KnownCarProblems2011 Kia Sedona Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 65 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Kia Sedona, most often about the engine (22% of complaints, typically around 82,500 miles). It is 12th of 19 Sedona model years by number of complaints and has 6 recalls.
Most common 2011 Kia Sedona problems
Engine
14 complaints · 22%Half of these problems showed up before 82,500 miles.
The oil light came on while I was idling. I had it looked at and was told that the oil sending unit/ oil sensor switch was leaking oil. The oil leaks out faster than you can put it in. It's a 3 book hour job to replace. The part cost is between $30-$60. They need to take the intake off to get to the bad part. I'm sure…
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sedona. While the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed that it leaked almost a quart of oil. The oil warning light illuminated. The failure occurred continuously. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the oil pressure sending unit needed to be replaced. The…
Fuel system
13 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 122,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal odor in the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to valley auto sales (1697 n. Main st. Hwy 27, lafayette, ga 30728) where it was diagnosed but unable to duplicate the issue. The contact stated that there was…
The fuel injector rail under the intake manifold has cracked between the first and second injectors (as counting from the serpentine belt side of engine). My wife and I noticed this on september 1st, 2018 because of a strong gas smell after our van was parked. I removed the intake manifold thinking a fuel injector…
Electrical
12 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 55,000 miles. Parts named most often: alternator/generator/regulator.
Ignition switch becomes very hot after an hour or so of driving,. So hot that the metal portion of the switch and the key cannot be held by a bare hand when it is removed from the switch
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sedona. The contact stated the sliding door became inoperable. The contact mentioned that the manual and electrical switch failed to release the sliding door. The problem occurred numerous time. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The dealer recommended the replacement of sensors. The…
Suspension
9 complaints · 14%The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sedona. While stopped at a traffic stop, the contact depressed the accelerator pedal and heard a loud bang and grinding sound. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician stated that the front driver's side axle was fractured and would have to be replaced.…
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving approximately 40 MPH, she heard a loud squealing sound coming from the front tires. The contact stated her daughter pulled off the road into a parking and heard a loud crack. The contact stated that her daughter had not been…
Body and structure
8 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 66,500 miles. Parts named most often: body.
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 failure mileage was 64,000.
First passenger sliding door would not close that was the first time about a year ago we had to fix ourselves now drivers side door will not stay closed this one just happened a month ago.
Speed control
5 complaints · 8%The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that the vehicle independently accelerated on several occasions and the failure progressed without warning. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer more than five times. The technician was unable to replicate and diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was…
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sedona. While driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle accelerated independently. The contact was able to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to community Kia of bloomington (2200 s walnut st, bloomington, in 47401), but the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired.…
Other or unspecified
5 complaints · 8%I went to take a family member out to eat get the place open the door and now the door will not latch to keep it closed took it to the Kia dealer in jamestown n.y. And was told I need to replace the latch and told that the other latch is going bad also and needs to be replaced asap at the present time I have to strap…
Brakes
4 complaints · 6%The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sedona. While driving 10 MPH, the contact applied the brakes and noticed that the brake pedal was loose and would sway from left to right. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that a weld on the break pedal assembly fractured and the pedal assembly needed to…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2011 Kia Sedona recalls
Fuel system: fuel rail
Risk: A fuel leak increases the risk of fire.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: air bag/restraint control module
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Doors and locks: latch
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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Suspension: lower arm
Risk: A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Suspension: lower arm
Risk: A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Lights: switch
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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 depressi
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Air bags may be disabled during crash
Summary
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. Odi also evaluated data from the automotive air bag system supplier, zf-trw (zf), to review vehicles that may contain the same air bag control unit (acu) used in the subject vehicles. Hyundai motor america (hma) issued recall no. 18v-137 for my 2011-2013 sonata and my 2012 sonata hybrid vehicles. Kia motors america (kma) issued re
Questions about the 2011 Kia Sedona
- What are the most common problems with the 2011 Kia Sedona?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (14 complaints, typically around 82,500 miles); fuel system (13 complaints, typically around 122,000 miles); electrical (12 complaints, typically around 55,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2011 Kia Sedona have?
- 6 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from February 21, 2020 (fuel system). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2011 a bad year for the Kia Sedona?
- It is 12th of 19 Sedona model years by number of complaints, with 65 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.