2003 KIA Sedona Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Sedona years
- More complaints than other years 7th of 20 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 4 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 163 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 KIA Sedona. That ranks 7th out of 20 Sedona model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is electrical system (29 complaints, 18%), typically at around 56,000 miles. Complaints mention 13 crashes, 21 fires, 24 injuries. There are 4 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 4 defect investigations involving it.
- 163owner complaints
- 4safety recalls
- 4NHTSA investigations
- 13complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2003 KIA Sedona problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 29 | 18% | 56,000 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 25 | 15% | 88,000 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 20 | 12% | 48,425 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 17 | 10% | 12,000 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 13 | 8% | 19,900 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 12 | 7% | 123,632 | — | — |
| Suspension | 11 | 7% | 16,500 | — | — |
| Seats | 9 | 6% | 46,100 | — | — |
| Tires | 9 | 6% | 43,000 | — | — |
| Wheels | 7 | 4% | 84,500 | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 6 | 4% | 70,000 | — | — |
| Engine | 5 | 3% | 130,000 | — | — |
| Equipment | 5 | 3% | 7,500 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 5 | 3% | 26,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Air | 5 | 3% | 40,295 | — | — |
| Visibility | 5 | 3% | 26,250 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 4 | 2% | 112,900 | — | — |
| Structure | 4 | 2% | 120,000 | — | — |
| Power Train | 3 | 2% | 52,500 | — | — |
| Steering | 3 | 2% | 41,000 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 | 1% | 38,228 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 2 | 1% | 64,825 | — | — |
| Child Seat | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Equipment Adaptive/mobility | 1 | 1% | 101,934 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Other | 1 | 1% | 40,295 | — | — |
| Parking Brake | 1 | 1% | 40,295 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2003 KIA Sedona recalls (4)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Vehicle speed control:cables
Problem: 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.
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.
Wheels
Problem: On certain mini vans equipped with alloy wheels, moisture can accumulate around the rear hub caps causing damage to the outer wheel bearing.
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.
Vehicle speed control:cables
Problem: On certain mini vans, during assembly, the throttle cable would twist itself out of position.
Risk: This can permit the cable to be hung up, which could result in a crash.
Fix: 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.
Service brakes, air:antilock:control unit/module
Problem: 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.
Risk: Such increased stopping distances could result in a crash.
Fix: 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.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Steering intermediate shaft binding (EA08017) — opened Aug 28, 2008, closed Jul 1, 2009.
- Steering binding (PE08033) — opened Apr 28, 2008, closed Aug 28, 2008.
- Electrical fire (PE05035) — opened Jun 28, 2005, closed Oct 19, 2005, led to recall 05V463000.
- Throttle cable binding (PE04067) — opened Sep 24, 2004, closed Jan 27, 2005, led to recall 05V013000.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
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
The contact owns a 2003 Kia Sedona. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to steer. The contact pulled over and left the vehicle. The contact returned 2 days later and drove the vehicle home. The contact stated that the check engine, brakes and air bag warning…
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…
Tl* the contact owned a 2003 kia sedona. The contact stated while driving at 25 mph the vehicle hesitated and failed to shift into the desired gear with smoke coming from under the hood. The contact managed to drive the vehicle home, parked the vehicle, and upon opening the hood saw flames. The…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SEDONA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL SEIZED HALFWAY DOWN WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT SWERVED ONTO THE SIDEWALK AND STOPPED 30 YARDS IN A PARKING LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRIC…
Other KIA Sedona years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 Sedona | 10 | 0 |
| 2020 Sedona | 20 | 1 |
| 2019 Sedona | 39 | 2 |
| 2018 Sedona | 48 | 3 |
| 2017 Sedona | 134 | 4 |
| 2016 Sedona | 297 | 4 |
| 2015 Sedona | 139 | 3 |
| 2014 Sedona | 39 | 1 |
| 2013 Sedona | 0 | 1 |
| 2012 Sedona | 108 | 5 |
| 2011 Sedona | 65 | 6 |
| 2010 Sedona | 32 | 5 |
| 2009 Sedona | 48 | 5 |
| 2008 Sedona | 170 | 5 |
| 2007 Sedona | 157 | 6 |
| 2006 Sedona | 385 | 7 |
| 2005 Sedona | 185 | 2 |
| 2004 Sedona | 176 | 2 |
| 2003 | 163 | 4 |
| 2002 Sedona | 198 | 3 |
See all KIA Sedona problems by year, every KIA model, or the KIA VIN decoder.
Similar KIA models
Embed this 2003 KIA Sedona badge on your site
Copy this code into your blog or forum post. It shows live complaint and recall counts and links back here.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2003 KIA Sedona?
Owners most often report electrical system, air bags, engine and engine cooling problems. The top one, electrical system, accounts for 29 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2003 KIA Sedona?
Yes, 4 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2003 KIA Sedona a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Sedona model years, the 2003 has more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.