Research · Minivan - 2WD

2011 Kia SedonaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 65 owner complaints for the 2011 Kia Sedona. Most complaints involve electrical system (12) and engine (11). The EPA rates it 21 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
21mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
6campaigns
Latest Feb 2020
Owner complaints
65
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$3,050est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

6 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Fuel system

Free remedy

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.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Feb 21, 2020NHTSA 20V101000

Air bags: air bag

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Jun 1, 2018NHTSA 18V363000

Suspension: lower arm

Free remedy

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.

SuspensionReported Jun 1, 2016NHTSA 16V387000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 31, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

65 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2010 – Jul 2026
  1. Electrical system12
  2. Engine11
  3. Fuel/propulsion system10
  4. Suspension9
  5. Structure8
  6. Vehicle speed control5
  7. Air bags4
  8. Service brakes4
  9. Latches/locks/linkages3

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Sedona model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2002250
2003200
2004213
2005185
2006385
2007157
2008170
200948
201032
201165
2012108
201439
2015140
2016297
2017134
201849
201939
202020
202110
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
1
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 31, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

12 reports2 crashes
“PURCHASE A 2011 KIA VAN FROM AUTO CONNECTION NORFOLK VIRGINIA THE VAN STARED HAVING ISSUES WITH THE ELECTRICAL SLIDING DOOR WOULD NOT SHUT UP PROPERLY SOMETIMES IT WOULD TAKE 10 to 15 TO SHUT UP STEERING WHEEL LOCKING UP WAS TOLD BY A LOCK SMITH THAT THE VAN HAD SOME MAJOR ELECTRICAL ISSUES START LEAKING BRAKE FLUID ADDING A QUART A DAY TOOK IT TO SEVERAL REPAIR SHOP WAS INFORMED THE VAN BRAKE LINES WAS IN BAD SHAPE ALSO THE VAN HAD A BUSTED CV JOINT ON FRONT DRIVERS SIDE THE VAN ALSO HAD A STRONG ODOR OF BLACK MOLD LIKE IT HAD BEEN IN A FLOOD ASK DEALERSHIP TO TRADE ME OUT WAS TOLD THEY COULD NOT DO THAT ASK THEM FOR A LOANER THEY SAY THEY COULD NOT DO THAT EITHER THE VAN IS SITTING IN THERE REPAIR SHOP THEY ARE DEMANDING MONEY TO START WORKING ON THE VAN I BELIEVE THE VAN WAS NOT PROPERLY INSPECTED HAVE REPORTED THIS TO THE BBB THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OFFICE ALSO THE FTC THE DEALERSHIP IS PUTTING VEHICLES ON THE LOT FOR SALE WITHOUT PROPER STATE INSPECTION PLACE NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED THEY HAVE A GUY IN THE REPAIR SHOP THAT PUT THE INSPECTION STICKERS ON HIS NAME IS KEVIN PLACE IS RIPPING POOR WORKING CLASS FOLKS OFF WORSE CUSTOMER SERVICE EVER”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 29, 2024Suspension, Electrical system, Service brakesODI 11568497

Engine

11 reports1 fire
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 2, 2020Electrical system, EngineODI 11352819

Fuel/propulsion system

10 reports1 crash
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 6, 2024Electrical system, Service brakes, Fuel/propulsion systemCrash reportedODI 11563973
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 31, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Minivan - 2WD
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 6-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 31, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Sedona
Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182421$3,050423
  • Sedona
    Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    18 city · 24 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 31, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2011 Kia Sedona as of Oct 31, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 31, 2026Vehicle 324
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2011 Sedona questions

How many recalls does the 2011 Kia Sedona have?

6 safety recalls as of Oct 31, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2011 Kia Sedona problems?

Owners filed 65 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (12), engine (11), fuel/propulsion system (10). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2011 Kia Sedona get?

The EPA rates the 2011 Kia Sedona at 21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 31, 2026