NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
50 reports118,000 miles · Oct 28, 2009
Seats
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SEDONA. THE WIRING UNDER THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT MADE CONTACT WITH A METAL SEAT COMPONENT, WHICH CAUSED A SHORTAGE IN THE JUNCTION BOX. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND THEY INFORMED HIM THAT THEY HAVE TO REPAIR THE WIRES AND REPLACE THE JUNCTION BOX. SINCE THE PREVIOUS OWNER RECEIVE THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SEDONA. THE WIRING UNDER THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT MADE CONTACT WITH A METAL SEAT COMPONENT, WHICH CAUSED A SHORTAGE IN THE JUNCTION BOX. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND THEY INFORMED HIM THAT THEY HAVE TO REPAIR THE WIRES AND REPLACE THE JUNCTION BOX. SINCE THE PREVIOUS OWNER RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY OUTLINED IN RECALL # 05V463000,( SEATS) HE WAS INELIGIBLE FOR A FREE REMEDY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE 118,000. THE CONSUMER STATED KIA AGREED TO FIX THE VEHICLE AT THEIR EXPENSE. UPDATED 11/17/09 *JB
NHTSA ODI #10290135
96,000 miles · May 11, 2009
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure
2002 KIA SEDONA- PASSENGER FRONT INSIDE DOOR HANDLE - THE CHROME PEELED OFF THE DOOR HANDLE AT THE BOTTOM EDGE THAT WAS NOT VISIBLE TO THE EYE- WHEN I EXITED THE DOOR THE PEELED CHROME SLICED MY THUMB REQUIRING IMMEDIATE MEDICAL CARE-IF THESE HANDLES ARE SUSCEPTIBLE TO PEELING KIA NEEDS TO HAVE THESE CHANGED- NO ONE SHOULD HAVE…
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2002 KIA SEDONA- PASSENGER FRONT INSIDE DOOR HANDLE - THE CHROME PEELED OFF THE DOOR HANDLE AT THE BOTTOM EDGE THAT WAS NOT VISIBLE TO THE EYE- WHEN I EXITED THE DOOR THE PEELED CHROME SLICED MY THUMB REQUIRING IMMEDIATE MEDICAL CARE-IF THESE HANDLES ARE SUSCEPTIBLE TO PEELING KIA NEEDS TO HAVE THESE CHANGED- NO ONE SHOULD HAVE THIS HAPPEN TO THEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10268403
66,000 miles · Mar 15, 2009
Steering
2002 KIA SEDONA. 66,000 MILES. STEERING WAS BINDING. FELT LIKE POWER STEERING HAD GONE OUT. WOULD NOT RETURN TO CENTER AFTER CORNERING. HAD TO EXERT FORCE TO STRAIGHTEN VEHICLE BACK OUT. TAKEN TO KIA DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR. TOLD THAT STEERING COUPLER WAS DEFECTIVE. REPLACED SHAFT ASSEMBLY-INTERMEDIATE 1 0K52Y-32-090. TO…
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2002 KIA SEDONA. 66,000 MILES. STEERING WAS BINDING. FELT LIKE POWER STEERING HAD GONE OUT. WOULD NOT RETURN TO CENTER AFTER CORNERING. HAD TO EXERT FORCE TO STRAIGHTEN VEHICLE BACK OUT. TAKEN TO KIA DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR. TOLD THAT STEERING COUPLER WAS DEFECTIVE. REPLACED SHAFT ASSEMBLY-INTERMEDIATE 1 0K52Y-32-090. TOLD ALIGNMENT WOULD ALSO BE REQUIRED AFTER THIS REPAIR. FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS WERE ALSO REPLACED. TOTAL COST. 560.80. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10261945
91,000 miles · Feb 15, 2009
Seat Belts
I HAD A FEW OCCASIONS WHERE THE MIDDLE ROW SEATBELTS LOCKED UP AND IT TOOK AWHILE FOR THEM TO UNLOCK SO I COULD BUCKLE MY CHILDREN IN. OVER A WEEK AGO ONE LOCKED UP AND WE COULDN'T GET IT TO UNLOCK. I HAD TO TAKE MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND IT TURNED OUT I NEEDED TO HAVE THREE (BOTH MIDDLE ROW ONE REAR ROW) SEATBELT REPLACED. A…
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I HAD A FEW OCCASIONS WHERE THE MIDDLE ROW SEATBELTS LOCKED UP AND IT TOOK AWHILE FOR THEM TO UNLOCK SO I COULD BUCKLE MY CHILDREN IN. OVER A WEEK AGO ONE LOCKED UP AND WE COULDN'T GET IT TO UNLOCK. I HAD TO TAKE MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND IT TURNED OUT I NEEDED TO HAVE THREE (BOTH MIDDLE ROW ONE REAR ROW) SEATBELT REPLACED. ALL NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10258714
