Model year record

2002 Kia Sedona recalls & problems

The 2002 Kia Sedona has 3 safety recalls and 198 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (59 complaints).

Recalls3safety recalls

Complaints198filed by owners

Crashes · fires17 · 13reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths20 · 1reported in complaints

2002 Kia Sedona in an NHTSA crash test — NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

Vehicle speed controlJan 19, 2005

Cables

Recall 05V01300089,238 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.

SeatsApr 3, 2003

Mid/rear assembly

Recall 03V1350004,276 vehicles

Problem: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, SOME OF THE SECOND AND THIRD ROW SEAT STRIKERS INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE FLOOR PAN HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND COULD BREAK IN A CRASH.
Risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN INJURIES TO OCCUPANTS OF THESE SEATS.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT STRIKERS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 25, 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

Seat beltsJan 22, 2003

Rear/other

Recall 03V01700021,248 vehicles

Problem: CERTAIN MINI VANS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." THE SECOND AND THIRD SEAT BELT BUCKLE ANCHOR BOLTS DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE STANDARDS.
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE ANCHOR BOLTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 24, 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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2002 Kia Sedona Van

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Sedona

16mpg combined

City / highway	14 / 18 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Electrical systemAlternator/generator/regulator; 12v/24v/48v battery	59	0	12	1	49,928 mi
Seat beltsFront › Buckle assembly; Rear/other	29	6	1	10	50,275 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Disc › Rotor; Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	27	4	1	2	22,000 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Engine › Gasoline	27	0	1	0	26,000 mi
VisibilityWindshield; Glass, side/rear	22	0	0	0	36,438 mi
Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal; Cables	19	6	2	11	37,275 mi
Air bagsFrontal; Frontal › Sensor/control module	19	6	0	6	84,000 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Manual transmission	17	0	0	0	55,000 mi
SuspensionFront; Front › Macpherson strut	16	0	0	0	15,000 mi
StructureBody › Door; Body	14	0	0	1	50,764 mi
Latches/locks/linkagesDoors › Latch; Hatchback/liftgate › Lock	13	0	2	0	41,300 mi
SeatsMid/rear assembly; Front assembly › Recliner	13	2	1	4	39,000 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Structure › Body
THE DOOR HANDLES ARE PLASTIC AND EVENTUALLY BROKE OFF ON THE OUTSIDE SO THAT OPENING THE DOORS -ALL 4- IS TRICKY SINCE ONLY ONE SIDE OF THE HANDLE REMAINS IN PLACE. THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLES HAVE A PLASTIC CHROME-LOOKING COATING THAT PEELS OFF AND HAS CUT OUR HANDS SEVERAL TIMES CAUSING US TO NEED BANDAGES AS SOON AS WE RUN IN THE FRONT DOOR.
Sep 9, 2010
Structure › Body
DRIVER DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE.
Mar 16, 2017
Fuel/propulsion system
IT IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO PUMP GAS INTO THE VAN. THE PUMP KEEPS SHUTTING OFF NO MATTER HOW SLOW I PUMP OR HOW FAR I PUT THE NOZZLE INTO THE TANK.
Dec 1, 2015 · 150,000 miles
Electrical systemFire
I WAS DRIVING NO LESS THEN THAN BLOCK FROM MY HOUSE - WHEN I NOTICE SMOKE FROM THE DRIVER SIDE FUSE PANEL AND NEXT THING YOU KNOW THE WHOLE PANEL BECAME ENGULF IN FLAMES. I CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND ABLE TO PUT FIRE OUT- BUT UNFORTUNATELY, THE CAR BECOME TOTAL IN THE DAMAGE.
May 2, 2016
Tires
DROVE HOME FROM WORK AT 35 MPH. THE NEXT MORNING NOTICED TIRE TREAD HAD SEPARATED FROM THE SIDEWALL AROUND MUCH OF THE PERIMETER OF THE TIRE. TIRE WAS FLAT.
Sep 15, 2015
Air bagsCrash4 injuries
