2012 Kia SEDONA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
107 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
70,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2012 model year. Data snapshot: . 81 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 32 of 107 complaints (29.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 15 | 14.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 13 | 12.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 6 | 5.6% |
| Engine operation | 6 | 5.6% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 2.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 1.9% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 32 |
| Engine | 18 |
| Unknown Or Other | 16 |
| Structure:Body | 15 |
| Air Bags | 9 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 7 |
| Power Train | 7 |
| Service Brakes | 7 |
Electrical System: 32; Engine: 18; Unknown Or Other: 16; Structure:Body: 15; Air Bags: 9; Fuel/Propulsion System: 7; Power Train: 7; Service Brakes: 7
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 15 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 12 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 19 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 13 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 13 |
| 150,000 and above | 9 |
Under 25,000: 15; 25,000 to 49,999: 12; 50,000 to 74,999: 19; 75,000 to 99,999: 13; 100,000 to 149,999: 13; 150,000 and above: 9
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (19). 26 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2013 | 5 |
| 2014 | 9 |
| 2015 | 12 |
| 2016 | 8 |
| 2017 | 7 |
| 2018 | 11 |
| 2019 | 11 |
| 2020 | 17 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2011: 3; 2012: 5; 2013: 5; 2014: 9; 2015: 12; 2016: 8; 2017: 7; 2018: 11; 2019: 11; 2020: 17; 2021: 5; 2022: 4; 2023: 3; 2024: 2; 2025: 3; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 15 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 13 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 6 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10435337 · 2011-11-12 (November 12, 2011)
IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE WHILE DRIVING ON A DAILY BASIS TO NOT STEP ON THE BRAKES WHILE ALSO DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR SIMULTANEOUSLY. I BELIEVE THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW, SINCE I'VE BEEN DRIVING FOR 42 YEARS AND HAVE DRIVEN DOZENS UPON DOZENS OF MAKES AND MODELS AND NEVER ONCE ENCOUNTERED AN ISSUE WHERE THE BRAKE & ACCELERATOR ARE POSITIONED IN SUCH A WAY THAT, UNLESS YOU PICK UP YOUR FOOT COMPLETELY OFF THE ACCELERATOR AND DELIBERATELY REPLACE IT TO THE FAR LEFT OF THE BRAKE PEDAL, THEN YOU FIND YOURSELF PRESSING BOTH AT ONCE CAUSING THE CAR TO …
Owner-reported narrative. 50 miles reported. Look up ODI 10435337 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10439152 · 2011-12-09 (December 9, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SEDONA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE SLIDING DOORS AND THE REAR HATCH DOOR OPENED HAPHAZARDLY. THE DEALER MADE TWO ATTEMPTS TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE PASSENGER SIDE SLIDING DOOR WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 2,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10439152 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10439344 · 2011-12-11 (December 11, 2011)
LET ME BEGIN BY PREFACING THAT THIS IS OUR 2ND SEDONA, AND WE PURCHASED BOTH BRAND NEW. WE HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR 4 MONTHS, AND IT ONLY HAS APPX. 6000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. I WAS DRIVING DOWN A RESIDENTIAL SIDE STREET I APPROACHED THE A STOP SIGN, I BEGAN DEPRESSING THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN, AND THERE WAS A CAR AT THE STOP SIGN IN FRONT OF ME, WAITING TO TURN LEFT. AS I CONTINUED TO SLOW DOWN WITH MY FOOT STILL ON THE BRAKE, THE VAN'S ENGINE, OUT OF NOWHERE, BEGAN TO REV CONTINUOUSLY AT FULL THROTTLE. MY FOOT WAS STILL ON THE BRAKE, AND DESP…
Owner-reported narrative. 6,150 miles reported. Look up ODI 10439344 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10449039 · 2012-02-23 (February 23, 2012)
WHILE ACCELERATING, THE GAS PEDAL WOULD NOT RETURN TO THE UP POSITION CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CONTINUE TO ACCELERATE. I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE THROUGH A COMBINATION OF BRAKING AND SHIFTING TO NEUTRAL UNTIL THE PEDAL CAME BACK UP ON IT'S OWN. TIME ENCOMPASSED WAS APPROXIMATELY 60 SECONDS. TRAFFIC ON THE ROAD WAS LIGHT WHICH MADE THE SITUATION MUCH MORE MANAGEABLE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10449039 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10454802 · 2012-04-11 (April 11, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SEDONA. WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC STOP, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO ABRUPTLY APPLY PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL UNTIL THE VEHICLE ENGAGED AND RAPIDLY ACCELERATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS BUT WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15 . UPDATED 05/09/12 *BF INTERMITTENTLY, WHEN THE CONSUMER TRIED TO A…
Owner-reported narrative. 15 miles reported. Look up ODI 10454802 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10455118 · 2012-04-13 (April 13, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SEDONA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED TO THE CONTACT THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG ELECTRICAL BOX WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO REMAIN AT THE DEALER DUE TO THE PART NOT BEING UNAVAILABLE. THE ESTIMATED ARRIVAL DATE FOR THE PART WAS APRIL 21, 2012. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,600. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Owner-reported narrative. 8,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10455118 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10457078 · 2012-05-01 (May 1, 2012)
I WAS REAR ENDED BY AN 18 WHEELER, WHICH CAUSED ME TO HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF MY CAR. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. PHOTOS CAN BE PROVIDED. *JS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10457078 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10470355 · 2012-08-13 (August 13, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SEDONA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT REMOVED THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION AND NOTICED THE IGNITION AND THE KEY WERE EXTREMELY HOT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY THIRTY MILES OR MORE. THE CONTACT MEASURED THE TEMPERATURE OF THE KEY AND STATED IT REACHED 101 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. T…
Owner-reported narrative. 425 miles reported. Look up ODI 10470355 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
5 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
13V550000 · Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Arm
Reported: 2013-11-05 (November 5, 2013)
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.
Consequence: A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗16V387000 · Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Arm
Reported: 2016-06-01 (June 1, 2016)
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.
Consequence: A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗16V389000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch
Reported: 2016-06-01 (June 1, 2016)
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗18V363000 · Air Bags: Air Bag/Restraint Control Module
Reported: 2018-06-01 (June 1, 2018)
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗20V101000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Fuel Rail
Reported: 2020-02-21 (February 21, 2020)
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.
Consequence: A fuel leak increases the risk of fire.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