2011-2021 Kia Sedona: recalls and anti-theft options
Short answer
The Sedona isn't on either engine settlement list. What owners need to check is recalls and theft protection. Kia's theft settlement notice lists the 2011-2021 Sedona for the free anti-theft software, except the 2014, which it lists as not eligible. The multistate settlement site lists Sedona 2011-2021. Recalls include a fuel rail that can crack and leak on 2011-2012 (20V-101), a secondary hood latch, the power sliding door and air bag control units.
Check your VIN to see recalls and which programs list your exact engine.
Which years are involved
- 2011-2012: fuel rail recall 20V-101; hood latch recall 16V-389 (through 2014).
- 2014: on the theft notice's "not eligible for software" list. Ask Kia about the cylinder protector.
- 2015-2018: power sliding door auto-reverse recall 18V-338 and occupant detection wiring recall 19V-109.
- 2017-2019: air bag control unit recall 22V-031.
- NHTSA's data has no 2013 Sedona entries.
Programs that may apply
- Kia anti-theft software: free for eligible turn-key Sedonas without an immobilizer.
- CS2311 cylinder protector: free for Kias that can't take the software.
- Multistate settlement (announced December 16, 2025): free zinc-reinforced ignition cylinder protector at a Kia dealer, plus theft claims of up to $4,500 (total loss), $2,250 (partial loss) or $375 (attempt) for qualifying thefts from April 29, 2025 until the protector is installed or March 31, 2027, while the limited fund lasts. The car must have had the anti-theft software installed, or an appointment booked, when the theft happened.
- Earlier consumer class settlement: its claim deadline was April 28, 2025 and has passed.
Recalls worth knowing about
20V-101 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL
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.
16V-389 · LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
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.
18V-338 · STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Kia Sedona vehicles equipped with a power sliding door (PSD). The PSD may not auto-reverse when its closing is obstructed.
22V-031 · AIR BAGS
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Sedona, Soul, Soul EV, 2017-2018 Forte, and 2017 Forte Koup vehicles. The Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) cover may contact a memory chip on the printed circuit board and damage the electrical circuit. Circuit damage may result in deactivated air bags that will not deploy in a crash.
Recall text quoted from NHTSA. Whether a recall is still open on a specific car can only be checked by VIN at NHTSA or the manufacturer.
What owners report to NHTSA
896 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2011-2021 Sedona. 343 of them name an engine component.
| Model year | All complaints | NHTSA recalls | Engine complaints | Most-named components |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 65 | 6 | 14 (22%) | Electrical System (12), Engine (11), Fuel/Propulsion System (10) |
| 2012 | 108 | 5 | 19 (18%) | Electrical System (33), Engine (18), Structure (18) |
| 2013 | 0 | 1 | 0 (0%) | none |
| 2014 | 39 | 1 | 9 (23%) | Electrical System (12), Unknown Or Other (10), Engine (9) |
| 2015 | 139 | 3 | 52 (37%) | Engine (50), Electrical System (37), Structure (19) |
| 2016 | 296 | 4 | 149 (50%) | Engine (147), Electrical System (46), Exterior Lighting (37) |
| 2017 | 134 | 4 | 62 (46%) | Engine (60), Unknown Or Other (27), Electrical System (23) |
| 2018 | 48 | 3 | 21 (44%) | Engine (21), Electrical System (11), Air Bags (6) |
| 2019 | 38 | 2 | 11 (29%) | Engine (11), Structure (9), Electrical System (4) |
| 2020 | 20 | 1 | 5 (25%) | Structure (5), Engine (5), Electrical System (3) |
| 2021 | 9 | 0 | 1 (11%) | Electrical System (2), Unknown Or Other (2), Vehicle Speed Control (2) |
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls APIs, pulled 2026-10-09. One complaint can name several components. The recall count is every NHTSA campaign listed for that model year, not only open ones. Complaints are unverified owner reports, and counts reflect how many owners filed, not how many cars failed.
2016 has the most complaints in this range, and about half name the engine. Volumes are low for 2019-2021.
Signs to take seriously
- Fuel smell in or around a 2011-2012 Sedona (fuel rail recall).
- Hood that doesn't stay latched.
- Sliding door that doesn't reverse when it hits something.
- Air bag warning light.
What to do, step by step
- Check open recalls at NHTSA and owners.kia.com.
- Run customercare.kiausa.com/SWLD for the anti-theft software.
- Ask the dealer to do every open recall in one visit.
Questions
Is the Sedona V6 in an engine settlement?
No. Neither the Theta II nor the Engine II settlement lists the Sedona.
Can my 2014 Sedona get the anti-theft software?
Kia's theft settlement notice lists the 2014 Sedona as not eligible for the software. Ask a Kia dealer about the free ignition cylinder protector.
Sources
- Kia theft class settlement long-form notice (model lists)
- Kia CS2311 ignition cylinder protector bulletin, Dec 2023 (NHTSA-hosted PDF)
- Kia anti-theft software VIN check
- Multistate Attorneys General anti-theft settlement
- NHTSA recall lookup by VIN
- NHTSA complaints and recalls API (data source for the tables)