2012 Kia Sedona Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 7%of 108 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 68,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2012 Kia Sedona, 7% of the 108 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 68,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“About 18mo after owning the van we started to have issues with shifting from park to other gears. It keeps getting worse as time goes on. Now I have had to remove the shift nob and depress the linkage to get it out of and into gear.”
NHTSA complaint #10732176, filed 2015-07, 12,000 miles“Drove home from church and tried to go somewhere and the van is stuck in park. Will not shift into any gear when you push in on the button. Made sure my foot was on the brake pedal. Been running great just crazy how this happened.”
NHTSA complaint #11120843, filed 2018-08, 120,000 miles“Key stuck in ignition. Parked mini-van, cannot remove key from ignition. While turning counter clockwise, stopped at acc position. Can turn key clockwise, restart engine, turn off engine, key would not turn counter clockwise past acc position. Took to dealer, dealer could not duplicate problem. Cost $170. 2 days after pick up mini-van from dealer, wife drove to grocery store, could not remove key from ignition. Checked internet, seems that there has been a problem going on since 2006 with numerous Kia vehicles but no technical service bulletins. I was able to duplicate it once. …”
NHTSA complaint #10683552, filed 2015-02, 22,466 miles“The gear shifter is very difficult to move from Park to Reverse to Neutral to Drive. It's very difficult to press in the lever to move in between the gears. I almost had to have to car towed because I was unable to put the car into Park into Reverse and then into Drive. There is something wrong with the gear shifter in the automatic transmission van. I took the car to my independent mechanic and he agreed that the car is very difficult to move through the gears. He suggested I call KIA to see if it was under a recall. I did call KIA and there in no recall for this issue. …”
NHTSA complaint #11768509, filed 2026-10“The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that the gear lever failed to shift from the park position to any desired selection until after numerous attempts. The failure became progressively worse. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 91,491.”
NHTSA complaint #10882051, filed 2016-07, 91,491 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11017172Apr 17, 2025TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are…
- 11000787May 16, 2024This 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…
- 10226555Nov 18, 2022TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity…
- 10174520Apr 24, 2020TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: - TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. This bulletin provides information relating…
- 10130104Feb 16, 2018TSB - DRIVESHAFT SERVICEABILITY - This bulletin has been revised most recently to include additional information. This bulletin provides information regarding axle shaft…
- 10092147Jun 1, 2015Tsb: 6 spd a/t solenoid replacement multiple dtcs - this bulletin provides information relating to the replacement of various shift solenoids on 6-speed automatic transaxles…
- 10089761Jun 1, 2015Tsb: 6 spd a/t solenoid replacement multiple dtcs - this bulletin provides information relating to the replacement of various shift solenoids on 6-speed automatic transaxles…
- 10109740Aug 22, 2014TSB: VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN - ECM/TCM SOFTWARE UPGRADE (SC105) - This bulletin provides information related to an inspection of the current ECM ROM ID and, if…
- 10109743Aug 8, 2014SC105 -2011-2012 MY Sedona 3.5L Vehicles ECM/TCM Upgrade Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign - Owner Letter
- 10109745Aug 4, 2014SC105 -2011-2012 MY Sedona 3.5L Vehicles ECM/TCM Upgrade Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign - QA
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2 | 10% |
| 2019 | 4 | 10% |
| 2018 | 3 | 6% |
| 2017 | 4 | 3% |
| 2016 | 13 | 4% |
| 2015 | 4 | 3% |
| 2014 | 2 | 5% |
| 2012 | 8 | 7% |
| 2011 | 3 | 5% |
| 2010 | 3 | 9% |
| 2009 | 2 | 4% |
| 2008 | 4 | 2% |
| 2007 | 8 | 5% |
| 2006 | 24 | 6% |
| 2005 | 5 | 3% |
| 2004 | 7 | 4% |
| 2003 | 3 | 2% |
| 2002 | 17 | 9% |
Other parts of the 2012 Kia Sedona
33 complaintsEngine
18 complaintsBody and structure
18 complaintsOther or unknown
16 complaintsFuel system
11 complaintsAir bags
9 complaintsBrakes
8 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
3 complaintsEquipment
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Kia Sedona
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology