The 2012 Kia Sedona has 5 safety recalls and 108 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (33 complaints).
Recalls5safety recalls
Complaints108filed by owners
Crashes · fires5 · 5reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths2 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system › Fuel rail
NHTSA recall 20V101000 · Feb 21, 2020 · 51,465 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2012 Sedona vehicles. The fuel rail may crack from exposure to heat generated within the engine compartment, resulting in a fuel leak.
Risk: A fuel leak increases the risk of fire.
Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel rail, free of charge. The recall began June 16, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC188.
Air bags › Air bag/restraint control module
NHTSA recall 18V363000 · Jun 1, 2018 · 507,587 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Kia Forte, Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Kia Optima and 2011-2012 Kia Optima Hybrid and Sedona vehicles. In the event of a crash, the air bag control unit (ACU) may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners from deploying.
Risk: If the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.
Fix: Kia will notify owners. For model year 2011 Sedona vehicles, Kia will instruct dealers to verify the ACU part number and, if necessary, install an extension wire harness kit between the ACU Connector and the Vehicle Harness Connector. For all other affected vehicles, Kia will instruct dealers to install the extension wire harness kit. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC165.
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower arm
NHTSA recall 16V387000 · Jun 1, 2016 · 97,884 vehicles
Problem: Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2006-2012 Kia Sedona vehicles manufactured from June 15, 2005, through August 14, 2012 and originally sold in, or currently registered in Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. In the affected vehicles, the front lower control arms may break due to corrosion from salt water exposure such as from road salt use.
Risk: A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Kia will notify owners and dealers will replace the front lower control arms on 2006-2007 models. 2008-2012 models will either have their front lower control arms replaced or additional anti-corrosion coating will be applied. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on July 27, 2016. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC133.
Latches/locks/linkages › Hood › Latch
NHTSA recall 16V389000 · Jun 1, 2016 · 219,800 vehicles
Problem: Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Kia Sedona vehicles manufactured from June 15, 2005, through April 04, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the secondary hood latch may bind and remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed.
Risk: If the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: Kia will notify owners and dealers will replace the secondary hood latch or clean and lubricate the latch, depending on the vehicle's location and the condition of the latch. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on July 27, 2016. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall number is SC134.
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower arm
NHTSA recall 13V550000 · Nov 5, 2013 · 79,867 vehicles
Problem: Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2006-2012 Kia Sedona vehicles manufactured from June 15, 2005, through August 14, 2012 originally sold in, or currently registered in Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Wisconsin, Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio, Rhode Island, West Virginia or the District of Columbia. In the affected vehicles, the front lower control arms may break due to corrosion resulting from prolonged exposure to salty environments.
Risk: A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Kia will notify owners and dealers will inspect the degree of corrosion of the front lower control arms, and will either rustproof or replace them, free of charge. The recall began on December 20, 2013. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall number is SC100.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
2012 Kia Sedona VAN FWD
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
13.6%
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Sedona
21mpg combined
City / highway
18 / 24 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Electrical system Alternator/generator/regulator
33
1
3
0
72,218 mi
Structure Body; Body › Hatchback/liftgate
18
1
1
1
79,000 mi
Engine
18
0
2
0
89,000 mi
Unknown or other
16
0
1
0
72,218 mi
Air bags
9
3
0
1
65,000 mi
Power train
8
0
0
0
68,000 mi
Vehicle speed control
7
1
0
0
14,125 mi
Service brakes
7
1
0
0
48,500 mi
Fuel/propulsion system
7
0
0
0
72,000 mi
Steering
4
1
0
1
12,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline
4
0
0
0
—
Exterior lighting
3
0
1
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Sep 23, 2026Power train The gear shifter is very difficult to move from Park to Reverse to Neutral to Drive. It's very difficult to press in the lever to move in between the gears. I almost had to have to car towed because I was unable to put the car into Park into Reverse and then into Drive. There is something wrong with the gear shifter in the automatic transmission van. I took the car to my independent mechanic and he agreed that the car is very difficult to move through the gears. He suggested I call KIA to see if it was under a recall. I did call KIA and there in no recall for this issue. My mechanic tells me it will cost around $1300 to fix this issue. I feel the car isn't safe because I cannot get it…
Jan 20, 2026 · 200,000 milesElectrical system The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that the battery drained unexpectedly, and the vehicle failed to start. The battery was replaced twice, and the vehicle was temporarily repaired. The contactâs son replaced the alternator; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was no longer operable. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.
