Most common 2011 Kia Sedona problems
Share of the 65 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Kia Sedona complaints by model year
Best Sedona years: 2010, 2021, 2014. Years to avoid: 2006, 2016, 2002, 2004. Compare all years →
2011 Kia Sedona recalls (6)
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.
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.
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.
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…
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,…
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…
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.
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.
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,…
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.
Exterior lighting › Brake lights › Switch
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.
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2011 Kia Sedona:
Air bags may be disabled during crash
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE18-003 on 3/16/18 to investigate incidents involving crashes, resulting in significant collision related damage, where the frontal airbags failed to deploy. ODI reviewed complaint data, available design, test, and field data on the model year (MY) 2011 Hyundai Sonata, MY 2012-2013 Kia Forte and Forte Koup vehicles.
What 2011 Kia Sedona owners say
Engine & cooling
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. The vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle was towed to his residence. The driver stated later on they received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20V101000 (fuel system, gasoline). The vehicle was towed to local dealer regal Kia located at 1025 bartow rd, lakeland, fl 33801, [phone], where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle loss motive power and shutoff with the ABS, battery, brakes and check-engine warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the alternator was not charging the battery. The alternator was replaced. The failure recurred and the same technician replaced the alternator and the battery. The failure recurred. The contact stated that the technician replaced three alternators and two batteries yet the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000. The VIN was not provided.
Fuel & propulsion system
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 dont think it is equipped with one now today as of 1/6/2024 ESC, ABS and BRAKE all light up and solid at the same time and tI lost my brakes. no we had no inspections we had warning lights the ESC ABS & BRAKE with a warning alarm
Starting about feb 10, 2020, a raw gasoline smell was noticed when my 2011 Kia Sedona lx vehicle stopped at stop lights or when engine turned off after returning home. Smell dissipated after several minutes with engine off. Raw gasoline smell got progressively worse whenever car engine was running. Smell came inside car with heater fan operating. No leaks on ground were noted at any time. Took car to my mechanic on feb 19, 2020. He removed air filter on top of engine and immediately noted puddles of raw gasoline near fuel injectors and fuel rail. After removal of rail, he found cracks in the plastic fuel rail. He had a new fuel rail from Kia shipped next day air. He replaced rail and some parts of defective fuel injectors. He commented we were very lucky not to have had an engine fire. I noted today, feb 27, 2020 an announced recall for 2011-2012 Kia Sedona for fuel rail leaks. …
Electrical system
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 dont think it is equipped with one now today as of 1/6/2024 ESC, ABS and BRAKE all light up and solid at the same time and tI lost my brakes. no we had no inspections we had warning lights the ESC ABS & BRAKE with a warning alarm
Right passenger slide door on minivan opened while my son was in the car and would not close. There is a recall on this and extended 15 year warranty but Kia wouldn't honor the electronic controller that burnt out but warranted the motor. Passenger can fall out or something can hurt them. Kia dealer confirmed this and I had to pay a large repair bill for there recall defect. I am afraid to take the car anywhere except local. I feel there recall repair caused this problem. First I took it in for the recall. Next time I used that door it got stuck open. Vehicle is garaged with approximately 30,000 miles on it.
2011 Kia Sedona engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 18 / 24 / 21 |
EPA ratings. Class: Minivan.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2011 Kia Sedona a good car?
Based on 65 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2011 Sedona rates better than average: 60% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Sedona at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2011 Kia Sedona?
The engine & cooling — 14 complaints, 22% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the fuel & propulsion system (13) and electrical system (12).
How many recalls does the 2011 Kia Sedona have?
There are 6 recalls for the 2011 Kia Sedona, the most recent from February 21, 2020 (fuel rail). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Kia Sedona?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2010, 2021 and 2014. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2006, 2016, 2002 and 2004. See the full Kia Sedona years comparison.
At what mileage do 2011 Kia Sedona problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 80,000 miles; 31% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.