RoadVitals

2005 Kia Sedona

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints 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.
185
Latest Apr 4, 2023
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Jul 20, 2005
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
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.
29
16 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 185 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2005 Kia Sedona, most frequently naming the brakes, engine and electrical categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 22 manufacturer communications are on file.

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

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
05V329000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES

Jul 20, 2005
118,447 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, FREEZING CONDITIONS CAN CAUSE WATER ON THE THROTTLE CABLE TO FREEZE DURING NORMAL OPERATION. RESISTANCE TO MOVEMENT OF THE THROTTLE CABLE CAN OCCUR WHEN THE DRIVER LIFTS THEIR FOOT OFF OF THE GAS PEDAL.
The risk: THIS CAN CAUSE THE CABLE TO STICK, THUS PREVENTING THE ENGINE FROM RETURNING TO IDLE AND CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO MAINTAIN SPEED OR ACCELERATE. SUCH AN EVENT CAN OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING AND COULD CAUSE A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL MODIFY A PROTECTIVE SLEEVE AROUND THE THROTTLE CABLE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 15, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.Manufacturer number SC-051View on NHTSA.gov
05V232000

WHEELS

May 19, 2005
37,358 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH ALLOY WHEELS, MOISTURE CAN ACCUMULATE AROUND THE REAR HUB CAPS CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE OUTER WHEEL BEARING.
The risk: WHEEL BEARING FAILURE MAY OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR HUB CAPS FREE OF CHARGE. UPON INSPECTION, SOME VEHICLES WILL ALSO REQUIRE REPLACEMENT OF THE REAR OUTER BEARINGS AND/OR HUB ASSEMBLY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 13, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.Manufacturer number SC-049View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 185
Brakes
Filed Apr 4, 2023

Brake line rusted out. Lost brakes while driving.

NHTSA ID
11515399
Incident
Oct 10, 2022
Filed Dec 3, 2021

Hi my van started smell a lot to fuel so I looked for leaks and I found a big leak on the fuel rail rack dripping a lot of fuel on the side of engine when engine is running and the car is unsafe to drive and I’m very worried about this problem. This happened after my car stalled on the street and it never wanted to start again and when I make it start again it started smell gas

NHTSA ID
11442516
Incident
Aug 6, 2021
Other / unspecified
Filed Nov 16, 2021

Rear Right Hub Recall on this model

NHTSA ID
11440726
Incident
Nov 16, 2021
ElectricalEngine
Filed Aug 13, 2021

The contact owns a 2005 Kia Sedona. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, she noticed that the vehicle was overheating. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated she attempted to open the hood of the vehicle to determine the cause of the failure, but the hood would not open. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 88,000.

NHTSA ID
11429054
Incident
Aug 13, 2021
Mileage
88,000 mi
EngineFuel systemSuspension
Filed Mar 12, 2021

THE GA RECOAL BOT NEVER FXE

NHTSA ID
11402660
Incident
Jul 15, 2020
Mileage
10 mi
Electrical
Filed Oct 12, 2019
Fire reported

MY 2005 KIA SEDONA WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE AND IT CAUGHT FIRE IN THE DASH IN FRONT OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THAT IS WHERE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SAID IT STARTED. IT WAS A TOTAL LOSS, ONLY HAD 115,000 MILES, NO ISSUES. THANK GOD IT WAS AT 8 AM AND WE WERE AWAKE, EARLIER MY WHOLE FAMILY AND OUR HOME MAY HAVE BEEN GONE AS WELL.

