IllustrationDRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SEATS GETS REGULAR USE. BOLT BROKE WHEN SECOND ROW PASSENGER SIDE SEATBACK WAS RELEASED AND FOLDED FORWARD FOR ACCESS TO THIRD ROW SEATING. THE SEAT HAD NOT BEEN USED FOR THE PREVIOUS 2-3 WEEKS. SEAT IS STILL IN FOLDED POSITION. I AM RETIRED AND CANNOT AFFORD REPAIR/REPLACEMENT OF SEAT. *TR
2003 Kia Sedona
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2003 Kia Sedona do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 120.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Sedona years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
370–25K
2525–50K
1950–75K
1075–100K
23100–150K
8150K+
122 reports with mileage · 41 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 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
13 crash reports21 fire reports14 injury reports
What owners actually said
163 reportsTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SEDONA. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD VIBRATING NOISE. THE CONTACT STATED THE FASTER HE DROVE, THE MORE NOISE THE VEHICLE MADE. HE STATED THAT HE DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL.THE CONTACT REFERENCED RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SEDONA. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD VIBRATING NOISE. THE CONTACT STATED THE FASTER HE DROVE, THE MORE NOISE THE VEHICLE MADE. HE STATED THAT HE DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL.THE CONTACT REFERENCED RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V232000, COMPONENT, WHEELS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,000.
7 YEAR OLD CHILD SAT IN 3RD ROW PASSENGER SIDE SEAT AND THE SEAT BACK COLLAPSED BACKWARDS. WHEN WE TOOK THE SEAT OUT WE NOTED THAT THE BOLTS THAT HOLD THE SEAT BACK TO THE BASE SEAT HAD SHEARED OFF OF BOTH SIDES. THIS SEAT HAS NORMAL USE AND THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED ESPECIALLY WITHOUT UNUSUAL FORCE BEING APPLIED TO THE SE…
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7 YEAR OLD CHILD SAT IN 3RD ROW PASSENGER SIDE SEAT AND THE SEAT BACK COLLAPSED BACKWARDS. WHEN WE TOOK THE SEAT OUT WE NOTED THAT THE BOLTS THAT HOLD THE SEAT BACK TO THE BASE SEAT HAD SHEARED OFF OF BOTH SIDES. THIS SEAT HAS NORMAL USE AND THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED ESPECIALLY WITHOUT UNUSUAL FORCE BEING APPLIED TO THE SEATBACK. *TR
I NEED YOUR HELP TO RESOLVE A SERIOUS PROBLEM. I HAVE NOWHERE ELSE TO TURN. MY DAUGHTER IS THE OWNER OF A 2003 KIA SEDONA. WITHIN A THREE MONTH PERIOD, THREE OF THE DOOR HANDLES HAVE FALLEN OFF THIS VEHICLE! AFTER EACH HANDLE FELL OFF, SHE REPORTED IT TO THE LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP. SHE LEARNED THAT DOOR HANDLES WERE NOT C…
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I NEED YOUR HELP TO RESOLVE A SERIOUS PROBLEM. I HAVE NOWHERE ELSE TO TURN. MY DAUGHTER IS THE OWNER OF A 2003 KIA SEDONA. WITHIN A THREE MONTH PERIOD, THREE OF THE DOOR HANDLES HAVE FALLEN OFF THIS VEHICLE! AFTER EACH HANDLE FELL OFF, SHE REPORTED IT TO THE LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP. SHE LEARNED THAT DOOR HANDLES WERE NOT COVERED AND THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO PAY $250.00 PER DOOR TO HAVE THEM REPAIRED. THE COST TO REPAIR THIS VEHICLE IS NOW $750.00. KIA DOES NOT CONSIDER DEFECTIVE DOOR HANDLES A SAFETY ISSUE SO THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A RECALL. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS MOST CERTAINLY A SAFETY ISSUE. IF MY FAMILY WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, MY FOUR LITTLE GRANDCHILDREN WOULD BE TRAPPED INSIDE THIS VEHICLE. SINCE I BEGAN RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET, I LEARNED THAT THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR KIA SEDONA VAN. THEIR COMPLAINTS ARE THE SAME'DOOR HANDLES THAT HAVE FALLEN OFF AND KIA REFUSING TO FIX THEM. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURER DEFEAT. I KNOW MANY PEOPLE WHO OWN ANTIQUE VEHICLES'ALL THEIR VEHICLES STILL HAVE THEIR ORIGINAL DOOR HANDLES. