2012 Kia Sedona Service and Repair Manual
A 2012 Kia Sedona has its own set of factory numbers, and this service and repair manual is matched to that exact year, engine and trim — every specification and tightening sequence it gives is the one Kia published for this van, not an approximation borrowed from another model year.
Engines covered
- 3.5L V6 — DOHC, naturally aspirated, gasoline
Body styles covered
- 4-door mini passenger van
Trims covered
- EX
- LX
Known issues on the 2012 Sedona. Four recalls are on federal record for this model year. One covers the fuel rail, which may crack from exposure to heat generated within the engine compartment and cause a fuel leak, and a fuel leak increases the risk of fire. Two separate recalls cover the front lower control arms, where a broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle. The fourth covers the secondary hood latch, and the hazard arises if the primary latch is inadvertently released while the secondary latch is not engaged. Owners have filed 146 complaints for the year and Kia has issued 80 technical service bulletins. The factory diagnostic and repair procedures behind each of those systems are in this manual.
From a fuel rail inspection to a front control arm replacement or a scheduled service on the 3.5L V6, it keeps you on Kia’s own procedure and the correct figure for your 2012 Sedona at every step.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A fuel leak increases the risk of fire.
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.
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.
A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR AND DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2312) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are ind
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR AND DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2312) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are ind
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (CS2312) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting Customer Satisfaction Campaign. A software upgrade that addresses the social media theft method has been m
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR AND DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2312) - This bulletin provides information to install a Theft Deterrent Ignition Cylinder Protector on certain 2010-202
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provid
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: ANTI-THEFT S/W LOGIC UPGRADE & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2308) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black
This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission is replaced.
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: ANTI-THEFT S/W LOGICUPGRADE & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2308) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black
Showing the 8 most recent of 85 technical service bulletins on file with NHTSA.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 KIA SEDONA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT, CRASHED INTO A CURB, AND ROLLED OVER. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE REAR PASSENGER SUSTAINED A CHIN INJURY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
While driving the vehicle and applying the brakes the vehicle shifted to one side of the road. There was an accident 03/2024 after having the brake control arm serviced. The braking system failed. There was a recall on the front control arm 2016. The vehicle was totaled and was salvaged due to damages to the vehicle. The brake inspection failed. Today the braking system has has no control even after the master cylinder was repaired. The vehicle is currently sitting at a service station without
I WAS REAR ENDED BY AN 18 WHEELER, WHICH CAUSED ME TO HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF MY CAR. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. PHOTOS CAN BE PROVIDED. *JS
I WAS HIT WHEN PULLING OUT BY ANOTHER CAR AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH. OTHER CAR AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. MY KIA DID NOT DEPLOY ANY AIR BAGS. IT IS SUPPOSEDLY EQUIPPED WITH FRONT AND SIDE AIRBAGS. MY VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AS THE FRAME WAS BENT. WHY DIDN'T ANY BAGS DEPLOY??????????? I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED!....UPDATED 05/11/15 *BF .
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that while attempting to parallel park and gear in drive, the vehicle independently accelerated violently while lightly depressing the accelerator pedal. No warning light illuminated. The contact crashed the front of the vehicle into the rear of a parked vehicle where it came to a stop. No police report was filed. No injuries were sustained. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed however the failure was unable to be r
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that after driving 70 MPH, and pulling into a parking lot, he noticed smoke coming from underneath the hood of the vehicle. The contact exited the vehicle and upon opening the hood of the vehicle, he saw that the engine compartment was on fire. The contact was able to extinguish the fire with the assistance of the fire department. A fire department report and a police report were filed. There were no injuries sustained. The vehicle was towed
MY SON WAS DRIVING THE CAR WITH MY GRANDSON IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE AIR CONDITIONING VENTS AND A FIRE STARTED IN THE WIRING BELOW THE DASH ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE. MY GRANDSON PUT OUT THE FIRE WITH HIS SHOE AND AFTER TURNING OFF THE AC THE SMOKE STOPPED. DEALERSHIP SAID BLOWER MOTOR WAS DRAWING TOO MUCH CURRENT. SUBSEQUENTLY THEY FOUND A 40 AMP FUSE HAD BLOWN AND A BAD MOTOR RESISTOR. THIS PROBLEM NEVER SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED AND IF THE FIRE HAD SPREAD, AT BEST THE
LAST SEPTEMBER 6TH, 2018, SEDONA WAS ALMOST CAUGHT FIRE WHILE DRIVER WAS WITH HER CHILDREN. ONWER SAW A HUGE SMOKE AFTER SHE LOOKED AT DASHBOARD TEMPATURE GUAGE THAT REACHED OVERHEAT, QUICKLY PARKED, TURNED IT OFF, AND OPENED THE HOOD. SHE SMELLED STRONG BURNED. MECHANIC TOOK A LOOK AT ENGINE AND FOUND A LOT OF MOTOR OIL THAT WAS LEAKING THROUGH THE HEAD GASKET AND SPILLING OVER ONTO EXHAUST PIPE UNDER ENGINE BLOCK. OIL SPILLING ONTO EXHAUST PIPE COULD CAUSE FIRE. RESPONSE OF MECHAN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE BOTH THE DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WOULD ERRONEOUSLY OPENED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT YET DETERMINED. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING SMOKE WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES COMING FROM THE BLOWER MOTOR WIRE HARNESS LOCATED UNDER THE GLOVE BOX. ALSO THE FRONT LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHTS HAD FAILED ON MULTIPLE OCCASION AND HAD TO BE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, HE NOTICED BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT PULLED OFF THE ROAD TO A PARKING LOT, WHERE FLAMES WERE SEEN COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT EXITED, STOOD A DISTANCE AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE AND CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE ENTIRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AREA WAS BURNT AND DESTROYED BY THE FIRE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DID NOT EVEN LOOK AT THE VEHICLE SINCE THEY SAID THEY DID NOT COVER FIRE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE LEANING INTO THE REAR SECTION OF THE VEHICLE, THE TAILGATE FAILED TO REMAIN IN THE OPEN POSITION. THE CONTACT WAS STRUCK ON THE BACK BY THE TAILGATE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT WAS DIFFICULT TO MANUALLY RAISE THE TAILGATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000. *BF*JB
REAR DRIVER SIDE SLIDING DOOR WILL NOT ALWAYS CLOSE COMPLETELY AND SOMETIMES OPENS WHILE DRIVING. MY THREE YEAR OLD GRANDDAUGHTER SITS IN THAT SEAT AND I'M WORRIED THAT THE DOOR IS ACTUALLY GOING TO COME OPEN WHILE WE'RE DRIVING THE CAR. I'VE READ OF PREVIOUS YEARS FOR THIS SAME VEHICLE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. I'VE PAID TO HAVE IT REPAIRED ONCE, BUT I FEEL THAT KIA SHOULD TAKE CARE OF THIS KNOWN ISSUE. ALSO, THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. IT SOMETIMES MAKES A GRINDING SOUND
SIDE DOOR FLIES OPEN WHILE DRIVING, ELECTRONIC DOOR LATCH NO LONGER WORKS PROPERLY ALLOWING THE DOOR TO OPEN COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING EXPOSING SECOND ROW PASSENGER.
LET ME BEGIN BY PREFACING THAT THIS IS OUR 2ND SEDONA, AND WE PURCHASED BOTH BRAND NEW. WE HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR 4 MONTHS, AND IT ONLY HAS APPX. 6000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. I WAS DRIVING DOWN A RESIDENTIAL SIDE STREET I APPROACHED THE A STOP SIGN, I BEGAN DEPRESSING THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN, AND THERE WAS A CAR AT THE STOP SIGN IN FRONT OF ME, WAITING TO TURN LEFT. AS I CONTINUED TO SLOW DOWN WITH MY FOOT STILL ON THE BRAKE, THE VAN'S ENGINE, OUT OF NOWHERE, BEGAN TO REV CONTINUOUSLY AT FULL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SEDONA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE SLIDING DOORS AND THE REAR HATCH DOOR OPENED HAPHAZARDLY. THE DEALER MADE TWO ATTEMPTS TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE PASSENGER SIDE SLIDING DOOR WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 2,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Showing the 15 most serious of 107 complaints filed with NHTSA.
