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2002 Kia SedonaProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 198 owner complaints about the 2002 Kia Sedona, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.

2002 Kia Sedona
37
CarFlaw IndexUse caution1.7× the Sedona median · #3 of 19 years by complaints
Safety recalls3Free fix at dealersOwner complaints19841 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage50kElectrical system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 21, 2017. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.

Complaints by system

Where the 2002 Kia Sedona has problems

198 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system5011
Seat belts288
Engine and engine cooling271
Service brakes, hydraulic265
Visibility210
Air bags196
Vehicle speed control185
Power train170
Structure141
15 other systems8412

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

3 recalls

2002 Kia Sedona recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Kia.

Mileage at failure

When do electrical system problems start?

50kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 27 electrical system complaints. 93% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
9under 30k miles25under 100k miles2100k miles or more
Best & worst years

2002 vs. every other Sedona year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Sedona median. How we score

'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2002 Kia Sedona safety ratings

2002 Kia Sedona Van in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

2002 Kia Sedona side barrier test, NHTSA
Side barrierNot rated
  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
3 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2002 Kia Sedona, and the recalls they led to.

  1. STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT BINDINGEA08017 · closed Jul 1, 2009
    No recall
  2. THROTTLE CABLE BINDINGPE04067 · closed Jan 27, 2005
    Led to recall 05V-329
  3. STEERING BINDINGPE08033 · closed Aug 28, 2008
    No recall
In owners' words

What Sedona owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

I WAS DRIVING NO LESS THEN THAN BLOCK FROM MY HOUSE - WHEN I NOTICE SMOKE FROM THE DRIVER SIDE FUSE PANEL AND NEXT THING YOU KNOW THE WHOLE PANEL BECAME ENGULF IN FLAMES. I CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND ABLE TO PUT FIRE OUT- BUT UNFORTUNATELY, THE CAR BECOME TOTAL IN THE DAMAGE.
Complaint 10862700 · May 3, 2016 · 1,800,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE WIRING OF THE AIR CONDITIONING AND HEATING UNITS. ADDITIONALLY, THE DASH LIGHTS WOULD NOT PROPERLY ILLUMINATE. THE POWER DOOR LOCKS AND POWER WINDOWS WOULD ALSO INTERMITTENTLY FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO…
Complaint 10574796 · Mar 25, 2014 · 127,000 miles
THE CAR WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE. A NEIGHBOR KNOCKED ON THE DOOR AND TOLD US THAT THE KIA WAS ON FIRE. NO ONE WAS IN THE CAR AT THAT TIME. THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS TOTALLY BURNED UP. THE CAR GAVE ME NO OTHER PROBLEMS. *TR
Complaint 10565372 · Feb 21, 2014 · 130,500 miles

Own a 2002 Sedona?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.