RoadVitals

2002 Kia Sedona Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints 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.
198
Latest Aug 21, 2017
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
30
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Sep 5, 2001

What this page shows

Our database holds 198 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2002 Kia Sedona. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

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

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 198 · page 1 of 8

Body & structure
Filed Aug 21, 2017

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.

NHTSA ID
11016451
Incident
Sep 9, 2010
Body & structure
Filed Mar 17, 2017

DRIVER DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE.

NHTSA ID
10966519
Incident
Mar 16, 2017
Fuel system
Filed Dec 4, 2016

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.

NHTSA ID
10929784
Incident
Dec 1, 2015
Mileage
150,000 mi
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed May 3, 2016
Fire reported

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.

NHTSA ID
10862700
Incident
May 2, 2016
Mileage
1,800,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Sep 16, 2015

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.

NHTSA ID
10764062
Incident
Sep 15, 2015
AirbagsInterior & seatsSeat belts
Filed Aug 21, 2015
Crash reported4 injuries reported

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. POLICE, PARAMEDIC'S, COLLISION CENTER, WITNESSES, AND MY INSURANCE COMPANY WERE ALL NOTIFIED OR HAD NOTIFIED ABOUT THE AIRBAGS. APPARENTLY, MY SEAT WHICH WAS THE DRIVER SEAT WAS ALSO COMPLETELY SNAPPED OFF AS WELL. UPDATED 08/26/15*BF

NHTSA ID
10750433
Incident
Aug 18, 2015
Engine
Filed Feb 22, 2015

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

NHTSA ID
10689862
Incident
Feb 22, 2015
Visibility
Filed Jun 24, 2014

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

NHTSA ID
10605647
Incident
Jun 18, 2014
Mileage
180,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed May 15, 2014

BOTH OF MY FRONT DOOR HANDLES ON INSIDE BROKE COMPLETELY OFF EXACTLY THE SAME WAY ONLY WAY TO GET OUT IF MY CAR IS TO ROLL WINDOW DOWN AND OPEN FROM OUTSIDE. ALSO SLIDING DOOR HANDLE SAME MATERIAL BROKE OFF I FEEL IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD IF THE WINDOWS WERE TO QUIT WORKING I WOULD HAVE NO WAY OUT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10588646
Incident
Jan 4, 2014
Electrical
Filed Mar 25, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE WIRING OF THE AIR CONDITIONING AND HEATING UNITS. ADDITIONALLY, THE DASH LIGHTS WOULD NOT PROPERLY ILLUMINATE. THE POWER DOOR LOCKS AND POWER WINDOWS WOULD ALSO INTERMITTENTLY FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10574796
Incident
Nov 27, 2013
Mileage
127,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Mar 18, 2014
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUFFERED HEAD, NECK AND BACK INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AT THE SCENE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.

NHTSA ID
10573181
Incident
Feb 28, 2014
Mileage
92,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Feb 21, 2014
Fire reported

THE CAR WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE. A NEIGHBOR KNOCKED ON THE DOOR AND TOLD US THAT THE KIA WAS ON FIRE. NO ONE WAS IN THE CAR AT THAT TIME. THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS TOTALLY BURNED UP. THE CAR GAVE ME NO OTHER PROBLEMS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10565372
Incident
Jan 5, 2014
Mileage
130,500 mi
Airbags
Filed Nov 23, 2013
Crash reported

DRIVING HOME AND A DEER JUMPED OUT IN FRONT OF MY VAN AND I HIT THE DEER AND TOTALED MY VAN BAD WHERE THE AIR BAGS SHOULD OF WENT OFF BUT IT DIDN'T NOW THERE'S A LIGHT ON THE DASH THAT LOOKS LIKE A GUY SITTING IN A SEAT WITH A BELT ON AND AN AIR BAG IN FRONT OF IT.

NHTSA ID
10553509
Incident
Nov 22, 2013
Mileage
187,376 mi
ElectricalSteering
Filed Aug 30, 2013
Fire reported

I DROVE 25 MINUTES FROM A TO B AND PARKED MY CAR. TURNED THE ENGINE OFF SAT THERE WITH THE RADIO ON FOR 1 MINUTE EXACTLY AND I HEAR A. PSHHHHH AND SMOKE RISING QUICKLY, THEN A FLAME FROM THE FUSE BOX BY MY LEFT FOOT. I GOT OUT OPENED THE DOOR LOOKED FOR THE SMOKE AND FLAME THAT WERE REFLECTING AND WAVING. I OPENED THE FUSE BOX SLIDER COVER WITH A KNIFE AND STARTED TO SQUIRT WATER OUT FROM MY BOTTLED WATER QUICKLY. THANK GOODNESS I HAD WATER. FLAME WENT OUT AND I SAW THE INSIDE OF THE FUSE COVER BURNT, AND A FUSE LOOKED LIKE IT CAUGHT ON FIRE BECAUSE THE FUSE LOOKED COMPLETELY MELTED.I HAVE A VIDEO OF THE AFTERMATH RIGHT AFTER THE FIRE WENT OUT. TOMORROW ILL BE CALLING INSURANCE, KIA, AND WHOEVER ELSE THAT CAN HELP ME UNDERSTAND WHAT IS GOING ON AND WHAT I CAN DO TO ENSURE MY SAFETY. PLEASE HELP OR APPROVE A RECALL. THANK GOODNESS I DIDNT EXIT MY CAR SO QUICK OR ALOT OF THE CAR WOULD HAVE BEEN ON FIRE.

