RoadVitals

2006 Kia Sedona Transmission Problems

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

Data refreshed

Transmission 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 Apr 18, 2011
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.
2%
of 385 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.
2
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 automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2006 Kia Sedona 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 transmission

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

ElectricalTransmission
Filed Apr 18, 2011

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PLACING HER VEHICLE IN PARK, SHE WOULD HAD TO TAKE A SCREW DRIVER IN ORDER TO MOVE THE GEAR SHIFTER. IN ADDITION, HER BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT APPEAR WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKES AND THE OPPOSITE OCCURS WHEN SHE DOES NOT DEPRESS THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED HER THE SHIFT CONTROLLER WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000.

NHTSA ID
10396629
Incident
Apr 11, 2011
Mileage
70,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Jun 9, 2010
Crash reported

KIA SEDONA 2006. I WAS PARKED. I WENT TO BACK UP AND IT STARTED FORWARD. I NEVER STEPPED ON ACCELERATOR ONLY THE BRAKE. IT CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE FASTER AND FASTER ALL THE WHILE MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. THERE WERE SKID MARK TO SHOW THAT I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. A CINDER BLOCK WALL STOPPED ME. *TR

NHTSA ID
10335480
Incident
May 10, 2010
Mileage
19,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Mar 25, 2010

I PURCHASED MY KIA SEDONA IN APRIL 2006. ON AVERAGE, FOUR TIMES A YEAR I WILL PRESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE RPM'S WILL GO UP BUT THE VEHICLE WILL NOT MOVE FORWARD. I HAVE TO THEN RELEASE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND PRESS IT AGAIN FOR IT TO "CATCH" AND MOVE FORWARD. THE 1ST TIME WAS WHILE ON VACATION IN SAN DIEGO IN 2006. ON 4-5 OCCASIONS THE PROBLEM ALMOST CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I HAVE REPORTED IT SEVERAL TIMES, BUT SINCE KIA CANNOT FIND A "CODE" THEY CLAIM THAT THEY CANNOT FIX THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID
10322085
Incident
Jun 17, 2006
Mileage
1,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Feb 20, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SEDONA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT INTO THE PROPER GEAR. THE VEHICLE APPEARS TO BE IN NEUTRAL WHEN THIS OCCURS. PRIOR TO AND DURING THE FAILURE, THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR IS NOT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE AND PROVIDE A SUFFICIENT REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 39,849. UPDATED 03/17/09 *LJ UPDATED 03/17/09. *JB

NHTSA ID
10259449
Incident
Feb 15, 2007
Mileage
2,000 mi
BrakesEngineSuspension+1 more
Filed Jul 31, 2008

LTER FROM CONSTITUENT COMPLAINT AND DEMAND FOR ACTION RE HER 2006 KIA SEDONA WHICH WITHOUT WARNING SHUT-DOWN DUE TO A CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. *NJ THE DEALER STATED THE ENGINE FAILURE WAS DUE TO SLUDGE BUILD-UP. PRIOR TO THE ENGINE FAILURE, THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKES WERE VIBRATING, NOISY AND THE VEHICLE WAS PULLING TO THE RIGHT. IT WAS RECOMMENDED THAT THE BRAKES AND ALL OF THE TIRE BE REPLACED. THE DEALER ALSO RECOMMENDED AS ALIGNMENT. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP WHEN SHIFTING FRO FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. THE DEALER HAD TO ORDER AN INPUT SENSOR. *JB

NHTSA ID
10237136
Incident
Jun 5, 2008
Mileage
46,536 mi
ElectricalOther / unspecifiedTransmission
Filed Jul 10, 2008
Crash reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SEDONA LX. THE VEHICLE HAS A REMOTE STARTER MANUFACTURED BY AUDIOVOX, MODEL NUMBER PRO9556. WHEN THE CONTACT PRE-STARTED HER VEHICLE INSIDE HER HOME WITH THE DEVICE, SHE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE SWITCHED INTO GEAR. SHE DROVE BACKWARDS AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER PLACE OF RESIDENCE. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE STARTER DEVICE ALLOWED THE VEHICLE TO SHIFT INTO GEARS WITHOUT HAVING A KEY IN THE IGNITION WHEN PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. AS A CONSEQUENCE, THE VEHICLE COULD EASILY BE STOLEN AND INCREASED THE RISK OF A CRASH OR SERIOUS INJURY. SHE NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER OF THE EQUIPMENT AND THE VEHICLE, BUT NEITHER SOURCES WOULD ASSUME LIABILITY. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES OF THE FAILED COMPONENT AND THE CRASH. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 40,000. UPDATED 12/11/08 *BF THE VEHICLE CAME OUT OF PARK WITHOUT THE KEYS BEING IN THE IGNITION. THERE WERE ALSO TIMES WHEN THE KEY WOULD GET STUCK IN THE IGNITION. THE CONSUMER REALIZED THE VEHICLE COULD BE SHIFTED INTO REVERSE WITHOUT KEYS. UPDATED 12/11/08 .*JB

NHTSA ID
10233803
Incident
Jul 7, 2008
Mileage
40,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Nov 16, 2007

