NHTSA has 108 owner complaints on file for the 2012 Kia Sedona[1]. The biggest group names the electrical system, with 33 complaints[2].
Most reported problems
Here are the complaint groups in the stories we read, biggest first.
- Electrical System. 33 complaints[2]. Owners describe a hot ignition and key, a key that will not come out, doors that freeze shut in cold weather, and smoke and a small fire from wiring under the dash.
- Engine. 19 complaints[5]. Owners describe stalling with a check engine light, oil leaks, a rattle at start up, and a car that would not respond to the key.
- Structure. 18 complaints[6]. Owners describe power sliding doors that open while the van is moving, doors that will not open or close, and a rear hatch that stays shut after sitting in the sun.
- Unknown Or Other. 16 complaints[7]. These reports do not fit a single named part.
- Air Bags. 9 complaints[8]. Owners describe a warning light that stays on, a seat sensor fault, and bags that did not deploy in a crash.
- Brakes. 8 complaints[9].
- Power Train. 8 complaints[10].
- Speed Control. 7 complaints[11].
Recalls
Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2012 Sedona is necessarily included.
- Fuel System, Gasoline › Fuel Injection System › Fuel Rail (20V101), February 2020. About 51,465 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[12]
- Air Bags › Air Bag/Restraint Control Module (18V363), June 2018. About 507,587 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, an air bag that may not work as intended.[13]
- Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hood › Latch (16V389), June 2016. About 219,800 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[14]
- Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Arm (16V387), June 2016. About 97,884 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[15]
- Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Arm (13V550), November 2013. About 79,867 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[16]
Fuel economy
EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.
| Version | City / highway / combined MPG | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| Sedona, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[4] | 18 / 24 / 21 | $3,200 |
Safety ratings
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VAN FWD[17] | n/a | n/a | n/a | 4 | 13.6% |
Engine and size
Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.
| Engine | Horsepower |
|---|---|
| 2012 Kia Sedona with 3.5L 6-cylinder[18] | 271 hp |
These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.
How 2012 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 248 | 4 |
| 2003 | 197 | 5 |
| 2004 | 213 | 3 |
| 2005 | 185 | 2 |
| 2006 | 385 | 7 |
| 2007 | 157 | 6 |
| 2008 | 170 | 5 |
| 2009 | 48 | 5 |
| 2010 | 32 | 5 |
| 2011 | 65 | 6 |
| 2012 | 108 | 5 |
| 2014 | 39 | 1 |
| 2015 | 139 | 3 |
| 2016 | 297 | 4 |
| 2017 | 134 | 4 |
| 2018 | 49 | 3 |
| 2019 | 39 | 2 |
| 2020 | 20 | 1 |
| 2021 | 10 | 0 |
NHTSA's counts for the Sedona show 108 complaints and 5 recalls for 2012[3]. Among the 19 model years listed, 8 have fewer complaints than 2012 and 10 have more[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2021 (10) and the most are for 2006 (385)[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.
Should you buy a used 2012 Sedona?
The complaint record for this van is spread across several systems, led by the electrical system[2]. Engine and structure reports come next[5][6]. The sliding door stories stand out because some owners describe them as a safety worry with children on board. The air bag reports include crashes where owners say the bags stayed shut[8]. These are unverified owner reports, so check the recalls section and have any used van inspected before you buy.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Kia Sedona?
- Owners name the electrical system most often[2], then the engine[5] and the structure, which includes the sliding doors[6].
- Does the 2012 Kia Sedona have recalls?
- Yes. The by-year facts show 5 recalls[3]. They are listed in the Recalls section of this page.
- How many complaints are there for the 2012 Kia Sedona?
- NHTSA has 108 owner complaints on file[1].
- Is the 2012 Kia Sedona reliable?
- The complaints are spread over several systems[2][5][6]. Check the recalls and the complaint groups above before you decide.
- What is the gas mileage of the 2012 Kia Sedona?
- See the fuel economy section of this page.
Keep exploring
Other model years of the Kia Sedona
Compare all model years of the Kia Sedona
Other Kia models from 2012
Similar cars from 2012: minivans
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 108 owner complaints on file for the 2012 Kia Sedona (5 mention a crash, 5 a fire, 2 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 33 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 3 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 72,218). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Kia Sedona model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Sedona, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 24 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 19 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 3 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 90,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 18 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 79,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 16 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 72,218). NHTSA vehicle records
- 9 complaints name the air bags component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 65,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 8 complaints name the brakes component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 32,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 8 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 68,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 7 complaints name the speed control component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 14,125). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 20V101, filed February 21, 2020: Fuel System, Gasoline › Fuel Injection System › Fuel Rail. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 18V363, filed June 1, 2018: Air Bags › Air Bag / Restraint Control Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 16V389, filed June 1, 2016: Latches / Locks / Linkages › Hood › Latch. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 16V387, filed June 1, 2016: Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Arm. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 13V550, filed November 5, 2013: Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Arm. NHTSA recall database
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, VAN FWD: rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 13.6%. NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA Test Car List, 2012 Kia Sedona with 3.5L 6-cylinder: rated 271 hp. www.epa.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, SEDONA 5DR VAN FWD LX: length 202 in, width 78 in, height 69 in, wheelbase 119 in, curb weight 4,601 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, SEDONA 5DR VAN FWD LX-CONVENIENCE/EX: length 202 in, width 78 in, height 72 in, wheelbase 119 in, curb weight 4,601 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov