2002 Kia Sedona: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 198 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (17% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jan 2005
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 198 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“I was driving no less then than block from my house - when I notice smoke from the driver side fuse panel and next thing you know the whole panel became engulf in flames. I called the fire department and able to put fire out- but unfortunately, the car become total in the damage.”Owner report · Engine · May 2016
“It is nearly impossible to pump gas into the van. The pump keeps shutting off no matter how slow I pump or how far I put the nozzle into the tank.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Dec 2015
“Drove home from work at 35 mph. The next morning noticed tire tread had separated from the sidewall around much of the perimeter of the tire. Tire was flat.”Owner report · Tires · Sep 2015
Show 7 more owner reports
“I had my camshaft rear plug replaced after in came out and leaked oil everywhere in 2014. Now it's come out again doing the same thing. What can I do to keep it from happening again and again. Is it the plug or the camshaft that's blowing it out. I can't find any schematic to show me why or what to do. *tr”Owner report · Engine · Feb 2015
“Going down 251 and they were bush hoging and we slowed down and the last one we went by broke the passenger side back window. *tr”Owner report · Visibility · Jun 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 kia sedona. The contact was driving approximately 45 mph and crashed into the rear another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The contact suffered head, neck and back injuries. The vehicle was destroyed and a police report was filed at the scene. The manufacturer was not notified of the defect. The failure mileage was 92,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Feb 2014
“The car was parked in front of the house. A neighbor knocked on the door and told us that the kia was on fire. No one was in the car at that time. The engine compartment was totally burned up. The car gave me no other problems. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2014
“Both of my front door handles on inside broke completely off exactly the same way only way to get out if my car is to roll window down and open from outside. Also sliding door handle same material broke off I feel it is a safety hazard if the windows were to quit working I would have no way out. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr”Owner report · Structure · Jan 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 kia sedona. The contact stated that there was a problem with the wiring of the air conditioning and heating units. Additionally, the dash lights would not properly illuminate. The power door locks and power windows would also intermittently fail. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 127,000. The VIN was not available.”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2013
“Driving home and a deer jumped out in front of my van and I hit the deer and totaled my van bad where the air bags should of went off but it didn't now there's a light on the dash that looks like a guy sitting in a seat with a belt on and an air bag in front of it.”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2013
When filing, owners marked a crash in 17 of these complaints and injuries in 20 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, DURING ASSEMBLY, THE THROTTLE CABLE WOULD TWIST ITSELF OUT OF POSITION.
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.
CERTAIN MINI VANS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." THE SECOND AND THIRD SEAT BELT BUCKLE ANCHOR BOLTS DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE STANDARDS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE ANCHOR BOLTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 24, 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.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, SOME OF THE SECOND AND THIRD ROW SEAT STRIKERS INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE FLOOR PAN HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND COULD BREAK IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT STRIKERS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 25, 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
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2002 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Sedona by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2002 Kia Sedona reliable?
NHTSA has 198 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2002 Kia Sedona. The most complained-about area is electrical system (17% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2002 Kia Sedona problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 50,380 miles or less.
Does the 2002 Kia Sedona have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning vehicle speed control:cables. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.