NHTSA ID
10538031
Incident
Aug 30, 2013
Mileage
69,500 mi
Interior & seatsExterior lighting
Filed Aug 28, 2013

THE HEADLIGHTS KEEPS BLOWING. HAVE REPLACED 3 TIMES. ALL THE LIGHT ON THE INSIDE KEEPS COMING ON (BATTERY, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, SEAT BELT LIGHT; BELL RINGS). HAD ALTERNATOR CHECKED AND IT IS FINE. THE FUSES ARE FINE. THERE IS DEFECT WITH THIS VEHICLE, I SAW OTHERS WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT, EVEN ON NEWER MODELS. THE COMPANY NEEDS TO FIX THIS. CAN'T DRIVE THE VEHICLE AT NIGHT. AND THE LIGHT REPLACEMENT IS EXPENSIVE. THERE IS A SHAKING AND RUMBLING SOUND COMING FROM VEHICLE. HAVE HAD ENGINE PROBLEMS, HAVE HAD PROBLEMS EVERY SINCE I THIS VEHICLE. ITS BEEN AT THE SHOP MORE THAN ON THE ROAD. HAD I KNOW THAT THE VEHICLE HAD SO MANY ISSUES, I WOULD HAVE NEVER PURCHASED IT. *TT

NHTSA ID
10537811
Incident
Feb 4, 2013
Mileage
163,000 mi
Steering
Filed Mar 4, 2013

I TOOK THE VAN TO THE MECHANIC ABOUT A MONTH AGO. THEY TOLD ME IT NEEDED A STEERING COUPLER AND A FLANGE. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS VERY LOOSE WHEN DRIVING AND WOULD MAKE A CREAKING SOUND. *TR

NHTSA ID
10501184
Incident
Mar 4, 2013
Mileage
139,582 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 13, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, SHE HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE THREADS FOR THE CRANK SHAFT BOLT WERE MISSING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BALANCER AND BOLT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,500.

NHTSA ID
10498010
Incident
Feb 12, 2013
Mileage
105,000 mi
AirbagsSeat belts
Filed Nov 9, 2012

AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATING INTERMITTENTLY - TOOK TO DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSTIC IN 2010. KIA DEALERSHIP IN TURNERSVILLE SAID THAT LIGHT ILLUMINATING WAS NORMAL AND NO ISSUE. I RECENTLY HAD TIMING CHAIN REPLACED BY SAME DEALERSHIP - DIFFERENT TECH. THIS TIME THEY SAID THAT THE LIGHT MEANT THE AIRBAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT! THEY SAID REPAIRS WOULD NOT BE COVERED! I AM FURIOUS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10483838
Incident
Nov 9, 2012
Mileage
90,000 mi
Body & structureElectrical
Filed Aug 16, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT FAILED AND WAS BLOWING WARM AIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND AN INSPECTION WAS PERFORMED, WHICH DETERMINED THAT THE CONDENSER WAS LEAKING. THE DEALER ALSO FOUND THAT THE VEHICLE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE SUB FRAME WAS CORRODED WITH ONLY TWO INCHES OF METAL LEFT SUPPORTING THE ENGINE. THE CORROSION ALSO SPREAD TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

NHTSA ID
10471149
Incident
Jun 1, 2012
Mileage
62,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jun 17, 2012

FAILURE OF AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION TO ENGAGE IN REVERSE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10461986
Incident
Jun 16, 2012
Mileage
194,231 mi
Airbags
Filed Oct 11, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45 MPH WHEN THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 100,000.

NHTSA ID
10429415
Incident
Oct 8, 2011
Mileage
100,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Aug 8, 2011

KUMHO 798 TIRE TREAD SEPARATION. DRIVING AT INTERSTATE SPEED, VIBRATION STARTED AND GOT PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. HAD TO CHANGE TO SPARE WHICH AFTER 30 MINUTES WAS DOING THE SAME THING (SAME BRAND AND MODEL TIRE). PURCHASED NEW TIRES OF DIFFERENT MANUFACTURER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10417953
Incident
Aug 7, 2011
Mileage
179,818 mi
Electrical
Filed Feb 1, 2011

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO INFORMED HER THAT THERE WAS A LOOSE WIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, IT CURRENTLY WILL NOT START AND SHE NOTICED THAT THE HEATING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT ALL OF THE WIRES HAD MELTED, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 73,000.

NHTSA ID
10379822
Incident
Feb 1, 2009
Mileage
65,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 25, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SEDONA EX. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE STALLED. THE BATTERY, BRAKE AND SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE ENGINE WAS RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL MOMENTS. THE FAILURE RECURRED AT LEAST EIGHT DIFFERENT TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES FOR THE SIMILAR FAILURE. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 94,000.

NHTSA ID
10378634
Incident
Nov 27, 2010
Mileage
94,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Dec 13, 2010
1 injury reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 45 MPH, HE HEARD A LOUD NOISE FROM THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE SEAT BELT TIGHTENED CUTTING OFF HIS CIRCULATION. THE CONTACT HAD TO MOVE THE SEAT BACK TO GET AND UNLOCK THE SEAT BELT. A FEW MINUTES LATER, THE SAME FAILURE OCCURRED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO GET THE PASSENGER SIDE UNLOCKED. THE FAILURE LEFT THE CONTACT INJURED ACROSS THE CHEST AND WAIST. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 50,000.

NHTSA ID
10370445
Incident
Dec 7, 2010
Mileage
50,000 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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