2011 Kia Sedona: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2011 Kia Sedona: 6 recalls, 65 owner complaints and up to 21 mpg combined.
Recalls
6 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #13V114000 · 2013 · 980,377 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: 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…
The 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.
Suspension Vehicle recall #13V550000 · 2013 · 79,867 vehicles
What's wrong: In the affected vehicles, the front lower control arms May break due to corrosion resulting from prolonged exposure to salty environments.
Why it matters: A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.
Latches & locks Vehicle recall #16V389000 · 2016 · 219,800 vehicles
What's wrong: In the affected vehicles, the secondary hood latch May bind and remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed.
Why it matters: 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.
The 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.
Suspension Vehicle recall #16V387000 · 2016 · 97,884 vehicles
What's wrong: In the affected vehicles, the front lower control arms May break due to corrosion from salt water exposure such as from road salt use.
Why it matters: A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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…
Airbags Vehicle recall #18V363000 · 2018 · 507,587 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The 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…
Fuel system Vehicle recall #20V101000 · 2020 · 51,465 vehicles
What's wrong: The fuel rail May crack from exposure to heat generated within the engine compartment, resulting in a fuel leak.
Why it matters: A fuel leak increases the risk of fire.
The fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel rail, free of charge. The recall began June 16, 2020.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 1 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Electrical (12): the most common themes are door / lock issues (5), electrical failure (4).
- Engine (11): the most common themes are warning light on (6), leaks (3), noise or vibration (3).
- Fuel & propulsion (10): the most common themes are leaks (5), fire / smoke (2), warning light on (2).
- Suspension (9): the most common themes are noise or vibration (3).
The 2011 Kia Sedona has 65 owner complaints, ranking #12 of 20 Sedona model years for complaints (well below the 121 average). Complaints peaked in 2019 (10 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 7 years old, at a median of 79,660 miles. Neighboring years: 2010 (32 complaints, 5 recalls), 2012 (108 complaints, 5 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 24 | 21 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2011 Kia Sedona.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/moHeads up: we may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Prices checked 2026-10 and can change. We never host or link to pirated manuals. Disclosure
FAQ
Does the 2011 Kia Sedona have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 6 vehicle recalls for the 2011 Kia Sedona. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2011 Kia Sedona problems?
Owners have filed 65 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are electrical (12), engine (11), fuel & propulsion (10).
What gas mileage does the 2011 Kia Sedona get?
EPA ratings run up to 21 mpg combined (3.5 L, Automatic 6-spd), across 1 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2011 Kia Sedona repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.