2012 Kia Sedona problems, complaints & recalls

2012 Kia Sedona recalls (5)

• Recall 20V101000Feb 21, 202051,465 vehicles
  FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL

  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.

  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.

• Recall 18V363000Jun 1, 2018507,587 vehicles
  AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE

  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.

  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.

• Recall 16V387000Jun 1, 201697,884 vehicles
  SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

  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.

  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.

• Recall 16V389000Jun 1, 2016219,800 vehicles
  LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

  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.

  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.

• Recall 13V550000Nov 5, 201379,867 vehicles
  SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

  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.

  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 defect investigations

• PE18003Opened Mar 16, 2018Closed Aug 30, 2019led to recall 18E043000

  Air 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. 18…

Recent 2012 Kia Sedona complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

1. Filed Oct 2, 2026NHTransmission & Drivetrain

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11768509 · source
2. Filed Jul 20, 2026200,000 miKSElectrical 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 contact’s 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.

   NHTSA complaint #11751498 · source
3. Filed May 1, 2026235,000 miGAEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11735079 · source
4. Filed Oct 18, 2025CACrashTowedBody & StructureBrakesElectrical System

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11694345 · source
5. Filed Sep 1, 2025KYElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11684328 · source
6. Filed Jan 6, 2025213,000 miNCCrashTowedAcceleration & Cruise 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…

   NHTSA complaint #11634335 · source
7. Filed May 31, 2024CAElectrical SystemEngine

   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.

   NHTSA complaint #11591671 · source
8. Filed Feb 7, 2024FLBrakes

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11570473 · source

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology