Problems · NHTSA complaints
2011 Kia Sedona problems
Owners filed 65 complaints about the 2011 Kia Sedona with NHTSA between Dec 2010 and Jul 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (12).
Complaints
65
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
3
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Electrical system12
- Engine11
- Fuel/propulsion system10
- Suspension9
- Structure8
- Vehicle speed control5
- Air bags4
- Service brakes4
- Latches/locks/linkages3
- Fuel system, gasoline3
- Power train3
- Engine and engine cooling3
- Electronic stability control (esc)2
- Seat belts1
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 31, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
1
3
4
2
3
5
2
5
9
10
10
0
2
2
2
1
4
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 4 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 5 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2018 | 9 |
| 2019 | 10 |
| 2020 | 10 |
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 4 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
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”
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.”
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”
Suspension
9 reports2 related recalls
“I had no prior knowledge of this problem. When backing my van out of the garage my front driver side tire blew out. This was caused by the strut spring breaking and poking a hole through the sidewall of the tire. I also discovered that the bottom control arm needed immediate replacement as it has rusted so much that a failure was imminent. I also discovered that the sun-frame mount for mounting the control arm to the sub-frame so badly rusted that it was unsafe to attempt a repair, as it would break away in short order if I were to replace the control arm and drive the van. While deciding what to do with the van I was storing it in my barn. Within a few weeks, I discovered the front passenger tire was flat. It too was impaled when the strut spring broke and poked a hole in the sidewall. I was really lucky that I was driving on a road, as serious crash could have occurred. If this failed while driving, loss of control would have occurred. I consider this a major safety issue and may be present in other Sedonas without the owners' knowledge. I contacted the dealer that I purchased the vehicle from and was told they could do nothing.”
Structure
8 reports
“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.”
Vehicle speed control
5 reports1 crash
“WHILE VEHICLE IS IN DRIVE, ONCE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, IT RANDOMLY REFUSES TO MOVE INTO PARK. MUST KEEP FOOT ON BRAKE WHILE FIGHTING WITH VEHICLE TO TRY TO GET IT INTO PARK. THIS HAPPENS FREQUENTLY BUT RANDOMLY. IT WOULD BE EASY TO RUN OVER A PERSON OR OBJECT IN FRONT OF THE CAR WHILE FIGHTING THE CAR TO MOVE IT INTO PARK. THIS FAILURE ALSO HAPPENS WHILE IN PARK -- IT WILL RANDOMLY REFUSE TO MOVE INTO REVERSE. WITHOUT WARNING, FROM ONE TIME TO THE NEXT IT WORKS PROPERLY THEN LATER IN THE SAME DAY IT WILL NOT WORK PROPERLY -- SOMETIMES JUST MINUTES APART. IT HAS OCCURRED OVER THE LAST TWO DAYS AND IS ON-GOING TODAY. I NEARLY HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME TODAY AT A GAS PUMP WHILE TRYING TO GET THE TRANSMISSION TO MOVE INTO PARK.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 31, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.