Owners filed 163 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the air bags. It has been recalled 4 times.
When it fails
04800048,000 milesMedian miles at failure
121 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 0–10,000 miles.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Air Bags
18
7
0
17
Electrical System
15
0
9
0
Tires
7
0
0
0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
7
0
0
0
Vehicle Speed Control
6
1
0
1
Seat Belts
6
0
0
0
Engine and Engine Cooling
6
0
1
0
Wheels
5
0
1
0
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
5
0
1
0
Service Brakes
4
0
0
0
4 safety recalls
Part 573 reports
Vehicle Speed Control › Cables05V329000
Filed Jul 20, 2005118,447 vehiclesKia Motors America, Inc.
Defect. ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, FREEZING CONDITIONS CAN CAUSE WATER ON THE THROTTLE CABLE TO FREEZE DURING NORMAL OPERATION. RESISTANCE TO MOVEMENT OF THE THROTTLE CABLE CAN OCCUR WHEN THE DRIVER LIFTS THEIR FOOT OFF OF THE GAS PEDAL.
Risk. THIS CAN CAUSE THE CABLE TO STICK, THUS PREVENTING THE ENGINE FROM RETURNING TO IDLE AND CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO MAINTAIN SPEED OR ACCELERATE. SUCH AN EVENT CAN OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING AND COULD CAUSE A CRASH.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL MODIFY A PROTECTIVE SLEEVE AROUND THE THROTTLE CABLE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 15, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
Wheels05V232000
Filed May 19, 200537,358 vehiclesKia Motors America, Inc.
Defect. ON CERTAIN MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH ALLOY WHEELS, MOISTURE CAN ACCUMULATE AROUND THE REAR HUB CAPS CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE OUTER WHEEL BEARING.
Risk. WHEEL BEARING FAILURE MAY OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR HUB CAPS FREE OF CHARGE. UPON INSPECTION, SOME VEHICLES WILL ALSO REQUIRE REPLACEMENT OF THE REAR OUTER BEARINGS AND/OR HUB ASSEMBLY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 13, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
Vehicle Speed Control › Cables05V013000
Filed Jan 19, 200589,238 vehiclesKia Motors America, Inc.
Defect. ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, DURING ASSEMBLY, THE THROTTLE CABLE WOULD TWIST ITSELF OUT OF POSITION.
Risk. THIS CAN PERMIT THE CABLE TO BE HUNG UP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE THROTTLE CABLE FREE OF CHARGE. VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM MARCH 20, 2001 THROUGH NOVEMBER 7, 2001 WILL HAVE A GUIDE CLIP INSTALLED ON THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT THE TENSION FORCE CABLE DOES NOT MOVE OUT OF POSITION. VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BEGINNING ON NOVEMBER 8, 2001, ALREADY HAVE THE EXTENDED GUIDE, WHICH ACCOMPLISHES THE SAME OBJECTIVE. THE RECALL BEGAN MARCH 21, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
Service Brakes, Air › Antilock › Control Unit/Module03V158000
Filed Apr 25, 20033,375 vehiclesKia Motors America, Inc.
Defect. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THERE WAS A PROGRAMMING ERROR IN THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE LOGIC. THE PROGRAMMING ERROR COULD CAUSE REDUCED BRAKING FORCE AT SPEEDS BELOW 25 MPH, WHICH COULD RESULT IN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES.
Risk. SUCH INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE CONTROL MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 19, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
What owners reported
Newest filings
EngineFire
Filed Dec 10, 2022GA
My Sedona keeps catching on fire not sure why but now if I get it up to temperature it automatically catches on fire I'm going into my second fire extinguishe
Steering
Filed Jun 1, 2021113,000 milesMO
The contact owns a 2003 Kia Sedona. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to steer. The contact pulled over and left the vehicle. The contact returned 2 days later and drove the vehicle home. The contact stated that the check engine, brakes and air bag warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 113,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING AND THE BRAKES LOCKED UP. Dealer/manufacturer was contacted but no open recalls.*JB Consumer stated in addition to the prior issues has airbag lights on and brakes that lock up in the rain. Power steering was repaired but still having problems.