Mar 11, 2026 · 235,000 milesFuel system, gasoline The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that the engine was damaged while being repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V101000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact stated that while the dealer was replacing the fuel rail as per the recall remedy, pressure built up, causing a valve cover leak, which damaged the oil pressure sensor. The dealer replaced the valve cover gasket and the oil pressure sensor, but the head gaskets were damaged. The dealer determined that the engine needed to be replaced but refused to replace the engine free of charge. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 235,000.
Mar 20, 2024 · crashService brakes While driving the vehicle and applying the brakes the vehicle shifted to one side of the road. There was an accident 03/2024 after having the brake control arm serviced. The braking system failed. There was a recall on the front control arm 2016. The vehicle was totaled and was salvaged due to damages to the vehicle. The brake inspection failed. Today the braking system has has no control even after the master cylinder was repaired. The vehicle is currently sitting at a service station without being serviced for at least 2 months. Kia needs to be responsible and refund for the arm control repair and other related part failures. The electrical system does not work for the windshield wipers…
Oct 22, 2024Electrical system There is a continuous leakage of oil from my van even after the dealer replaced valve cover gasket . When I complained they said it was the leftover oil. After a month again I complained . Then they re-checked and said it is my car's timing cover reseal leaking . Again after few days I had to complain as there was a leak. I got the same standard reply of leftover uncleaned oil is the cause. Few weeks later I took the van to them and they said they thoroughly cleaned and there won't be any leak. I sent them pictures of oil drops underneth the car like I did on earlier occassions. On August 11th this year they checked the car after my complaint and said there was no active leak. On 30th of…
Jan 3, 2025 · 213,000 miles · crashVehicle speed control The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that while attempting to parallel park and gear in drive, the vehicle independently accelerated violently while lightly depressing the accelerator pedal. No warning light illuminated. The contact crashed the front of the vehicle into the rear of a parked vehicle where it came to a stop. No police report was filed. No injuries were sustained. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed however the failure was unable to be replicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact's wife mentioned that the failure had occasionally occurred in the past but was able to avoid a…
May 14, 2024Engine Tha backup camera, windshield wipers stopped working. The car would no t go in reverse or drive forward without resistance. Oil began leaking from the engine.
Feb 5, 2024Service brakes The auto was diagnosed with a leaking ABS system which is an ongoing problem with this auto maker. The dealership stated there are currently no parts in the US to replace it. Not sure when they will be available. They want to charge me $2900 to buy the part not including labor costs. It seems this model is not currently under recall so I will have to pay. Told me not to drive the car or park it in the garage. They also refuse to give me a loaner car. I am sure this replacement part should be included with the other model recalls. They have a problem and want the consumer to pay. This is a safety issue with ALL their models.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
PE18003 · opened Mar 16, 2018 · closed Aug 30, 2019 · led to recall 18E043000Air bags may be disabled during crash The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE18-003 on 3/16/18 to investigate incidents involving crashes, resulting in significant collision related damage, where the frontal airbags failed to deploy. ODI reviewed complaint data, available design, test, and field data on the model year (MY) 2011 Hyundai Sonata, MY 2012-2013 Kia Forte and Forte Koup vehicles. ODI also evaluated data from the automotive air bag system supplier, ZF-TRW (ZF), to review vehicles that may contain the same air bag control unit (ACU) used in the subject vehicles. Hyundai Motor America (HMA) issued recall No. 18V-137 for MY 2011-2013 Sonata and MY 2012 Sonata Hybrid vehicles. Kia Motors America (KMA) issued recall No. 18V-363 for MY 2010-2013 Kia Forte and Forte Koup, MY 2011-2013 Optima, MY 2011-2012 Optima Hybrid, and MY2011-2012 Sedona vehicles. The two recalls address vehicles containing ACUs…