2012 Kia Sedona: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2012 Kia Sedona: 5 recalls, 108 owner complaints and up to 21 mpg combined.
Recalls
5 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Suspension Vehicle recall #13V550000 · 2013 · 79,867 vehicles
What's wrong: In the affected vehicles, the front lower control arms May break due to corrosion resulting from prolonged exposure to salty environments.
Why it matters: A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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.
Latches & locks Vehicle recall #16V389000 · 2016 · 219,800 vehicles
What's wrong: In the affected vehicles, the secondary hood latch May bind and remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Suspension Vehicle recall #16V387000 · 2016 · 97,884 vehicles
What's wrong: In the affected vehicles, the front lower control arms May break due to corrosion from salt water exposure such as from road salt use.
Why it matters: A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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…
Airbags Vehicle recall #18V363000 · 2018 · 507,587 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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…
Fuel system Vehicle recall #20V101000 · 2020 · 51,465 vehicles
What's wrong: The fuel rail May crack from exposure to heat generated within the engine compartment, resulting in a fuel leak.
Why it matters: A fuel leak increases the risk of fire.
The fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel rail, free of charge. The recall began June 16, 2020.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 5 mention a fire, 2 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Electrical (33): the most common themes are door / lock issues (17), electrical failure (12), fire / smoke (9).
- Body & structure (18): the most common themes are door / lock issues (16).
- Engine (18): the most common themes are leaks (7), warning light on (6), fire / smoke (4).
- Other / unknown (16): the most common themes are fire / smoke (3), noise or vibration (2).
The 2012 Kia Sedona has 108 owner complaints, ranking #11 of 20 Sedona model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 121). Complaints peaked in 2020 (17 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old, at a median of 70,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2011 (65 complaints, 6 recalls), 2013 (0 complaints, 1 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 24 | 21 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2012 Kia Sedona.
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FAQ
Does the 2012 Kia Sedona have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 5 vehicle recalls for the 2012 Kia Sedona. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2012 Kia Sedona problems?
Owners have filed 108 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are electrical (33), body & structure (18), engine (18).
What gas mileage does the 2012 Kia Sedona get?
EPA ratings run up to 21 mpg combined (3.5 L, Automatic 6-spd), across 1 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2012 Kia Sedona repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.