KnownCarProblems2004 Kia Sedona EX Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 37 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Kia Sedona EX, most often about the steering (30% of complaints, typically around 79,500 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about Sedona EX model year since 2000 and has 1 recall.
Most common 2004 Kia Sedona EX problems
Steering
11 complaints · 30%Half of these problems showed up before 79,500 miles. Parts named most often: rack and pinion, hydraulic power assist.
My 2004 Kia sedona with 85,000 miles lost steering. I was lucky I was not killed. Repair shop states that the shaft broke, rack and pinion went and the clock spring went. It appears to be a defect.
We were hearing a grinding type noise when we were making a turn so we took our vehicle in to the dealership. They diagnosed it as a bad rack and pinion and are replacing it. I have been told by numerous people that this is not something that should be going out at 70,000 miles. As of right now, Kia will not replace…
Wheels and tires
7 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 72,000 miles. Parts named most often: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs, hub, pressure monitoring and regulating systems.
2004 Kia Sedona EX. There is a hydraulic system containing a reservoir which controls rear brake force on turns and other braking maneuvers. This reservoir is subject to leaks (location -- between rear wheels). Leaking from this reservoir and low pressure triggers the 'check engine' and 'brake failure' lights.…
I have a 2004 Kia Sedona EX, and was returning home from a family vacation, was driving along and heard a loud noise come from the back passenger side, the van started shaking as if I had a flat tire, I started applying my brakes to pull over, then I heard a loud pop, the back corner went down. Out my rear passenger…
Brakes
7 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 72,000 miles.
2004 Kia Sedona EX. There is a hydraulic system containing a reservoir which controls rear brake force on turns and other braking maneuvers. This reservoir is subject to leaks (location -- between rear wheels). Leaking from this reservoir and low pressure triggers the 'check engine' and 'brake failure' lights.…
I have been going to Kia for years complaining of a strange intermittent groaning sound coming from the brakes at low speed stops. It would never make noise at the dealer and would only make the noise sometimes. Never for the same reason. It was very random. This time I was driving for several hours ( city traffic)…
Engine
5 complaints · 14%Parts named most often: engine.
I own a 2004 Kia sedona. I bought the car with 57,000 miles on it from the original owner. The warranty calls for 60,000 miles to second owner. The transmission, rack & pinion were replaced by me at 57,000 and now the engine has a build up of sludge and the local dealer is refusing to warranty the defect. They did not…
Tl contact owns a 2004 Kia Sedona EX. While driving 35 MPH, the temperature gauge began to rise on the instrument panel. The contact checked the engine and noticed that the coolant receptacle was empty. She added coolant, but the vehicle continued to overheat. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the radiator was…
Electrical
5 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 50,500 miles. Parts named most often: ignition.
On or about march 20, 2010, while my wife was operating our 2004 Kia sedona van, the left front (drivers seat) power seat moved all the way forward while vehicle was in motion. Driver did not initiate action. Seat could not be moved to the rearward position. Mileage at this time (march 2010 was 50,599) this same…
5/05 noticed humming on occasion from rear wheels at highway speeds 6/30/05 received recall notice that rear hub assembly/or bearings may need replacing. 7/05 brought car to dealer for recall repair, dealer ordered part 8/12/15 part in to dealer, bearing scored and replaced both outer wheel bearings noticed loud…
Suspension
3 complaints · 8%Parts named most often: rear.
I have a 2004 Kia Sedona EX, and was returning home from a family vacation, was driving along and heard a loud noise come from the back passenger side, the van started shaking as if I had a flat tire, I started applying my brakes to pull over, then I heard a loud pop, the back corner went down. Out my rear passenger…
2004 Kia Sedona EX. There is a hydraulic system containing a reservoir which controls rear brake force on turns and other braking maneuvers. This reservoir is subject to leaks (location -- between rear wheels). Leaking from this reservoir and low pressure triggers the 'check engine' and 'brake failure' lights.…
Transmission
3 complaints · 8%Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
I own a 2004 Kia sedona. I bought the car with 57,000 miles on it from the original owner. The warranty calls for 60,000 miles to second owner. The transmission, rack & pinion were replaced by me at 57,000 and now the engine has a build up of sludge and the local dealer is refusing to warranty the defect. They did not…
Tl contact owns a 2004 Kia Sedona EX. While attempting to accelerate from a stop, the vehicle would not move forward. The contact stated that the vehicle only drove in reverse. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they stated that the transmission needed to be replaced. The current and failure mileages were 50,000.
Stability control
3 complaints · 8%2004 Kia Sedona EX. There is a hydraulic system containing a reservoir which controls rear brake force on turns and other braking maneuvers. This reservoir is subject to leaks (location -- between rear wheels). Leaking from this reservoir and low pressure triggers the 'check engine' and 'brake failure' lights.…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2004 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 2004 Kia Sedona EX
- What are the most common problems with the 2004 Kia Sedona EX?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: steering (11 complaints, typically around 79,500 miles); wheels and tires (7 complaints, typically around 72,000 miles); brakes (7 complaints, typically around 72,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2004 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 2004 a bad year for the Kia Sedona EX?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about Sedona EX model year since 2000, with 37 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.