2012 KIA SEDONA Complaints and Recall Information
The 2012 KIA SEDONA has 3 complaints and 5 recalls filed with NHTSA. Owners most frequently report sudden unintended acceleration, continuous oil leaks, and electrical system malfunctions including door lock failures.
- Sudden acceleration. The vehicle accelerated violently while lightly pressing the accelerator, causing a collision with a parked car. The failure could not be replicated during dealer inspections and no warning lights appeared.
- Oil leak persistence. Owners report continuous oil leakage despite multiple dealer repairs including valve cover gasket replacement and timing cover reseal. Dealers often attribute spotting to leftover oil without finding active leaks during inspections.
- Electrical system issues. Door locks failed intermittently and eventually stopped working. The alternator was diagnosed as faulty due to possible oil leakage, leading to electrical failures and warning light illumination.
- Inconsistent dealer responses. Dealers repeatedly inspected the vehicle and reported it in good health despite evidence of leaks and electrical problems presented by owners.
There are 5 recalls affecting multiple systems including suspension, fuel system, airbag control modules, and hood latches. These recalls address both safety and functional defects.
- Front lower control arms. (Recall 13V550000, SC100) Affected 79,867 vehicles. Corrosion from salt exposure may cause control arms to break, risking loss of vehicle control and crashes. Dealers will inspect and rustproof or replace arms free of charge.
- Fuel rail. (Recall 20V101000, SC188) Affected 51,465 vehicles. The fuel rail may crack from engine compartment heat causing leaks that increase fire risk. Dealers will replace the fuel rail free of charge.
- Airbag control unit. (Recall 18V363000, SC165) Affected 507,587 vehicles. Control units may short circuit disabling frontal airbags and pretensioners, increasing injury risk in crashes. Dealers will install an extension wire harness kit as needed.
- Hood latch. (Recall 16V389000, SC134) Affected 219,800 vehicles. The secondary hood latch may remain unlatched causing the hood to open unexpectedly while driving, increasing crash risk. Dealers will replace or service latches free of charge.
- Front lower control arms corrosion. (Recall 16V387000, SC133) Affected 97,884 vehicles. Similar corrosion issue leading to control arm failure and loss of vehicle control. Dealers will replace or coat control arms depending on model year free of charge.
Owners dealing with repeated repairs for safety defects such as sudden acceleration, persistent oil leaks, or unresolved recall repairs may have rights under their state’s lemon law. Consulting legal counsel familiar with consumer protection and lemon law claims is advisable.
2012 KIA SEDONA Summary
2012
Model Year
3
Total Complaints
5
Total Recalls
956603
Vehicles Affected
Recalls
2012 KIA SEDONA
51465 vehicles affected
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.
2012 KIA SEDONA
507587 vehicles affected
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.
2012 KIA SEDONA
97884 vehicles affected
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.
2012 KIA SEDONA
219800 vehicles affected
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
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.
Risk: 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.
2012 KIA SEDONA
79867 vehicles affected
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 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.
Risk: A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Complaints
2012 KIA SEDONA
ID: 2125482FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
There is a continuous leakage of oil from my van even after the dealer replaced valve cover gasket . When I complained they said it was the leftover oil. After a month again I complained . Then they re-checked and said it is my car's timing cover reseal leaking . Again after few days I had to complain as there was a leak. I got the same standard reply of leftover uncleaned oil is the cause. Few weeks later I took the van to them and they said they thoroughly cleaned and there won't be any leak. I sent them pictures of oil drops underneth the car like I did on earlier occassions. On August 11th this year they checked the car after my complaint and said there was no active leak. On 30th of this month I sent them the pictures of leaked oil spots which they are going to check on 18th September!. Since I got my first appointment on January 19 2025 I took the vehicle to the dealer 5-6 times. In between I complained to them about failure of door locks and wiper blades. They said they were fine and had no issues. A week ago passenger side door lock stopped working often . I took to a mechanic store run by AAA. Their response after few days was that the electrical system was failing due to bad alternator as the battery got depleted. They recommended me to the dealer again. I was searching google and realised that an oil leak can cause alternator to go bad leading to electric failure and even fire accidents. On [XXX] I noticed red flashing sign of alternator and some other (?) after 2 minutes drive from home. So I immediately turned back and went home and parked the van in the garage and waiting for September 18 for an inspection by the dealer. Last week drove to St Louis from Lexington, after the dealer confirmed there was no oil leak. In all their reports they mentioned vehicle is in good health! Each time when I sent a picture of a leak I requested managers at the receiving desk to park at a clean place and check the leak which they never did. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (F
2012 KIA SEDONA
ID: 2125481ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
There is a continuous leakage of oil from my van even after the dealer replaced valve cover gasket . When I complained they said it was the leftover oil. After a month again I complained . Then they re-checked and said it is my car's timing cover reseal leaking . Again after few days I had to complain as there was a leak. I got the same standard reply of leftover uncleaned oil is the cause. Few weeks later I took the van to them and they said they thoroughly cleaned and there won't be any leak. I sent them pictures of oil drops underneth the car like I did on earlier occassions. On August 11th this year they checked the car after my complaint and said there was no active leak. On 30th of this month I sent them the pictures of leaked oil spots which they are going to check on 18th September!. Since I got my first appointment on January 19 2025 I took the vehicle to the dealer 5-6 times. In between I complained to them about failure of door locks and wiper blades. They said they were fine and had no issues. A week ago passenger side door lock stopped working often . I took to a mechanic store run by AAA. Their response after few days was that the electrical system was failing due to bad alternator as the battery got depleted. They recommended me to the dealer again. I was searching google and realised that an oil leak can cause alternator to go bad leading to electric failure and even fire accidents. On [XXX] I noticed red flashing sign of alternator and some other (?) after 2 minutes drive from home. So I immediately turned back and went home and parked the van in the garage and waiting for September 18 for an inspection by the dealer. Last week drove to St Louis from Lexington, after the dealer confirmed there was no oil leak. In all their reports they mentioned vehicle is in good health! Each time when I sent a picture of a leak I requested managers at the receiving desk to park at a clean place and check the leak which they never did. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (F
2012 KIA SEDONA
ID: 2053165VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that while attempting to parallel park and gear in drive, the vehicle independently accelerated violently while lightly depressing the accelerator pedal. No warning light illuminated. The contact crashed the front of the vehicle into the rear of a parked vehicle where it came to a stop. No police report was filed. No injuries were sustained. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed however the failure was unable to be replicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact's wife mentioned that the failure had occasionally occurred in the past but was able to avoid a collision. The vehicle was taken to the same dealer for the previous incidents where it was confirmed that the vehicle performed as normal. The failure mileage was approximately 213,000.