KnownCarProblems2003 Kia Sedona EX Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 34 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Kia Sedona EX, most often about the electrical (27% of complaints, typically around 61,500 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about Sedona EX model year since 2000 and has 1 recall.
Most common 2003 Kia Sedona EX problems
Electrical
9 complaints · 27%Half of these problems showed up before 61,500 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, ignition.
I have a 2003 Kia sedona. I have had to have the alternator replaced 2 times in a months time. The dealership is saying now that the connector to the fan has melted because the fan is pulling too much voltage. But from what I understand from others, the issue is the connector and not the fan? I hope they are able to…
1)happened twice: car stopped suddenly after a beeping noise and engine light went on briefly. Thermostat, thermostat gasket had to replaced twice in 7 months (repairs done on 5/11/10 and 12/13/2010). Note: engine flush 11/24/09; cooling system pressure tested 2/22/10, radiator flushes 6/8/09 and 7/30/10 in addition…
Engine
9 complaints · 27%Half of these problems showed up before 55,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.
I have a 2003 Kia sedona. I have had to have the alternator replaced 2 times in a months time. The dealership is saying now that the connector to the fan has melted because the fan is pulling too much voltage. But from what I understand from others, the issue is the connector and not the fan? I hope they are able to…
We first got our (used) Kia sedona oct. Of 2007. It had about 45,000 miles on it when we got it- and now it has about 74,000. 2 months into having it the check engine light would come on whenever the temperature dropped below 20 degrees(f). The check engine light would usually go off by the next day if it was warmer…
Brakes
5 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 18,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
: the contact stated while traveling various speeds, the steering wheel shook when the brakes were applied. The vehicle was taken to a service dealer, who cleaned the brakes with a hardware kit. The problem recurred, and the brakes were cleaned two more times. A couple weeks later, the problem recurred again. The…
This van has been a problem ever since I bought it. This is the 3rd time the brakes have been replaced, the cd player doesn't work any more. The alternator with out at 40,000 miles. The fuses inside keep blowing. The air controller in the back in falling out of the ceiling. I had to leave it with the dealership for…
Transmission
5 complaints · 15%Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline.
Transmission not shifting right was told 3 months after I had purchase this minivan I had low fluid I took it back many times and was the same till I started seeing transmission fluid in my drive way I took it to then dealer he said my axle seal was bad they took over a week to repair it and never replaced the missing…
2003 Kia sedona which we bought brand new has had a problem almost since we purchased it, initially with running rough, then transmission into stalling, or loss of power and almost stalling, when accelerating onto a highway or other main thoroughfare where rapid acceleration is required for safe entry. We have brought…
Steering
5 complaints · 15%Parts named most often: column.
Hard to steer on turning steering does not want to return also hard to turn at any speed. The u-joint on the steering intermediate shaft binded up without warning. The rack and pinion was replaced also.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Kia Sedona EX. When the contact attempts to turn the steering wheel, it will not automatically return to the proper position. The failure occurs intermittently. The dealer stated that the steering coupler assembly was beginning to freeze. The failure is caused by lack of lubrication that causes…
Body and structure
5 complaints · 15%Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
This van has been a problem ever since I bought it. This is the 3rd time the brakes have been replaced, the cd player doesn't work any more. The alternator with out at 40,000 miles. The fuses inside keep blowing. The air controller in the back in falling out of the ceiling. I had to leave it with the dealership for…
The hydraulics that keep the hood and the back of the van open are not working. So you are stuck holding them open (and they are very heavy) to put in groceries, etc. My daughter has hurt her head a couple of times trying to help me keep it open to get the groceries out. It is very dangerous to be doing this. The…
Suspension
3 complaints · 9%Parts named most often: front.
The contact owns a 2003 Kia Sedona EX. The contact stated that while driving she would hear a loud noise. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the technician replaced the wheel bearings. After the repair the passenger front tire exploded. The vehicle was taken to a local repair facility for inspection. Upon…
Wheels and tires
3 complaints · 9%05v232000 - this morning my left rear wheel came off my 2003 Kia sedona at the hub -- not the lugs at the hub - fortunately I wasn't driving at a high rate of speed and due to the noise it was making realized that I had a problem. Per Kia - the above mentioned recall did not pertain to my vehicle.
1)happened twice: car stopped suddenly after a beeping noise and engine light went on briefly. Thermostat, thermostat gasket had to replaced twice in 7 months (repairs done on 5/11/10 and 12/13/2010). Note: engine flush 11/24/09; cooling system pressure tested 2/22/10, radiator flushes 6/8/09 and 7/30/10 in addition…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2003 Kia Sedona EX recalls
Seats
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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
On certain passenger vehicles equipped with power seats, the wiring under the front seats could be misrouted, allowing contact with metal seat components.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Steering intermediate shaft binding
Summary
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 compl
Steering binding
Summary
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 jo
Questions about the 2003 Kia Sedona EX
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Kia Sedona EX?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (9 complaints, typically around 61,500 miles); engine (9 complaints, typically around 55,000 miles); brakes (5 complaints, typically around 18,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2003 Kia Sedona EX have?
- 1 recall listed by NHTSA, the latest from October 5, 2005 (seats). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2003 a bad year for the Kia Sedona EX?
- It is the 3rd most complained-about Sedona EX model year since 2000, with 34 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.