2003 Kia Sedona problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (16) · Electrical System (14) · Tires (8)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Kia Sedona model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
121 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (21)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Structure 2021-09-13 · TSB_BOD055_R1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service bulletin: information for headlamp condensation and moisture - this bulletin has been revised to include additional information. new/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. this bulletin provides information relating to some kia models tha
Engine And Engine Cooling 2018-03-02 · PS539 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
pitstop - engine component re-use guidelines - in general, parts and components removed during engine repairs should be considered serviceable, and should be thoroughly cleaned and transferred to the new engine.
Equipment:mechanical 2017-01-18 · TSB-GEN085R1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
tsb: mandatory replacement of locking/security hardware - by design, certain fasteners, which are designed to lock into place once fully attached, are utilized in various kia models and are strictly intended for ?one time use.? some examples are: axle shaft nuts with stake collar, cotter pins, washe
Latches/Locks/Linkages 2016-11-04 · TSB-GEN085 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
tsb: mandatory replacement of locking/security hardware - by design, certain fasteners utilized in various kia models are strictly intended for ?one time use?. though not limited to the following, some examples are: axle shaft nuts with stake collar, cotter pins, washers with locking tabs and other
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility 2016-04-04 · PS443 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
tsb - use of aftermarket usb charging cables in usb/12v ports - this article provides information regarding the use of usb ports and 12v power outlets to connect/charge mobile phones. customers may experience issues with their head units that may be related to the use of aftermarket usb charging cab
Power Train 2013-12-06 · TSBTRA046 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
tsb: automatic transmission fluid application guide - this bulletin provides information relating to the correct automatic transmission fluids that are required for each kia model. refer to the shop manual on kgis for the specific kia model, then reference the automatic transaxle system/ repair proc
Showing the 6 most recent of 21 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2022-12-10 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 🔥 fire“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 …”
2021-06-01 · Steering · 113,000 mi“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 lights were illuminated. the vehicle was not diagn…”
2020-07-14 · Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/Cooler · 🔥 fire“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 taken. the manufacturer was notified of the failure an…”
2020-05-08 · Engine · 200,000 mi · 🔥 fire“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 contact stated that the fire department was called how…”
2018-08-22 · Service Brakes · 115,800 mi“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 computer braking module did not allow the brakes to stop c…”
2018-07-18 · Tires · 124,200 mi“on feb. 25, 2018, we purchased a 2003 kia sedona van from city start auto sales in paradise, ca. all four tires and the spare were goodyear integrity 215/70r15. the tires read max. psi 44, but the van said to run at 35 psi. so, once a week on a cool morning (between 68-75 degrees outside without it have been driven), my wife or i would make sure th…”
2017-06-12 · Air Bags · 163,511 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2003 kia sedona. while driving 2 mph, the passenger side air bag deployed without warning or impact. the local dealer was not contacted. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. there was no crash or fire. the driver sustained cuts on the face and arms. the passenger sustained shrapnel in the right eye with bruising, along…”
2016-12-29 · Structure:body · 102,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2003 kia sedona. the contact noticed that the subframe was rusted when it was wet. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. the approximate failure mileage was 102,000. …”
2015-12-30 · Air Bags · 80,000 mi · 💥 crash“tl* the contact owns a 2003 kia sedona. while driving approximately 40 mph, the vehicle crashed into a deer and caused significant damage to the front end. during the crash, the air bags did not deploy. there were no injuries and a police report was not filed. the cause of the failure was not diagnosed or repaired. the vin was invalid. the failure …”
2015-09-24 · Seat Belts · 124,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2003 kia sedona. the contact stated that while attempting to buckle the seat belt, the second row seat belt anchor cables snapped off. the vehicle was taken to the dealer. the technician was unable to diagnose the failure. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 12…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.