2005 Kia Sedona: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 185 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (33% 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 185 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2005 Kia Sedona. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, she noticed that the vehicle was overheating. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated she attempted to open the hood of the vehicle to determine the cause of the failure, but the hood would not open. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 88,000.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Aug 2021
“Hi my van started smell a lot to fuel so I looked for leaks and I found a big leak on the fuel rail rack dripping a lot of fuel on the side of engine when engine is running and the car is unsafe to drive and I'm very worried about this problem. This happened after my car stalled on the street and it never wanted to start again and when I make it start again it started smell gas”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Aug 2021
“Tl* the contact owned a 2005 kia sedona. While parked at the contact's residence, the vehicle caught fire underneath the hood and inside the vehicle. The fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle was totaled. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The cause of the failure was not determined. The failure mileage was 200,000. *as photos attached *jb”Owner report · Engine · May 2019
Show 7 more owner reports
“My 2005 kia sedona was parked in my garage and it caught fire in the dash in front of the steering wheel. That is where the fire department said it started. It was a total loss, only had 115,000 miles, no issues. Thank god it was at 8 am and we were awake, earlier my whole family and our home may have been gone as well.”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2019
“While driving at approx 55mph on both a 2 lane hwy and the interstate hwy, the van would suddenly make a loud bang sound, jump, and the rpms would go up to over 4000 and sound like it was in 2nd gear. Eng light code said intake trans sensor, which I had replaced. Same problem happend 2 more times after that and still not fixed.will work for a while after shutting car off and restarting it but same problem happens after about 20 miles. Code still reads intake sensor problem each time. I tried using off brand sensors the first 2 times and an authentic kia sensor the 3rd time. There was no difference in performance, just the cost of the parts.”Owner report · Power Train · Nov 2018
“My air bag light is on and I talk to kia about it they want to charge me a price for to take it off I hae a wheel bearing promble to. I had to get my wheel bearing repair to.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2018
“I was driving on route 55 with my 2yr old daughter and I was going 70mph when the tread separated from the tire causing my car to fishtail in between both lanes on the highway until I was able to gain control again and got my car to the shoulder of the highway. The defective tire is a firestone wilderness ht 225/70r15”Owner report · Wheels · Aug 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 kia sedona. While driving low speeds, the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (kia of grand blanc at 6167 saginaw rd, grand blanc, mi 48439, (810) 694-5600) where it was diagnosed that the vehicle did not have the original crankshaft position sensor part. The vehicle was not repaired due to the dealer not diagnosing the aftermarket dorman crankshaft position sensor that was defective and caused the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the crankshaft position sensor was not a kia part and did not offer any further assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 165,000.”Owner report · Engine · May 2017
“In motion. The brakes became more and more spongy. Upon inspection I found the studs that hold the master brake cylinder to the booster, one was broken off and the other had a loose nut.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Apr 2017
“Tl* the contact owned a 2005 kia sedona. While driving 35 mph, the vehicle suddenly shut off and the brakes and power steering no longer functioned. The contact ran off the road into a ditch. The vehicle caught fire and exploded. A fire report was filed and the fire department extinguished the fire. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. The origin of the fire was undetermined. The approximate failure mileage was 240,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2016
When filing, owners marked a crash in 20 of these complaints and injuries in 16 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2005 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 2005 Kia Sedona reliable?
NHTSA has 185 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2005 Kia Sedona. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (33% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2005 Kia Sedona problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 28,000 miles or less.
Does the 2005 Kia Sedona have open recalls?
2 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.