My fuel rail assembly in my 2011 kia sedona is cracked and leaking causing a gas smell. I'm confused why only some of the kias from 2011 got recalled when it seems like a lot more have this issue.
The worst 2011 Kia Sedona problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Engine14
- Fuel system13
- Electrical12
- Suspension9
- Body8
- Acceleration5
- Airbags4
- Brakes4
- Driver assistance3
- Locks3
- Transmission3
- Seat belts1
- Seats1
- Steering1
- Wheels1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2011 Kia Sedona
Recalls 6
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: fuel rail
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- A fuel leak increases the risk of fire.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 20V101000 · Recall details
Air bags: air bag/restraint control module
- What is wrong
- 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.
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 18V363000 · Recall details
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 16V387000 · Recall details
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch
- What is wrong
- 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.
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 16V389000 · Recall details
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 13V550000 · Recall details
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch
- What is wrong
- 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 depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 13V114000 · Recall details
See all 6 recalls for the 2011 Kia Sedona
Defect investigations
Air bags may be disabled during crash
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 recall No. 18V‑363 for MY 2010-2013 Kia Forte and Forte Koup, MY 2011-2013 Optima, MY 2011-2012 Optima Hybrid, and MY2011-2012 Sedona vehicles. The two recalls address vehicles containing ACUs manufactured without adequate circuit protection by installing a wire harness filter kit to prevent internal damage to the ACU. In the event of a crash, ACU damage may result in the disablement of the vehicle's airbags. Each respective manufacturer has mailed letters to affected vehicle owners informing them of the remedy and its availability. ODI plans to evaluate the susceptibility of the subject ACU to electrical signals, as well as other vehicle factors that can either lead to, or reduce the likelihood of, an electrical overstress event in other vehicles manufactured with the subject ZF ACU.Accordingly, this Preliminary Evaluation has been upgraded to an Engineering Analysis (EA19-001), to expand the scope of the investigation to include the Tier-one supplier and any manufacturers who installed the subject ACU in production vehicles. Additional information is available with the closing resume available at (see Associated Documents).The ODI complaints cited above can be viewed at under the following ODI identification numbers: 10781050, 10849839, 11099038, 11080341.
PE18003
Technical service bulletins for the 2011 Kia Sedona 79
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Customer satisfaction: theft deterrent ignition cylinder protector and decal installation (CS2312)
- Customer satisfaction: theft deterrent ignition cylinder protector and decal installation (CS2312)
- Owner notification (CS2312)
- Transmission fluid application guide
- Customer satisfaction: anti-theft s/w logic upgrade & decal installation (CS2308)
- This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity...
- Customer satisfaction: anti-theft s/w logicupgrade & decal installation (CS2308)
- Customer satisfaction: anti-theft software logic upgrade & decall installation (CS2308)
- Owner re-notification
- Owner notification
2011 Kia Sedona fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5L 6‑cyl | FWD | 18 | 24 | 21 |
What 2011 Kia Sedona owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The sliding doors do not latch/close all the way. The light on the dash does not show the doors are not closed. The doors have opened while driving with children in the back seat. The same for the trunk.
In getting the ACU recall fixed, it was found that the Airbag Module is not responding. The ACU cannot be fixed unless the airbag module is fixed. It is my understanding that this is the part before the ACU. This is at a cost of $959 and not covered under the current recall.
Recall appointment was set with Ken Ganley Kia auto iNew Port Richey , FL. It was set for two weeks out. They told us what the recall was before we got there. They didn’t order the part to fix it. Now It’s been since March 23rd and we have never heard from them. I feel they’ve had ample opportunity to get the part required to fix it. Since this is a safety issue I am very aggravated . On top of that, my husband wasted an entire day and they gave us a $10,000 estimate on a car worth maybe $1000. It is my opinion they have done nothing required by law to fix this. Since it is regarding a safety concern I wanted to report this issue..
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sedona. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the hood latch fractured, and the hood unexpectedly flew open and crashed into the front windshield. The contact stated that the hood was wrapped around the vehicle. There were no reported injuries. The driver was able to pull over safely. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that the vehicle was previously repaired under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 16V389000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages). The failure mileage was 116,102.
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
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
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.
both control arms broke and the front tires were ruined. The tow truck driver said they are lucky , they didn't get hurt because if they were going faster , they would have lost control and rolled the van.
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.
Compare the 2011 Kia Sedona
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Other model years
2002200320042005200620072008200920102011201220142015201620172018201920202021
Questions about the 2011 Kia Sedona
Is the 2011 Kia Sedona reliable?
Owners have filed 65 complaints about the 2011 Kia Sedona, fewer than a typical Sedona model year.
What is the 2011 Kia Sedona year score?
The 2011 Kia Sedona scores 82 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the Kia Sedona: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2011 Kia Sedona?
Engine and cooling, with 14 complaints, typically around 97,000 miles. Next is fuel system (13).
How many recalls does the 2011 Kia Sedona have?
6 recalls, covering fuel system, gasoline, air bags and suspension.
What year does the Kia Sedona have bad engine?
The Kia Sedona model years with the most engine complaints are 2016 (150 complaints), 2017 (62 complaints) and 2015 (53 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2011 Kia Sedona get?
Official estimates for the 2011 Kia Sedona range from 21 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.5L 6-cyl, FWD) gets 18 city and 24 highway.
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