2002 Kia SEDONA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
198 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
50,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 108 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 21 of 198 complaints (10.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 42 | 21.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 37 | 18.7% |
| Engine operation | 15 | 7.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 12 | 6.1% |
| Steering behavior | 11 | 5.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 6 | 3.0% |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 21 |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 15 |
| Air Bags | 12 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 12 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 12 |
| Seat Belts | 11 |
| Visibility:Windshield | 11 |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 10 |
Electrical System: 21; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 15; Air Bags: 12; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 12; Vehicle Speed Control: 12; Seat Belts: 11; Visibility:Windshield: 11; Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery: 10
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 31 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 22 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 27 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 14 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 8 |
| 150,000 and above | 6 |
Under 25,000: 31; 25,000 to 49,999: 22; 50,000 to 74,999: 27; 75,000 to 99,999: 14; 100,000 to 149,999: 8; 150,000 and above: 6
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (31). 90 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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 3 |
| 2002 | 38 |
| 2003 | 40 |
| 2004 | 23 |
| 2005 | 36 |
| 2006 | 11 |
| 2007 | 12 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 6 |
| 2011 | 4 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 5 |
| 2014 | 5 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 2 |
2001: 3; 2002: 38; 2003: 40; 2004: 23; 2005: 36; 2006: 11; 2007: 12; 2008: 3; 2009: 2; 2010: 6; 2011: 4; 2012: 3; 2013: 5; 2014: 5; 2015: 3; 2016: 2; 2017: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 42 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 37 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 15 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10000537 · 2003-01-05 (January 5, 2003)
BRAKE SYSTEM FAIL TO RESPOND EVERY 3000 TO 4000 MILES DEALER CLAIM IS ADJUSTMENT AND CLEANING, THE VIBRATION IS TERRIBLE WHEN BRAKING IS NOT SAFE I DONT FEEL SAFE LAST TIME WAS 2 DAYS AGO AND AGAIN CAR ONLY 16106 MILES BOUGHT IN FEB 2002 WILL GO BACK TO DEALER LETS SEE WHAT THEY DO
Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000537 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10001395 · 2002-12-23 (December 23, 2002)
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING THE EXHAUST STARTED TO LEAK FLUID CAUSING AND DISTRACTION TO THE CONSUMER. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001395 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10001713 · 2002-12-31 (December 31, 2002)
CONSUMER STATES THE REAR BACK SEAT DOES NOT BUCKLE UP AT ALL. O TO THE REAR TRACK TO THE VEHICLE SEAT, NOT INSTALLED CORRECTLY NOTIFIED.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001713 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10003185 · 2003-01-22 (January 22, 2003)
MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH 2002 KIA SEDONA MINIVAN INCLUDING FRONT WINDOW NOT WORKING; TRUNK/BACKLATCH NOT OPENING (TWICE); CHECKENGINE LIGHT(TWICE); FRONTBLOWER FOR HEATER/AIRCONDITONING NOT FUNCTIONING (TWICE). PROBLEMS STARTED NOV. 2002 AND ARE ONGOING.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10003185 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10003683 · 2003-01-13 (January 13, 2003)
CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10003683 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006003 · 2003-01-30 (January 30, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED AND NO WARNING THEY CAN SMELL STRONG CHEMICAL FUMES THROUGH OUT THE VEHICLE FUMES COMING FROM THE HEATER VENTS. DEALER HAS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10006003 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006198 · 2003-02-03 (February 3, 2003)
THE FUSE BOX CAUGHT ON FIRE . DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10006198 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006200 · 2003-02-03 (February 3, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES THE SEAT BELTS DOES NOT LATCH. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10006200 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
03V017000 · Seat Belts:Rear/Other
Reported: 2003-01-22 (January 22, 2003)
CERTAIN MINI VANS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." THE SECOND AND THIRD SEAT BELT BUCKLE ANCHOR BOLTS DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE STANDARDS.
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE ANCHOR BOLTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 24, 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗03V135000 · Seats:Mid/Rear Assembly
Reported: 2003-04-03 (April 3, 2003)
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, SOME OF THE SECOND AND THIRD ROW SEAT STRIKERS INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE FLOOR PAN HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND COULD BREAK IN A CRASH.
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN INJURIES TO OCCUPANTS OF THESE SEATS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT STRIKERS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 25, 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
NHTSA campaign record ↗05V013000 · Vehicle Speed Control:Cables
Reported: 2005-01-19 (January 19, 2005)
ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, DURING ASSEMBLY, THE THROTTLE CABLE WOULD TWIST ITSELF OUT OF POSITION.
Consequence: THIS CAN PERMIT THE CABLE TO BE HUNG UP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