YearToAvoid

2012 Kia Sedona Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 26 engine complaints for the 2012 Kia Sedona, 24% of all 107 complaints filed for that year. Owners report engine fires, oil leaks, and unintended acceleration, with a median failure mileage of 78,000. No related recall is listed.

Engine complaints
26
24% of 107
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
78,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Engine compartment catches fire or smokes after driving at highway speeds, sometimes requiring the fire department.
  • Oil leaks from around the engine, in some cases tied to a head gasket, leading to burning smells and fumes entering the cabin.
  • Accelerator pedal sticks or the vehicle accelerates on its own without warning, forcing drivers to brake or shift to neutral to regain control.
  • Engine hesitates or fails to respond to throttle input, then suddenly surges forward once it re-engages.
  • Timing chain tensioners lose pressure after the vehicle sits, causing chain slap at startup that owners say can damage internal engine components over time.
  • Vehicle fails to start or respond when the key is turned, sometimes recurring even after dealer visits.

When 2012 Kia Sedona engine complaints were filed

First complaint Dec 11, 2011, latest May 1, 2026.

2012 Kia Sedona engine complaints: complaints filed per month2Dec 2011Apr 2013Mar 2016Jun 2018Jan 2020Mar 2022May 2026
26 complaints filed with NHTSA from Dec 2011 to May 2026; peak Aug 2016 (2).

Engine recalls for the 2012 Kia Sedona

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Sedona model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 20104 (13%)
  2. 201118 (28%)
  3. 201226 (24%)
  4. 20130 (0%)
  5. 201411 (28%)
  6. 201553 (38%)
  7. 2016152 (51%)
  8. 201763 (47%)
  9. 201822 (46%)
  10. 201911 (29%)
  11. 20205 (25%)
  12. 20213 (33%)

Frequently asked questions

How many engine complaints does the 2012 Kia Sedona have?
NHTSA lists 26 engine complaints for the 2012 Sedona, which is 24% of the 107 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2012 Kia Sedona engine?
No related recall is listed in NHTSA data for the engine problem area on this model year.
At what mileage do 2012 Kia Sedona engine problems occur?
The median mileage at failure for engine complaints on the 2012 Sedona is 78,000 miles.
Did the 2012 Kia Sedona engine problems cause fires or crashes?
NHTSA data shows 3 fires and 1 crash associated with engine-area complaints for the 2012 Sedona, with no reported injuries.
How does the 2012 Sedona compare to other Sedona years for engine complaints?
The 2012 model's engine complaints made up 24% of its total complaints, lower than the 2016 model year's 51% share and the 2017 model year's 47% share.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.