IN MAY OF 2007 TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP AT A STOP LIGHT. I WAS UNABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE MIDDLE OF THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE COMPUTER WAS RESET. IN NOVEMBER 2007 I WAS DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC WHEN THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP AGAIN. I CAME WITHIN INCHES OF BEING REARENDED AS THE VEHICLE CAME TO A SUDDEN STOP AND I COULD NOT GET IT OUT OF THE ROADWAY OR WARN THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE BEHIND ME OF WHAT WAS HAPPENING. HE DID MANAGE TO SLAM ON BREAKS AND AVOID HITTING ME, BUT IN DOING SO NEARLY CAUSED A MAJOR PILEUP BEHIND HIM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10209123
Incident
Nov 15, 2007
Mileage
21,578 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical+4 more
Filed Sep 5, 2007

MY KIA SEDONA IS IN THE ZIESER SERVICE CENTER AGAIN. I HAD TO TAKE IT IN FOR THE HORN AND OTHER CONCERNS. THE HORN DOES NOT ALWAYS WORK AND THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE DEALER SAID THEY CAN NOT DUPLICATE, BUT WHEN MY HUSBAND AND I DRIVE THE VEHICLE IT DOES NOT WORK ON A CONSISTENT BASIS. THEY HAVE HAD TO REPLACE PARTS ON THIS HORN ALREADY ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. AND I HAVE HAD TO BRING IT BACK ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS SINCE THEY CAN NOT DUPLICATE AT FIRST. ON MY LAST VISIT THE SERVICE DEPT TURNED THE ROTORS FOR THE BRAKES. I TOLD THEM THAT IT IS NOW SQUEALING SINCE THEY DID THIS AND I WANTED TO KNOW WHY. WHEN THEY CALLED TO TELL ME MY CAR WAS READY, THEY SAID I OWED $25 TO LOOK AT THE BRAKES. I ASK WHY AND DAVE IN SERVICE SAID THAT THEIR TECH TOOK OVER 2 HOURS TO LOOK FOR PROBLEMS AND NO ONE WAS GOING TO PAY THEM (MEANING KIA), SO I NEEDED TO PAY. I TOLD THEM I WANTED TO KNOW WHY I DID NOT HAVE A SQUEAK BEFORE AND THEN AFTER THEY DID SOME WARRANTY WORK ON THE VAN I DID HAVE A SQUEAK. I ALSO STATED THAT I HAVE A SAFETY CONCERN ABOUT THE CAR FEELING LIKE IT IS BEING PUSHED WHEN YOU ARE SLOWING DOWN AND YOU GET TO 30-35 MPH. HE SAID THIS IS NORMAL. LASTLY, THE CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT DECELERATE WHEN GOING DOWN HILLS (EVEN A SLIGHT GRADE). IT DOES NOT DO THIS ON A CONSISTENT BASIS. THEY TOLD ME THIS IS NORMAL, BUT WHEN I DRIVE IT ACCELERATES AND IF I HAVE IT SET AT SAY 40 MPH I HAVE TO APPLY TO BRAKES BECAUSE I HAVE HAD IT ACCELERATE PAST 60 MPH. AGAIN, I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT MY VEHICLE AND THE FACT THAT THERE ARE SAFETY ISSUES THAT I FEEL NEED TO BE CORRECTED. EVEN THOUGH THEY STATE THAT THE HORN IS WORKING CORRECTLY, WHEN I WAS DRIVING THIS WEEKEND, I WAS CUT OFF BY A CAR AND WHEN I WENT TO HONK THE HORN IT DID NOT WORK. AND WHEN I TESTED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, IT DID NOT WORK. MY HUSBAND ALSO WAS CUT OFF (THERE IS IN INTERSECTION THAT IS NOTORIOUS FOR THIS BY OUR HOME) AND HE COULD NOT GET IT TO WORK.

NHTSA ID
10201936
Incident
Sep 5, 2007
Driver assistanceTransmission
Filed Jun 25, 2007

ON MORE THAN FOUR OCCASIONS I HAVE BEEN DRIVING THIS VAN AND WHEN PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL TO ACCELERATE THE ENGINE REVVED , BUT THE VAN DID NOT MOVE. TWO OF THESE INCIDENTS HAVE BEEN WHILE MERGING ONTO INTERSTATE 95, ONCE ON US ROUTE 1 AND ANOTHER MERGING ON TO ROUTE 234. ON AT LEAST ONE OCCASION MY ONE YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS IN THE VEHICLE. IT WAS AN EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD TO MERGE ON TO INTERSTATE 95 IN THE MIDDLE OF RUSH HOUR WHILE TRAFFIC WAS MOVING AT 65 MPH PLUS AND NOT BE ABLE TO ACCELERATE. IN ONE INSTANCE THERE WAS A TRACTOR TRAILER COMING UP BEHIND ME, AND I HAD TO CUT OFF ANOTHER VEHICLE TRYING TO MERGE IN ORDER TO GET BACK OFF ON TO THE RAMP THAT I JUST MERGED OFF. THE FIRST TIME WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IS WAS A SPEED CONTROL SENSOR, THE SECOND TIME THEY SAID IT WAS LOW ON TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE THIRD TIME THEY HAD THE VEHICLE FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS AND STATED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPRODUCE THE ISSUE. WE HAVE A CASE NUMBER WITH KIA MOTORS, AND HAVE REQUESTED A BUY BACK UNDER THE VIRGINIA LEMON LAWS. WE PICKED UP THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER TODAY AND STILL HAVE NOT HEARD BACK FROM OUR CASE WORKER WITH KIA DESPITE A CALL ASKING IF WE SHOULD PICK UP THE VEHICLE OR NOT. *AK

NHTSA ID
10194201
Incident
Oct 20, 2006
Mileage
8,700 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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .