RoadVitals

2003 Kia Sedona EX Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
9
Latest Sep 27, 2016
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
26%
of 34 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
5
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2003 Kia Sedona EX submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 9 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming electrical

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Sep 27, 2016

I HAVE A 2003 KIA SEDONA. I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE ALTERNATOR REPLACED 2 TIMES IN A MONTHS TIME. THE DEALERSHIP IS SAYING NOW THAT THE CONNECTOR TO THE FAN HAS MELTED BECAUSE THE FAN IS PULLING TOO MUCH VOLTAGE. BUT FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND FROM OTHERS, THE ISSUE IS THE CONNECTOR AND NOT THE FAN? I HOPE THEY ARE ABLE TO FIND OUT WHAT KEEPS CAUSING THESE ISSUES AND CAN FIX THIS ASAP! I AM SICK OF SPENDING MY NIGHTS STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD! NOT TO MENTION THE FINANCIAL STRAIN IT IS PLACING ON MY FAMILY. NOW I KNOW WHY THE PREVIOUS OWNER TRADED IN THIS JUNK WITH ONLY 53,000 MILES ON IT!

NHTSA ID
10909962
Incident
Sep 25, 2016
Mileage
55,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 31, 2015
Fire reported

WE HAVE A DETACHED GARAGE, AT 4:00 AM OUR DOG WOKE US UP TO HER BARKING. SHE COULD HEAR THE VAN HORN BLOWING. WHEN I TOOK HER OUT, I SAW THE VAN LIGHTS FLASHING AND THE HORN WAS BLOWING. I COULD NOT STOP THE HORN WITH THE KEYLESS REMOTE. I WOKE UP MY HUSBAND, WHEN HE OPENED THE DOOR THE DASHBOARD WAS ALL MELTED, WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED, THE A/C UNIT GOING UP THE DRIVER'S DOOR WAS ALL MELTED. HE FINALLY FOUND A PLACE TO OPEN THE HOOD TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY. THE MECHANISM TO OPEN THE HOOD WAS ALL MELTED AS WELL. THE VAN WAS TOTALED AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY SENT US $3900. THE VAN WAS IS GREAT SHAPE FOR BEING 11 YEARS OLD. WE HAD THE VAN SERVICED AS SCHEDULED AND IT WAS ALWAYS KEPT IN THE GARAGE. WE BOUGHT THE VAN NEW AND STILL LIVE IN THE SAME HOUSE AS WHEN WE BOUGHT IT. SO WE SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED ANY RECALLS ON THE VAN. WE WANTED TO CHECK AND SEE IF THERE WERE ANY CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS PENDING. WHEN WE RAN A SEARCH ON OTHERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, THERE WERE SEVERAL LISTED. SOME JUST AS OURS WAS, DURING THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. I DON'T HAVE THE VIN AT THIS TIME BUT I CAN FIND IT AT HOME IN OUR INSURANCE CLAIM. ANY INFORMATION YOU CAN GIVE US IS GREATLY APPRECIATED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10702907
Incident
Dec 10, 2014
Mileage
125,000 mi
Body & structureElectricalEngine+1 more
Filed Nov 20, 2012

1)HAPPENED TWICE: CAR STOPPED SUDDENLY AFTER A BEEPING NOISE AND ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON BRIEFLY. THERMOSTAT, THERMOSTAT GASKET HAD TO REPLACED TWICE IN 7 MONTHS (REPAIRS DONE ON 5/11/10 AND 12/13/2010). NOTE: ENGINE FLUSH 11/24/09; COOLING SYSTEM PRESSURE TESTED 2/22/10, RADIATOR FLUSHES 6/8/09 AND 7/30/10 IN ADDITION TO LOF EVERY 3,000 MILES) COOLING SYSTEM /CORROSION ISSUES/COOLING SYSTEM CORROSION CONTROL KIT INSTALLED: 12/30/05 & 4/8/08, 2) CAR CAREENING AND TIPPING WHEN STEERING HARD TO RIGHT: FRONT HUB AND WHEEL BEARING, SEAL HAD TO BE REPLACED AS WELL - 3 TIMES (1/2/09; 12/13/10, 8/1/2011). 3) CAR LOST POWER ON FREEWAY DUE TO BAD ALTERNATOR WHICH DISCHARGED BATTERY 6/23/06. *TR

NHTSA ID
10485365
Incident
Jan 2, 2009
Mileage
68,451 mi
Electrical
Filed Aug 17, 2012
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SEDONA EX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY WHEN HE HEARD THE ANTI-THEFT ALARM SOUNDING. THE CONTACT WAS INSIDE HIS HOME AND OBSERVED THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW GLOWING FROM AFAR. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION HE FOUND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 108,000.

NHTSA ID
10471289
Incident
Aug 14, 2012
Mileage
108,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Dec 28, 2011
Fire reported

ON 12/26/2011 WE WENT OUT TO THE VAN (2003 KIA SEDONA) AND THE CAR WOULDN'T START. THE WHOLE VAN SMELLED LIKE MELTED PLASTIC. I LOOKED AT THE FUSE BOX AND THE ENTIRE THING WAS MELTED ALONG WITH THE TRIM AND CARPET. I HAVE PICTURES AND A MOVIE TO SHOW THE EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE. KIA OF PUTNAM CONNECTICUT REFUSED RESPONSIBILITY. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. WE WERE NOT EVEN DRIVING THE CAR WHEN IT HAPPENED THE ISSUE HAPPENED OVERNIGHT. IF PICTURES ARE REQUESTED PLEASE EMAIL ME AT [XXX] THANK YOU. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10441440
Incident
Dec 26, 2011
Mileage
105,000 mi
ElectricalInterior & seats
Filed Jul 16, 2010
Fire reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SEDONA EX. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE RESIDENCE GARAGE AND THE CONTACT NOTICED THE FRONT INTERIOR AND ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL MELTED SEVERELY. THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL MELTED AND WAS DISTORTED TO THE POINT THAT THE STRUCTURE AND GAUGES WERE NOT VISIBLE. THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR OF BURNING WIRE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE GARAGE TO A NEARBY LOCATION. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT CALLED DUE TO THE FACT THAT THERE WAS NO SMOKE PRESENT OR FLAMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED SEVERAL TIMES IN WHICH THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TOW THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE CONTACT WAS DISPLEASED TO KNOW THERE WAS NO RESOLUTION OR ASSISTANCE PROVIDED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. UPDATED 09/24/10. *LJ ACCORDING TO THE CONSUMER, A RECALL WAS ISSUED REGARDING THE SEATS. UPDATED 09/27/10

NHTSA ID
10343622
Incident
Jun 3, 2010
ElectricalEngine
Filed May 26, 2009

WE FIRST GOT OUR (USED) KIA SEDONA OCT. OF 2007. IT HAD ABOUT 45,000 MILES ON IT WHEN WE GOT IT- AND NOW IT HAS ABOUT 74,000. 2 MONTHS INTO HAVING IT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON WHENEVER THE TEMPERATURE DROPPED BELOW 20 DEGREES(F). THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD USUALLY GO OFF BY THE NEXT DAY IF IT WAS WARMER OUT OR WOULD STAY ON FOR UP TO 3 DAYS IF IT WAS VERY COLD) IT STARTED TO BUCK A LOT (ABOUT 6 MONTHS INTO HAVING IT) AND WE BROUGHT IT TO THE SHOP AND HAD THE SPARK PLUGS, WIRES, BOOTS, AND COILS REPLACED. ABOUT A MONTH AFTER THOSE WERE REPLACED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WENT AND WE NEEDED TO REPLACE THAT. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STILL COMES ON WHEN THE TEMPERATURES DROP-BUT THEY CANT FIGURE OUT WHY. NOW THE CAR STALLS (AND BUCKS) AT VARIOUS TIMES FOR NO REASON. WE'VE TAKEN IT TO THE SHOP BUT THEY CANT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. THE RADIO WILL TURN ITSELF UP ALL THE WAY AT DIFFERENT TIME (USUALLY IF IDLING). SOMETIMES THE RADIO STATIONS WILL REVERT BACK TO THE PRESETS SO I HAVE TO RESET ALL OF THE STATIONS I HAD SET. (THIS USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN IT'S COLD OUT) WE WERE STUPID AND BOUGHT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY (WHICH DOESN'T COVER ANYTHING THAT HAS GONE WRONG!- ALTHOUGH THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS COVERED BY THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY) WE OWE TOO MUCH ON IT TO SELL IT OR TRADE IT IN SO NOW WE'RE STUCK WITH AN UNRELIABLE VEHICLE THAT I AM SCARED TO DRIVE MY DAUGHTER AROUND IN- THERE'S NO TELLING WHERE THE CAR MIGHT STALL NEXT! WHAT CAN WE DO? *TR

