Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full
Data refreshed
Our database holds 163 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2003 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.
Showing 1–25 of 163 · page 1 of 7
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
REAR WHEEL BEARING FREEZING UP MAKING TIRE COME OFF
ABS LIGHT ON FRONT BRAKES ON DRIVERS SIDE NOT WORKING RIGHT
THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAM ON AND IS STILL ON. THIS AIR BAG NEEDS TO BE REPLACED....UPDATED 11/04/15 *BF
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.
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.
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.
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
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?
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
FUSE PANEL CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNT WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND NOT IN USE. VEHICLE IS NO LONGER FUNCTIONAL. *TR
WHILE DRIVING TO THE GAS STATION TO GET SOME GAS THE CAR DIED. AFTER A TWO MINUTE WAIT, WE RESTARTED THE CAR WITH NO PROBLEM.. THIS DID HAPPEN ONE OTHER TIME TWO WEEKS BEFORE AND IT SHUT OFF APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION. THERE WAS PLENTY OF FUEL IN THE SYSTEM. AGAIN, WAITED A MINUTE AND IT RESTARTED. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FOR MY GRANDDAUGHTER AS A GIFT ON JANUARY 2014 FROM AL SERRA NORTH CHEVROLET USED CAR LOT. THEY OFFERED SAFETY INSPECTION ALONG WITH TEST DRIVE. I JUST TOOK IT BACK TO AL SERRA CHEVROLET FOR A 90 DAY COMPLIMENTARY SAFETY CHECK WITH ALL FLUIDS TOPPED OFF. THEY SAID ALL WAS FINE. I CAN BET THE ELECTRONICS WAS NOT EVEN CHECKED. I AM AFRAID THAT MY GRANDDAUGHTER IS DRIVING A VERY UNSAFE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE COULD STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION AND WITH CATASTROPHIC EFFECTS. REQUEST IMMEDIATE ACTION. *TR
I BOUGHT A USED 2003 KIA SEDONA WITH 136000 MILES. THE DAY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE SRS INDICATOR LIGHT STARTED STAYING LIT ON THE DASH. MY MECHANIC FOUND THAT THE CODE WAS B1513, WHICH INDICATED A PROBLEM WITH THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT BUCKLE (FEMALE END). THEY ORDERED THAT PART NEW FROM KIA AND REPLACED IT (FOR A COST OF $238). THE INDICATOR LIGHT DID NOT DISPLAY FOR ABOUT THREE WEEKS WHEN IT WENT ON AGAIN. THIS TIME, THE CODES WERE B1511 AND B1513, WHICH INDICATES PROBLEMS WITH BOTH THE DIVER AND PASSENGER BUCKLES. MY MECHANIC BELIEVES IT IS A WIRING ISSUE, AND AT THIS POINT WE ARE NOT REPLACING THE SEATBELTS, BECAUSE I HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING THAT IT WOULD REALLY RESOLVE THE ISSUE. THE COST TO REPLACE THE SRS WIRING IS PROHIBITIVE (OVER $1000). I FEEL VERY UNSAFE IN THIS VEHICLE, AS NO ONE CAN SAY FOR SURE THAT MY AIRBAGS WILL STILL DEPLOY IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. IT IS VERY DISAPPOINTING BECAUSE THE VEHICLE STILL DRIVES VERY WELL. KIA SHOULD BE MORE PROACTIVE ABOUT REPLACING/REPAIRING FAULTY SRS COMPONENTS, EVEN IN OLDER VEHICLES. *TR
I BOUGHT A 2003 SEDONA USED IN 2007 WITH ABOUT 50000 MILES AND HAVE NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS EVER SINCE. 1ST IN 7/08 I WENT TO A LOCAL SHOP (NOT KIA) BECAUSE MY ENGINE SEEMED VERY LOUD. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME I NEEDED NEW MOTOR MOUNTS N THAT IT WAS KIND OF UNUSUAL FOR A CAR TO NEED THEM SO SOON. I DID CALL KIA N ASK THEM ABOUT THIS AND WAS BASICALLY TOLD TO BAD FOR YOU. SO I HAD THEM FIXED ($556.36). NOT EVEN A FEW WEEKS LATER MY AC WAS BLOWING HOT. SAME MECHANIC TOLD ME MY AC WAS OUT N THAT ONE OF THE HOSES NEEDED REPLACED. HAD TO WAIT A FEW YEARS BUT HAD IT REPLACED ($1050.72). HAD MY 1ST BRAKE JOB DONE IN 2008 EVER SINCE I'VE HAD TO HAVE MY BRAKES REPLACE 2-3 YEARLY PLUS HAD TO HAVE NEW CALIPERS. NO ONE CAN TELL ME WAY THE BREAKPADS WEAR OUT SO QUICKLY. I DONT DRIVE A UNUSUAL AMOUNT. I'VE HAD TO REPLACE 2 INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE AND NOW HAVE A BROKEN EXTERIOR HANDLE. MY AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON WHILE I DRIVE WHICH SCARES ME READING OTHERS AIRBAG STORIES. WHEN I TRY TO FILL MY CAR WITH GAS THE PUMP WILL CLICK OFF AFTER A DOLLAR OR 2 LIKE ITS FULL BUT ITS NOT. AND JUST A WEEK OR SO AGO I WAS OB THE HIGHWAY WITH THE CRUUSE CONTROL ON ALL OF A SUDDEN I SMELT THIS OVERPOWERING SMELL OF GAS. I PULLED OVER AND CHECKED BUT DIDNT SEE ANYTHING WRONG. CONTINUED DRIVING AGAIN SMELLED GAS TRIED TURNING OFF THE AC DIDNT HELP. TRIED TURNING OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL THE SMELL INSTANTLY STOPPED. I HOPE THAT SOMETHING CAN B DONE TO HELP ME AND THE OTHERS WITH KIAS. I HAVE SOME OF MY REPAIR PAPERWORK. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS FOR ME PLEASE CALL ME. *TR
I PURCHASED THE 2003 KIA SEDONA IN JUNE OF 2012 AND BY OCTOBER OF 2013 WE HAD TO REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR TWICE IN LESS THEN A MONTH DUE TO IT LOSING POWER NOW THE CAR CONTINUES TO LOOSE POWER WHEN DRIVING AND WHILE IT IS STOPPED. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO 3 DIFFERENT MECHANICS AND NO ONE CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT. THE BATTERY IS BRAND NEW AND THE ALTERNATOR IS BRAND NEW BUT THE BATTERY DIES EVERY TIME IT IS DRIVEN. ALL THE MECHANICS CAN TELL ME IS THAT THE ALTERNATOR IS NOT CHARGING THE BATTERY BUT IT IS WORKING. IT WILL START HICCUPING WHEN YOU HAVE TO ACCELERATE. *TR
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.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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