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U.S. public vehicle records

2004 Kia SEDONA EX problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

37 owner complaints analyzed

1 distinct recall campaigns

72,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 33 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 9 of 37 complaints (24.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior924.3%
Steering behavior924.3%
Transmission and shifting38.1%
Electrical and battery issues38.1%
Fuel system concerns12.7%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Steering
9
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
6
Electrical System
4
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)
3
Engine And Engine Cooling
3
Wheels
3
Exterior Lighting
2
Power Train:Automatic Transmission
2
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Steering9
Service Brakes, Hydraulic6
Electrical System4
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)3
Engine And Engine Cooling3
Wheels3
Exterior Lighting2
Power Train:Automatic Transmission2

Steering: 9; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 6; Electrical System: 4; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 3; Engine And Engine Cooling: 3; Wheels: 3; Exterior Lighting: 2; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 2

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
3
25,000 to 49,999
5
50,000 to 74,999
10
75,000 to 99,999
9
100,000 to 149,999
4
150,000 and above
2
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0003
25,000 to 49,9995
50,000 to 74,99910
75,000 to 99,9999
100,000 to 149,9994
150,000 and above2

Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 10; 75,000 to 99,999: 9; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 2

50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (10). 4 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2005
1
2006
5
2007
6
2008
5
2009
7
2010
3
2011
3
2013
2
2014
2
2015
1
2017
1
2019
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20051
20065
20076
20085
20097
20103
20113
20132
20142
20151
20171
20191

2005: 1; 2006: 5; 2007: 6; 2008: 5; 2009: 7; 2010: 3; 2011: 3; 2013: 2; 2014: 2; 2015: 1; 2017: 1; 2019: 1

Pattern summary

Steering leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 9 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 9 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10152996 · 2006-03-01 (March 1, 2006)

2004 KIA BRAKES SQUEAL AND GRIND, BRAKES WERE REPLACED. *TS THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES AND EACH TIME THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10152996 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10155193 · 2006-04-03 (April 3, 2006)

2004 SEDONA BRAKES MAKE A MOANING AND GRINDING NOISE. BRAKES WERE REPLACED AND NOISE STILL PERSIST. *TS THE CONSUMER STATED THE SLIDING DOOR WAS HARD TO CLOSE AT TIMES. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10155193 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10247164 · 2008-10-29 (October 29, 2008)

PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING. POPPING AND LOUD TIGHT SOMETIMES. CONCERNED THAT IT COULD BE A SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 79,618 miles reported. Look up ODI 10247164 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10253376 · 2008-12-31 (December 31, 2008)

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. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 85,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10253376 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10188847 · 2007-04-25 (April 25, 2007)

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 REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION OR RACK AND PINION EITHER. THEY WERE PAID FOR AND REPLACED BY ME. I FEEL THIS CAR IS A LEMON AND I NEED HELP IN PURSUING RECOURSE AGAINST THIS DEALER IN CHATTANOOGA, PREBUL KIA. THANKS *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 57,902 miles reported. Look up ODI 10188847 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10203009 · 2007-09-14 (September 14, 2007)

TL*THE 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.

Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10203009 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10148091 · 2006-01-19 (January 19, 2006)

08-30-04: CHECK ENGINE LIGHT - R&R FUEL PUMP; DIAG FUEL PUMP (SAME WORK WAS DONE 5-28-04, PRIOR TO VEHICLE PURCHASE). RT REAR SITS 1/2 INCH HIGHER - NOT ABLE TO CHECK, RESCHEDULED 08-31-04: CHECK ENGINE LIGHT - R&R FRONT HARNESS; HI SCAN WIRING HARNESS; R&R INSTRUMENT HARNESS. RT SIDE OF VAN SITS 1/2 INCH HIGHER - MEASURED; ONLY 1/4 INCH HIGHER; CHECKED SHOCKS; SHOCKS ARE STIFF BUT WITHIN SPECS; NO ADJUSTMENTS NEEDED 07-08-05: VAN SITS LOWER IN DRIVERS SIDE, CK & ADVISE - NO PROBLEM FOUND 09-16-05: CHECK ENGINE LIGHT - REPLACE PSV VALVE; R&…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10148091 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10278783 · 2009-07-30 (July 30, 2009)

TO WHOM THIS MAY CONCERN: WE ARE A FAMILY OF 6 AND ON JULY 21ST OUR 2004 KIA SEDONA EX CAUGHT ON FIRE. WE HAD JUST DRIVEN IT 2 HOURS BEFORE WITH NO INDICATIONS OF A FIRE. WE HEARD A BLARING HORN AND LOOKED OUT THE WINDOW TO SEE THE NEIGHBOR RUNNING ACROSS THE STREET. WE STEPPED OUT OF THE HOUSE TO FIND OUR VAN IN FLAMES COMING FROM THE DRIVER SIDE. THE WINDOWS WERE ALL UP AND WE WATCHED THE FIRE DIE DOWN AND SMOKE FILL THE AIR. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND TOOK PICTURES AND MADE A REPORT. AFTER ALL THAT WAS SAID AND DONE WE BEGAN TO…

Owner-reported narrative. 61,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10278783 at NHTSA ↗