Which year to buy
Bar height: serious owner complaints to NHTSA for that year per car on the road, against this model's usual year.
2012GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.8× usual Extended coverage
76 serious complaints of 107, the most about engine (18) and structure (18); per car on the road, 0.8× this model's usual year. 5 recalls.
What owners report
“The contact owns a 2012 kia sedona. While driving 45 mph the engine ceased with several warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to deland kia 2322 s woodland blvd, deland, fl 32720-2322 (386) 734-7800, where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the engine, Feb 2020
“The contact owns a 2012 kia sedona. The contact stated that the power sliding doors would not open or close and were extremely difficult to manually open or close. In addition, the rear cameras were not functioning. The dealer lubricated the cameras, but indicated that the part was on back order.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the structure, Sep 2015
Fixes and extended coverage
- Extended coverage Kia has determined that the following kia vehicles originally sold or currently registered in states where heavy amounts of road salt are used, may exhibit an evaporative canister leak due to prolonged exposure to road salt (SC135DEALERP, Sep 2016)
- Extended coverage Q and a (sc135/wty009) - evaporative canister voluntary emissions service campaign / warranty extension program (SC135QA, Sep 2016)
- Extended coverage Owner notification letter (sc135) - dear kia owner, kia motors america, inc. (SC135OWNER, Sep 2016)
- Extended coverage The subject vehicles originally sold or currently registered in one of twenty-eight (28) salt belt states may experience a leak detection warning of the evaporative emission systems, along with DTC(s) P0442 or P0455. For vehicles in other states, Kia is extending the warranty on the evaporative… (TSB-SC135R1, Oct 2016)
- Extended coverage The power sliding door may not completely latch upon closing. WARRANTY EXTENSION: DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO - Kia Motors America, Inc. is extending the warranty coverage, to all owners of 2011-2014 MY Sedona vehicles equipped with Power Sliding Doors, for Power Sliding Door difficulty latching issues… (WTY018, Mar 2021)
- Repair program SC105 -2011-2012 MY Sedona 3.5L Vehicles ECM/TCM Upgrade Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign - Dealer Principal Memo (SC105DP, Aug 2014)
From the manufacturer's bulletins filed with NHTSA. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.
107 owner complaints · 5 recalls (check a car's VIN for open recalls) · EPA combined: 21 mpg · NHTSA: Not rated · 2012 trims and features
Verdicts computed from NHTSA owner complaints, defect investigations and recalls. Cars on the road from New York State registrations. (How we judge.) Data checked 2026-10-06.
Trims and features
What changed for 2012
- Starting prices: −$5 to +$305 (2 trims; hover for each)
2012 Sedona trims
| EX | LX | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ||
| Starting MSRP | $29,190 | $24,900 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine | 3.5L V6 | 3.5L V6 |
| Horsepower | 271 hp | 271 hp |
| Torque | 248 lb-ft | 248 lb-ft |
| Transmission | Sportmatic | Sportmatic |
| Gears | 6 | 6 |
| Drivetrain | Fwd | Fwd |
| Size and capability | ||
| Seats | 7 | 7 |
| Max towing | 3,500 lb | 3,500 lb |
| Cargo behind last row | 32.2 cu ft | 32.2 cu ft |
| Max cargo | 141.5 cu ft | 141.5 cu ft |
| Third-row legroom | 34 in | 34 in |
| Ground clearance | 6.6 in | 6.6 in |
| Length | 202 in | 202 in |
| Curb weight | 4,374 lb | 4,374 lb |
| Tech | ||
| Apple CarPlay | Optional | Optional |
| Android Auto | Optional | Optional |
| Audio | Optional | — |
| Driver assistance | ||
| Parking sensors | Rear | Rear |
| Comfort | ||
| Seats | Cloth + option | Cloth |
| Heated seats | Optional | — |
| Climate zones | 2 + option | 2 |
| Second row | Captain's Chairs | Captain's Chairs |
| Exterior | ||
| Sunroof | Optional | — |
| Power liftgate | Power Liftgate | Manual |
| Wheels | 17 in | 16 in + option |
Packages and options (25)
| EX | LX | |
|---|---|---|
| Family Entertainment Package | — | Optional |
| Luxury Package $2,500 | Optional | — |
| Navigation Package | Optional | — |
| Power Package | — | Optional |
| Premium Entertainment Package $1,900 | Optional | — |
| Hood Protector | Optional | Optional |
| Mud Guards | Optional | Optional |
| Sport Visor | Optional | Optional |
| Sunroof Deflector | Optional | Optional |
| 16-Inch Alloy Wheels | — | Optional |
| 16-Inch Steel Wheels with Covers | — | Standard |
| 17-Inch Alloy Wheels | Standard | — |
| Bright Silver | Optional | Optional |
| Claret Red | Optional | Optional |
| Clear White | Optional | Optional |
| Glacier Blue | Optional | Optional |
| Midnight Black | Optional | Optional |
| Platinum Graphite | Optional | Optional |
| Silverstone Beige | Optional | Optional |
| Beige Double Raschel Cloth | — | Optional |
| Beige Leather | Optional | — |
| Beige Moquette Cloth | Optional | — |
| Gray Double Raschel Cloth | — | Optional |
| Gray Leather | Optional | — |
| Gray Moquette Cloth | Optional | — |
Trim data from OpenSpec (ODbL 1.0), built from Oem order guide, Oem brochure, Other. Still partial for this year: model, trims, powertrain, fuel economy, chassis, dimensions, exterior, interior, infotainment, safety, warranty, options, option rules. "Optional" means a package or option adds it; hover for which.
Year by year
| Year | Engines | Drive | Fuel economy | Crash rating | Recalls | Owner complaints | Most-reported problem | CarPlay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3.3L 6-cyl, 276 hp | FWD | 21 mpg | 5 of 5 | 0 | 9 | Electrical system (2) | Yes |
| 2020 | 3.3L 6-cyl, 276 hp | FWD | 21 mpg | 5 of 5 | 1 | 20 | Structure (5) | Yes |
| 2019 | 3.3L 6-cyl, 276 hp | FWD | 21 mpg | 5 of 5 | 2 | 38 | Engine (11) | Yes |
| 2018 | 3.3L 6-cyl, 276 hp | FWD | 19–21 mpg | 5 of 5 | 3 | 48 | Engine (21) | Yes |
| 2017 | 3.3L 6-cyl, 276 hp | FWD | 19–21 mpg | 5 of 5 | 4 | 134 | Engine (60) | Yes |
| 2016 | 3.3L 6-cyl | FWD | 19–21 mpg | 5 of 5 | 4 | 296 | Engine (147) | Yes |
| 2015 | 3.3L 6-cyl | FWD | 19–21 mpg | 5 of 5 | 3 | 139 | Engine (50) | Yes |
| 2014 | 3.5L 6-cyl | FWD | 20 mpg | 5 of 5 | 1 | 39 | Electrical system (12) | No |
| 2012 | 3.5L 6-cyl | FWD | 21 mpg | Not rated | 5 | 107 | Electrical system (33) | No |
| 2011 | 3.5L 6-cyl | FWD | 21 mpg | Not rated | 6 | 65 | Electrical system (12) | No |
Owner complaints are unverified reports to NHTSA, counted as filed: older years have had longer to collect them and sales aren't adjusted for, so see Which year to buy for a fair comparison. Most-reported problem: the component named in the most complaints that year. Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Apple.
Which years have…
Apple lists CarPlay for: Sedona 2015–2021 (Apple).
Every NHTSA-rated version: crash ratings, safety tech, recalls, complaints
| Year | Version | Stars | Forward collision warning | Lane departure warning | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Kia Sedona MV FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 0 | 9 |
| 2020 | Kia Sedona VAN FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 1 | 20 |
| 2019 | Kia Sedona VAN FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 2 | 38 |
| 2018 | Kia Sedona VAN FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 3 | 48 |
| 2017 | Kia Sedona VAN FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 4 | 134 |
| 2016 | Kia Sedona VAN FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 4 | 296 |
| 2015 | Kia Sedona VAN FWD | 5 | Optional | No | 3 | 139 |
| 2014 | Kia Sedona VAN FWD | 5 | No | No | 1 | 39 |
| 2012 | Kia Sedona VAN FWD | Not Rated | No | No | 5 | 107 |
| 2011 | Kia Sedona VAN FWD | Not Rated | No | No | 6 | 65 |
Source: NHTSA.
Every EPA-rated version: engines and combined mpg
| Year | EPA model | Engines | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Sedona | Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.3 L | 21 |
| 2020 | Sedona | Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.3 L | 21 |
| 2019 | Sedona | Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.3 L | 21 |
| 2018 | Sedona | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.3 L | 20 |
| 2018 | Sedona SX | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.3 L | 21 |
| 2018 | Sedona SXL | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.3 L | 19 |
| 2017 | Sedona | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.3 L | 20 |
| 2017 | Sedona SX | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.3 L | 21 |
| 2017 | Sedona SXL | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.3 L | 19 |
| 2016 | Sedona | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.3 L | 20 |
| 2016 | Sedona SX | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.3 L | 21 |
| 2016 | Sedona SXL | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.3 L | 19 |
| 2015 | Sedona | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.3 L | 20 |
| 2015 | Sedona SX | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.3 L | 21 |
| 2015 | Sedona SXL | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.3 L | 19 |
| 2014 | Sedona | Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 20 |
| 2012 | Sedona | Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 21 |
| 2011 | Sedona | Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 21 |
Source: fueleconomy.gov.