2011 Kia Sedona Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
55/100
#6 most-complained of 12 Sedona years
The 2011 Kia Sedona has 65 NHTSA complaints, 6 recalls, and a complaint index of 55, ranking 6th worst out of 12 model years. It carries a Caution verdict, with Engine issues as the top problem area at 28% of complaints.
- Complaints
- 65
- Recalls
- 6
- Crashes / fires
- 3 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 18 city / 24 hwy
Top 2011 Kia Sedona problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine18 (28%)
- Fuel System13 (20%)
- Electrical System12 (18%)
- Structure & Body10 (15%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires9 (14%)
- Brakes6 (9%)
- Other5 (8%)
- Airbags4 (6%)
- Transmission & Powertrain3 (5%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (2%)
What owners report
- Owners report sudden loss of power or unexpected acceleration while driving at low speeds, sometimes leading to a crash.
- Some describe the engine decelerating at highway speed with the check engine light on, and in one case smoke was seen coming from the engine.
- Drivers report the check engine light illuminating with rough acceleration or stalling that dealers were unable to diagnose.
- Owners describe the brake pedal feeling loose or swaying side to side due to a fractured weld in the pedal assembly.
- One owner reported being unable to shift out of park, accompanied by the ESC warning light turning on.
- A parking sensor reportedly failed to sound during a low-speed reversing maneuver, resulting in a collision.
2011 Kia Sedona recalls
6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 20V101000Feb 21, 2020Fuel System51,465 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.
- NHTSA 18V363000Jun 1, 2018Airbags507,587 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.
- NHTSA 16V387000Jun 1, 2016Suspension, Wheels & Tires97,884 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.
2011 Kia Sedona fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18 MPG
- Highway
- 24 MPG
- Combined
- 21 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,100
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2011 compared with other Sedona years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 Kia Sedona reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2011 Sedona a complaint index of 55 and a Caution verdict, ranking 6th worst among the 12 Sedona model years with data. It is not among the worst years, but Engine problems account for 28% of its complaints.
- What are the most common problems with the 2011 Kia Sedona?
- Engine issues make up 28% of complaints, followed by Fuel System at 20% and Electrical System at 18%. The median mileage at failure across all reported problems is 79,660 miles.
- Does the 2011 Kia Sedona have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2011 Sedona, covering the fuel system (fuel rail cracking and leaking), airbags, suspension control arms, structure/hood latch, and electrical system. None of these are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2011 Sedona compare to other years?
- The 2011 Sedona's complaint index of 55 is lower than 2015, 2016, and 2017, which are all rated Avoid with indexes of 82, 100, and 91. It is worse than 2010, 2014, 2018, 2020, and 2021, which rate Good or Best.