2002 KIA Sedona EX
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › KIA › Sedona EX › 2002
These records cover every 2002 KIA Sedona EX. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
1 recall names the 2002 KIA Sedona EX. Newest first.
On certain passenger vehicles equipped with power seats, the wiring under the front seats could be misrouted, allowing contact with metal seat components.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
Owner complaints
50 complaints2 involved a crash8 involved a fire4 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Electrical system · Seat belts
TL* the contact owns a 2002 KIA sedona EX. While driving 55 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The failure occurred on several occasions and the contact was unable to restart the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that the front passenger's seat belt tightened and would not retract.…
TL* the contact owns a 2002 KIA sedona EX. While driving 55 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The failure occurred on several occasions and the contact was unable to restart the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that the front passenger's seat belt tightened and would not retract. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 131,000.
- Air bags
TL* the contact owned a 2002 KIA sedona EX. While driving 45 mph, the contact crashed into the preceding vehicle. All the air bags failed to deploy. The police arrived at the scene, but a report was not filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to an impound lot. The dealer was not contacted. The…
TL* the contact owned a 2002 KIA sedona EX. While driving 45 mph, the contact crashed into the preceding vehicle. All the air bags failed to deploy. The police arrived at the scene, but a report was not filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to an impound lot. The dealer was not contacted. The contact sustained injuries to the neck, lower back, left shoulder, and chest, which did not require medical attention. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 87,000. The vin was not available.
- Power train
Driving down the road and when you brake to slow down the transmission down shifts faster then it should and on snow covered road the front starts to slide when it does this and when it shifts back up it vibrates other then that its fine any idea what the problem could
- Electrical system · Seats
The van was on fire in my yard. Only the front drivers front side caught fire. When I found it it was blasing out of the door and windshield. I got the hose pipe an unhooked the battery to put the fire out. It melted the whole dashboard all the way to the radio steering wheel windshield only on drivers side all damage was at front drivers front side.i didn't drive the van alday that day.
- Electrical system
Takata recall. I was at home I heard some kind of noise out side like a horn blowing so I look out and my van was on fire on the drivers side and I ran for the hose to put it out then I called 911an the fire dept. Came an the arsson dept and he said it was in the seat to the fuss box and that's…
Takata recall. I was at home I heard some kind of noise out side like a horn blowing so I look out and my van was on fire on the drivers side and I ran for the hose to put it out then I called 911an the fire dept. Came an the arsson dept and he said it was in the seat to the fuss box and that's what caused the fire my car IS totaled can you please let me know the whole van on drivers side IS totaled I have no way to go now .
- Air bags
The airbags symbol has been remaining on. it was taken to many different shops but they say that it has to do with the airbags problem. there IS nothing that these mechanics can do. so I was told to report this issue to KIA.
- Air bags
The airbag light IS on all the time. No accident, no damage to the van. *tr
- Air bags
My 2002 KIA sedona EX has a fault with the front passenger seat occupancy sensor. It makes the airbag light come on but worst of all in a head on collision the airbags will most likely not deploy. *tr
- Electrical system · Engine · Seats
At approx. 3:55 a.m on the above date my step son woke up to the sound of a horn continuously blowing in our driveway. He looked out the window and saw flames coming from inside the cab of the listed vehicle. He ran into the bedroom and woke me and his mom up. I jumped up and ran outside to find my…
At approx. 3:55 a.m on the above date my step son woke up to the sound of a horn continuously blowing in our driveway. He looked out the window and saw flames coming from inside the cab of the listed vehicle. He ran into the bedroom and woke me and his mom up. I jumped up and ran outside to find my fiances van on fire as I ran back in the house to get the kids and her to get out of the trailer because the van was parked within 5 feet of it the drivers window busted and flames began rolling out of it. We called 911 and waited for the fire dept to get there to extinguish the fire. The van became fully involved and burned almost completely up. I found out later that day of a recall back in 2005 of possible fire danger caused by wiring in electric seats. I started thinking that may be what started because the drivers electric seat stopped working about 8 months ago. We bought the car used a couple years ago and never received any recall notices about it. What does her or I need to do. If this was in fact caused due to a recall we need to be replaced with another vehicle. *tr
- Electrical system · Seat belts
I notice that when I unbuckle my seatbelt, the warning light does not come on, nor does it chime. It does not matter if you are in drive and moving, or parked. The seat belt light won't illuminate, nor does the car chime. The only time the light illuminates IS when you first start up the vehicle. I don't believe it ever has in the entire life of the vehicle. I now have over 102,500 miles on the vehicle. *tr
