Known Recalls

Model year record

2003 Kia Sedona

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 214 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 05V329000

Vehicle speed control: cables

Component
Vehicle speed control: cables
Manufacturer
KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
118,447
Reported to NHTSA
2005-07-20
Owners notified
2005-08-15

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 05V232000

Wheels

Component
Wheels
Manufacturer
KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
37,358
Reported to NHTSA
2005-05-19
Owners notified
2005-06-13

Defect description

ON CERTAIN MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH ALLOY WHEELS, MOISTURE CAN ACCUMULATE AROUND THE REAR HUB CAPS CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE OUTER WHEEL BEARING.

Safety risk

WHEEL BEARING FAILURE MAY OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 05V013000

Vehicle speed control: cables

Component
Vehicle speed control: cables
Manufacturer
KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
89,238
Reported to NHTSA
2005-01-19
Owners notified
2005-03-21

Defect description

ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, DURING ASSEMBLY, THE THROTTLE CABLE WOULD TWIST ITSELF OUT OF POSITION.

Safety risk

THIS CAN PERMIT THE CABLE TO BE HUNG UP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V158000

Service brakes, air: antilock: control unit/module

Component
Service brakes, air: antilock: control unit/module
Manufacturer
KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
3,375
Reported to NHTSA
2003-04-25
Owners notified
2003-05-19

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

SUCH INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Air bags2096,283 mi
Electrical system2065,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling957,500 mi
Tires943,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic834,000 mi
Seat belts7124,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine641,849 mi
Vehicle speed control612,000 mi
Wheels686,000 mi
Engine5130,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch534,000 mi
Seats546,100 mi
Air bags: frontal411,045 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator464,000 mi
Service brakes4110,000 mi
Suspension: front: wheel bearing440,295 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner35,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline3500 mi
Power train: automatic transmission339,000 mi
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly328,750 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor3230 mi
Structure: body3120,000 mi
Suspension3300 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash210,000 mi
Equipment228,750 mi
Fuel/propulsion system264,825 mi
Seat belts: rear/other260,162 mi
Seats: mid/rear assembly22,000 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock23,600 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip2—
Steering241,000 mi
Suspension: front: macpherson strut26,000 mi
Suspension: rear213,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal2350 mi
Vehicle speed control: cables272,291 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control220,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls25,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module126,000 mi
Child seat1—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery166,000 mi
Electrical system: horn1—
Electrical system: wiring126,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood128,664 mi
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers1128,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system134,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system112,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe120,000 mi
Equipment adaptive/mobility1101,934 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights125,456 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch151,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly150,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap1—
Fuel system, other140,295 mi
Latches/locks/linkages170,000 mi
Parking brake140,295 mi
Seats: front assembly: recliner1—
Seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler1—
Service brakes, air112,312 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock: control unit/module172,291 mi
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor140,295 mi
Service brakes, air: drum: shoes/linings140,295 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc1500 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum113,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1468 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump140,295 mi
Structure: body: door1—
Structure: body: hood1—
Suspension: front17,488 mi
Suspension: front: hub127,700 mi
Suspension: rear: axle: spindle127,700 mi
Unknown or other1—
Vehicle speed control: springs131,000 mi
Visibility141,000 mi
Visibility: windshield1—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor166,000 mi
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs157,000 mi

The 2002 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 2004 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.