  2. 2007157
  3. 2008170
  4. 200948
  5. 201032
  6. 201165
  7. 2012108
  8. 201439
  9. 2015139
  10. 2016297
  11. 2017134
  12. 201848
  13. 201939
  14. 202020
  15. 202110

Every Sedona year side by side

Recalls

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2020 Sedona over its history. Campaigns are matched by model and year, so each one may apply to a given car, and its repair may already be done: check a VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup for the open recalls on that exact car.

Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator

NHTSA campaign 20V399000 · reported Jul 8, 2020 · 5,385 vehicles potentially affected

Kia Motors America (KIA) is recalling certain 2020 Sedona vehicles. The battery positive (B+) terminal nut on the alternator may not have been tightened properly during assembly, possibly causing it to loosen over time.

Risk: If the alternator B+ terminal nut loosens, electrical arcing may result, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the alternator B+ terminal nut, tightening it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began August 14, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC192.

NHTSA's record and documents

Service bulletins and investigations

Carmakers sent NHTSA 64 service bulletins and notices that cover the 2020 Sedona, the latest on Sep 10, 2026. They tell dealers how to fix known issues.

The parts they mention most: electrical system (34), structure (10), engine (8), fuel/propulsion system (7), engine and engine cooling (6).

NHTSA hasn't opened a defect investigation that covers this model year.

Maintenance

Oil

The owner's manual gives the oil and how often to change it. We show oil facts only once we've checked them against the manual, and we haven't yet for the 2020 Sedona.

Oil change near you: Jiffy Lube · Take 5

Used ones for sale

See used 2020 Kia Sedonas for sale on: Autotrader · CarMax

These are searches on those sites; we don't copy or check their listings. Your ZIP is used for these links and never kept.

Specs

EPA class: minivan. EPA greenhouse gas score: 4 out of 10. Each version EPA tested:

VersionEngineTransmissionFuelCity / hwy / comb
Sedona
Front-Wheel Drive
3.3 L, 6 cylAutomatic (S8)Regular Gasoline18 / 24 / 21

Sources and dates

Fuel cost: EPA mpg with fuel prices for the week of Oct 12, 2026 and electricity prices for Jul 2026. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (Oct 2026). Complaints are unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA. About the data