146,731 miles · Jan 6, 2009
SteeringSuspension
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SEDONA EX. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A POPPING NOISE WHEN HE MADE A LEFT TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED TO THE RIGHT AND THE STEERING WHEEL KEPT SPINNING. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND IT WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP. A MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS THE STEERING AND …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SEDONA EX. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A POPPING NOISE WHEN HE MADE A LEFT TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED TO THE RIGHT AND THE STEERING WHEEL KEPT SPINNING. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND IT WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP. A MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS THE STEERING AND RACK. IN ADDITION, THE BEARINGS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FROM WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED AND THEY STATED THAT THE STEERING FAILED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TEMPORARILY REPAIRED TO WHERE THE VEHICLE COULD BE DRIVEN, BUT HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED COMPLETELY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 146,731 AND CURRENT MILEAGE IS 147,000. UPDATED 2/19/09*CN THE SHAFT WAS CRACKED AND THE GEARS WERE STRIPPED. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE NEEDED A STEERING RACK. UPDATED 02/20/09. *JB UPDATED 3/3/09 *CN THE VEHICLE NEEDED A WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND THE STRUTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 03/04/09. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10253968
119,532 miles · Dec 26, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2002 KIA SEDONA ABS BEGAN ENGAGING WHEN BRAKES APPLIED AT LOW SPEEDS. WEATHER WAS NEVER A FACTOR. UNABLE TO STOP VEHICLE WITHOUT PUMPING BRAKES. THREE NEAR MISS ACCIDENTS BEFORE TAKING THE VAN INTO KIA DEALERSHIP WHERE I WAS TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE WASN'T PART OF THE 2003 RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH THEY AGREED THEY WERE…
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2002 KIA SEDONA ABS BEGAN ENGAGING WHEN BRAKES APPLIED AT LOW SPEEDS. WEATHER WAS NEVER A FACTOR. UNABLE TO STOP VEHICLE WITHOUT PUMPING BRAKES. THREE NEAR MISS ACCIDENTS BEFORE TAKING THE VAN INTO KIA DEALERSHIP WHERE I WAS TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE WASN'T PART OF THE 2003 RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH THEY AGREED THEY WERE ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND THAT IT APPEARED TO BE THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10252845
12,000 miles · Dec 13, 2008
Power Train
I OWN A 2002 KIA SEDONA, AND 2 TIMES NOW THE TRANSMISSION LINKAGE HAS TOTALLY SEIZED. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS LAST WINTER, AND THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP. NOW AGAIN IN NOVEMEBER IT HAS HAPPENED. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE REPAIR SHOP BUT ONCE THERE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR A…
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I OWN A 2002 KIA SEDONA, AND 2 TIMES NOW THE TRANSMISSION LINKAGE HAS TOTALLY SEIZED. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS LAST WINTER, AND THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP. NOW AGAIN IN NOVEMEBER IT HAS HAPPENED. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE REPAIR SHOP BUT ONCE THERE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR AT ALL. IT WAS ACTUALLY TOWED INTO THE BAY FOR REPAIRS. EACH REPAIR WAS OVER 300.00 CDN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10251691
