Verdict · NHTSA data
Worth extra scrutiny
The 2011 Kia Sedona is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 6 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 87 owner complaints run below the Sedona median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying.
No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across engine (14), electrical system (14), and fuel system (13), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.
87
NHTSA complaints
6
Recalls
1
Investigations
6
Crash-involved
1
Fires reported
2
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 14 | 16% | ▲ up |
| Engine | 14 | 16% | ▲ up |
| Fuel System | 13 | 15% | ▲ up |
| Suspension | 9 | 10% | ▲ up |
| Body & Structure | 9 | 10% | ▲ up |
| Speed Control | 5 | 6% | — flat |
| Brakes | 4 | 5% | ▼ down |
| Other | 4 | 5% | ▲ up |
| Airbags | 4 | 5% | ▲ up |
| Transmission | 3 | 3% | — flat |
| Latches & Locks | 3 | 3% | ▲ up |
| Steering | 1 | 1% | ▼ down |
| Seats | 1 | 1% | — flat |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 1% | — flat |
| Tires & Wheels | 1 | 1% | ▼ down |
| Driver Assistance | 1 | 1% | — flat |
6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
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.
Consequence
A fuel leak increases the risk of fire.
Remedy
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel rail, free of charge. The recall began June 16, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC188.
Defect
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.
Consequence
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.
Remedy
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.
Defect
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.
Consequence
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.
Remedy
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. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall number is SC134.
Defect
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.
Consequence
A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
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 27, 2016. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC133.
Defect
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.
Consequence
A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
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. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall number is SC100.
Defect
Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo, model year 2007-2011 Sedona, Sorento and Sportage, model year 2010-2011 Soul, model year 2008-2011 Optima, model year 2010 Forte, model year 2007-2009 Amanti, and model year 2009 Borrego vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Kia recalled 623,658 model year 2007-2010 Rondo and Sportage, model year 2007-2011 Sorento, model year 2007 Sedona, model year 2010-2011 Soul, and model year 2011 Optima vehicles. In September 2013, Kia informed the agency that it was adding an additional 356,719 vehicles to this campaign. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 980,377. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
Consequence
Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of PARK without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Kia will send an interim notification to owners in May 2013. When parts are available, owners will receive a second notification and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall campaign number is SC098.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“First, the fuel pump was acting up was told the relay was going bad replaced the relay, Than we have "ESC" and ABS light come one for a bout a week took it to get the code read and they said all four wheel sensors (abs) were not transmitting signals ans that my steering angle sensor was bad which I…”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HIS SON WAS DRIVING 60 MPH, WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PARK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT STATED CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE DRIVER STATED HE SAW SMOKE COMING FROM ENGINE.…”
“First, the fuel pump was acting up was told the relay was going bad replaced the relay, Than we have "ESC" and ABS light come one for a bout a week took it to get the code read and they said all four wheel sensors (abs) were not transmitting signals ans that my steering angle sensor was bad which I…”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SEDONA. WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR OPENED INDEPENDENTLY. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT HAD TO ABRUPTLY STOP AND CLOSE THE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE…”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V550000 (SUSPENSION) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE AN EXPECTED DATE FOR THE PART TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER AT…”
Its record is better than the model's norm: 87 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Sedona year, with 6 recalls and no open investigations.
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (14 complaints), electrical system (14 complaints), fuel system (13 complaints).
Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2011 Kia Sedona. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.
Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Sedona years to avoid are 2006, 2016, 2002, 2005, 2008. The cleanest record among Sedona years belongs to 2013.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.