Engine
3.5L 6-cyl
How to read this file. Complaint records are unverified owner submissions to the federal safety agency. Counts are raw, not adjusted for sales volume or vehicle age. Recall campaigns apply to the model; only a VIN check shows whether this car is affected or repaired. Parts shown are named by an editorial note or listed as a search directory; none is a diagnosis. Full methodology.
Fault profile
Complaint-component records on this vehicle, grouped by family. A complaint naming two systems counts once in each.
Complaints are owner-reported and not verified by the agency.
When it fails
The timing of this vehicle's reported failures, from the complaint file itself. A cluster tells you what to expect and when; it is shaped by reporting behavior as well as by the vehicle.
Vehicle age when the failure occurred
Years between the model year and the owner's reported failure date. Based on 156 of 163 complaints with a usable failure date.
Odometer when the failure occurred
Owner-reported mileage at failure, in 20,000-mile bands. Based on 117 of 163 complaints reporting a plausible odometer (500 to 500,000 miles; unverified).
Known issues
The component families with the most complaint records against this vehicle. Counts, crash and fire figures belong to the whole family, not to any single named issue. Parts listed are related system parts, not a diagnosis.
Electrical system
31 complaint records17 fire reports
"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..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse electrical system parts in the directory →
Brakes
28 complaint records2 crash reports
"AIR IN THE BRAKE LINE CAUSED THE BRAKES TO FAIL WITHOUT WARNING. THE LINES WERE SERVICED BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *NLM..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse brakes parts in the directory →
Engine & cooling
25 complaint records5 fire reports
"MOTOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED WITH JUST 39,000 MILES ON THE VAN AND JUST 4 YEARS OLD. SERVICE DEPT. WILL NOT COVER THIS. *JB..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse engine & cooling parts in the directory →
Federal defect investigations
Formal investigations opened by the federal safety agency into this vehicle. An investigation is the step between a complaint pattern and a recall; not every one results in one.
| Investigation | Status | Component | Subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| EA08017 opened Aug 2008 | closed Jul 2009 | Steering | STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT BINDING 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... |
| PE08033 opened Apr 2008 | closed Aug 2008 | Steering | STEERING BINDING 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... |
| PE05035 opened Jun 2005 | closed Oct 2005 | Electrical System | ELECTRICAL FIRE - led to recall 05V463000 BY LETTER DATED OCTOBER 4, 2005, KIA NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO. 05V463) INVOLVING ALL MODEL YEAR (MY) 2002, 2003 KIA SEDONA EX VEHICLES AND CERTAIN MY 2004 KIA SEDONA EX VEHICLES.KIA?S RECALL COVERS 74,276... |
| PE04067 opened Sep 2004 | closed Jan 2005 | Vehicle Speed Control | THROTTLE CABLE BINDING - led to recall 05V329000 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... |
Recall campaigns
Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN. Each campaign number links to the federal record.
| Campaign | Component | Summary | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 05V329000 | Vehicle Speed Control | ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, FREEZING CONDITIONS CAN CAUSE WATER ON THE THROTTLE CABLE TO FREEZE DURING NORMAL OPERATION. | Normally free |
| 05V232000 | Wheels | ON CERTAIN MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH ALLOY WHEELS, MOISTURE CAN ACCUMULATE AROUND THE REAR HUB CAPS CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE OUTER WHEEL BEARING. | Normally free |
| 05V013000 | Vehicle Speed Control | ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, DURING ASSEMBLY, THE THROTTLE CABLE WOULD TWIST ITSELF OUT OF POSITION. | Normally free |
| 03V158000 | Service Brakes, Air | ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THERE WAS A PROGRAMMING ERROR IN THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE LOGIC. | Normally free |
Transport Canada recalls
Recalls issued under Canadian law for this model year, from Transport Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database. Matched by model name, so a Canadian-market variant may appear here that was sold under another name in the US. Units are Canadian vehicles affected.
| Recall | System | Units (CA) | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005316 2005-10-18 | Electrical | 9,220 | On certain vehicles, the wiring under the front seats of vehicles equipped with power seats could be misrouted, allowing the wire to be pinched by metal seat components. |
| 2005228 2005-08-08 | Engine | 9,488 | On certain vehicles, water may enter between a protective rubber sleeve and the throttle cable towards the rear portion of the cable. |
| 2005041 2005-02-18 | Other | 11,517 | On certain vehicles, moisture can accumulate on the throttle cable. In freezing conditions, excessive moisture build-up can result in ice accumulation and resistance to movement. |
| 2003164 2003-07-02 | Brakes | 813 | On certain vehicles, there was a programming error in the ABS control module logic. This programming error could cause reduced braking force at speeds below 40 Km/h (25 mph), resulting in increased stopping distances and the possibility of... |
Service bulletins and warranty extensions
Manufacturer communications to dealers on file with the federal agency: repair instructions, service campaigns, and warranty extensions. A warranty extension means the manufacturer may pay for a repair the recall table does not cover.
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| TSB_BOD055_R1 Sep 2021 | Structure | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFORMATION FOR HEADLAMP CONDENSATION AND MOISTURE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. | |
| PS539 Mar 2018 | Engine And Engine Cooling | PITSTOP - ENGINE COMPONENT RE-USE GUIDELINES - In general, parts and components removed during engine repairs should be considered serviceable, and should be thoroughly cleaned and transferred to the new engine. | |
| TSB-GEN085R1 Jan 2017 | Equipment | TSB: MANDATORY REPLACEMENT OF LOCKING/SECURITY HARDWARE - By design, certain fasteners, which are designed to lock into place once fully attached, are utilized in various Kia models and are strictly intended for ?one time use.? | |
| TSB-GEN085 Nov 2016 | Equipment Adaptive/Mobility | TSB: MANDATORY REPLACEMENT OF LOCKING/SECURITY HARDWARE - By design, certain fasteners utilized in various Kia models are strictly intended for ?one time use?. | |
| PS443 Apr 2016 | Electrical System | TSB - USE OF AFTERMARKET USB CHARGING CABLES IN USB/12V PORTS - This article provides information regarding the use of USB ports and 12V power outlets to connect/charge mobile phones. |
Show 16 more bulletins
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| TSBTRA046 Dec 2013 | Power Train | TSB: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES INFORMATION RELATING TO THE CORRECT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUIDS THAT ARE REQUIRED FOR EACH KIA MODEL. | |
| TSB-068 May 2010 | Engine And Engine Cooling | KIA: INTERMITTENT MIL ON WITH NO FAULT CODE STORED; INFORMATION ABOUT DTC P1330. PROVIDES INFORMATION RELATING TO CERTAIN VEHICLES. | |
| TSB-044 Nov 2009 | Electrical System | KIA: ECM UPGRADE WITH TP SENSOR REPLACEMENT-MIL ON WITH DTC P2135/P0638. INFORMATION RELATED TO ECM SOFTWARE AND TP SENSOR UPGRADE ON SOME VEHICLES WITH 2.7L ENGINES WHICH MAY EXPERIENCE A MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ILLUMINATED WITH THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL (ETC)... | |
| TSB-048 Sep 2009 | Structure | KIA: POWER SLIDING DOOR REMOE CONTROLLER MOTOR REPLACEMENT. ON SOME VEHICLES, A POWER SLIDING DOOR (PSD) MAY NOT OPEN WHEN USING AN OVERHEAD CONSOLE SWITCH, B PILLAR SWITCH OR REMOTE CONTROL BUTTON. *PE | |
| TSB-019 Oct 2008 | Steering | KIA: INCREASED STEERING EFFORT. IN AREAS WHERE HEAVY ROAD SALT USE OCCURS, INCREASED STEERING EFFORT AND NOISE (FROM STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT) FOR SOME SEDONA. *PE | |
| KT-2008082201 Aug 2008 | Parking Brake | KIA: ALL MODELS. ARTICLE PROVIDES INFORMATION RELATING TO THE IMPROVED DURABILITY OF BULB LIFE FOR REAR COMBINATION BULB; REAR STOP LAMP/TAIL LAMP BULB UTILIZED ON MULTIPLE KIA MODELS. *PE | |
| 013 May 2008 | Engine And Engine Cooling | SEDONA (GQ) CORRODED HEATER COOLANT PIPES - ON SOME BUILT FROM MAY 1, 2001, TO AUG. 30, 2005. *NJ UPDATED 6/17/08. *NJ | |
| 013 Apr 2007 | Fuel System | THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR W/ 3.5L ENGINES. *KB | |
| 049 May 2005 | Suspension | SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN FOR THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS THAT MAY HAVE WATER INTRUDING INTO THE BEARING AREA THROUGH THE JOINT BETWEEN THE HUBCAP AND HUB AND MAY CONTAMINATE THE GREASE OR DAMAGE THE REAR WHEEL BEARING(S). | |
| 008 Apr 2005 | Equipment | AIR CONDITIONING (A/C) DIAGNOSIS AND PERFORMANCE TESTING. *TT | |
| 042 Mar 2005 | Vehicle Speed Control | THROTTLE CABLE ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT RECALL CAMPAIGN. *TT | |
| 82 Jan 2005 | Structure | IMPROVED CENTER SLIDING DOOR ROLLER ASSEMBLY. *TT | |
| 81 Jan 2005 | Suspension | REAR WHEEL BEARING TORQUE UPDATE. *TT | |
| 006 Dec 2004 | Fuel System | ENHANCED DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR FOR P0446/P2422. *TT | |
| 010 May 2003 | Engine And Engine Cooling | CHARGING SYSTEM CHANGES TO IMPROVE ALTERNATOR OUTPUT DURING HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURE SEVERE OPERATING CONDITIONS. *TT | |
| 032 May 2003 | Service Brakes | RECALL CAMPAIGN TO REPROGRAM THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) CONTROL MODULE. *TT |
Before you buy this vehicle
A test-drive checklist generated from this vehicle's own complaint and recall record.
- Sit in it with the engine off and test everything that has a switch.Windows, locks, lights, the cluster, the radio. Electrical faults are this vehicle's story and the hardest to see on a drive: an intermittent no-start waits for the second week of ownership. Ask for the battery's age and whether any control module has been replaced.
- Brake hard once from speed on an empty road.A pull to one side, a pulsing pedal, a pedal that sinks at a stop, or an ABS light that stays lit are the brake complaints on this vehicle presenting themselves.
- Cold-start it yourself and listen for the first thirty seconds.Knocking, ticking that fades as it warms, or blue or white smoke on startup are the sounds of this vehicle's engine cluster. Check the oil level and the coolant color, and ask whether the engine or its head gaskets have ever been out.
- Run the VIN against open recalls before you negotiate.This vehicle has 4 recall campaigns on file. An open recall needs VIN-specific confirmation. Many are quick, no-charge fixes and worth negotiating over; an unresolved do-not-drive advisory, or a remedy the manufacturer has not yet made available, should stop the purchase until it is resolved.
- Ask for the service history in writing, then read it against this page.The complaint families above are where owners of this vehicle report trouble. Repairs in exactly those systems are evidence the car had the problem; no such repairs could mean it never developed it, or that it was never fixed. The test-drive items above are how you tell those apart.
Parts search directory
The generic parts list for this vehicle has its own page: a search launcher for every system, filtered by fuel type and era but not by engine, trim, or brake type. It is not a diagnosis and not a fitment guarantee.
Open the parts directory for this Kia Sedona →