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF DOOR HANDLES FALLING OFF A VEHICLE, LET ALONE THREE! I CONTACTED BOTH OUR LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP AND THE KIA CORPORATION. THE KIA CORPORATION OF AMERICA'S (800-333-4542) CONSUMER AFFAIRS ASSISTANT SOUNDED LIKE A ROBOT. SHE TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS NOT A RECALL ITEM, THE TIME FOR REPORTING A MANUFACTURING DEFEAT WAS OVER AND THAT NOTHING WOULD BE DONE! SHE DID SAY THAT IF WE WANTED THEM TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE WE COULD BRING IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP, PAY FOR DIAGNOSTICS BUT THEY WOULD STILL NOT PAY TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS JUST THROWING GOOD MONEY AFTER BAD! WHY WOULD I PAY THEM TO TELL ME AGAIN THEY ARE NOT GOING TO FIX THIS VEHICLE? WHEN I SPOKE TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP IN ST. AUGUSTINE, THEY WERE SYMPATHETIC, HOWEVER, THEY CANNOT ABSORB THE COSTS OF THE REPAIR. PLEASE HELP ALL THESE KIA SEDONA OWNERS WITH THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SEDONA. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS HAVING HER VEHICLE SERVICED, SHE WAS INFORMED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC THAT THE ENGINE WAS MAKING A LOWER END NOISE AND THAT A SCREW WAS MISSING ON THE THROTTLE BODY. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CU…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SEDONA. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS HAVING HER VEHICLE SERVICED, SHE WAS INFORMED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC THAT THE ENGINE WAS MAKING A LOWER END NOISE AND THAT A SCREW WAS MISSING ON THE THROTTLE BODY. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 91,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SEDONA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH THE LEFT REAR WHEEL SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. HE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE GARAGE. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT TAKE A REPORT. THE ESTIMATED COST FOR THE REPAIR WAS $400.00. THE WHEEL BEARING SEALS, BREAK D…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SEDONA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH THE LEFT REAR WHEEL SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. HE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE GARAGE. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT TAKE A REPORT. THE ESTIMATED COST FOR THE REPAIR WAS $400.00. THE WHEEL BEARING SEALS, BREAK DRUM, AND MOUNTAIN PLATE MIGHT NEED TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 130,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SEDONA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS; THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. UPON VEHICLE INSPECTION HE OBSERVED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER WHEELS HAD EXCESSIVE HEAT BUILD-UP. HIS VEHIC…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SEDONA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS; THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. UPON VEHICLE INSPECTION HE OBSERVED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER WHEELS HAD EXCESSIVE HEAT BUILD-UP. HIS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS EXCLUDED FROM RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V232000 (WHEELS). THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTION. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 103,000.
ONE BOLT HOLDING THE REAR SEAT BACK OF MY 2003 KIA SEDONA TO THE SEAT BASE HAS SHEARED OFF AND BROKEN ON BOTH OF MY REAR SEATS. THIS ISSUE OCCURRED AT OCCURRED AT SOMETIME PAST 124,000 MILES OF VEHICLE USE. THE PROBLEM WAS NOTICED WHEN THE FOLDED SEAT BACKS WERE PUT INTO THE UPRIGHT POSITION AND THE SEAT BACK WOULD NOT LOCK INTO…
