Investigations
ELECTRICAL FIRE
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE05035 — closed, opened 2005-06-28 and involving the KIA SEDONA EX.
NHTSA investigation PE05035 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 2005-06-28 and currently closed. The subject of record is KIA SEDONA EX, which places this file inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue for KIA. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2005-10-19 — NHTSA updates that field whenever an Information Request goes out, a supplement is filed, or a status change is recorded in the public docket.
A Preliminary Evaluation like PE05035 is the entry point of the federal defect-investigation process. NHTSA engineers scan complaint databases, field reports, and manufacturer data to decide whether an Engineering Analysis is warranted, whether a voluntary recall is already sufficient, or whether the pattern does not rise to a defect finding.
Investigators summarized the matter as follows: "BY LETTER DATED OCTOBER 4, 2005, KIA NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO. 05V463) INVOLVING ALL MODEL YEAR (MY) 2002, 2003 KIA SEDONA EX VEHICLES AND CERTAIN MY 2004 KIA SEDONA EX V..." Investigations are the early-warning layer of the federal auto-safety system, sitting upstream of formal recalls and defect orders. Whether this one closes without action or escalates into an Engineering Analysis, the full history stays in the ODI archive so researchers, litigators, and buyers can pull the paper trail at any time. Related KIA files, listed below, give context on whether this is an isolated concern or part of a broader pattern across the brand.
Investigation Summary
BY LETTER DATED OCTOBER 4, 2005, KIA NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO. 05V463) INVOLVING ALL MODEL YEAR (MY) 2002, 2003 KIA SEDONA EX VEHICLES AND CERTAIN MY 2004 KIA SEDONA EX VEHICLES. KIA¿S RECALL COVERS 74,276 VEHICLES. KIA REPORTS THAT FIRES WERE CAUSED BY WIRING UNDER FRONT SEATS BEING MISROUTED; THIS ALLOWED THE WIRE TO BE PINCHED BY METAL SEAT COMPONENTS. OVER TIME, THE SHORT IN THE WIRING UNDER THE SEAT CAUSES OVERHEATING OF COMPONENTS IN THE FUSE BOX (LOCATED UNDER THE DRIVER SIDE INSTRUMENT PANEL). SPECIFICALLY, THE CIRCUIT BREAKER DIODES CYCLE ON-OFF-ON ETC. AND OVERHEAT. KIA WILL INSPECT VEHICLES FOR PROPER WIRE ROUTING AND INSTALL PROTECTIVE COVERING OVER CERTAIN METAL PARTS UNDER FRONT SEATS. DEALERS WILL ALSO APPLY A LABEL WARNING TECHNICIANS NOT TO REMOVE THE CIRCUIT BREAKER DIODES WHICH CANNOT BE SERVICED BUT CAN BE DAMAGED BY REMOVAL ATTEMPTS. BASED ON KIA¿S SAFETY RECALL ACTION, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
About This Investigation Type
A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first phase of NHTSA's investigation process. It is opened when the agency identifies a potential safety defect pattern, usually triggered by consumer complaints, manufacturer reports, or field monitoring. During a PE, NHTSA gathers information to determine whether a formal engineering analysis is warranted.
Other KIA Investigations
Kia 25V099 Piston Oil Ring Recall Effectiveness
Windshield Wiper Failure
3.3L Engine Loss of Motive Power (LOMP)
Loss of Motive Power
Vehicle Rollaway
Data from NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Cross-references: NHTSA recall campaign API and NHTSA FARS where fatality records overlap. PlainCars does not rate or recommend vehicles. Learn more.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.