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2021 Kia Sedona

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 Sedona.

Transmission Automatic (S8)

The 2021 Kia Sedona is configured with an 8-speed automatic transmission and carries an EPA fuel economy rating of 18 mpg city, 24 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined, with service specifications calling for 6.9 quarts of either 5W-30 or 10W-30 engine oil. The model year posts an unusually quiet reliability profile — just 8 owner complaints filed overall, with tires representing the most-cited category, and no recalls on record. That figure is the lowest in the Sedona's 2002-2021 complaint history, contrasting sharply with the 385 complaints that defined the model's 2006 peak. For a researcher tracking the vehicle's arc, the 2021 entry is a clear illustration of late-cycle refinement.

Model year202120202019201820172016201520142012

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity6.9 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 / 10W-30OEM · verified
Lug nut torque79.0-94.0 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy18/24/21 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI R-MDPS: Only use AGM VRLA Battery: 49: Not R-MDPS: 124R · R-MDPS: 850; Not R-MDPS: 660 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI R-MDPS: Only use AGM VRLA Battery: 49: Not R-MDPS: 124R · R-MDPS: 850; Not R-MDPS: 660 CCAOEM · verified
Tire size235/60R18 103HOEM · verified
Wheel / rim7 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S8)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length201.6 in
Overall width78.3 in
Overall height68.5 in
Wheelbase120.5 in
Curb weight4420 lb
Track (front / rear)68.5 / 68.9 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)57/43

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined18 / 24 / 21 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 6.9 qt of 5W-30 / 10W-30 engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 79.0-94.0 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to Use new gasket: 25.0-33.0 ft-lbs.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity7.39 qt
Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine CoolantEthylene Glycol
Engine Coolant Capacity12.2 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · 10W-30
Engine Oil Capacity6.9 qt
Power Steering FluidKia PSF-IV

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts311.0-318.0 ft-lbs
Cylinder Head InstructionsUse new bolts only.
Engine Flywheel Bolts53.0-56.0 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts36.0-40.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain PlugUse new gasket: 25.0-33.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs15.0-17.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts79.0-94.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Curb Idle Speed (No Load)Checking Speed: 650 in Neutral rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)Checking Speed: 100 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)Speed-Up Speed: 650 in Neutral rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load)Speed-Up Speed: 100 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerKia
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque11.0-18.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity2.25-2.36 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46YF
Oil Capacity7.05-7.75 oz
Standard BCI Cranking PerformanceR-MDPS: 850; Not R-MDPS: 660 cca

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)70.0-75.0 psi

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque16.0-23.0 ft-lbs
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 58.0-; Rear: 47.0-
ABS Sensor Torque6.3
Minimum Pad ThicknessDisc: 0.079"; Drum: 0.039" in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.06; Rear: .370
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation.0002"
Maximum Rotor RunoutFront: .001; Rear: .0012

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
148.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 84.0-108.0 inch lbs.48 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bolts 1-827.5–30.4 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
12.9-4.3 ft. lbs., Step 2: 19.5-23.1 ft. lbs., Step 3: 19.5-23.12.9–4.3 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 97,500 mi.

Every 7,500 miAir Conditioning System (inspect) · Battery (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap (inspect) · Parking Brake System (inspect)
At 30,000 miEngine Coolant System (inspect fluid level)
Every 30,000 miFuel Line (inspect)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Engine Valves (inspect valve lash)
Every 97,500 miSpark Plugs (replace)

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 2021 Kia Sedona, the final model year of its generation, records just 8 complaints and 0 recalls, a dramatic improvement from the 136 complaints and 3 recalls of the 2015 launch year. Across the generation, complaints and recalls trended consistently downward, with 2021 representing the lowest point in both metrics. The top complaint area for 2021 is tires with only 2 reports, and there are no fire complaints and only 2 crash complaints. This steady decline suggests that Kia progressively resolved early-generation issues, leaving the 2021 model with minimal reported problems. The 2021 Sedona is a particularly reliable choice for a used minivan, offering the fewest federal complaints and no recalls of its generation.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
47
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
8
Owner complaints
2 involved a crash · 0 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
’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 8 complaints on record, top 7 components.

Tires2
Electrical System,Exterior Lighting,Unknown Or Other1
Electrical System,Engine1
Vehicle Speed Control,Lane Departure1
Air Bags,Seat Belts1
Unknown Or Other1
Vehicle Speed Control,Forward Collision Avoidance1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 47 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
CS2312_TSB_R22026-06-08StructureTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER…
TSB_ELE4222026-05-27Electrical SystemTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM SOFTWARE UPDATE USING UPDATE.KIA.COM…
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.

Group R batteryVehicles taking 6.9 qt

Reference guides

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

Vehicle recalls & TSBsOBD-II trouble codesTorque specificationsMaintenance schedulesFluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2021 Sedona take?

6.9 qt of 5W-30 is preferred. Temperatures above 0°F: 10W-30, per the factory manual.

Does the 2021 Sedona have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 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 / 21 combined mpg.