KiaSedona2018Overview/kia/sedona/2018/base/

2018 Kia Sedona

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2018 Sedona.

Body VANTransmission Automatic (S6)

The 2018 Kia Sedona is a minivan built on a unibody platform and powered by a V6 engine paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission, with an EPA fuel economy rating of 18 mpg city/24 mpg highway/20 mpg combined; it requires 6.0 quarts of oil with a recommended viscosity of 5W-30 or 10W-30 API-grade lubricant. In terms of reliability, the 2018 model year recorded 47 owner complaints—predominantly in the engine category—along with three safety recalls, positioning it within a historical span of complaint data stretching from 2002 to 2021. This places the 2018 Sedona well below the model's peak complaint year of 2006 (which saw 385 complaints) yet notably above the lowest complaint count of just 8 recorded in 2021, suggesting it represents a period of intermediate but improving reliability performance within the Sedona's production history.

Model year202120202019201820172016201520142012

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 / 10W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque65-79 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy18/24/20 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

Tire sizeP235/55R19OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.5 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length201.6 in
Overall width78.3 in
Overall height68.5 in
Wheelbase120.5 in
Curb weight4414 lb
Track (front / rear)68.5 / 68.9 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)57/43

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined18 / 24 / 20 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Sedona of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.4–7.9 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.40 sec — 2015 SXL
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2016SX 3.3L V67.80 sec16.00 sec276 hpFWD
2015SXL 3.3L V67.40 sec15.80 sec276 hpFWD
2015SXL 3.3L V67.80 sec16.10 sec276 hpFWD
2015SXL 3.3L V67.80 sec16.00 sec276 hpFWD
2015SXL 3.3L V67.90 sec16.10 sec276 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6.0 qt of 5W-30 / 10W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 65-79 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity8.2
Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine CoolantEthylene Glycol
Engine Coolant Capacity12.2
Engine Oil5W-30 · API · 10W-30
Engine Oil Capacity6.0 qt
Power Steering FluidHyundai PSF-IV

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)5.1-7.2 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)5.1-7.2 ft-lbs
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s)47.0-54.2 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts210.0-224.0 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)26.0-33.0 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)11.6-17.4 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts53.0-56.0 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts36-40 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts65-79 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)650 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)650 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load)100 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerKia
Spark Plug Gap.039-.043 in
Spark Plug Torque11-18 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity2.37-2.40 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity7.05-7.75 oz
RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity2.37-2.48 lbs.
Oil GroupPAG

Service checks

Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum68.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum74.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)68.0
RPM68.0

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque16-23
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 58-; Rear: 47-
Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque16-23
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 58-; Rear: 47-
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.06; Rear: .370
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation.0002
Maximum Rotor RunoutFront: .001; Rear: .0012
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.06; Rear: .370

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 2 stages
148.0 inch lbs.48 in
284.0-108.0 inch lbs.84–108 in
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages
120.0-23.0 ft. lbs.20–23 ft. lbs
270.0
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 3 stages
12.9-4.3 ft. lbs.2.9–4.3 ft. lbs
219.5-23.1 ft. lbs.19.5–23.1 ft. lbs
3Repeat Step 2 twice.
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 3 stages
12.9-4.3 ft. lbs.2.9–4.3 ft. lbs
219.5-23.1 ft. lbs.19.5–23.1 ft. lbs
3Repeat Step 2 twice.
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Inside bolts

136.0 ft. lbs.36 ft. lbs
290.0 degrees; Outside bolts90 degrees
115.0 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
2120.0 degrees; Side bolts120 degrees
121.0-23.0
Engine Valve Cover Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
13.6-4.3 ft. lbs., Step 2: 7.2-8.73.6–4.3 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 97,500 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miBattery (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Fuel Tank (add fluid conditioner) · Power Steering System (inspect fluid level)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Conditioning System (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect)
Every 30,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap (inspect)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash)
Every 97,500 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 120,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2018 Kia Sedona sits in a clear post-peak recovery phase: after the 20152016 run recorded 136 and 289 complaints respectively, 2017 dropped to 131 and 2018 fell further to 47 complaints, while recalls eased from four in 2016–2017 to three and TSBs fell from 112 in 2016 to 55. Compared with the 2015–2017 period, 2018 has the lowest complaint count and fewest TSBs of that group, and the downward trend continued into 2019–2021 with 35, 20, and 8 complaints and two, one, and zero recalls. The top 2018 complaint areas are engine (16), electrical system (5), air bags (3), and structure (2), with four fire-related and one crash-related complaint on file, though the data does not specify root causes. Because 2018 marks the steepest year-over-year improvement in the generation and sits well below the 2016 high point, it looks like a comparatively settled model year. A well-documented, recall-cleared 2018 Sedona is therefore a reasonably good used-minivan buy, provided a pre-purchase inspection focuses on engine and electrical symptoms.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
55
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
47
Owner complaints
1 involved a crash · 4 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 47 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine16
Electrical System5
Air Bags3
Structure2
Unknown Or Other2
Wheels2
Service Brakes, Hydraulic1
Seat Belts1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

18V338000Structure:Body:DoorReported 23/05/2018

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Kia Sedona vehicles equipped with a power sliding door (PSD). The PSD may not auto-reverse when its closing is obstructed. Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the PSD module software, free of charge. The recall began on June 18, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at…

22V031000Air BagsReported 25/01/2022

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Sedona, Soul, Soul EV, 2017-2018 Forte, and 2017 Forte Koup vehicles. The Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) cover may contact a memory chip on the printed circuit board… Remedy: Dealers will inspect the ACU, and either update the software or replace the unit, as necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 55 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
CS2312_TSB_R22026-06-08StructureTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER…
WTY026_TSB_R22026-03-18EngineTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: OIL PRESSURE SWITCH (OPS)…
TSB_CS2312_R12026-02-18StructureTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER…
TSB_CS23122025-12-17StructureTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER…
CS2312_OWNR2025-12-17StructureCUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (CS2312) - This document is the owner…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Sedona. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2018 Sedona take?

6.0 qt of 5W-30 API Preferred. Above 0 degreesF 10W-30, per the factory manual.

Does the 2018 Sedona have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Sedona get?

EPA figures are 18 city / 24 highway / 20 combined mpg.