NHTSA ID
10269907
Incident
Jan 1, 2008
Mileage
49,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Oct 19, 2006
Fire reported

ON TUES. THE 3RD OF OCT. 2006 I WENT TO START MY 2003 KIA SEDONA AND IT WOULD NOT START SO AAA WAS CALLED, THEY CAME AND JUMPED THE BATTERY AND IT WAS ALL SET TO GO. THURSDAY THE 5TH I NOTICED CONSOLE NEAR RADIO WAS HOT TO THE TOUCH. FRIDAY OCT. 6TH 2006 I WENT TO GET INTO MY CAR AND I COULD NOT GET THE DOOR OPEN. I NOTICED THE WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED AND BLACK. WHEN I FINALLY GOT INTO THE CAR THE DRIVERS SIDE WAS COMPLETELY MELTED BY A FIRE THAT OCCURRED SOMETIME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. THE CAR WAS TOTALED BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY, THEY ARE GIVING ME CASH VALUE FOR IT AND NOW I AM STUCK WITH OWING MONEY ON A CAR I DON'T HAVE. THEY ARE CURRENTLY INVESTIGATING THE EXACT CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THERE MUST HAVE BEEN SOME KIND OF MANUFACTURING DEFECT. IT WAS A 2003 AND I PURCHASED IT ONLY 6 MONTHS AGO. NO ONE WAS HURT BUT EVERYTHING WAS DAMAGED AND I AM AT A LOSS AND DON'T KNOW WHAT I CAN DO. *NM

NHTSA ID
10171337
Incident
Oct 6, 2006
Mileage
41,000 mi
Body & structureBrakesElectrical+3 more
Filed Jul 20, 2006

THIS VAN HAS BEEN A PROBLEM EVER SINCE I BOUGHT IT. THIS IS THE 3RD TIME THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED, THE CD PLAYER DOESN'T WORK ANY MORE. THE ALTERNATOR WITH OUT AT 40,000 MILES. THE FUSES INSIDE KEEP BLOWING. THE AIR CONTROLLER IN THE BACK IN FALLING OUT OF THE CEILING. I HAD TO LEAVE IT WITH THE DEALERSHIP FOR OVER A WEEK SO THAT THEY COULD FIND THE HESITATION PROBLEM IT WAS HAVING WHEN PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC. IT TURNED OUT TO BE THE DISTRIBUTOR CABLE, THIS WAS AT ABOUT 17,000 MILES AND THAT WAS ALSO THE MILES AT THE 2ND BRAKES JOB. IT NOW MAKES A NOISE IN THE BACK OF THE VAN THAT SOUNDS LIKE A MOTORCYCLE IS COMING UP BEHIND YOU. I JUST HOPE WHATEVER IT IS IT DOESN'T BLOW LIKE IT SOUNDS LIKE IT COULD. I BOUGHT THIS VAN BECAUSE I HAVE A 1 YEAR OLD AND A 4 YEAR OLD SO I REALLY DON'T WANT TO CRASH WITH SUCH PRECIOUS CARGO. THANKS, ROSE ANN. *NM

NHTSA ID
10162967
Incident
Jul 20, 2006
Mileage
17,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .