2012 Kia Sedona Problems

Typical for Model

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2012 Kia Sedona.

20112014
Complaints
144
Crashes
8
Fires
9
Injuries
3
Fatalities
Recalls
5

Worst 2012 Kia Sedona Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#131 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:74,198 mi
Crash-related:1
Fires:3
#217 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:90,395 mi
Fires:2
#315 complaints

Body Structure

Avg mileage:97,850 mi
Crash-related:1
Fires:1
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2012 Kia Sedona.

Electrical Faults
31
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
3
Avg Miles
74,198
Engine Problems
17
complaints
Crashes
Fires
2
Avg Miles
90,395
Body Structure
15
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
97,850
Airbags
9
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
55,419
Fuel System
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
64,927
Transmission / Drivetrain
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
61,994
Brakes
7
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
83,000
Unintended Acceleration
7
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
46,980
Steering Defects
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Headlight/Taillight Failures
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Gasoline Fuel System
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Latches / Locks
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wipers & Visibility
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Back Over Prevention: Camera System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine & Cooling
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Equipment:Mechanical:Accessory Scissor/Screw/Bottle Jack/Lift
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Hydraulic Brakes
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structure:Body:Door
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate:Support Device/Strut
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension Failures
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Tire Defects
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wheel Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2012 Kia Sedona. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2012 Kia Sedona

5 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~956,603 vehicles.

20V101000Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System:fuel Rail
~51,465 affected

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.

18V363000Air Bags: Air Bag/restraint Control Module
~507,587 affected

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.

16V387000Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm
~97,884 affected

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.

16V389000Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch
~219,800 affected

Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Kia Sedona vehicles manufactured from June 15, 2005, through April 04, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the secondary hood latch may bind and remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed.

13V550000Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm
~79,867 affected

Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2006-2012 Kia Sedona vehicles manufactured from June 15, 2005, through August 14, 2012 originally sold in, or currently registered in Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Wisconsin, Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio, Rhode Island, West Virginia or the District of Columbia. In the affected vehicles, the front lower control arms may break due to corrosion resulting from prolonged exposure to salty environments.

Other Kia Sedona Years

2012 Kia Sedona — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2012 Kia Sedona reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2012 Kia Sedona has 144 NHTSA complaints, 8 crash-related, and 5 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Electrical Faults with 31 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2012 Kia Sedona?
Top reported problems: Electrical Faults (31 complaints, avg 74,198 mi); Engine Problems (17 complaints, avg 90,395 mi); Body Structure (15 complaints, avg 97,850 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2012 Kia Sedona?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 76,017 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2012 Kia Sedona?
NHTSA complaints for the 2012 Kia Sedona include 8 crash-related reports, 9 fire reports, 3 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2012 Kia Sedona have any recalls?
Yes — 5 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 956,603 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2012 Kia Sedona?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Kia Sedona reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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