no report yet
Vehicle speed control: cables
Risk. THIS CAN CAUSE THE CABLE TO STICK, THUS PREVENTING THE ENGINE FROM RETURNING TO IDLE AND CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO MAINTAIN SPEED OR ACCELERATE.
2003 Kia SedonaProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 163 owner complaints about the 2003 Kia Sedona, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 4 safety recalls.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through December 10, 2022. Updated daily. Photo: The original uploader was Arpingstone at English Wikipedia ., Public domain.
Complaints by system
Where the 2003 Kia Sedona has problems
163 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
29Electrical system16 crash/fire/injury
25Air bags13 crash/fire/injury
20Engine and engine cooling2 crash/fire/injury
17Service brakes, hydraulic2 crash/fire/injury
13Vehicle speed control3 crash/fire/injury
12Seat belts
11Suspension
9Tires
9Seats
6017 other systems5 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 29 | 16 |
| Air bags | 25 | 13 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 20 | 2 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 17 | 2 |
| Vehicle speed control | 13 | 3 |
| Seat belts | 12 | 0 |
| Suspension | 11 | 0 |
| Tires | 9 | 0 |
| Seats | 9 | 3 |
| 17 other systems | 60 | 5 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
4 recalls
2003 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.
no report yet
Wheels
Risk. WHEEL BEARING FAILURE MAY OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
no report yet
Vehicle speed control: cables
Risk. THIS CAN PERMIT THE CABLE TO BE HUNG UP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
no report yet
Antilock: control unit/module
Risk. SUCH INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
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?
64kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 22 electrical system complaints. 73% were reported before 100,000 miles.
8under 30k miles16under 100k miles6100k miles or more
Best & worst years
2003 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
2003 Kia Sedona safety ratings
2003 Kia Sedona Van in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Side barrierNot rated
- Stability control: No
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
4 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2003 Kia Sedona, and the recalls they led to.
- STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT BINDINGNo recall
- THROTTLE CABLE BINDINGLed to recall 05V-013
- ELECTRICAL FIRELed to recall 05V-463
- STEERING BINDINGNo recall
In owners' words
What Sedona owners report
Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
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
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…
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…
Own a 2003 Sedona?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.