Total Complaints
57 filings
KIA SEDONA EX · model year
57 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2003KIASEDONA EX carries 57 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 crashes, 9 fires, 17 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2003 SEDONA EX is electrical system with 6 filings, followed by steering (4) and wheels (3). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 1 active recall campaign, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 1 investigation file overlapping the 2003 SEDONA EX. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
57 filings
Crashes Reported
2 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 6 |
| STEERING | 4 |
| WHEELS | 3 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 2 |
| SEATS | 2 |
| STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS | 2 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR | 2 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM | 2 |
| ENGINE | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 1 |
SEATS
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH POWER SEATS, THE WIRING UNDER THE FRONT SEATS COULD BE MISROUTED, ALLOWING CONTACT WITH METAL SEAT COMPONENTS.
THE BREAKS WERE CHANGED DUE TO GRINDING COM TO FIND OUT THERE WAS 1BOLT ON THE BREAK CALIBERS PUT THEM ON AND IT STILL GRINDS AND CAN NOT STOP
Mileage: 155,000
THE BREAKS WERE CHANGED DUE TO GRINDING COM TO FIND OUT THERE WAS 1BOLT ON THE BREAK CALIBERS PUT THEM ON AND IT STILL GRINDS AND CAN NOT STOP
Mileage: 155,000
THERE BEEN WHINING NOISE DURING ACCELERATING AND DE-ACCELERATE SPEED, I HAD SOMEONE LOOK AND THOUGHT I WAS BRAKING SYSTEM. YESTERDAY MY SON WAS DRIVING IT AND TURNING RIGHT AND WE HEARD A POP, AND THE WHOLE STEERING WENT OUT. WE WERE ALMOST KILLED ON 134, HE ABLE BACK IT UP. HAD SOMEONE ELSE LOOKS AT IT RACK AND PINION. THERE BEEN MSNY CLAIMS AND NO RECALL WHY
Mileage: 1,400,000
I HAVE A 2003 KIA SEDONA. I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE ALTERNATOR REPLACED 2 TIMES IN A MONTHS TIME. THE DEALERSHIP IS SAYING NOW THAT THE CONNECTOR TO THE FAN HAS MELTED BECAUSE THE FAN IS PULLING TOO MUCH VOLTAGE. BUT FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND FROM OTHERS, THE ISSUE IS THE CONNECTOR AND NOT THE FAN? I HOPE THEY ARE ABLE TO FIND OUT WHAT KEEPS CAUSING THESE ISSUES AND CAN FIX THIS ASAP! I AM SICK OF SPENDING MY NIGHTS STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD! NOT TO MENTION THE FINANCIAL STRAIN IT IS PLACING ON MY FAMILY. NOW I KNOW WHY THE PREVIOUS OWNER TRADED IN THIS JUNK WITH ONLY 53,000 MILES ON IT!
Mileage: 55,000
I HAVE A 2003 KIA SEDONA. I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE ALTERNATOR REPLACED 2 TIMES IN A MONTHS TIME. THE DEALERSHIP IS SAYING NOW THAT THE CONNECTOR TO THE FAN HAS MELTED BECAUSE THE FAN IS PULLING TOO MUCH VOLTAGE. BUT FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND FROM OTHERS, THE ISSUE IS THE CONNECTOR AND NOT THE FAN? I HOPE THEY ARE ABLE TO FIND OUT WHAT KEEPS CAUSING THESE ISSUES AND CAN FIX THIS ASAP! I AM SICK OF SPENDING MY NIGHTS STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD! NOT TO MENTION THE FINANCIAL STRAIN IT IS PLACING ON MY FAMILY. NOW I KNOW WHY THE PREVIOUS OWNER TRADED IN THIS JUNK WITH ONLY 53,000 MILES ON IT!