- Electrical system · Seats
My 2002 KIA sedona caught fire on november 7, 2012. I was unaware of the existence of any recalls needed for my KIA or that I was driving a vehicle that could start on fire at any time?..i have children and a grandchild that I transport! I should have been notified of the recall. I notified…
My 2002 KIA sedona caught fire on november 7, 2012. I was unaware of the existence of any recalls needed for my KIA or that I was driving a vehicle that could start on fire at any time?..i have children and a grandchild that I transport! I should have been notified of the recall. I notified KIA the day of the incident, provided all incident information and reports from the kirkland fire department, waited, and continued to do all that was asked of me by KIA. over 2 months later I was told by michele hillegas, national consumer affairs analyst, that my vehicle was too old, wasn't under warranty anymore and hadn't been for quite some time so they would not compensate me for any loss. she also stated that if I had full coverage insurance this would have compensated me for my loss. recalls have nothing to do with the dealer warranty or my individual insurance that I carry on my vehicle. soon after I bought my KIA in 2008 I purchased an 50,000 mile extended vehicle warranty for my vehicle from a company known as endurance warranty which helped me maintain my vehicle in the best way it could be. this web link talks about the recall which my 2002 KIA sedona EX needed??..http://www.ohiolemonlaw.com/safety-recall-17.shtml a few weeks prior to the fire, my electric front passenger seat stopped working. I believe now that a faulty engineering problem well documented by KIA IS the reason why that seat quit working and then eventually caused a short in the wiring ultimately causing the fire in the fuse box that destroyed my vehicle. since KIA IS required to perform recalled repairs to all KIA vehicles involved in recalls that are in their possession (KIA dealerships) and my rights as a KIA owner were neglected, I believe I am lawfully entitled to be compensated for my loss in a fair and equitable manner. *tr
- Electronic stability control (esc) · Exterior lighting · Structure › Body
My husband drove our KIA sedona EX to work & parked it in the parking lot. About 30 minutes later, a colleague noticed the van enveloped by flames - burning so intensely that the windshield melted! Fire dept came, broke windows, and put out fire, which they noted originated in dashboard, but…
My husband drove our KIA sedona EX to work & parked it in the parking lot. About 30 minutes later, a colleague noticed the van enveloped by flames - burning so intensely that the windshield melted! Fire dept came, broke windows, and put out fire, which they noted originated in dashboard, but traveled throughout the car. The vehicle was totaled, but our insurance (allstate) didn't really offer us enough to sufficiently replace it. We have appealed to KIA. We loved our sedona before this happened. *tr
- Air bags
TL* the contact owns a 2002 KIA sedona EX. The contact stated the passenger side air bag lights constantly illuminates. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who inspected the air bags and stated the pretensioner wiring harness was installed incorrectly. The dealer informed her that the vehicle was not included in any recalls. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 84,900.
- Electronic stability control (esc) · Engine and engine cooling · Fuel system, gasoline
I own a 2002 KIA sedona. I purchased it in february and was fine until a month later. I was on my way to work and I got on the highway and the van stalled and just shut down. After about 5 minutes later it restarted then shut off again about 3 miles down the highway. I had the fuel pump and…
I own a 2002 KIA sedona. I purchased it in february and was fine until a month later. I was on my way to work and I got on the highway and the van stalled and just shut down. After about 5 minutes later it restarted then shut off again about 3 miles down the highway. I had the fuel pump and camshaft replaced but it still will not start. Then the battery stopped working. I replaced that and it still will not work. I called KIA and because it IS out of warranty they would not help. The dealership IS way too expensive being that I am a single parent I cannot afford their prices. KIA customer service IS very bad and will not help with anything. After searching online I have came to a conclusion that this IS a very common problem and there hasn't been one fix to it. I don't have the ability to go out and purchase another vehicle and just want this one fixed. Please help! *tr
- Air bags · Electrical system · Exterior lighting
The airbag light on the 2002 KIA sedona has been on and the vehicle has been assessed many times. Per the mechanic at the dealership there IS no way to identify if the airbag works or not. The entire system would have to be replaced which IS very expensive. the electrical components to the…
The airbag light on the 2002 KIA sedona has been on and the vehicle has been assessed many times. Per the mechanic at the dealership there IS no way to identify if the airbag works or not. The entire system would have to be replaced which IS very expensive. the electrical components to the hatchback have failed and the ability to open the hatchback has caused an issue with releasing the cage to drop the spare tire. Be prepared there IS not a light that tells you the hatchback will not open which could lead to a multitude of problems while traveling at night. Especially if you have a tire failure while on the highway driving out of town on a weekend and go to open the hatch and it will not open, therefore the ability to use the spare IS now null and void. Hopefully the cell phone you own has reception to call a tow truck to tow your car to the nearest town. Once there I hope the hotel left the light on because the tire store IS not open at 10 pm. the brake light hardware IS not bolted in properly- when I bought my van someone had actually used velcro to hold the brakelights/tailight covers in place. Which also consists of a headlight issue- when there IS a lot of snow/rain I must replace the headlights every 6 to 8 weeks. *tr