BEFORE THE INCIDENT THERE WERE ISSUES WITH THE REAR CAPTAIN CHAIRS SEAT BELT LATCH WHEN TRYING TO BUCKLE THEM. I HAVE THREE SMALL CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 3 YEARS OF AGE AND IT IS VERY IMPORTANT AND CRUCIAL THAT SEAT BELTS ARE IN WORKING ORDER WITHOUT ISSUES FOR THE SAFETY OF THEIR WELL BEING. BEFORE THE INCIDENT THE SEATS THEMSELVES IN THE REAR ROWS HAD ISSUES LATCHING AS WELL WHEN BEING INSTALLED. ON AUGUST 18, 2015 MYSELF AND THREE SMALL CHILDREN WERE IN A SEVERE HIGH IMPACT ACCIDENT AND NONE OF THE AIRBAGS HAD GONE OFF LIKE THEY NEVER EXISTED. MY KIDS AND I SUFFER FROM SEAT BELT ABRASIONS AND I SUFFER FROM BRUISING IN MULTIPLE PLACES FROM MY HEAD DOWN, SHOULDER PAIN AND BACK ISSUES.…
Aug 18, 2015
Engine
I HAD MY CAMSHAFT REAR PLUG REPLACED AFTER IN CAME OUT AND LEAKED OIL EVERYWHERE IN 2014. NOW IT'S COME OUT AGAIN DOING THE SAME THING. WHAT CAN I DO TO KEEP IT FROM HAPPENING AGAIN AND AGAIN. IS IT THE PLUG OR THE CAMSHAFT THAT'S BLOWING IT OUT. I CAN'T FIND ANY SCHEMATIC TO SHOW ME WHY OR WHAT TO DO. *TR
Feb 22, 2015
Visibility › Glass, side/rear
GOING DOWN 251 AND THEY WERE BUSH HOGING AND WE SLOWED DOWN AND THE LAST ONE WE WENT BY BROKE THE PASSENGER SIDE BACK WINDOW. *TR
Jun 18, 2014 · 180,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT BINDINGClosed
ODIS ANALYSIS OF WARRANTY DATA SHOWS THAT THE ALLEGED DEFECT HAS OCCURRED AT A RELATIVELY HIGH FREQUENCY IN SALT-BELT STATES (5.9 PERCENT).HOWEVER, THE TESTS CONDUCTED BY ODI AND KIA HAVE SHOWN THAT THE ALLEGED DEFECT HAS A MINIMAL EFFECT ON STEERING EFFORTS.IN ADDITION, ODI INTERVIEWS OF OWNERS WHO EXPERIENCED THE ALLEGED DEFECT SHOWED THAT IN MOST CASES THE PROBLEM WAS PRECEDED BY MONTHS OR YEARS OF NOISE OR A GRADUAL INCREASE IN STEERING EFFORTS AND WAS MORE OF A NUISANCE CONCERN. THERE HAS BEEN ONE ALLEGATION OF A MINOR CRASH RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT, INVOLVING A MY 2003 KIA SEDONA WITH 59,900 MILES.THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN CHECKED TWICE IN THE PREVIOUS NINE MONTHS BY A DEALER FOR COMPLAINTS OF STIFF STEERING AND THAT THE VEHICLE FELT LIKE IT WAS INTERMITTENTLY LOSING POWER ASSIST.THE CRASH OCCURRED AS THE DRIVER WAS ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY…
EA08017 · opened Aug 28, 2008 · closed Jul 1, 2009
STEERING BINDINGClosed
ON APRIL 28, 2008, THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED PRELIMINARY EVALUATION PE08-033 TO INVESTIGATE COMPLAINTS ALLEGING STEERING BINDING IN MODEL YEAR 2002 THROUGH 2004 KIA SEDONA MINIVANS.KIA'S RESPONSE TO ODI'S REQUEST FOR INFORMATION IN PE08-033 INDICATED THAT CONCERNS WITH BINDING OF THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT WERE FIRST IDENTIFIED AND INVESTIGATED IN AUGUST 2002, IN VEHICLES SOLD IN INDONESIA.THIS INVESTIGATION RESULTED IN THE ADDITION OF A STIFFENING RIB TO THE BEARING CAP SEAL.IN JUNE 2003, KIA AGAIN INVESTIGATED OWNER COMPLAINTS OF STEERING NOISE AND HIGHER THAN NORMAL STEERING RESISTANCE AND IN OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER OF 2003 DESIGN CHANGES TO THE SHAFT UNIVERSAL JOINT BEARINGS WERE MADE TO IMPROVE LUBRICANT RETENTION AND ELIMINATE WATER INTRUSION THAT COULD LEAD TO EARLY BEARING FAILURE.ACCORDING TO KIA, THE ALLEGED DEFECT RESULTS IN A PROGRESSIVE CHANGE IN…
PE08033 · opened Apr 28, 2008 · closed Aug 28, 2008
THROTTLE CABLE BINDINGClosedLed to recall 05V013000
KIA PROVIDED INFORMATION DESCRIBING A WATER ENTRY POINT AT THE RUBBER SEALING BOOT LOCATED AT THE THROTTLE BODY END OF THE THROTTLE CABLE, ADVISING THAT WATER COULD ENTER THE CABLE SHEATH DURING NORMAL VEHICLE OPERATION.IN LOW TEMPERATURES, THE WATER FREEZES AND MAY IMPEDE THE MOVEMENT OF THE THROTTLE CABLE THEREBY PREVENTING AN OPEN THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO THE CLOSED POSITION.A STUCK THROTTLE COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.TO PREVENT WATER INGRESS, KIA INCREASED THE CRIMPING FORCE OF THE CLAMP INSTALLED ON THE RUBBER BOOT FROM 2 TO 5 KILOGRAMS FORCE.THE ACTION TOOK PLACE IN APRIL 2004 AND OCCURRED IN CONNECTION WITH OTHER CHANGES TO THE THROTTLE CABLE SYSTEM.TO REMEDY THE VEHICLES BUILT BEFORE THIS DATE (ALL OF MY 2002 AND PART OF 2003), KIA WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE CABLE WITH AN IMPROVED COMPONENT.CERTAIN RECALLED VEHICLES WILL ALSO HAVE AN…
PE04067 · opened Sep 24, 2004 · closed Jan 27, 2005