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
The worst 2003 Kia Sedona EX problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Electrical9
- Engine9
- Body5
- Brakes5
- Steering5
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Electrical9
- Engine9
- Body5
- Brakes5
- Steering5
- Transmission5
- Suspension3
- Wheels3
- Airbags2
- Locks2
- Seats2
- Fuel system1
- Seat belts1
Recalls 1
Seats
- What is wrong
- On certain passenger vehicles equipped with power seats, the wiring under the front seats could be misrouted, allowing contact with metal seat components.
- Risk
- This contact could eventually result in a short circuit condition that may result in a fire in the junction box area of the vehicle.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and re-route the wires under the power seats, if necessary, as well as install protective seaming welts around those wires to better insulate them. The recall began on november 28, 2005. Owners may contact kia at 1‑800‑333‑4542.
Recall number 05V463000 · Recall details
See all 1 recalls for the 2003 Kia Sedona EX
Defect investigations
Steering intermediate shaft binding
Odis analysis of warranty data shows that the alleged defect has occurred at a relatively high frequency in salt-belt states (5.9 percent).however, the tests conducted by odi and kia have shown that the alleged defect has a minimal effect on steering efforts.in addition, odi interviews of owners who experienced the alleged defect showed that in most cases the problem was preceded by months or years of noise or a gradual increase in steering efforts and was more of a nuisance concern. There has been one allegation of a minor crash related to the alleged defect, involving a my 2003 kia sedona with 59,900 miles.the vehicle had been checked twice in the previous nine months by a dealer for complaints of stiff steering and that the vehicle felt like it was intermittently losing power assist.the crash occurred as the driver was attempting to make a left turn while traveling at approximately 20 miles per hour and struck a vehicle parked on the right side of the street that the vehicle was turning into. The crash resulted in minor injuries to the driver. After the crash, it was determined that the intermediate shaft was exhibiting some binding of the steering intermediate shaft bearings.while the absence of additional crashes or injuries does not mean that there is not a safety-related defect, there have been no reported additional crashes caused by the alleged defect in the past three years. The release of the technical service bulletin should assist service personal in diagnosing this potential problem long before it becomes potentially dangerous.accordingly, this investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist. The agency will continue to monitor complaints and other information relating to the alleged defect in the subject vehicles and take further action in the future if warranted.for additional information regarding this engineering analysis refer to the ea08-017 closing report.
EA08017
Steering binding
On april 28, 2008, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened preliminary evaluation pe08-033 to investigate complaints alleging steering binding in model year 2002 through 2004 kia sedona minivans.kia's response to odi's request for information in pe08-033 indicated that concerns with binding of the steering intermediate shaft were first identified and investigated in august 2002, in vehicles sold in indonesia.this investigation resulted in the addition of a stiffening rib to the bearing cap seal.in june 2003, kia again investigated owner complaints of steering noise and higher than normal steering resistance and in october and november of 2003 design changes to the shaft universal joint bearings were made to improve lubricant retention and eliminate water intrusion that could lead to early bearing failure.according to kia, the alleged defect results in a progressive change in steering effort that should be apparent to the driver through noise and gradual changes in steering stiffness long before the condition could become dangerous. Odi's analyses of complaint and warranty data relating to the alleged defect show that the condition is occurring at significantly higher rates in salt-belt states (note:for purposes of this investigation the salt belt includes connecticut, delaware, the district of columbia, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia and wisconsin).the warranty rate for replacement of the steering intermediate shaft is 5.5% for vehicles sold in the salt belt and 0.5% for the rest of the united states.the complaint rate for the alleged defect is 186.8 per 100,000 vehicles in the salt belt and 29.4 per 1000,000 vehicles for the rest of the united states.there is one allegation of a crash related to the alleged defect.a subject vehicle struck two parked cars while attempting to make a left turn, allegedly resulting in minor injuries to the driver. Odi has upgraded this investigation to an engineering analysis (ea08-017) covering my 2002 through 2004 kia sedona vehicles sold or currently registered in salt belt states to assess the frequency and trend of the alleged defect and its effect on steering effort.
PE08033
Technical service bulletins for the 2003 Kia Sedona EX 2
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
What 2003 Kia Sedona EX owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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
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!
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
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. Some just as ours was, during the middle of the night. I don't have the VIN at this time but I can find it at home in our insurance claim. Any information you can give us is greatly appreciated.
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.
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.
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....
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).
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.
Compare the 2003 Kia Sedona EX
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Questions about the 2003 Kia Sedona EX
Is the 2003 Kia Sedona EX reliable?
Owners have filed 34 complaints about the 2003 Kia Sedona EX, close to a typical Sedona EX model year.
What is the 2003 Kia Sedona EX year score?
The 2003 Kia Sedona EX scores 75 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Kia Sedona EX: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2003 Kia Sedona EX?
Electrical system, with 9 complaints, typically around 68,451 miles. Next is engine (9).
How many recalls does the 2003 Kia Sedona EX have?
1 recall, covering seats.
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