NHTSA ID
11268093
Incident
Apr 15, 2019
Mileage
115,000 mi
Engine
Filed May 17, 2019
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 KIA SEDONA. WHILE PARKED AT THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD AND INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000. *AS PHOTOS ATTACHED *JB

NHTSA ID
11208234
Incident
May 16, 2019
Mileage
200,000 mi
Filed Mar 25, 2019

MY KIA SEDONA STARTS WHEN IT WANTS TO. I HAVE POWER TO THE DASH LIGHTS, RADIO, AND OTHER ELECTRONICS. THE COMPANY HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS ISSUE SINCE THE 2002 VERSION AND WITH HIGH MILES. IT HAS TO DEAL WITH THE "AN ISSUE WITH THE FACTORY VEHICLE IMMOBILIZER CONTROL MODULE CAN CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO THINK IT IS BEING STOLEN. THIS WILL IMMEDIATELY DISALLOW THE VEHICLE FROM STARTING.". WHILE THIS IS GOOD MOST OF THE TIME, IT ISN'T GOOD SINCE IT DOESN'T SET OFF THE "ENGINE LIGHT" SO MECHANICS CAN READ THE COMPUTER. I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT MY VEHICLE FOR A MONTH AND MISSED NUMEROUS DAYS OF WORK DUE TO THIS ISSUE. THE MECHANICS THAT ATTEMPT TO WORK ON MY VEHICLE, CAN NOT GET IT TO DUPLICATE THE "NOT STARTING", IT WILL START EVERY TIME FOR THEM. MAKING ME FEEL LIKE AN IDIOT. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR TWO MONTHS AND IT DRAINING MY FINANCES. I DID SOME RESEARCH OF MY OWN AND DISCOVERED THAT ON WWW.REPAIRPAL.COM HAS MANY WHO HAVE THE SAME ISSUES. KIA WANTS ME TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST KIA DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT. THE NEAREST DEALER IS 6 HRS AWAY AND THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT IT WOULD MAKE IT THERE. I COULDN'T EVEN DRIVE IT 2 HRS WITH OUT AN ISSUE. I FEEL SINCE THEY KNEW THERE WAS AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THIS MODULE ON THIS VEHICLE, THEY SHOULD HAVE TO REPLACE IT AND MAKE COMPENSATION FOR THE CUSTOMER.

NHTSA ID
11191376
Incident
Jan 31, 2019
Mileage
225,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

TSB_BOD055_R1

EXTERIOR LIGHTING; 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. This bulletin provides information relating to some Kia models that may exhibit fogging, condensation, and/or moisture inside a headlamp assembly. Generally, a fogging condition is considered normal and can be eliminated by turning on the headlamps with the engine running for up to 30 minutes or during normal driving conditions. Headlamp assembly replacement WILL NOT be necessary in most cases.

PS539

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

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL

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.? Some examples are: axle shaft nuts with stake collar, cotter pins, washers with locking tabs and other similar hardware, including threaded fasteners with pre-applied ?thread-locking adhesives.? It is critical for technicians to be aware that ALL such locking fasteners, regardless of type, are for ?one time use? only.

TSB-GEN085

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

TSB: MANDATORY REPLACEMENT OF LOCKING/SECURITY HARDWARE - By design, certain fasteners utilized in various Kia models are strictly intended for ?one time use?. Though not limited to the following, some examples are: axle shaft nuts with stake collar, cotter pins, washers with locking tabs and other similar hardware, including threaded fasteners with pre-applied ?thread-locking adhesives.?

PS443

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

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. Customers may experience issues with their head units that may be related to the use of aftermarket USB charging cables, including; * Electrical interference and limited or no functionality when attempting to play music, or when charging a device through the USB port * Excessive static or noise when listening to the audio source * Malfunctions and screen freeze of the head unit screen * Slow down of the system response while device is plugged in * Music will not play from iPhone 5 or 6 with Kia iPod cable and aftermarket adapter * No or limited functionality when trying to play music from an Apple device

TSBTRA046

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. REFER TO THE SHOP MANUAL ON KGIS FOR THE SPECIFIC KIA MODEL, THEN REFERENCE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE SYSTEM/ REPAIR PROCEDURES/ INSPECTION AND ADJUSTMENT SECTION FOR THE CORRECT ATF CHECK/FILL PROCEDURES.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Kia Sedona by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2021900—
2020201042.0
2019362060.0
2018483059.9
20171314059.5
20162914166.5
20151373055.7
2014381150.0
2013010—
20121075160.2
2011656161.0
2010325063.1
2009485055.2
20081705053.4
20071576052.1
20063857050.7
2005Viewing1852051.4
20041752357.6
20031634464.8
20021983361.4

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.