2003 Kia Sedona: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 163 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (17% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jul 2005
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 163 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“My Sedona keeps catching on fire not sure why but now if I get it up to temperature it automatically catches on fire I'm going into my second fire extinguishe”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2022
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 kia sedona. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and shut off the front passenger side seat had experienced a fire and melted. The contact discovered smoke and soot present inside the vehicle and a burn hole in the passenger seat. No police report was taken. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer rock river kia (226 north alpine rd. Rockford il) where the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The contact indicated that the front driver side seat had later also experienced burning. The failure mileage was unknown.”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2019
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 kia sedona. The contact noticed that the subframe was rusted when it was wet. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 102,000.”Owner report · Structure · Dec 2016
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 kia sedona. The contact stated that while attempting to buckle the seat belt, the second row seat belt anchor cables snapped off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 124,000.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Sep 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 kia sedona. While the vehicle was parked, smoke appeared under the driver side dashboard. The contact was able to clear out the smoke and noticed that the fuse box caught fire. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 128,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 kia sedona. The contact stated that while driving 65 mph, the air bag deployed independently. As a result, the windshield shattered. The contact sustained two broken fingers that required medical attention. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2015
“Tl* the contact owned a 2003 kia sedona. The contact stated that while in park, the front of the vehicle caught fire. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.”Owner report · Engine · Feb 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 kia sedona. The contact stated that while in park and starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 132,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 kia sedona. The contact stated that when driving approximately 25 mph, the brake pedal was depressed and the front driver side brake failed to respond without warning. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the ABS system failed to allow brake fluid to run through. In addition, the outlet valve became stuck in the lock position and the ABS unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000. Ma 10/22/2015 updated 9/27/2017*cn”Owner report · Service Brakes · Apr 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 kia sedona. While driving approximately 40 mph, the vehicle crashed into a deer and caused significant damage to the front end. During the crash, the air bags did not deploy. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was invalid. The failure mileage was 80,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2014
When filing, owners marked a crash in 13 of these complaints and injuries in 24 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
ON CERTAIN MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH ALLOY WHEELS, MOISTURE CAN ACCUMULATE AROUND THE REAR HUB CAPS CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE OUTER WHEEL BEARING.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2003 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 2003 Kia Sedona reliable?
NHTSA has 163 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2003 Kia Sedona. The most complained-about area is electrical system (17% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2003 Kia Sedona problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 50,000 miles or less.
Does the 2003 Kia Sedona have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning wheels. 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.