2012 Kia Sedona Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
73/100
#4 most-complained of 12 Sedona years
The 2012 Kia Sedona has 107 NHTSA complaints and a Complaint Index of 73, ranking it 4th worst of 12 model years and earning a Caution verdict. Electrical System issues lead at 32% of complaints, followed by Engine problems at 24%.
- Complaints
- 107
- Recalls
- 5
- Crashes / fires
- 5 / 5
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 18 city / 24 hwy
Top 2012 Kia Sedona problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System34 (32%)
- Engine26 (24%)
- Structure & Body21 (20%)
- Other18 (17%)
- Fuel System11 (10%)
- Airbags9 (8%)
- Brakes8 (7%)
- Transmission & Powertrain7 (7%)
- Steering4 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (3%)
What owners report
- Airbags failed to deploy during moderate to high-speed crashes, including rear-end and rollover incidents.
- Wiring near the blower motor overheated and caught fire, sometimes filling the cabin with smoke while driving.
- Smoke and flames came from the engine compartment while driving at highway speeds, in some cases burning through the engine bay.
- Oil was found leaking through the head gasket and spilling onto hot engine components, producing burning smells.
- Front doors reportedly opened on their own while driving, occurring alongside separate electrical fire reports.
- Vehicle accelerated unexpectedly while shifting into drive during low-speed parking maneuvers.
2012 Kia Sedona recalls
5 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.
2012 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.
2012 compared with other Sedona years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 Kia Sedona reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2012 Sedona a Complaint Index of 73 with 107 complaints, ranking it 4th worst among 12 model years and earning a Caution verdict relative to other Sedona years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2012 Kia Sedona?
- Electrical System issues are the top problem area, accounting for 32% of complaints (34 total), including reports of fires, with a median failure mileage of 72,218 miles.
- Does the 2012 Kia Sedona have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2012 Sedona covering the fuel system, airbags, suspension (front lower control arms), and the hood latch; none are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2012 Kia Sedona compare to other Sedona years?
- The 2012 model (Complaint Index 73) ranks worse than 2010 (27), 2011 (55), and 2014 (36), but better than 2015 (82), 2016 (100), and 2017 (91), which carry Avoid verdicts.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2012 Kia Sedona?
- The EPA rates the 2012 Sedona at 21 mpg combined (18 city / 24 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,100.