- Air bags
On 2/11/11 my KIA sedona airbag light went on and stayed on. upon extensive research, I've seen numerous complaints online on the same issue. on 2/28/11, I had the airbag module sensor replaced by a private mechanic. two weeks after being replaced, the airbag light went on again and stayed on.…
On 2/11/11 my KIA sedona airbag light went on and stayed on. upon extensive research, I've seen numerous complaints online on the same issue. on 2/28/11, I had the airbag module sensor replaced by a private mechanic. two weeks after being replaced, the airbag light went on again and stayed on. I have repaired/replaced thousands of dollars of parts on this KIA, making it the most expensive vehicle I've ever owned in the past 32 years. I was told that with the airbag light always on, that in an accident my airbags will not deploy. I have 84,000 miles on this van. the only warranty remaining from KIA IS their 100,000/10 yr power train, which basically covers nothing. with all the complaints on this most extreme safety issue, and the fact that KIA touts this vehicle as a 5 star safety rating, they should be "forced" to recall this apparent manufacturing defect. aside from brakes, airbag deployment IS the second most important safety feature protecting its' driver and passengers. I am the original owner of this van and have kept it well maintained. *tr
- Electrical system › Instrument cluster/panel
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 KIA sedona. The vehicle was parked in the driveway and the wires from the driver side under the instrument panel caught fire. The inside of the vehicle was totally destroyed. The fire department extinguished the fire by also cutting the electrical wires from the…
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 KIA sedona. The vehicle was parked in the driveway and the wires from the driver side under the instrument panel caught fire. The inside of the vehicle was totally destroyed. The fire department extinguished the fire by also cutting the electrical wires from the instrument panel and stating that was the origin of the fire. A report was available if needed and there were no injuries. The contact did not contact her insurance company, the dealer or the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 80,000.
- Electrical system
2002 KIA sedona EX, purchased 03/2008. My sister in law was driving my van on the highway when the vehicle stalled. She pulled over off the highway and went to restart the vehicle, to which in began to smoke and the whole front end went up in flames. *Tr
- Structure › Body › Door
Both of my door do not open from the inside I have to have someone let me out of the car, it IS a safety hazard my sliding door get jammed I really don't feel safe in this call and I can not afford to get another car right now. *Tr
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 KIA sedona. While the contact was driving 65mph he noticed that the engine suddenly stalled for a short period and then corrected itself. The vehicle was taken to the dealership where the contact had the catylatic converter replaced; however, after the repairs the…
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 KIA sedona. While the contact was driving 65mph he noticed that the engine suddenly stalled for a short period and then corrected itself. The vehicle was taken to the dealership where the contact had the catylatic converter replaced; however, after the repairs the contact experienced the same failure followed by the engine light appearing on the dashboard. There were no prior warnings . The current mileage was 106,000 and the failure mileage was at 3000.
- 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…
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
- Latches/locks/linkages · Structure
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
- 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…
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
- 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. All not covered under warranty. *Tr
- Steering › Rack and pinion › Rack · Suspension
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…
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
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Steering intermediate shaft binding
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…
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.
- Steering binding
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…
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.
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10201529TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFORMATION FOR HEADLAMP CONDENSATION AND MOISTURE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information relating to some Kia models that may exhibit fogging, condensation, and/or moisture inside a headlamp assembly. Generally, a fogging condition is considered normal and can be eliminated by turning on the headlamps with the engine running for up to 30 minutes or during normal driving conditions. Headlamp assembly replacement WILL NOT be necessary in most cases.
- 10026726KIA: all models. Article provides information relating to the improved durability of bulb life for rear combination bulb; rear stop lamp/tail lamp bulb utilized on multiple KIA models.
Every KIA Sedona EX model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.