Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2003 Kia Sedona, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Electrical system29
- Air bags25
- Engine and engine cooling20
- Service brakes, hydraulic17
- Vehicle speed control13
- Seat belts12
- Suspension11
- Tires9
- Seats9
- Wheels7
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 24 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 8 2003 Sedona vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 5 people died inside them, and 2 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2003 Kia Sedona failed the safety check 2.50% of the time — 19% more often than the average 2003 passenger car (2.11%). Median odometer at inspection: 120,738 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
In the United Kingdom
54 cars built in 2003 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 421 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 122 of these cars first registered in 2003 took their annual MOT test. 43% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2003 the figure was 57%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 2003 |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 26.2% | 13.9% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 23.0% | 9.4% |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 22.1% | 21.6% |
| Suspension | 21.3% | 16.4% |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 10.7% | 3.1% |
| Visibility | 9.8% | 7.7% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 1 variant: combined 15.2 L/100 km (about 15 mpg US), CO₂ 350 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sedona · Minivan · Regular gasoline | 17.1 | 12.8 | 15.2 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
4 Transport Canada recalls for the 2003 Kia Sedona.
| 2005316 18 Oct 2005 | Electrical On certain vehicles, the wiring under the front seats of vehicles equipped with power seats could be misrouted, allowing the wire to be pinched by metal seat co… |
| 2005228 8 Aug 2005 | Engine On certain vehicles, water may enter between a protective rubber sleeve and the throttle cable towards the rear portion of the cable. If the ambient temperatur… |
| 2005041 18 Feb 2005 | Other On certain vehicles, moisture can accumulate on the throttle cable. In freezing conditions, excessive moisture build-up can result in ice accumulation and resi… |
| 2003164 2 Jul 2003 | Brakes On certain vehicles, there was a programming error in the ABS control module logic. This programming error could cause reduced braking force at speeds below 40… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
ON CERTAIN MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH ALLOY WHEELS, MOISTURE CAN ACCUMULATE AROUND THE REAR HUB CAPS CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE OUTER WHEEL BEARING.
ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, DURING ASSEMBLY, THE THROTTLE CABLE WOULD TWIST ITSELF OUT OF POSITION.
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Kia told its dealers about the 2003 Kia Sedona: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 10201529 | 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 that may exhibit fogging, condensation, and/or moisture inside a headlamp assembly. Generally, a fogging condition is considered normal and can be eliminated by turning on the headlamps with the engine running for up to 30 minutes or during normal driving conditions. Headlamp assembly replacement WILL |
| 10183431 | 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 cables, including; * Electrical interference and limited or no functionality when attempting to play music, or when charging a device through the USB port * Excessive static or noise when listening to the audio source * Malfunctions and screen freeze of the head unit screen * Slow down of the sys |
| 10133170 | 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. |
| 10109812 | 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, washers with locking tabs and other similar hardware, including threaded fasteners with pre-applied ?thread-locking adhesives.? It is critical for technicians to be aware that ALL such locking fasteners, regardless of type, are for ?one time use? only. |
| 10109777 | 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 similar hardware, including threaded fasteners with pre-applied ?thread-locking adhesives.? |
| 10091489 | 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 PROCEDURES/ INSPECTION AND ADJUSTMENT SECTION FOR THE CORRECT ATF CHECK/FILL PROCEDURES. |
| 10034246 | KIA: INTERMITTENT MIL ON WITH NO FAULT CODE STORED; INFORMATION ABOUT DTC P1330. PROVIDES INFORMATION RELATING TO CERTAIN VEHICLES. IN AFFECTED VEHICLES AN INTERMITTENT SHORT TO GROUND IN A CIRCUIT ONLY INTENDED FOR TESTING PURPOSES MAY CAUSE THE MIL TO ILLUMINATE AND A DTC P1330 (SPARK TIMING ADJUST) TO BE STORED. *PE |
| 10033464 | KIA: ECM UPGRADE WITH TP SENSOR REPLACEMENT-MIL ON WITH DTC P2135/P0638. INFORMATION RELATED TO ECM SOFTWARE AND TP SENSOR UPGRADE ON SOME VEHICLES WITH 2.7L ENGINES WHICH MAY EXPERIENCE A MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ILLUMINATED WITH THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL (ETC) SYSTEM RELATED DTC P2135 OR P0638 OR P2A00 OR P2A03. *PE |
| 10031947 | KIA: POWER SLIDING DOOR REMOE CONTROLLER MOTOR REPLACEMENT. ON SOME VEHICLES, A POWER SLIDING DOOR (PSD) MAY NOT OPEN WHEN USING AN OVERHEAD CONSOLE SWITCH, B PILLAR SWITCH OR REMOTE CONTROL BUTTON. *PE |
| 10027724 | KIA: INCREASED STEERING EFFORT. IN AREAS WHERE HEAVY ROAD SALT USE OCCURS, INCREASED STEERING EFFORT AND NOISE (FROM STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT) FOR SOME SEDONA. *PE |
| 10026726 | KIA: ALL MODELS. ARTICLE PROVIDES INFORMATION RELATING TO THE IMPROVED DURABILITY OF BULB LIFE FOR REAR COMBINATION BULB; REAR STOP LAMP/TAIL LAMP BULB UTILIZED ON MULTIPLE KIA MODELS. *PE |
| 10024290 | SEDONA (GQ) CORRODED HEATER COOLANT PIPES - ON SOME BUILT FROM MAY 1, 2001, TO AUG. 30, 2005. *NJ UPDATED 6/17/08. *NJ |
| 10021446 | THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR W/ 3.5L ENGINES. *KB |
| 10016851 | ENHANCED DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR FOR P0446/P2422. *TT |
| 10015322 | REAR WHEEL BEARING TORQUE UPDATE. *TT |
| 10015268 | IMPROVED CENTER SLIDING DOOR ROLLER ASSEMBLY. *TT |
| 10015259 | THROTTLE CABLE ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT RECALL CAMPAIGN. *TT |
| 10015251 | SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN FOR THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS THAT MAY HAVE WATER INTRUDING INTO THE BEARING AREA THROUGH THE JOINT BETWEEN THE HUBCAP AND HUB AND MAY CONTAMINATE THE GREASE OR DAMAGE THE REAR WHEEL BEARING(S). |
| 10015247 | AIR CONDITIONING (A/C) DIAGNOSIS AND PERFORMANCE TESTING. *TT |
| 10001684 | RECALL CAMPAIGN TO REPROGRAM THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) CONTROL MODULE. *TT |
| 10001681 | CHARGING SYSTEM CHANGES TO IMPROVE ALTERNATOR OUTPUT DURING HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURE SEVERE OPERATING CONDITIONS. *TT |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT BINDING
STEERING BINDING
ELECTRICAL FIRE
THROTTLE CABLE BINDING
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation