KnownCarProblems2004 Kia Sedona Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 176 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Kia Sedona, most often about the wheels and tires (21% of complaints, typically around 33,000 miles). It is 5th of 19 Sedona model years by number of complaints and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2004 Kia Sedona problems
Wheels and tires
37 complaints · 21%Half of these problems showed up before 33,000 miles. Parts named most often: hub, temporary/emergency spare tire.
Dt: contact states there is a recall on the rear hub caps on 2004 Kia Sedona. The parts have been on back order since june 2005. The consumer has contacted the manufacturer, and they did confirm that the parts were on back order. The consumer has contacted service dealer and other dealerships in the area, but no one…
Dt: consumer received a recall letter around june 13, 2005. She contacted the local dealership, and was told the parts were not in. She called back today and the parts still were not available. She called Kia, and they told her to call back and have the vehicle inspected until the parts were available. She has to call…
Brakes
32 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 14,500 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, conventional.
Dt: in june 2005 the brakes made a humming noise for about three months. They have not caused any problems with stopping or any safety hazard problems at this time, but the owner was upset because the car was in the repair shop five times since june. The dealership said the problem could be caused by dirty brakes. But…
We purchased a 2004 Kia Sedona in july of that year, and when we had 33,000 miles on it , it was on its third set of front brake pads and second set of rotors, the dealer never once told US there was a problem with the Kia brake system, and I called Kia and they told me they were not aware of any big problem with…
Engine
30 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 52,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system.
Had to get my car serviced because antifreeze was pouring out of my car. After they looked at my car I was notified that Kia does not have the part to fix my car but insists that I can still drive it. Meanwhile I need to fill up the tank after my errands for the day, that's an estimate of $20 a day!they told me it…
This van has brake problems squeaking and wearing out pads way too fast. I was told nothing is wrong with the brake system but when taking it to a brake shop I was told the calipers are bad, Kia has not fixed them and denies that they're bad. The check engine light came on and I was told that a spark plug had…
Steering
22 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 68,000 miles. Parts named most often: hydraulic power assist system, column.
Increased steering effort noted. Researched and found NHTSA action # 10027724, and found it was opened and closed twice. The action appeared to be related the intermediate steering shaft and associated universal joint. Lubricating the intermediate shaft universal joint appeared to slightly lessen steering effort.
I have a 2004 Kia Sedona. I am the only owner. I started having steering problems about 5 days ago. I almost ran into another car turning the corner. I took it into my Kia dealer to be told my steering binding has failed. So now I have to pay over $500 to have it repaired, since this is a safety hazard. I believe this…
Electrical
18 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: wiring.
While driving in wet conditions the brake and battery light will come on instrument panel and there is a loss of power of steering. When taken to Kia dealership to fix problem they told US it is a common complaint among Kia cars. They checked all belts, battery and alternator all tests came back normal. While driving…
Vehicle floorboard got hot and melted the wiring harness under carpet. Kia dealer found no cause for the excessive heat but replaced the wiring at my expense.
Suspension
17 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 14,000 miles. Parts named most often: front, rear.
Dt: consumer received a recall notice on rear outer bearings. Consumer could not get repair work done at dealership because they did not have enough parts to fix the recall . Consumer was placed on a waiting list, but no calls were returned. Concerned, consumer called Kia. And was told they only received 400 parts a…
Tl contact owns a 2004 Kia Sedona. The vehicle was involved in recall # 05v232000 regarding the wheel bearings. The contact' s vehicle developed brake failure shortly after the recall repair was performed. The contact heard a loud grinding noise when stopping the vehicle, and the stopping distance was reduced. The…
Speed control
12 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 78,000 miles. Parts named most often: cables, cruise control.
The contact owns a 2004 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that while exiting a car wash, she shifted from neutral to drive with the brake pedal depressed when the vehicle suddenly accelerated on independently. The vehicle then traveled over a curb before crashing into a tree. The vehicle continued to accelerate and came…
Kia Sedona 2004 traveling about 30 MPH with gentle acceleration. Car without using accelerator sped up to 40+ MPH and brakes could not stop car. Car stopped by pulling over and turning off engine.
Air bags
9 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 36,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
My 2004 Kia Sedona has had an "air bag" light on the dash for some time. It happened while it was in the original warranty period, but the dealer did not have the parts necessary to complete the repair. He said they would order them and call me when they arrived. After several weeks with no call we went back to the…
My wife had a frontal crash at 35-40 MPH. Into the side of a box truck. Neither passenger nor driver's airbag deployed. The hood had also flew off the vehicle and landed more than 20 feet away after being deflected off her windshield. This vehicle sustained more than $11,000 in damages.
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 recalls
Speed control: cables
Risk: This can cause the cable to stick, thus preventing the engine from returning to idle and causing the vehicle to maintain speed or accelerate. Such an event can occur without warning and could cause a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Wheels and tires: wheels
Risk: Wheel bearing failure may occur without warning which could result in a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
On certain mini vans equipped with alloy wheels, moisture can accumulate around the rear hub caps causing damage to the outer wheel bearing.
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
Throttle cable binding
Summary
Kia provided information describing a water entry point at the rubber sealing boot located at the throttle body end of the throttle cable, advising that water could enter the cable sheath during normal vehicle operation.in low temperatures, the water freezes and may impede the movement of the throttle cable thereby preventing an open throttle from returning to the closed position.a stuck throttle could increase the risk of a crash.to prevent water ingress, kia increased the crimping force of the clamp installed on the rubber boot from 2 to 5 kilograms force.the action took place in april 2004 and occurred in connection with other changes to the throttle cable system.to remedy the vehicles bu
Questions about the 2004 Kia Sedona
- What are the most common problems with the 2004 Kia Sedona?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: wheels and tires (37 complaints, typically around 33,000 miles); brakes (32 complaints, typically around 14,500 miles); engine (30 complaints, typically around 52,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2004 Kia Sedona have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from July 20, 2005 (speed control). 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?
- It is 5th of 19 Sedona model years by number of complaints, with 176 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.