Seats › Front Assembly › Seat Heater/CoolerFire
Filed Jul 14, 2020IL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND SHUT OFF THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT HAD EXPERIENCED A FIRE AND MELTED. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED SMOKE AND SOOT PRESENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND A BURN HOLE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. NO POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE WAS OPENED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER ROCK RIVER KIA (226 NORTH ALPINE RD. ROCKFORD IL) WHERE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT YET DETERMINED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT HAD LATER ALSO EXPERIENCED BURNING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Electrical SystemFire
Filed May 8, 2020200,000 milesTN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND FAILED TO SHIFT INTO THE DESIRED GEAR WITH SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME, PARKED THE VEHICLE, AND UPON OPENING THE HOOD SAW FLAMES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED HOWEVER, HER NEIGHBOR ATTEMPTED TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES WITH A WATER HOSE UNTIL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A FIRE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200,000. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THIS ISSUE AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE AND AIR BAGS WARNING LIGHTS HAD BEEN ILLUMINATED SINCE SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE.
Service Brakes
Filed Aug 22, 2018115,800 milesTX
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SEDONA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL SEIZED HALFWAY DOWN WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT SWERVED ONTO THE SIDEWALK AND STOPPED 30 YARDS IN A PARKING LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRIC COMPUTER BRAKING MODULE DID NOT ALLOW THE BRAKES TO STOP COMPLETELY; THEREFORE, THE COMPUTER REACTED AS IF THE VEHICLE WERE TRAVELING ON ICE. THE DEALER (MORITZ KIA HURST, 110 NE LOOP 820, HURST, TX 76053, (817) 591-7063) STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD HAVE THE DEALER INSPECT THE VEHICLE FOR FREE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,800.
Tires
Filed Jul 18, 2018124,200 milesCA
ON FEB. 25, 2018, WE PURCHASED A 2003 KIA SEDONA VAN FROM CITY START AUTO SALES IN PARADISE, CA. ALL FOUR TIRES AND THE SPARE WERE GOODYEAR INTEGRITY 215/70R15. THE TIRES READ MAX. PSI 44, BUT THE VAN SAID TO RUN AT 35 PSI. SO, ONCE A WEEK ON A COOL MORNING (BETWEEN 68-75 DEGREES OUTSIDE WITHOUT IT HAVE BEEN DRIVEN), MY WIFE OR I WOULD MAKE SURE THE TIRES WERE 34-35 PSI. DURING THIS 3 MONTH PERIOD, WE NOTICED NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TIRES. ON MAY 31, 2018, I WAS DRIVING FROM MY HOUSE IN MAGALIA, CA TO CHICO, CA. JUST AS I STARTED TO MERGE ONTO HWY 99 IN CHICO, I HEARD A THUMPING SOUND, THEN A BANG--TWICE. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND SAW 2 TIRES HAD COMPLETELY BLOWN OUT AND ONE WAS SERIOUSLY SHOWING THE METAL BELT. I HAD TO PAY TO GET A TOW TRUCK OUT AND IMMEDIATELY PURCHASE 4 NEW TIRES. WE'VE HAD A LITTLE WORK DONE ON THE REAR-LEFT FENDER CONTINUED TO HAVE WEIRD SOUNDS COMING FROM THE LEFT REAR WHERE THE WORST BLOW OUT HAPPENED. I JUST HAVEN'T HAD TIME TO TAKE IT IN YET. I KNOW IT WAS HOTTER IN CHICO THAN AT MY HOME, BUT IT WAS PROBABLY IN THE UPPER 80'S AT THAT TIME. I HAD NO WARNING AND IF IT HAPPENED WHEN I WAS ON THE FREEWAY, IT WOULD'VE BEEN A DISASTER. THE TIRE COMPANY SHOWED US THE SPARE, SAID WE COULD USE IT AS ONE FOR A SHORT TIME, BUT EVEN IT IS SHOWING SOMETHING WRONG TO THE TIRE GUY.
Air Bags6 injured
Filed Jun 12, 2017163,511 milesFL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SEDONA. WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THERE WAS NO CRASH OR FIRE. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED CUTS ON THE FACE AND ARMS. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED SHRAPNEL IN THE RIGHT EYE WITH BRUISING, ALONG WITH GLASS IN HER FACE AND HAIR. THE FOUR PASSENGERS IN THE REAR SUSTAINED RINGING IN THE EARS. THE AMBULANCE PROVIDED ROUTINE ASSISTANCE, BUT MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT PROVIDED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED (CASE NUMBER: 15-1706-00760). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 163,511.
Structure › Body
Filed Dec 29, 2016102,000 milesMA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED WHEN IT WAS WET. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.
