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Kia

2012 Kia SEDONA

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2012 Kia SEDONA has 146 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 2.4x the segment average of 62. The most common issue is electrical problems (22% of all complaints), specifically: tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia sedona. while the vehicle was parked the contact removed the key from the ignition and noticed the ignition and the key were extremely hot. the failure occurred after driving approximately thirty miles or more. the contact measured the temperature of the key and state. There are 5 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 8 fire reports filed.

8 fire reports 7 crash reports 2 injuries

146

Total Complaints

5

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

2.4x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ELECTRICAL

32 complaints
22%
  • • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SEDONA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT REMOVED THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION AND NOTICED THE IGNITION AND THE KEY WERE EXTREMELY HOT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY THIRTY MILES OR MORE. THE CONTACT MEASURED THE TEMPERATURE OF THE KEY AND STATE
  • • 2014 KIA SORENTO LIMITED SAFETY ISSUE: THE ELECTROLUMINESCENT SPEEDOMETER ISN'T READABLE DURING DAYLIGHT OPERATION. THIS CAUSES A VERY REAL SAFETY SITUATION WHEN THE DRIVER HAS TO TAKE HIS EYES OFF THE ROAD FOR 3 OR 4 SECONDS TO FIGURE OUT HOW FAST HE IS GOING. THE DISPLAY IS ENTIRELY PROGRAM
  • • 2012 KIA SEDONA DOORS FREEZE SHUT AND WILL NOT OPEN IN COLD WEATHER WHEN DOORS FINALLY OPEN THEY DO NOT CLOSE ALL THE WAY AND ALARM SOUNDS ENTIRE TIME DOORS ARE PARTIALLY OPEN. MY CHILDREN ARE AT RISK IN THIS VAN AND SHOULD BE RECALLED TO FIX PROBLEM. MANY COMPLAINTS ON LINE WITH NO PERMANENT SOLUT
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 3 fire reports💥 1 crashes

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SEDONA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT REMOVED THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION AND NOTICED THE IGNITION AND THE KEY WERE EXTREMELY HOT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY THIRTY MILES OR MORE. THE CONTACT MEASURED THE TEMPERATURE OF THE KEY AND STATE”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2012 Kia SEDONA

Based on 114 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 72K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage
0-30K
20
30-60K
21
60-100K
41
100-150K
20
150-200K
5
200K+
7

SPEED CONTROL

Earlier than typicalmedian 14K mi · 6 reports
0-30K
4
30-60K
1
60-100K
0
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
1

BRAKES

Earlier than typicalmedian 32K mi · 5 reports
0-30K
2
30-60K
1
60-100K
1
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
1

FUEL SYSTEM

Reported earliermedian 72K mi · 7 reports
0-30K
1
30-60K
2
60-100K
2
100-150K
1
150-200K
0
200K+
1

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 72K mi · 25 reports
0-30K
4
30-60K
4
60-100K
9
100-150K
7
150-200K
0
200K+
1

BODY/STRUCTURE

In line with typicalmedian 79K mi · 16 reports
0-30K
1
30-60K
4
60-100K
5
100-150K
5
150-200K
1
200K+
0

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 90K mi · 16 reports
0-30K
1
30-60K
3
60-100K
5
100-150K
2
150-200K
4
200K+
1

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (5)

AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE01/06/2018

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.

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 install the extension wire harness kit. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC165.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2012 Kia SEDONA

Live EIA prices
Per year
$2,286
Per month
$191
Per mile
19.1¢
MPG
21
City driving (worst-case MPG)
$2,667/yr
Highway driving (best-case MPG)
$2,001/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today
Current
$4.00
5-year low
$2.78
5-year high
$5.01
Since 2021
+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2012 Kia SEDONA

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.
Full coverage / year
$1,401
Full coverage / month
$117
Liability only / year
$595
vs US avg
-16%
How this estimate is calculated
US base full-coverage premium$1674
× state (US)1.00x
× vehicle class (minivan)0.91x
× theft risk1.00x
× safety rating1.00x
× vehicle age0.92x
= Full coverage estimate$1401

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Kia SEDONA Service Intervals

Oil change
8K mi / 12 mo
Tire rotation
8K mi
Brake fluid
24 months
Transmission fluid
60K mi
Engine coolant
60K mi
Spark plugs
90K mi
Cabin air filter
15K mi
Engine air filter
30K mi
Differential (AWD/4WD)
60K mi

Turbo engines (Optima 2.0T, Sorento 2.5T) may benefit from more frequent oil changes.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Kia New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)
5 yr / 60K mi
Powertrain
10 yr / 100K mi
Hybrid/EV battery
10 yr / 100K mi
Corrosion (rust perforation)
5 yr / 100K mi
Roadside assistance
5 yr / 60K mi

10 year powertrain not transferable to subsequent owners

These are the terms for a new Kia. If you're buying a used 2012 SEDONA, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Kia dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)
$500
ENGINE(~50K mi)
$500
BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)
$500
OTHER(~50K mi)
$500
FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)
$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 146 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • ☐
    ELECTRICAL: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SEDONA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT REMOVED THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION AND NOTICED THE IGNITION AND THE KEY WERE EXTREMELY HOT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY THIRTY MILES OR MORE. THE CONTACT MEASURED THE TEMPERATURE OF THE KEY AND STATE

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    ENGINE: WHILE TURNING ONTO ANOTHER STREET THE VAN STALLED. I PUT ON MY FLASHERS AND STOPPED, PUT THE VAN IN PARK AND STARTED IT AGAIN. IT STARTED RIGHT UP AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. IT DIDN'T HAVE ANY POWER WHEN I HIT THE GAS, SO I TURNED IT OFF AND STARTED IT AGAIN AND IT RAN NORMAL, EXCEPT FOR

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    BODY/STRUCTURE: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SEDONA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE SLIDING DOORS AND THE REAR HATCH DOOR OPENED HAPHAZARDLY. THE DEALER MADE TWO ATTEMPTS TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE PASSENGER SIDE SLIDING DOOR WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    OTHER: WE HAD A FLAT TIRE ON OUR 2012 KIA SEDONA. WHEN MY HUSBAND PUT THE VEHICLE ON THE JACK TO CHANGE THE TIRE, THE JACK CRUMPLED LIKE AN EMPTY SODA CAN. THIS WAS THE FIRST AND ONLY TIME THAT THIS FACTORY PROVIDED JACK HAD EVER BEEN USED. IF MY HUSBAND HAD BEEN UNDER THE VEHICLE RETRIEVING THE DONUT, HE

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    RECALLS: Verify all 5 recalls have been completed — free at any Kia dealer
  • ☐
    General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

Kia SEDONA — Year Comparison

How does 2012 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.

2021
15Excellent Reliability
2020
26Excellent Reliability
2019
45Above Average
2018
62Average
2017
180Avoid This Year
2016
365Avoid This Year
2015
177Below Average
2014
54Above Average
2012
146Below Average
2011
87Average
2010
49Above Average
Full years-to-avoid analysis →

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints
146
Recalls
5
Fire reports
8
Crash reports
7
Injury reports
2
Segment avg
62

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2012 Kia SEDONA

Compare With

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