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2002 Kia Sedona Ex

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

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What owners reported most

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

44 reports with mileage · 6 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seats. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports8 fire reports4 injury reports

What owners actually said

50 reports
10,200 miles · Feb 26, 2008
SeatsInjury

THE THIRD ROW BACK SEAT FOLDED WITH SUCH FORCE IT THROW ME INTO THE BACK OF THE SEAT IN FRONT OF ME. IT BRUISED MY FACE, MY TEETH CUT THE INSIDE OF MY MOUTH, MY FOREHEAD GOT A LUMP FROM THE FORCE OF THE IMPACT. WE WAS AT MY HOME GETTING READY FOR A TRIP SO IT WAS NOT TIME FOR THE SEAT BELTS. I HAD TO EAT SOFT FOOD FOR SEVEN DA…

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THE THIRD ROW BACK SEAT FOLDED WITH SUCH FORCE IT THROW ME INTO THE BACK OF THE SEAT IN FRONT OF ME. IT BRUISED MY FACE, MY TEETH CUT THE INSIDE OF MY MOUTH, MY FOREHEAD GOT A LUMP FROM THE FORCE OF THE IMPACT. WE WAS AT MY HOME GETTING READY FOR A TRIP SO IT WAS NOT TIME FOR THE SEAT BELTS. I HAD TO EAT SOFT FOOD FOR SEVEN DAYS, USE PEROXIDE MOUTHWASH FOR THE SORES AND USE ICE PACKS FOR SEVERAL DAYS. I CONTACTED KIA TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM STATING THAT IF THIS HAD BEEN A SMALL CHILD (I WEIGH 120) THERE COULD HAVE BEEN SOME SERIOUS FACIAL DAMAGE. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE BACK OF THE SEAT FOLDING SO HARD AND THEY ASKED FOR ME TO SEND A FEW PICTURES OF MY FACE. AFTER VIEWING THE PICTURES I RECEIVED A CALL FROM KIA TO VERIFY MY ADDRESS FOR THEM TO SEND ME $100 TO 'MAYBE TAKE MY HUSBAND OUT TO DINNER'. I DECLINED SUCH AN OFFER AFTER THE 13 DAYS I'D BEEN THROUGH. I EXPLAINED MY CONCERN ABOUT SOMEONE GETTING HURT FROM THIS HAPPENING AGAIN AND MY INSURANCE COMPANY HAD TOLD ME TO REPORT THIS FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION BECAUSE THEY WERE LIABLE FOR ANY INJURIES. THE KIA REPRESENTATIVE TOLD ME TO 'MAKE SURE I WARN ANYBODY THAT SEATS IN ANY OF THE BACK SEATS THAT THE BACK PART OF THE SEAT COULD FOLD WITH FORCE.' I SUGGESTED KIA BUY MY VAN SO THEY COULD REALLY FIND OUT WHY THIS HAPPENED AND THAT IT COULD NOT HAPPEN AGAIN. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME I HAD EVER USED THE THIRD ROW OF SEATS AND HAD NO IDEA THE SEATS FOLDED SO FAST AND HARD. KIA DECLINED TO BUY MY VAN THEN OFFERED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE VAN CHECKED OUT AT MY EXPENSE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10219258

Mileage unknown · Feb 13, 2008
Tires

BELT SEPARATION. THIS IS THE THIRD INCIDENT OF BELT SEPARATION ON THIS BRAND, TYPE OF TIRE ALL OF WHICH WERE PURCHASED AND MOUNTED IN 2004. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10217951

40,000 miles · Dec 20, 2007
Visibility

MY ISSUE IS WITH THE VENTILATION SYSTEM ON THE CAR. WHEN IT IS USED FOR A LONGER PERIOD OF TIME THE FOLLOWING PROBLEM OCCURS: YOU HERE THE BLOWER BLOWING AIR, BUT WHEN WHEN YOU CHECK THE VENTS BY THE FRONT WINDSHIELD THERE ISN'T ANY AIR COMING OUT. WHEN YOU CHANGE THE VENT FROM THE WINDSHIELD TO FLOOR, THERE IS NOT AIR COMING O…

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MY ISSUE IS WITH THE VENTILATION SYSTEM ON THE CAR. WHEN IT IS USED FOR A LONGER PERIOD OF TIME THE FOLLOWING PROBLEM OCCURS: YOU HERE THE BLOWER BLOWING AIR, BUT WHEN WHEN YOU CHECK THE VENTS BY THE FRONT WINDSHIELD THERE ISN'T ANY AIR COMING OUT. WHEN YOU CHANGE THE VENT FROM THE WINDSHIELD TO FLOOR, THERE IS NOT AIR COMING OUT. NOTE: THAT ONLY HAPPENS AFTER LONGER USAGE TIME. WHEN THE CAR ISN'T USED FOR A HOUR OR SO, EVERYTHING WORKS AGAIN. I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR FOR THE PAST 3 1/2 YEARS. IT HAS BEEN AT THE DEAL WITH THIS ISSUE OVER 5 TIMES AND EVERY TIME I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN TO BE CHECK, THE DEAL COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THEY WOULD JUST CHANGE A PART OR TWO OR NOTHING AT ALL AND SAY THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY PRIVATELY OWNED MECHANIC THAT THE ISSUE MAY BE WITH A DEFECTIVE VACUUM PART THAT ALLOWS THE AIR TO BE WITCHED . AT THIS POINT I JUST DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH THIS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10212398