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ONE BOLT HOLDING THE REAR SEAT BACK OF MY 2003 KIA SEDONA TO THE SEAT BASE HAS SHEARED OFF AND BROKEN ON BOTH OF MY REAR SEATS. THIS ISSUE OCCURRED AT OCCURRED AT SOMETIME PAST 124,000 MILES OF VEHICLE USE. THE PROBLEM WAS NOTICED WHEN THE FOLDED SEAT BACKS WERE PUT INTO THE UPRIGHT POSITION AND THE SEAT BACK WOULD NOT LOCK INTO PLACE, BUT INSTEAD MOVED BOTH UP AND DOWN AND FORWARD AND BACKWARD ON ONE SIDE WHILE THE OTHER SIDE WAS LOCKED IN PLACE IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION. THE PROBLEM WAS THEN VERIFIED BY REMOVING THE PLASTIC COVER ON THE SIDE OF THE SEAT HINGE ASSEMBLY AND VISUALLY LOOKING AT THE SHEARED OFF BOLTS. BOTH REAR SEATS HAVE EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED ON THE SIDE CLOSEST TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. FOR THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR SEAT THE SHEARING TOOK PLACE ON THE SIDE CLOSEST TO THE EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE (THE LEFT SIDE AS YOU FACE THE REAR OF THIS SEAT).AND ON THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR SEAT THE SHEARING TOOK PLACE ON THE SIDE CLOSEST TO THE EXTERIOR SIDE OF THE SEAT. THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY CONCERN SINCE OUR CHILDREN COULD HAVE EXPERIENCED SIGNIFICANT INJURY IF THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT PRIOR TO DISCOVERY OF THE PROBLEM. THE FACT THAT NOT ONE BUT TWO BOLTS WERE SHEARED OFF ON TWO SEPARATE SEATS IS ALSO VERY TROUBLING. THE BOLTS ARE HOLDING ON BOTH REAR SEAT BACKS ARE SCHEDULED TO BE REPLACED ON JUNE 23, 2009 IF THE DEALERSHIP HAS THE PARTS. IT IS UNCLEAR WHETHER THE DEALERSHIP WILL COVER THESE REPAIRS UNDER THE PRODUCT WARRANTY DUE TO MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE EVEN THOUGH IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
HOSES, LINES CORRODED LEAKING COOLANT ALL OVER THE GARAGE AND CAR OVERHEATING ONLY 4 YEARS OLD. BREAK LINES IN REAR VERY CORRODED AND READY TO FAIL. REPLACE ASAP, MECHANIC SAYS. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SEDONA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY CHANGED THE SEAT BELT BUCKLES ON THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS. THERE WAS AN INNER CONNECTION WITH THE CIRCUITS, WHICH CAUSED THE AIR BAG INDICATOR TO ILLUMINATE. T…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SEDONA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY CHANGED THE SEAT BELT BUCKLES ON THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS. THERE WAS AN INNER CONNECTION WITH THE CIRCUITS, WHICH CAUSED THE AIR BAG INDICATOR TO ILLUMINATE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000. UPDATED 05/06/09. *LJ UPDATED 05/07/09.*JB
Official recalls
405V329000 · Vehicle Speed Control:cables
Jul 20, 2005
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
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.
05V232000 · Wheels
May 19, 2005
ON CERTAIN MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH ALLOY WHEELS, MOISTURE CAN ACCUMULATE AROUND THE REAR HUB CAPS CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE OUTER WHEEL BEARING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: WHEEL BEARING FAILURE MAY OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
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.
05V013000 · Vehicle Speed Control:cables
Jan 19, 2005
ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, DURING ASSEMBLY, THE THROTTLE CABLE WOULD TWIST ITSELF OUT OF POSITION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CAN PERMIT THE CABLE TO BE HUNG UP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE THROTTLE CABLE FREE OF CHARGE. VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM MARCH 20, 2001 THROUGH NOVEMBER 7, 2001 WILL HAVE A GUIDE CLIP INSTALLED ON THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT THE TENSION FORCE CABLE DOES NOT MOVE OUT OF POSITION. VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BEGINNING ON NOVEMBER 8, 2001, ALREADY HAVE THE EXTENDED GUIDE, WHICH ACCOMPLISHES THE SAME OBJECTIVE. THE RECALL BEGAN MARCH 21, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
03V158000 · Service Brakes, Air:antilock:control Unit/module
Apr 25, 2003
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THERE WAS A PROGRAMMING ERROR IN THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE LOGIC. THE PROGRAMMING ERROR COULD CAUSE REDUCED BRAKING FORCE AT SPEEDS BELOW 25 MPH, WHICH COULD RESULT IN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: SUCH INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE CONTROL MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 19, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD 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
4EA08017 · 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.
