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…
2012 Kia Sedona electrical problems
severe 31 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
31
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
1crash
3fires
When does it fail?
Of the 31 electrical complaints filed for the 2012 Kia Sedona, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 100,000-125,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 31 electrical complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Electrical accounts for 29% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 9 categories tracked.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: Electrical and latch reliability are serious concerns on this generation Sedona: power sliding doors fail to open/close or open unexpectedly while driving, door locks malfunction unpredictably, blower motor wiring can overheat and melt creating fire risk, and alternators have premature failure rates. Have any potential purchase inspected by an independent mechanic, and expect to budget for door latch and electrical repairs out-of-pocket.
Owners report widespread electrical system problems that span door latches, locks, blower motors, and power generation. Power sliding doors are the most consistent complaint—they refuse to open on command via key fob or interior buttons, get stuck fully open, or spontaneously open while the vehicle is in motion, including at highway speeds. Some doors won't close completely without manual force; others lock themselves in open position. One owner had a door open twice during a single drive, once while accelerating onto an expressway with small children aboard.
Door lock failures are equally troublesome. Electronic locks don't engage reliably; safety locks that should activate when the key is inserted sometimes fail completely. Owners report doors becoming so firmly locked they cannot open them manually—a fire hazard if the vehicle must be evacuated. Several owners note this is a known recurring issue across model years with thousands of forum complaints but no recall action.
Blower motor wiring under the dash melts and creates fire hazard. Smoke pours from vents, plugs burn and char, and in at least two cases actual flames appeared in the wiring harness below the glove box. Owners report repeated failures within weeks of repair despite replacing the motor, connectors, and wiring multiple times. One owner had dozens of repeats in two months.
Alternators fail prematurely and repeatedly—one owner had a replacement fail again within a month. The pattern links to oil leaks that may damage the alternator, and several owners describe red alternator warning lights appearing on the dash. Ignition switches also malfunction: keys become extremely difficult to turn or the vehicle simply won't start without warning. One owner measured their key at 101°F.
Same Kia Sedona electrical reports on nearby years: 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Power sliding door latch/actuator failure
Door latches stick or fail, preventing reliable opening and closing. Doors may refuse to open on button press or key fob, require manual force to close, or spontaneously pop open while vehicle is in motion. Owners report doors stuck in open position unable to close, or doors that randomly unlock and reopen after closing.
When: Various mileages reported: 35,000 miles and beyond; complaints span 2015–2024 model years
Symptoms owners cite: Door will not open when commanded via FOB, interior console, or manual pull; Door stuck in fully open position; Door opens unexpectedly while driving, including at highway speeds; Door will not close completely; requires manual force to latch final inches; Door opens and closes erratically or randomly; Interior alarm/lights activate as if door is trying to open but failing
Repairs/costs cited: Owners cite replacement of door latch and motor assemblies; some report dealer quoted $750 for roller replacement alone. One owner paid for multiple repairs out-of-pocket over warranty issues; another had latch repaired under extended warranty (WTY018) for 2011–2014 Sedona power sliding doors but faced disputes over which components were covered.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Kia issued Limited Warranty Extension WTY018 specifically for power sliding door latching on 2011–2014 Sedona models (as of March 2021). Dealers inconsistently applied coverage; some declined repairs citing parts not covered under warranty.
Blower motor wire harness melting and fire risk
Blower motor wiring harness under the dash overheats, melts, and creates fire hazard. Owners report smoke from vents, burned plugs, melted connectors, and actual fires that required manual extinguishing. Multiple wiring repairs have not permanently resolved the issue.