54,700 miles · Nov 22, 2007
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingSeatsFire

2002 KIA SEDONA MINIVAN. PURCHASED USED FEB 2006 W/32K MILES FROM PRIVATE OWNER. MOST RECENT MILES 59K. CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED IN GARAGE AND IS TOTALED. HAVE HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS INCLUDING ELECTRIC SEAT STOP FUNCTIONING, AND DEAD BATTERY WHENEVER PARKED FOR MORE THAN 5 DAYS. REPLACED THE BATTERY, REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR,…

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2002 KIA SEDONA MINIVAN. PURCHASED USED FEB 2006 W/32K MILES FROM PRIVATE OWNER. MOST RECENT MILES 59K. CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED IN GARAGE AND IS TOTALED. HAVE HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS INCLUDING ELECTRIC SEAT STOP FUNCTIONING, AND DEAD BATTERY WHENEVER PARKED FOR MORE THAN 5 DAYS. REPLACED THE BATTERY, REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR, REPLACED THE SERPENTINE BELT. ON 11/17/07 AFTER 6-MONTHS OF THE SEAT NOT WORKING, THE DRIVERS SIDE ELECTRIC SEAT CONTROLS SUDDENLY BEGAN TO WORK AGAIN, A FEW HOURS LATER THE VAN CAUGHT FIRE (DRIVERS SIDE DOOR AND DASH) AND BURNED THE INTERIOR. INSURANCE DECLARED IT TOTALED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10209702

70,000 miles · Sep 29, 2007
StructureInjury

THE SLIDING DOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE MIINIVAN FELL OFF. TWO MONTHS LATER, THE DRIVER'S SIDE THE HANDLE HAS FALLEN OFF. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10204464

59 miles · Jul 9, 2007
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash

BRAKES FAILED . *AK

NHTSA ODI #10195659

65,000 miles · Mar 20, 2007
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SEDONA. ON ONE OCCASION THE STEERING WHEEL TEMPORARILY LOCKS WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS MOTION. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT TO BE THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 65000.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10185684

70,000 miles · Mar 17, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE REAR ANTI-FREEZE LINE OF MY 2002 KIA SEDONA RUSTED THROUGH AT 70,000 MILES CAUSING A SEVERE LEAK AND EVENTUAL TERMINAL ENGINE FAILURE. THERE WAS NO OVER HEATING WARNING ALARM BUILT IN AS A SAFETY PRECAUTION. DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE LINES WERE NOT DEFECTIVE SO IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. REGIONAL KIA SERVICE REP …

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THE REAR ANTI-FREEZE LINE OF MY 2002 KIA SEDONA RUSTED THROUGH AT 70,000 MILES CAUSING A SEVERE LEAK AND EVENTUAL TERMINAL ENGINE FAILURE. THERE WAS NO OVER HEATING WARNING ALARM BUILT IN AS A SAFETY PRECAUTION. DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE LINES WERE NOT DEFECTIVE SO IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. REGIONAL KIA SERVICE REP WAS VERY DISRESPECTFUL. KIA DID NOTHING TO HELP AND IT COST $4,000 TO REPLACE THE ENGINE WITH A USED ONE.

NHTSA ODI #10185386

92,109 miles · Jan 25, 2007
Vehicle Speed Control

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL AT APROX 70 MPH THEN I DEACTIVATED IT BY STEPPING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, A FEW MINUTES LATER THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED BY ITS SELF. THIS HAPPENED THREE TIMES IN A PERIOD OF THREE WEEKS. THE FIRST TWO TIMES THE CRUISE DEACTIVATED AFTER STEPPING ON THE BAKE PEDAL. BUT THE THIRD …