Mileage: 55,000
I HAVE A 2003 KIA SEDONA. I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE ALTERNATOR REPLACED 2 TIMES IN A MONTHS TIME. THE DEALERSHIP IS SAYING NOW THAT THE CONNECTOR TO THE FAN HAS MELTED BECAUSE THE FAN IS PULLING TOO MUCH VOLTAGE. BUT FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND FROM OTHERS, THE ISSUE IS THE CONNECTOR AND NOT THE FAN? I HOPE THEY ARE ABLE TO FIND OUT WHAT KEEPS CAUSING THESE ISSUES AND CAN FIX THIS ASAP! I AM SICK OF SPENDING MY NIGHTS STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD! NOT TO MENTION THE FINANCIAL STRAIN IT IS PLACING ON MY FAMILY. NOW I KNOW WHY THE PREVIOUS OWNER TRADED IN THIS JUNK WITH ONLY 53,000 MILES ON IT!
Mileage: 55,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 KIA SEDONA EX. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT 5 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE REAR ENDED THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE SPUN OUT OF CONTROL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED BY THE HIGHWAY PATROL AND SHERIFF. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISING FROM THE SEAT BELT STRAP ACROSS THE CHEST, AND BRUISING ACROSS THE WAISTLINE AND BACK. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A POLICE HOLDING STATION AND LATER TO A BODY SHOP. THE VEHICLE WAS DECLARED TOTALED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 99,000. UPDATED 02/03/17*LJ *TR
Mileage: 99,000
WE HAVE A DETACHED GARAGE, AT 4:00 AM OUR DOG WOKE US UP TO HER BARKING. SHE COULD HEAR THE VAN HORN BLOWING. WHEN I TOOK HER OUT, I SAW THE VAN LIGHTS FLASHING AND THE HORN WAS BLOWING. I COULD NOT STOP THE HORN WITH THE KEYLESS REMOTE. I WOKE UP MY HUSBAND, WHEN HE OPENED THE DOOR THE DASHBOARD WAS ALL MELTED, WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED, THE A/C UNIT GOING UP THE DRIVER'S DOOR WAS ALL MELTED. HE FINALLY FOUND A PLACE TO OPEN THE HOOD TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY. THE MECHANISM TO OPEN THE HOOD WAS ALL MELTED AS WELL. THE VAN WAS TOTALED AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY SENT US $3900. THE VAN WAS IS GREAT SHAPE FOR BEING 11 YEARS OLD. WE HAD THE VAN SERVICED AS SCHEDULED AND IT WAS ALWAYS KEPT IN THE GARAGE. WE BOUGHT THE VAN NEW AND STILL LIVE IN THE SAME HOUSE AS WHEN WE BOUGHT IT. SO WE SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED ANY RECALLS ON THE VAN. WE WANTED TO CHECK AND SEE IF THERE WERE ANY CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS PENDING. WHEN WE RAN A SEARCH ON OTHERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, THERE WERE SEVERAL LISTED
Mileage: 125,000
1)HAPPENED TWICE: CAR STOPPED SUDDENLY AFTER A BEEPING NOISE AND ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON BRIEFLY. THERMOSTAT, THERMOSTAT GASKET HAD TO REPLACED TWICE IN 7 MONTHS (REPAIRS DONE ON 5/11/10 AND 12/13/2010). NOTE: ENGINE FLUSH 11/24/09; COOLING SYSTEM PRESSURE TESTED 2/22/10, RADIATOR FLUSHES 6/8/09 AND 7/30/10 IN ADDITION TO LOF EVERY 3,000 MILES) COOLING SYSTEM /CORROSION ISSUES/COOLING SYSTEM CORROSION CONTROL KIT INSTALLED: 12/30/05 & 4/8/08, 2) CAR CAREENING AND TIPPING WHEN STEERING HARD TO RIGHT: FRONT HUB AND WHEEL BEARING, SEAL HAD TO BE REPLACED AS WELL - 3 TIMES (1/2/09; 12/13/10, 8/1/2011). 3) CAR LOST POWER ON FREEWAY DUE TO BAD ALTERNATOR WHICH DISCHARGED BATTERY 6/23/06. *TR
Mileage: 68,451
1)HAPPENED TWICE: CAR STOPPED SUDDENLY AFTER A BEEPING NOISE AND ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON BRIEFLY. THERMOSTAT, THERMOSTAT GASKET HAD TO REPLACED TWICE IN 7 MONTHS (REPAIRS DONE ON 5/11/10 AND 12/13/2010). NOTE: ENGINE FLUSH 11/24/09; COOLING SYSTEM PRESSURE TESTED 2/22/10, RADIATOR FLUSHES 6/8/09 AND 7/30/10 IN ADDITION TO LOF EVERY 3,000 MILES) COOLING SYSTEM /CORROSION ISSUES/COOLING SYSTEM CORROSION CONTROL KIT INSTALLED: 12/30/05 & 4/8/08, 2) CAR CAREENING AND TIPPING WHEN STEERING HARD TO RIGHT: FRONT HUB AND WHEEL BEARING, SEAL HAD TO BE REPLACED AS WELL - 3 TIMES (1/2/09; 12/13/10, 8/1/2011). 3) CAR LOST POWER ON FREEWAY DUE TO BAD ALTERNATOR WHICH DISCHARGED BATTERY 6/23/06. *TR
Mileage: 68,451
1)HAPPENED TWICE: CAR STOPPED SUDDENLY AFTER A BEEPING NOISE AND ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON BRIEFLY. THERMOSTAT, THERMOSTAT GASKET HAD TO REPLACED TWICE IN 7 MONTHS (REPAIRS DONE ON 5/11/10 AND 12/13/2010). NOTE: ENGINE FLUSH 11/24/09; COOLING SYSTEM PRESSURE TESTED 2/22/10, RADIATOR FLUSHES 6/8/09 AND 7/30/10 IN ADDITION TO LOF EVERY 3,000 MILES) COOLING SYSTEM /CORROSION ISSUES/COOLING SYSTEM CORROSION CONTROL KIT INSTALLED: 12/30/05 & 4/8/08, 2) CAR CAREENING AND TIPPING WHEN STEERING HARD TO RIGHT: FRONT HUB AND WHEEL BEARING, SEAL HAD TO BE REPLACED AS WELL - 3 TIMES (1/2/09; 12/13/10, 8/1/2011). 3) CAR LOST POWER ON FREEWAY DUE TO BAD ALTERNATOR WHICH DISCHARGED BATTERY 6/23/06. *TR
Mileage: 68,451
1)HAPPENED TWICE: CAR STOPPED SUDDENLY AFTER A BEEPING NOISE AND ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON BRIEFLY. THERMOSTAT, THERMOSTAT GASKET HAD TO REPLACED TWICE IN 7 MONTHS (REPAIRS DONE ON 5/11/10 AND 12/13/2010). NOTE: ENGINE FLUSH 11/24/09; COOLING SYSTEM PRESSURE TESTED 2/22/10, RADIATOR FLUSHES 6/8/09 AND 7/30/10 IN ADDITION TO LOF EVERY 3,000 MILES) COOLING SYSTEM /CORROSION ISSUES/COOLING SYSTEM CORROSION CONTROL KIT INSTALLED: 12/30/05 & 4/8/08, 2) CAR CAREENING AND TIPPING WHEN STEERING HARD TO RIGHT: FRONT HUB AND WHEEL BEARING, SEAL HAD TO BE REPLACED AS WELL - 3 TIMES (1/2/09; 12/13/10, 8/1/2011). 3) CAR LOST POWER ON FREEWAY DUE TO BAD ALTERNATOR WHICH DISCHARGED BATTERY 6/23/06. *TR
Mileage: 68,451
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SEDONA EX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY WHEN HE HEARD THE ANTI-THEFT ALARM SOUNDING. THE CONTACT WAS INSIDE HIS HOME AND OBSERVED THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW GLOWING FROM AFAR. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION HE FOUND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 108,000.
Mileage: 108,000
MY KIA SEDONA 2003 EX WAS A GREAT VEHICLE , UNTIL 12/20/2011 WHEN THE DOOR HANDLE ON THE SLIDING SIDE DOOR BEHIND THE DRIVER BROKE OFF IN MY HAND WHEN I OPENED IT. THIS WAS A HUGE SURPRISE TO ME BECAUSE I COULD NOT BELIEVE IT CAME OFF IN MY HAND. THEN ON 12/31/2011 , I OPENED THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT DOOR AND THE SCREW CAME OUT AND HIT THE GROUND AND I COULD NOT FIND IT.WHAT GOING ON , I'VE OWNED 4 CARS AND NONE OF THEM HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE DOOR HANDLES. THEN THE SILVER BUMPER ON THE FRONT AND THE REAR IS FADING TERRIBLY, THIS A WONDERFUL VEHICLE BUT, I HAVE NEVER OWNED A CAR THAT THE DOOR HANDLES FELL OFF . NOW IT IS VERY INCONVENIENT FOR ME TO OPEN THESE 2 DOORS. THIS CAR HAS NO CHILDREN PLAYING ON THE DOORS BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE ANY CHILDREN , MOST OF THE TIME ITS JUST ME ....IS THERE ANY REMEDY FOR THIS PROBLEM. I'M HOPING THAT THEIR IS SOMETHING YOU CAN DO TO HELP ME WITH THIS MATTER.... I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR TIME CONCERNING THIS MATTER.... *TR
ON 12/26/2011 WE WENT OUT TO THE VAN (2003 KIA SEDONA) AND THE CAR WOULDN'T START. THE WHOLE VAN SMELLED LIKE MELTED PLASTIC. I LOOKED AT THE FUSE BOX AND THE ENTIRE THING WAS MELTED ALONG WITH THE TRIM AND CARPET. I HAVE PICTURES AND A MOVIE TO SHOW THE EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE. KIA OF PUTNAM CONNECTICUT REFUSED RESPONSIBILITY. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. WE WERE NOT EVEN DRIVING THE CAR WHEN IT HAPPENED THE ISSUE HAPPENED OVERNIGHT. IF PICTURES ARE REQUESTED PLEASE EMAIL ME AT [XXX] THANK YOU. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Mileage: 105,000
ON MY 2003 KIA SEDONA, I HAVE REPLACED OVER 3 WHEEL BEARINGS AND HAVE ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE STEERING HAS LOCKED UP WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. *TR
ON MY 2003 KIA SEDONA, I HAVE REPLACED OVER 3 WHEEL BEARINGS AND HAVE ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE STEERING HAS LOCKED UP WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING FLUIDS ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THE REAR COOLING PIPES WERE CORRODED AND LEAKING ANTI-FREEZE. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS AND OFFERED NO ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. UPDATED 03/30/11
Mileage: 85,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SEDONA EX. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE RESIDENCE GARAGE AND THE CONTACT NOTICED THE FRONT INTERIOR AND ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL MELTED SEVERELY. THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL MELTED AND WAS DISTORTED TO THE POINT THAT THE STRUCTURE AND GAUGES WERE NOT VISIBLE. THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR OF BURNING WIRE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE GARAGE TO A NEARBY LOCATION. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT CALLED DUE TO THE FACT THAT THERE WAS NO SMOKE PRESENT OR FLAMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED SEVERAL TIMES IN WHICH THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TOW THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE CONTACT WAS DISPLEASED TO KNOW THERE WAS NO RESOLUTION OR ASSISTANCE PROVIDED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. UPDATED 09/24/10. *LJ ACCORDING TO THE CONSUMER, A RECALL WAS ISSUED REGARDING THE SEATS. UPDATED 09/27/10
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SEDONA EX. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE RESIDENCE GARAGE AND THE CONTACT NOTICED THE FRONT INTERIOR AND ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL MELTED SEVERELY. THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL MELTED AND WAS DISTORTED TO THE POINT THAT THE STRUCTURE AND GAUGES WERE NOT VISIBLE. THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR OF BURNING WIRE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE GARAGE TO A NEARBY LOCATION. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT CALLED DUE TO THE FACT THAT THERE WAS NO SMOKE PRESENT OR FLAMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED SEVERAL TIMES IN WHICH THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TOW THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE CONTACT WAS DISPLEASED TO KNOW THERE WAS NO RESOLUTION OR ASSISTANCE PROVIDED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. UPDATED 09/24/10. *LJ ACCORDING TO THE CONSUMER, A RECALL WAS ISSUED REGARDING THE SEATS. UPDATED 09/27/10
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.