PE05035 · Electrical Fire
Opened Jun 28, 2005 · Closed Oct 19, 2005
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:wiring:interior/under Dash
BY LETTER DATED OCTOBER 4, 2005, KIA NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO. 05V463) INVOLVING ALL MODEL YEAR (MY) 2002, 2003 KIA SEDONA EX VEHICLES AND CERTAIN MY 2004 KIA SEDONA EX VEHICLES.KIA?S RECALL COVERS 74,276 VEHICLES.KIA REPORTS THAT FIRES WERE CAUSED BY WIRING UNDER FRONT SEATS BEING MISROUTED; THIS ALLOWED THE WIRE TO BE PINCHED BY METAL SEAT COMPONENTS.OVER TIME, THE SHORT IN THE WIRING UNDER THE SEAT CAUSES OVERHEATING OF COMPONENTS IN THE FUSE BOX (LOCATED UNDER THE DRIVER SIDE INSTRUMENT PANEL).SPECIFICALLY, THE CIRCUIT BREAKER DIODES CYCLE ON-OFF-ON ETC. AND OVERHEAT.KIA WILL INSPECT VEHICLES FOR PROPER WIRE ROUTING AND INSTALL PROTECTIVE COVERING OVER CERTAIN METAL PARTS UNDER FRONT SEATS.DEALERS WILL ALSO APPLY A LABEL WARNING TECHNICIANS NOT TO REMOVE THE CIRCUIT BREAKER DIODES WHICH CANNOT BE SERVICED BUT CAN BE DAMAGED BY REMOVAL ATTEMPTS.BASED ON KIA?S SAFETY RECALL ACTION, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
PE04067 · Throttle Cable Binding
Opened Sep 24, 2004 · Closed Jan 27, 2005
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control; Vehicle Speed Control:cables; Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
KIA PROVIDED INFORMATION DESCRIBING A WATER ENTRY POINT AT THE RUBBER SEALING BOOT LOCATED AT THE THROTTLE BODY END OF THE THROTTLE CABLE, ADVISING THAT WATER COULD ENTER THE CABLE SHEATH DURING NORMAL VEHICLE OPERATION.IN LOW TEMPERATURES, THE WATER FREEZES AND MAY IMPEDE THE MOVEMENT OF THE THROTTLE CABLE THEREBY PREVENTING AN OPEN THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO THE CLOSED POSITION.A STUCK THROTTLE COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.TO PREVENT WATER INGRESS, KIA INCREASED THE CRIMPING FORCE OF THE CLAMP INSTALLED ON THE RUBBER BOOT FROM 2 TO 5 KILOGRAMS FORCE.THE ACTION TOOK PLACE IN APRIL 2004 AND OCCURRED IN CONNECTION WITH OTHER CHANGES TO THE THROTTLE CABLE SYSTEM.TO REMEDY THE VEHICLES BUILT BEFORE THIS DATE (ALL OF MY 2002 AND PART OF 2003), KIA WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE CABLE WITH AN IMPROVED COMPONENT.CERTAIN RECALLED VEHICLES WILL ALSO HAVE AN ADDITIONAL CLIP INSTALLED TO ADDRESS A POTENTIAL CABLE DISENGAGEMENT CONCERN.SEE KIA'S JANUARY 17, 2005 PART 573 LETTER FOR NHTSA RECALL 05V013 (KIA RECALL SC-042) FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.NO ACTION IS BEING TAKEN ON VEHICLES BUILT AFTER APRIL 4, 2004.
Additional source detail variants (6)
Vehicle Speed Control:cables
KIA PROVIDED INFORMATION DESCRIBING A WATER ENTRY POINT AT THE RUBBER SEALING BOOT LOCATED AT THE THROTTLE BODY END OF THE THROTTLE CABLE, ADVISING THAT WATER COULD ENTER THE CABLE SHEATH DURING NORMAL VEHICLE OPERATION.IN LOW TEMPERATURES, THE WATER FREEZES AND MAY IMPEDE THE MOVEMENT OF THE THROTTLE CABLE THEREBY PREVENTING AN OPEN THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO THE CLOSED POSITION.A STUCK THROTTLE COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.TO PREVENT WATER INGRESS, KIA INCREASED THE CRIMPING FORCE OF THE CLAMP INSTALLED ON THE RUBBER BOOT FROM 2 TO 5 KILOGRAMS FORCE.THE ACTION TOOK PLACE IN APRIL 2004 AND OCCURRED IN CONNECTION WITH OTHER CHANGES TO THE THROTTLE CABLE SYSTEM.TO REMEDY THE VEHICLES BUILT BEFORE THIS DATE (ALL OF MY 2002 AND PART OF 2003), KIA WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE CABLE WITH AN IMPROVED COMPONENT.CERTAIN RECALLED VEHICLES WILL ALSO HAVE AN ADDITIONAL CLIP INSTALLED TO ADDRESS A POTENTIAL CABLE DISENGAGEMENT CONCERN.SEE KIA'S JANUARY 17, 2005 PART 573 LETTER FOR NHTSA RECALL 05V013 (KIA RECALL SC-042) FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.NO ACTION IS BEING TAKEN ON VEHICLES BUILT AFTER APRIL 4, 2004.
