Last updated: 2026-03-28
Dodge Grand-Caravan vs KIA Sedona: Reliability Compared
Dodge Grand-Caravan
KIA Sedona
Choosing between the Dodge Grand-Caravan and the KIA Sedona? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two midsize minivans.
Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The KIA Sedona currently leads with an average score of 82/100 compared to 78/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
Verdict
The KIA Sedona is more reliable than the Dodge Grand-Caravan, scoring 82/100 vs 78/100.
Key Differences
- 1KIA Sedona costs $178 less per year to repair
- 2KIA Sedona scores 4 points higher in reliability
- 3KIA Sedona has 4 fewer total recalls
Category Scoreboard
Dodge Grand-Caravan vs KIA Sedona: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Dodge Grand-Caravan | KIA Sedona |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 78/100 | 82/100 |
| Years Tracked | 3 | 4 |
| Total Recalls | 10 | 6 |
| Total ComplaintsRaw count — varies with sales volume | 520 | 103 |
| Annual Repair Cost | $673/yr | $495/yr |
| Repair Frequency | 0.3/yr | 0.3/yr |
| Major Repair Risk | 11% | 10% |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2020 NHTSA | 2021 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 0 (1 tied) | 2 (1 tied) |
What Are the Common Problems With the Dodge Grand-Caravan and KIA Sedona?
| Component | Dodge Grand-Caravan | KIA Sedona |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 132 | 18 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 72 | 8 |
| POWER TRAIN | 70 | 6 |
| STRUCTURE | 63 | 12 |
| ENGINE | 44 | 25 |
| SEATS | 30 | — |
| AIR BAGS | 19 | 6 |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | 17 | — |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 10 | — |
| STEERING | 5 | 2 |
| SEAT BELTS | 4 | — |
| TIRES | — | 4 |
| WHEELS | — | 2 |
| FUEL SYSTEM | — | 2 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | — | 2 |
Raw complaint counts aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports. Counts vary with sales volume.
How Does Dodge Grand-Caravan vs KIA Sedona Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Dodge Grand-Caravan | KIA Sedona | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 83/1001R / 15C | 83/1001R / 19C | Tie |
| 2019 | 76/1005R / 247C | 80/1002R / 32C | KIA Sedona |
| 2018 | 76/1004R / 258C | 78/1003R / 44C | KIA Sedona |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2020 Dodge Grand-Caravan scored 83/100 and the 2020 KIA Sedona scored 83/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Dodge Grand-Caravan vs KIA Sedona: Common Questions
- Is the Dodge Grand-Caravan more reliable than the KIA Sedona?
- Based on our data, the KIA Sedona is more reliable with an average score of 82/100 compared to 78/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Dodge Grand-Caravan or the KIA Sedona?
- The Dodge Grand-Caravan has more recalls (10) compared to the KIA Sedona (6). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
- Which has fewer owner complaints, the Dodge Grand-Caravan or the KIA Sedona?
- The KIA Sedona has fewer owner complaints (103) versus 520 for the Dodge Grand-Caravan. Note that models with higher sales naturally generate more complaints.
- Which is cheaper to maintain, the Dodge Grand-Caravan or the KIA Sedona?
- Based on independent repair cost estimates, the KIA Sedona is cheaper to maintain at $495/year versus $673/year for the Dodge Grand-Caravan.
- Is the Dodge Grand-Caravan or KIA Sedona safer?
- Based on NHTSA crash test ratings, the KIA Sedona has a higher overall safety rating of 5/5 stars compared to 4/5 for the Dodge Grand-Caravan. Check sub-ratings (frontal, side, rollover) above for a more detailed safety comparison.
Related Reliability Comparisons
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How We Calculate Reliability Scores
Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.
Key Ranking Factors
Complaint Severity
NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.
Repair Costs
Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.
Recall Impact
Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.
Issue Diversity
Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.
Scores are grouped into four tiers:
- 80–100: Excellent — Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
- 60–79: Good — Reliable with some minor concerns
- 40–59: Mixed — Notable issues, research before buying
- 0–39: Risky — Significant problems, proceed with caution
Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.
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