32,000 miles · Sep 14, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
I HAVE HAD AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES PERIOD. I HAVE HAD THE PARKING BRAKE REPLACED DUE TO NOT WORKING. I HAVE ALSO GONE THROUGH FOUR SETS OF ROTORS IN 90,000 MILES. THE REASON IS BECAUSE SHORTLY AFTER BEING REPLACED WHEN BRAKING THE ENTIRE CAR BEGINS TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY UNTIL THE SPEED REACHES BELOW 40 MPH OR SO. I H…
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I HAVE HAD AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES PERIOD. I HAVE HAD THE PARKING BRAKE REPLACED DUE TO NOT WORKING. I HAVE ALSO GONE THROUGH FOUR SETS OF ROTORS IN 90,000 MILES. THE REASON IS BECAUSE SHORTLY AFTER BEING REPLACED WHEN BRAKING THE ENTIRE CAR BEGINS TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY UNTIL THE SPEED REACHES BELOW 40 MPH OR SO. I HAVE HAD THE TIRES REPLACED ALSO DUE TO THEIR RECOMMENDATION THAT IT WAS THE TIRES POSSIBLY. I AM TIRED OF REPLACING ALL THE PARTS FOR IT TO JUST COME BACK SHORTLY AFTER. THE DEALER HAS ALSO ELUDED THAT THIS IS A BROAD ISSUE AMONGST OWNERS. PLEASE HELP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10242099
70,000 miles · Jul 24, 2008
Steering
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SEDONA EX. EVERY TIME THE CONTACT DRIVES THE VEHICLE, HE WOULD EXPERIENCE BINDING IN THE STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE MECHANIC AND THEY REPLACED THE STEERING UNIVERSAL JOINT. CURRENTLY, THE VEHICLE IS DRIVING PROPERLY. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 79,000 AND FAILURE …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SEDONA EX. EVERY TIME THE CONTACT DRIVES THE VEHICLE, HE WOULD EXPERIENCE BINDING IN THE STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE MECHANIC AND THEY REPLACED THE STEERING UNIVERSAL JOINT. CURRENTLY, THE VEHICLE IS DRIVING PROPERLY. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 79,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
NHTSA ODI #10235613
52,000 miles · Jul 2, 2008
StructureInjury
INSIDE DOOR HANDLE, DRIVER'S SIDE. THE CHROME COATING STARTED TO PEEL OFF FROM THE INSIDE, BOTTOM EDGE OF THE HANDLE. IT IS A THICK METAL-LIKE COATING, THAT SEPARATED FROM THE HANDLE APPROXIMATELY 1/16". ONE DAY I OPENED THE DOOR WHILE I WAS SITTING INSIDE THE CAR, AND THE TIP OF MY LEFT FOREFINGER (FINGERPRINT AREA) WAS CUT B…
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INSIDE DOOR HANDLE, DRIVER'S SIDE. THE CHROME COATING STARTED TO PEEL OFF FROM THE INSIDE, BOTTOM EDGE OF THE HANDLE. IT IS A THICK METAL-LIKE COATING, THAT SEPARATED FROM THE HANDLE APPROXIMATELY 1/16". ONE DAY I OPENED THE DOOR WHILE I WAS SITTING INSIDE THE CAR, AND THE TIP OF MY LEFT FOREFINGER (FINGERPRINT AREA) WAS CUT BY THIS CHROME COATING. THE CUT WAS ABOUT 1/2" LONG AND ABOUT 1/32" DEEP, ENOUGH TO MAKE ME BLEED FOR ABOUT 10 MINS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10232985
NHTSA investigations
2EA08017 · Steering Intermediate Shaft Binding
Opened Aug 28, 2008 · Closed Jul 1, 2009
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
ODIS ANALYSIS OF WARRANTY DATA SHOWS THAT THE ALLEGED DEFECT HAS OCCURRED AT A RELATIVELY HIGH FREQUENCY IN SALT-BELT STATES (5.9 PERCENT).HOWEVER, THE TESTS CONDUCTED BY ODI AND KIA HAVE SHOWN THAT THE ALLEGED DEFECT HAS A MINIMAL EFFECT ON STEERING EFFORTS.IN ADDITION, ODI INTERVIEWS OF OWNERS WHO EXPERIENCED THE ALLEGED DEFECT SHOWED THAT IN MOST CASES THE PROBLEM WAS PRECEDED BY MONTHS OR YEARS OF NOISE OR A GRADUAL INCREASE IN STEERING EFFORTS AND WAS MORE OF A NUISANCE CONCERN. THERE HAS BEEN ONE ALLEGATION OF A MINOR CRASH RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT, INVOLVING A MY 2003 KIA SEDONA WITH 59,900 MILES.THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN CHECKED TWICE IN THE PREVIOUS NINE MONTHS BY A DEALER FOR COMPLAINTS OF STIFF STEERING AND THAT THE VEHICLE FELT LIKE IT WAS INTERMITTENTLY LOSING POWER ASSIST.THE CRASH OCCURRED AS THE DRIVER WAS ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MILES PER HOUR AND STRUCK A VEHICLE PARKED ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE STREET THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TURNING INTO. THE CRASH RESULTED IN MINOR INJURIES TO THE DRIVER. AFTER THE CRASH, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT WAS EXHIBITING SOME BINDING OF THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT BEARINGS.WHILE THE ABSENCE OF ADDITIONAL CRASHES OR INJURIES DOES NOT MEAN THAT THERE IS NOT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT, THERE HAVE BEEN NO REPORTED ADDITIONAL CRASHES CAUSED BY THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE PAST THREE YEARS. THE RELEASE OF THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN SHOULD ASSIST SERVICE PERSONAL IN DIAGNOSING THIS POTENTIAL PROBLEM LONG BEFORE IT BECOMES POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED. THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST. THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR COMPLAINTS AND OTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS REFER TO THE EA08-017 CLOSING REPORT.
PE08033 · Steering Binding
Opened Apr 28, 2008 · Closed Aug 28, 2008
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
ON APRIL 28, 2008, THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED PRELIMINARY EVALUATION PE08-033 TO INVESTIGATE COMPLAINTS ALLEGING STEERING BINDING IN MODEL YEAR 2002 THROUGH 2004 KIA SEDONA MINIVANS.KIA'S RESPONSE TO ODI'S REQUEST FOR INFORMATION IN PE08-033 INDICATED THAT CONCERNS WITH BINDING OF THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT WERE FIRST IDENTIFIED AND INVESTIGATED IN AUGUST 2002, IN VEHICLES SOLD IN INDONESIA.THIS INVESTIGATION RESULTED IN THE ADDITION OF A STIFFENING RIB TO THE BEARING CAP SEAL.IN JUNE 2003, KIA AGAIN INVESTIGATED OWNER COMPLAINTS OF STEERING NOISE AND HIGHER THAN NORMAL STEERING RESISTANCE AND IN OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER OF 2003 DESIGN CHANGES TO THE SHAFT UNIVERSAL JOINT BEARINGS WERE MADE TO IMPROVE LUBRICANT RETENTION AND ELIMINATE WATER INTRUSION THAT COULD LEAD TO EARLY BEARING FAILURE.ACCORDING TO KIA, THE ALLEGED DEFECT RESULTS IN A PROGRESSIVE CHANGE IN STEERING EFFORT THAT SHOULD BE APPARENT TO THE DRIVER THROUGH NOISE AND GRADUAL CHANGES IN STEERING STIFFNESS LONG BEFORE THE CONDITION COULD BECOME DANGEROUS. ODI'S ANALYSES OF COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA RELATING TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT SHOW THAT THE CONDITION IS OCCURRING AT SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER RATES IN SALT-BELT STATES (NOTE:FOR PURPOSES OF THIS INVESTIGATION THE SALT BELT INCLUDES CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA AND WISCONSIN).THE WARRANTY RATE FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT IS 5.5% FOR VEHICLES SOLD IN THE SALT BELT AND 0.5% FOR THE REST OF THE UNITED STATES.THE COMPLAINT RATE FOR THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS 186.8 PER 100,000 VEHICLES IN THE SALT BELT AND 29.4 PER 1000,000 VEHICLES FOR THE REST OF THE UNITED STATES.THERE IS ONE ALLEGATION OF A CRASH RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT.A SUBJECT VEHICLE STRUCK TWO PARKED CARS WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, ALLEGEDLY RESULTING IN MINOR INJURIES TO THE DRIVER. ODI HAS UPGRADED THIS INVESTIGATION TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA08-017) COVERING MY 2002 THROUGH 2004 KIA SEDONA VEHICLES SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN SALT BELT STATES TO ASSESS THE FREQUENCY AND TREND OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT AND ITS EFFECT ON STEERING EFFORT.
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