When: Owners report recurring failures within weeks of repair; one owner experienced dozens of repeats over 2 months; failure also documented in 2006 Sedona by same owner
Symptoms owners cite: AC fails or blower stops working; Smoke visible from air conditioning vents or under dash; Burning smell or burned plastic odor; Flame visible in wiring below glove box or in blower motor harness; Blower motor plug melted or charred; Wiring harness connections melted at blower motor and resistor
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report replacement of blower motor, wiring harness connectors, pigtail connectors, and 40-amp fuse. One owner paid out-of-pocket for blower and plug replacement and wiring harness at time of repair. Another was quoted ~$1,800 parts + ~$1,100 labor for full vehicle wiring harness replacement at a second dealership without guaranteed resolution.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One dealership indicated the blower motor was 'drawing too much current'; another stated repair was out-of-warranty due to mileage and owner was responsible for cost. No recall issued; owner notes this is a common problem reported on multiple Kia forums.
Door lock system failure (manual and electronic)
Electronic door locks fail to engage or disengage reliably. Doors may not lock when commanded, or become locked to the point owners cannot manually open them. Safety locks that engage when key is turned in ignition may not function. No emergency release on rear hatch creates entrapment hazard.
When: Failures reported on vehicles with 425 miles to 130,000+ miles; issues persistent across multiple year model variations
Symptoms owners cite: Door locks do not engage before vehicle can move (key-turn safety locks fail); Locks will not consistently lock or unlock via key, button, or FOB; Door becomes locked so tight it cannot be manually opened; Passenger side door lock stops working intermittently; Doors lock and unlock erratically or randomly; No emergency release mechanism on rear hatch
Repairs/costs cited: One owner attempted repair by dealer but lock failed again after a week. Confirmed by independent service center; technical service bulletin CS1603A referenced.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Kia suggested to one owner that issues may be related to outside temperature; no other manufacturer response documented in narratives. Service bulletins exist but recall has not been issued despite 'thousands' of reports on car forums per owner statement.
Alternator failure
Alternator fails to generate sufficient power, causing battery depletion and electrical system failure. One alternator replacement was followed by failure recurrence within one month. Owners report red flashing alternator warning lights on dashboard.
When: One owner with 425 miles at first report; another had replacement occur one month prior to recurrence; one report at unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Battery depleted repeatedly; Red flashing alternator warning light on dashboard; Electrical system failure (door locks, wiper blades stop working); Vehicle must be parked and not driven
Repairs/costs cited: Owner paid for alternator replacement; second owner had alternator replaced by dealer, but failure recurred. Battery also replaced in at least one case.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented in narratives
Ignition switch failure
Key becomes extremely difficult to turn in ignition, or ignition switch fails to start vehicle without warning. One case involved key reaching 101°F; another involved repeated failure to start after turning key.
When: One ignition switch failure at 425 miles; another with repeated start failures at 46,000 miles; key temperature issue reported in separate incident
Symptoms owners cite: Key extremely difficult to turn in ignition; Key and ignition become very hot (measured at 101°F); Vehicle fails to respond when key is turned to start (no crank); Failure to start recurs on multiple occasions without warning
Repairs/costs cited: Ignition switch was replaced in at least one case. Replacing the key did not resolve the difficulty of turning the ignition.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One dealership technician was unable to diagnose the hot key/ignition issue; manufacturer was notified but vehicle was not repaired. Multiple dealer visits for start failure did not result in diagnosis or repair.
Instrument cluster/gauge readability issue
Electroluminescent speedometer display is not readable during daylight driving. Dark red speed marker on black background forces driver to look away from road for extended periods to determine vehicle speed, creating significant safety hazard.
When: Reported on 2014 Kia Sorento (similar generation); Kia aware of issue since at least June 10, 2013
Symptoms owners cite: Speedometer needle/marker not visible in daylight; Driver must hunt for small dark red marker against black background; With sunglasses, marker takes 5–6 seconds to locate; Driver must look away from road 3–6 seconds to determine speed
Repairs/costs cited: None documented; owner notes issue is entirely programmable and solvable via software update or display changes (longer/bigger marker, lighter color, white marker, or numeric display).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Kia has been aware of the problem since at least June 10, 2013 (Case # referenced in narrative). Corporate Kia can fix it via software; local service centers recognize the problem but cannot authorize fix.
Headlight failure
Front low beam headlights fail on multiple occasions requiring replacement. No further details on root cause documented.
When: Failure mileage at 130,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Front low beam headlights fail
Repairs/costs cited: Headlights replaced multiple times
Backup camera malfunction
Backup camera becomes inoperable or stops functioning. Dealer lubrication did not resolve issue and replacement parts were on back order.
When: Failures at 35,000 miles and 130,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Backup camera does not function; Camera inoperable
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer attempted lubrication of camera; part was on back order for replacement
Wiper system failure
Windshield wipers stop working. Dealer stated wipers were fine despite owner complaint, but failure confirmed later. Wipers non-functional along with other electrical failures.
When: Failure reported at unknown mileage in one case; another case at unspecified time
Symptoms owners cite: Windshield wipers do not operate; Wipers stop working
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer initially denied wiper problem existed when owner complained
Oil leak (engine)
Oil leaks from engine, potentially from valve cover gasket, timing cover, or head gasket. Leaks persist despite multiple dealer repairs and cleanings. Oil spilling onto exhaust manifold creates fire hazard. One case linked leaking oil to alternator failure and electrical system breakdown.
When: One owner reported first appointment January 19, 2025, with 5–6 dealer visits over 8 months without resolution; another at 425 miles; head gasket failure reported at unknown mileage after overheating event
Symptoms owners cite: Continuous oil seepage from underneath vehicle; Oil drops visible on ground after parking; Valve cover gasket leak; Timing cover leak; Head gasket leaking oil onto exhaust manifold (fire hazard); Oil leak causing alternator electrical failure
Repairs/costs cited: Valve cover gasket replaced; timing cover resealed; head gasket replacement implied but not confirmed completed. One owner paid for multiple dealer visits; repairs did not resolve leak despite dealer claiming 'no active leak' in inspection reports.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented
Radiator fan and cooling system failure
Radiator cooling fan stops operating, leading to engine overheating and head gasket failure. No low coolant fluid level alarm to warn driver of coolant loss. Engine overheating caused by non-functional alternator failing to supply power to radiator fan.
When: Failure reported with smoke and overheat condition during operation
Symptoms owners cite: Radiator fan does not operate; Engine overheats; Temperature gauge reaches overheat; Smoke visible from engine bay; Burned smell from engine; No low coolant level warning alarm
Repairs/costs cited: Mechanic diagnosed alternator as root cause; radiator fan assembly and head gasket failed as consequence; transmission also affected
Side mirror adjustment issue
Side mirrors do not retain their position or require manual readjustment when shifting between reverse and forward gears. Mirrors point at unusable angles after shifting, creating visibility hazard.
When: Issue reported at unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Mirrors require readjustment when shifting from reverse to forward; Mirrors point at unusable angle after shifting; Mirrors do not hold position
Airbag system sensor failure
Airbag warning light remains illuminated due to non-functioning weight sensor for one seat. Failure to function means airbags will not deploy in a crash, disabling critical safety system.
When: Issue present for extended time; warning light on for 'some time'
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag indicator light illuminated; Weight sensor for one seat not functioning; Airbags will not deploy
Repairs/costs cited: Owner quoted approximately $1,600 to repair
Synthesized from 31 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 7 most recent
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.
Driving to montana from colorado over the summer, ac went out. Got it back to dealership, was told blower motor went bad - actually melted the plug and we had smoke in the van! Replaced the blower motor and plug (out of pocket) from dealership since they said out of warranty due to mileage. Then, 3 weeks later, same problem. They replaced the wiring harness connector. 2 weeks later, same…
Unknown. I've replaced the alternator and battery. The alternator many times and still having lights come on. Mostly the "brake and battery " lights. It's sitting till further notice. Not drive able.
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…
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…
The door actuator went out. The door worked fine when we went to the store. On the drive home the sliding door flew open. The door latch is stuck in the locked position and will not unlock. I have my doors bungee corded together.
Had electrical trouble with your 2012 Kia Sedona?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2012 Kia Sedona?
It's a meaningful issue. 31 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 21 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 63,926 and 118,000 miles, with the median around 78,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 63,926; a quarter make it past 118,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Kia/Sedona.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.