Last updated: 2026-03-28
Chrysler Pacifica vs KIA Sedona: Reliability Compared
Chrysler Pacifica
KIA Sedona
Choosing between the Chrysler Pacifica 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 63/100. 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 Chrysler Pacifica, scoring 82/100 vs 63/100.
Key Differences
- 1KIA Sedona costs $152 less per year to repair
- 2KIA Sedona has 61 fewer total recalls
- 3KIA Sedona scores 19 points higher in reliability
Category Scoreboard
Chrysler Pacifica vs KIA Sedona: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Chrysler Pacifica | KIA Sedona |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 63/100 | 82/100 |
| Years Tracked | 9 | 4 |
| Total Recalls | 67 | 6 |
| Total ComplaintsRaw count — varies with sales volume | 2387 | 103 |
| Annual Repair Cost | $647/yr | $495/yr |
| Repair Frequency | 0.4/yr | 0.3/yr |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2026 NHTSA | 2021 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 0 | 4 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Chrysler Pacifica and KIA Sedona?
| Component | Chrysler Pacifica | KIA Sedona |
|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 576 | 6 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 562 | 18 |
| ENGINE | 310 | 25 |
| STEERING | 218 | 2 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 107 | 8 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 78 | — |
| HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM | 57 | — |
| AIR BAGS | 47 | 6 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 47 | 2 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 35 | — |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | 25 | — |
| STRUCTURE | 9 | 12 |
| SUSPENSION | 9 | — |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 5 | — |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 5 | — |
| TIRES | — | 4 |
| SEATS | 3 | — |
| WHEELS | — | 2 |
| FUEL SYSTEM | — | 2 |
Raw complaint counts aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports. Counts vary with sales volume.
How Does Chrysler Pacifica vs KIA Sedona Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Chrysler Pacifica | KIA Sedona | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 57/1006R / 355C | 88/1000R / 8C | KIA Sedona |
| 2020 | 64/1005R / 201C | 83/1001R / 19C | KIA Sedona |
| 2019 | 60/1009R / 352C | 80/1002R / 32C | KIA Sedona |
| 2018 | 51/10018R / 980C | 78/1003R / 44C | KIA Sedona |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2020 Chrysler Pacifica scored 64/100 and the 2021 KIA Sedona scored 88/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Chrysler Pacifica vs KIA Sedona: Common Questions
- Is the Chrysler Pacifica 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 63/100. That's a significant difference worth considering.
- Which has more recalls, the Chrysler Pacifica or the KIA Sedona?
- The Chrysler Pacifica has more recalls (67) 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 Chrysler Pacifica or the KIA Sedona?
- The KIA Sedona has fewer owner complaints (103) versus 2387 for the Chrysler Pacifica. Note that models with higher sales naturally generate more complaints.
- Which is cheaper to maintain, the Chrysler Pacifica or the KIA Sedona?
- Based on independent repair cost estimates, the KIA Sedona is cheaper to maintain at $495/year versus $647/year for the Chrysler Pacifica.
- Is the Chrysler Pacifica or KIA Sedona safer?
- Both the Chrysler Pacifica and KIA Sedona received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed 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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