Vehicle Speed Control:cables
KIA PROVIDED INFORMATION DESCRIBING A WATER ENTRY POINT AT THE RUBBER SEALING BOOT LOCATED AT THE THROTTLE BODY END OF THE THROTTLE CABLE, ADVISING THAT WATER COULD ENTER THE CABLE SHEATH DURING NORMAL VEHICLE OPERATION.IN LOW TEMPERATURES, THE WATER FREEZES AND MAY IMPEDE THE MOVEMENT OF THE THROTTLE CABLE THEREBY PREVENTING AN OPEN THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO THE CLOSED POSITION.A STUCK THROTTLE COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.TO PREVENT WATER INGRESS, KIA INCREASED THE CRIMPING FORCE OF THE CLAMP INSTALLED ON THE RUBBER BOOT FROM 2 TO 5 KILOGRAMS FORCE.THE ACTION TOOK PLACE IN APRIL 2004 AND OCCURRED IN CONNECTION WITH OTHER CHANGES TO THE THROTTLE CABLE SYSTEM.TO REMEDY THE VEHICLES BUILT BEFORE THIS DATE (ALL OF MY 2002 AND PART OF 2003), KIA WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE CABLE WITH AN IMPROVED COMPONENT.CERTAIN RECALLED VEHICLES WILL ALSO HAVE AN ADDITIONAL CLIP INSTALLED TO ADDRESS A POTENTIAL CABLE DISENGAGEMENT CONCERN.SEE KIA'S JANUARY 17, 2005 PART 573 LETTER FOR NHTSA RECALL 05V013 (KIA RECALL SC-042) FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.NO ACTION IS BEING TAKEN ON VEHICLES BUILT AFTER APRIL 4, 2004.
Vehicle Speed Control
KIA PROVIDED INFORMATION DESCRIBING A WATER ENTRY POINT AT THE RUBBER SEALING BOOT LOCATED AT THE THROTTLE BODY END OF THE THROTTLE CABLE, ADVISING THAT WATER COULD ENTER THE CABLE SHEATH DURING NORMAL VEHICLE OPERATION.IN LOW TEMPERATURES, THE WATER FREEZES AND MAY IMPEDE THE MOVEMENT OF THE THROTTLE CABLE THEREBY PREVENTING AN OPEN THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO THE CLOSED POSITION.A STUCK THROTTLE COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.TO PREVENT WATER INGRESS, KIA INCREASED THE CRIMPING FORCE OF THE CLAMP INSTALLED ON THE RUBBER BOOT FROM 2 TO 5 KILOGRAMS FORCE.THE ACTION TOOK PLACE IN APRIL 2004 AND OCCURRED IN CONNECTION WITH OTHER CHANGES TO THE THROTTLE CABLE SYSTEM.TO REMEDY THE VEHICLES BUILT BEFORE THIS DATE (ALL OF MY 2002 AND PART OF 2003), KIA WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE CABLE WITH AN IMPROVED COMPONENT.CERTAIN RECALLED VEHICLES WILL ALSO HAVE AN ADDITIONAL CLIP INSTALLED TO ADDRESS A POTENTIAL CABLE DISENGAGEMENT CONCERN.SEE KIA'S JANUARY 17, 2005 PART 573 LETTER FOR NHTSA RECALL 05V013 (KIA RECALL SC-042) FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.NO ACTION IS BEING TAKEN ON VEHICLES BUILT AFTER APRIL 4, 2004.