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I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL AT APROX 70 MPH THEN I DEACTIVATED IT BY STEPPING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, A FEW MINUTES LATER THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED BY ITS SELF. THIS HAPPENED THREE TIMES IN A PERIOD OF THREE WEEKS. THE FIRST TWO TIMES THE CRUISE DEACTIVATED AFTER STEPPING ON THE BAKE PEDAL. BUT THE THIRD TIME WAS THE SCARY ONE. AFTER LEAVING THE FREEWAY AND ENTERING THE CITY, THE CRUISE CONTROL ACCELERATED THE KIA SEDONA TO APROX 72 MPH IN THE CITY. THE BAKE PEDAL DID NOT DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THE ENGINE STARTED TO OVER POWER THE BRAKES. A FEW SECONDS LATER I REALIZED THERE WAS A MAIN ON OFF SWITCH ON THE DASH OF THE VEHICLE, SO I TURNED IT OFF, WITCH TURNED THE CRUISE CONTROL. I WAS VERY LUCKY TO HAVE STOPPED THE VAN, AS I WAS VERY CLOSE TO A HEAVY INTERSECTION. AFTER THAT KIA SEDONA EVERY KNOW AND THEN I COULD NOT GET THE SHIFT LEVER OUT OF PARK, I HAD TO STICK A PENCIL IN TO THE SHIFT RELEASE HOLE TO DRIVE THE VAN. I DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL SWITCH WAS FAULTY, NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE CRUISE IS ALSO NOT COVERED. SO I NO LONGER USE THE CRUISE AND I WARN EVERYBODY USING THE VAN OF ITS ABILITY TO TAKE OFF AFTER USE OF THE CRUISE CONTROL. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10180752

73,000 miles · Nov 14, 2006
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment

I HAVE HAD MY 02 KIA FOR 2 YEARS. IT RAN GREAT FOR A FEW 1000 MILES BUT THEN IT JUST WENT HAYWIRE. THE PROBLEM THAT COST ME THE MOST TIME AND MONEY TURNED OUT TO BE THE FUEL PUMP. THE KIA DEALER IN CHARLSETON SC ORIGINALLY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS BAD GAS SO I CALLED TO THE GAS STATION ON THE MILITARY BASE THAT I GOT GAS FROM AND RA…

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I HAVE HAD MY 02 KIA FOR 2 YEARS. IT RAN GREAT FOR A FEW 1000 MILES BUT THEN IT JUST WENT HAYWIRE. THE PROBLEM THAT COST ME THE MOST TIME AND MONEY TURNED OUT TO BE THE FUEL PUMP. THE KIA DEALER IN CHARLSETON SC ORIGINALLY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS BAD GAS SO I CALLED TO THE GAS STATION ON THE MILITARY BASE THAT I GOT GAS FROM AND RAISED SAND. THEY PULLED THE WHOLE PUMP AND IT TURNED OUT TO BE GOOD GAS SO THE GOVERNMENT COULD NOT REIMBURSE MY MONEY SINCE IT WAS NOT THEIR FAULT. KIA WANTED TO CHARGE ME 500 DOLLARS TO PULL ALL THE FUEL COMPONENTS AND DISPOSE OF A FULL TANK OF GAS. IMAGINE THAT..I WAS WITHOUT MY VAN FOR 3 WEEKS SINCE I WAS STRANDED ON THE INTERSTATE WITH 2 KIDS AND MY PREGNANT WIFE. I ALSO HAD TO GET A RENTAL CAR. PROBLEMS: 1. FUEL PUMP-STRANDED ME FOR 3 WEEKS AND SOME DAYS ..NEW FUEL PUMP 2. NEW BATTERY-VEHICLE DIED ON ME IN FLORIDA. THOUGHT ALTERNATOR WENT OUT... 700 MILES AWAY FROM HOME. TOWED THROUGH INSURANCE AND BOUGHT REPLACEMENT BATTERY WOULD NOT JUMP START 3. FRONT MOTOR MOUNT WAS WENT BAD,HEARD CLUNKING NOISE IN FRONT OF VEHICLE. TWICE TO DEALER, BROKE DOWN, 1 WEEK AFTER GETTING IT BACK..DEALER FIXED UNDER WARRANTY 4. FRONT SUSPENSION STRUTS REPLACED DEALER REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY 5. AC WENT OUT IN FRONT AC STILL NOT FIXED.. DEALER SAYS THAT SINCE AFTERMARKET STEREO IS INSTALLED IT IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY 6. ALTERNATOR WENT OUT. VEHICLE BEING SERVICED NOW. ESTIMATED AT AROUND 600 DOLLARS TO FIX BY KIA. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10173531

Official recalls

1

05V463000 · Seats

Oct 5, 2005

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH POWER SEATS, THE WIRING UNDER THE FRONT SEATS COULD BE MISROUTED, ALLOWING CONTACT WITH METAL SEAT COMPONENTS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONTACT COULD EVENTUALLY RESULT IN A SHORT CIRCUIT CONDITION THAT MAY RESULT IN A FIRE IN THE JUNCTION BOX AREA OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND RE-ROUTE THE WIRES UNDER THE POWER SEATS, IF NECESSARY, AS WELL AS INSTALL PROTECTIVE SEAMING WELTS AROUND THOSE WIRES TO BETTER INSULATE THEM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 28, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

EA08017 · 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.