Air BagsCrash
Filed Dec 30, 201580,000 milesIL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SEDONA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A DEER AND CAUSED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END. DURING THE CRASH, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Seat Belts
Filed Sep 24, 2015124,000 milesIL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO BUCKLE THE SEAT BELT, THE SECOND ROW SEAT BELT ANCHOR CABLES SNAPPED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000.
Air Bags
Filed Sep 21, 2015132,000 milesDC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN PARK AND STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,000.
Wheels
Filed Jul 30, 20151,100,000 milesFL
REAR WHEEL BEARING FREEZING UP MAKING TIRE COME OFF
Service Brakes
Filed Jul 29, 2015110,000 milesFL
ABS LIGHT ON FRONT BRAKES ON DRIVERS SIDE NOT WORKING RIGHT
Air Bags
Filed Jul 23, 2015FL
THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAM ON AND IS STILL ON. THIS AIR BAG NEEDS TO BE REPLACED....UPDATED 11/04/15 *BF
Electrical System › Wiring › Fuses and Circuit BreakersFire
Filed Jun 12, 2015128,000 milesFL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SEDONA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, SMOKE APPEARED UNDER THE DRIVER SIDE DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CLEAR OUT THE SMOKE AND NOTICED THAT THE FUSE BOX CAUGHT FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.
Air Bags1 injured
Filed Apr 3, 2015120,000 milesIL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED INDEPENDENTLY. AS A RESULT, THE WINDSHIELD SHATTERED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED TWO BROKEN FINGERS THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
EngineFire
Filed Mar 18, 2015130,000 milesGA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN PARK, THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
Service Brakes
Filed Mar 9, 2015140,000 milesMD
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE BRAKE FAILED TO RESPOND WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS SYSTEM FAILED TO ALLOW BRAKE FLUID TO RUN THROUGH. IN ADDITION, THE OUTLET VALVE BECAME STUCK IN THE LOCK POSITION AND THE ABS UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. MA 10/22/2015 UPDATED 9/27/2017*CN
Engine
Filed Jan 31, 2015IN
I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED. IT DROVE JUST FINE FOR THE FIRST SEVERAL MONTHS, BUT EVENTUALLY IT WOULD START SPUTTERING LIKE IT WAS OUT OF GAS WHEN IT ACTUALLY HAD GAS IN THE VEHICLE. EVENTUALLY, IT CAME TO A POINT WHEN IT WOULD RUN WHEN IT WANTED TO AND STALL WHEN IT WANTED TO. I TOOK IT TO A SERVICE STATION TO GET IT FIXED AND THEY COULD NOT RECREATE THE PROBLEM TO FIX IT. THEY GAVE ME A COUPLE OF OPTIONS WHAT IT COULD BE, BUT TOLD ME THAT THEY WERE ONLY 75% SURE AND IT WAS GOING TO COST NEARLY $1000 TO FIX. WELL, I DIDN'T HAVE $1000 TO FIX SOME PARTS THAT THEY ARE ONLY 75% SURE ABOUT. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE IT IN TOWN AND IT CONTINUED TO STALL AND DRIVE AS IT PLEASED. AT THIS POINT, IT ACTS LIKE IT WANTS TO TURNOVER, BUT WON'T START. I HAVE RESEARCHED AND FOUND THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON WITH THIS VEHICLE PROBLEM. CAN'T SOMETHING BE DONE?
Air Bags
Filed Nov 19, 2014101,934 milesIN
MY AIRBAG LITE HAS BEEN TURNING OFF AND ON AT DIFFERENT TIMES..EG. LITE TURNS ON AND IS ON FOR ABOUT 15 TO 20 SECONDS THEN TURNS OFF. NOW, 11/17/2014 WHEN I STARTED TO DRIVE IT, THE LIGHT WENT ON AND HAS STAYED ON EVER SINCE WHEN THE IGNITION IS ON. I WANTED TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW BUT THEY ARE OUT OF BUSINESS. TODAY ON FOX NEWS I HEAD WHERE THEY ARE HAVING SOME TROUBLE WITH SEAT BELTS ON DIFFERENT CARS. WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT I SHOULD DO. I LOVE THE CAR AND WANT TO KEEP IT. I HAVEN'T HAD ANY PROBLEM WITH IT. IT HAS BEEN GREAT!! PLEASE ADVISE ME WHAT I SHOULD DO. THANK YOU. RESPECTFULLY, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
A high number of complaints describe fires or crashes.
Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.
Most recent recall on file: Jul 20, 2005. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.