Vehicle Speed Control
KIA PROVIDED INFORMATION DESCRIBING A WATER ENTRY POINT AT THE RUBBER SEALING BOOT LOCATED AT THE THROTTLE BODY END OF THE THROTTLE CABLE, ADVISING THAT WATER COULD ENTER THE CABLE SHEATH DURING NORMAL VEHICLE OPERATION.IN LOW TEMPERATURES, THE WATER FREEZES AND MAY IMPEDE THE MOVEMENT OF THE THROTTLE CABLE THEREBY PREVENTING AN OPEN THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO THE CLOSED POSITION.A STUCK THROTTLE COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.TO PREVENT WATER INGRESS, KIA INCREASED THE CRIMPING FORCE OF THE CLAMP INSTALLED ON THE RUBBER BOOT FROM 2 TO 5 KILOGRAMS FORCE.THE ACTION TOOK PLACE IN APRIL 2004 AND OCCURRED IN CONNECTION WITH OTHER CHANGES TO THE THROTTLE CABLE SYSTEM.TO REMEDY THE VEHICLES BUILT BEFORE THIS DATE (ALL OF MY 2002 AND PART OF 2003), KIA WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE CABLE WITH AN IMPROVED COMPONENT.CERTAIN RECALLED VEHICLES WILL ALSO HAVE AN ADDITIONAL CLIP INSTALLED TO ADDRESS A POTENTIAL CABLE DISENGAGEMENT CONCERN.SEE KIA'S JANUARY 17, 2005 PART 573 LETTER FOR NHTSA RECALL 05V013 (KIA RECALL SC-042) FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.NO ACTION IS BEING TAKEN ON VEHICLES BUILT AFTER APRIL 4, 2004.
Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
KIA PROVIDED INFORMATION DESCRIBING A WATER ENTRY POINT AT THE RUBBER SEALING BOOT LOCATED AT THE THROTTLE BODY END OF THE THROTTLE CABLE, ADVISING THAT WATER COULD ENTER THE CABLE SHEATH DURING NORMAL VEHICLE OPERATION.IN LOW TEMPERATURES, THE WATER FREEZES AND MAY IMPEDE THE MOVEMENT OF THE THROTTLE CABLE THEREBY PREVENTING AN OPEN THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO THE CLOSED POSITION.A STUCK THROTTLE COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.TO PREVENT WATER INGRESS, KIA INCREASED THE CRIMPING FORCE OF THE CLAMP INSTALLED ON THE RUBBER BOOT FROM 2 TO 5 KILOGRAMS FORCE.THE ACTION TOOK PLACE IN APRIL 2004 AND OCCURRED IN CONNECTION WITH OTHER CHANGES TO THE THROTTLE CABLE SYSTEM.TO REMEDY THE VEHICLES BUILT BEFORE THIS DATE (ALL OF MY 2002 AND PART OF 2003), KIA WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE CABLE WITH AN IMPROVED COMPONENT.CERTAIN RECALLED VEHICLES WILL ALSO HAVE AN ADDITIONAL CLIP INSTALLED TO ADDRESS A POTENTIAL CABLE DISENGAGEMENT CONCERN.SEE KIA'S JANUARY 17, 2005 PART 573 LETTER FOR NHTSA RECALL 05V013 (KIA RECALL SC-042) FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.NO ACTION IS BEING TAKEN ON VEHICLES BUILT AFTER APRIL 4, 2004.
Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
KIA PROVIDED INFORMATION DESCRIBING A WATER ENTRY POINT AT THE RUBBER SEALING BOOT LOCATED AT THE THROTTLE BODY END OF THE THROTTLE CABLE, ADVISING THAT WATER COULD ENTER THE CABLE SHEATH DURING NORMAL VEHICLE OPERATION.IN LOW TEMPERATURES, THE WATER FREEZES AND MAY IMPEDE THE MOVEMENT OF THE THROTTLE CABLE THEREBY PREVENTING AN OPEN THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO THE CLOSED POSITION.A STUCK THROTTLE COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.TO PREVENT WATER INGRESS, KIA INCREASED THE CRIMPING FORCE OF THE CLAMP INSTALLED ON THE RUBBER BOOT FROM 2 TO 5 KILOGRAMS FORCE.THE ACTION TOOK PLACE IN APRIL 2004 AND OCCURRED IN CONNECTION WITH OTHER CHANGES TO THE THROTTLE CABLE SYSTEM.TO REMEDY THE VEHICLES BUILT BEFORE THIS DATE (ALL OF MY 2002 AND PART OF 2003), KIA WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE CABLE WITH AN IMPROVED COMPONENT.CERTAIN RECALLED VEHICLES WILL ALSO HAVE AN ADDITIONAL CLIP INSTALLED TO ADDRESS A POTENTIAL CABLE DISENGAGEMENT CONCERN.SEE KIA'S JANUARY 17, 2005 PART 573 LETTER FOR NHTSA RECALL 05V013 (KIA RECALL SC-042) FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.NO ACTION IS BEING TAKEN ON VEHICLES BUILT AFTER APRIL 4, 2004.