2002 Kia Sedona: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed May 3, 2016 · Electrical, Engine · MO · fire

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.

Filed Feb 21, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · 130,500 miles · GA · fire

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.

Filed Aug 30, 2013 · Electrical, Steering · 69,500 miles · VA · fire

I drove 25 minutes from a to b and parked my car. Turned the engine off sat there with the radio on for 1 minute exactly and I hear a. Pshhhhh and smoke rising quickly, then a flame from the fuse box by my left foot. I got out opened the door looked for the smoke and flame that were reflecting and waving. I opened the fuse box slider cover with a knife and started to squirt water out from my bottled water quickly. Thank goodness I had water. Flame went out and I saw the inside of the fuse cover burnt, and a fuse looked like it caught on fire because the fuse looked completely melted.I have a video of the aftermath right after the fire went out. Tomorrow ill be calling insurance, kia, and whoever else that can help me understand what is going on and what I can do to ensure my safety. Please help or approve a recall. Thank goodness I didnt exit my car so quick or alot of the car would have been on fire.

Filed Aug 29, 2008 · Electrical · 61,000 miles · TX · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 kia sedona. The contact heard an unfamiliar noise and the instrument panel caught fire while the vehicle was parked. The cause of the failure was electrical. The insurance company was notified. The vehicle is currently parked in his driveway. The current and failure mileages were 61,000.

Filed Dec 12, 2007 · Electrical, Seats · 72,000 miles · CA · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 kia sedona. The vehicle had been parked for approximately 8-10 hours when it suddenly caught fire. The wiring fuse box caused the engine, radio, and wiper/washer to activate. The fire originated in the instrument panel. The contact was able to douse the fire with a fire extinguisher. The vehicle was later towed to a dealer and they did not provide a reason as to why it caught fire. The contact found numerous complaints on the same type of vehicle with identical failures. The current and failure mileages were 72,000. Updated 03/06/08. *lj the consumer stated the recall was done, however ever since the repair, the seats never worked correctly. The consumer had worked done on the air conditioner. Updated

Filed Nov 10, 2007 · Electrical · CA · fire

Since purchasing a sedona van in '02 we have had none stop electrical issues. The battery has been replaced at least twice, same for the alternator, and most recently the car caught fire behind the panel nest to the parking brake pedal. My wife drove the car at 1:00pm to the store and then came home, parked in the driveway, and locked the doors. At 10:00pm we were awaken by a neighbor who told us that the car was running, the wipers running, and the interior filling with smoke. I unlocked the doors and used the extinguisher to stop the fire. Thankfully she did not park in the garage or our house would probably have caught fire. *tr mm

Filed Sep 26, 2007 · Locks, Seat belts · 77,600 miles · NY · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 kia sedona. When the contact started the vehicle, the driver side seat belt began smoking. The seat belt then caught fire when it came in contact with the wires attached to the seat belt connector and a piece of hard plastic around the bottom of the seat (seat guard). The contact extinguished the fire. Kia stated that a recall repair had been performed on the vehicle in april of 2006 and that she would be responsible for any current repairs. The seat belt area of the vehicle was damaged. The vehicle has not been inspected by the dealer or a mechanic. The contact also stated that the passenger side door handle failed and a new one had been ordered before the fire occurred. The current and failure mileages were 77,600.

Filed Oct 31, 2006 · Acceleration · 32,000 miles · KY · crash · fire · 3 injuries

Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle had recently been serviced at a service dealer, for recall # 05v013000, vehicle speed control: cables. The service report did not state the clip was added to keep the cables in place. Items were noticed hanging under the vehicle. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH on dry road conditions, the vehicle accelerated uncontrollably to 75 MPH. The brakes were applied but the vehicle continued the travel forward, swerved off the road , glanced a tree on the right side, then impacted a tree head on. The windshield was torn out by the impact and the vehicle caught on fire. A pedestrian saw the crash and went to help. The fire was partially extinguished then the 40 year old driver was pulled out of the vehicle. The driver suffered injuries to the head, a laceration to the right knee, cuts and burns from the fingers of the right hand, to the shoulder, the heel of the right foot was crushed and an unidentified number of ribs were broken. The front right passenger sustained injuries to the head and burns to 30% of the body, mostly on the left side, which resulted in a coma. Both arms and legs were broken as well. An 11 year old male and a 9 year old female escaped the rear of the vehicle. The 11 year old male died of head and chest injuries at the scene and the 9 year old female had a broken right arm and trauma to the right eye. A 10 year old female with head and chest injuries, died in the vehicle fire. A 12 year old male died on impact from head and chest injuries, but was not recovered until after the fire was extinguished. All occupants were wearing their seatbelts. All were taken to the hospital. A police and fire department report were taken. Pictures were available. The service dealer and manufacturer were notified.

Filed Aug 12, 2005 · Electrical · 210 miles · NY · fire · 1 injury

2002 sedona was repaired 2 times with less then 200 miles on it for battery draining- claim was it was the radio didn't shut off with the car. Then last month with 59.000 miles on it I complained of the car hesitating and lights flickering, airbag light came on for no reason, claim to repair was tune-up- 1700.00 and two months later my battery went on fire with 5 people in it, 3 children and one is carried out handicapped. Lights flickered, odometer went nuts without the engine racing, door locks locked and unlocked, battery light, break light, and airbag light came back on. Wipers went on without turning them on with the switch and the hazards went on without pushing the button. I am more then happy to file a consumer complaint and a lawsuit. My dealer went out of business I was told when my car went on fire two weeks ago. So now it is at another dealer and at 65,000 not covered, it will be covered. I am actually compiling a class action lawsuit on the safety of these batteries. I want my car fixed and all these vans recalled to find out the reason, I would not want one of my families killed and don't want to wait till it happens to someone else's. All of us can't be wrong and as a safety problem and a possible means of killing people when the doors lock and won't let you out when the car is on fire - ?? Get with it people. Recall these cars before someone gets killed. Use my car as your test subject, I offer it. Now my daughters lungs hurt from the smell of the sulfur hurrying to get the kids out.

Filed Jul 1, 2005 · Electrical · 40,500 miles · TX · fire

My wife was driving her 2002 kia sedona and it caught on fire. The fire was electrical in nature and began in the steering column. After turning off the ignition and removing the keys, the engine started along with the windshield wipers. The fire was contained to the dash and steering column area. A nearby citizen extinguished the fire with a fire extinguisher. We are fortunate that my wife and 3 young children were not seriously injured.

Filed Feb 17, 2004 · Brakes, Electrical · 3,300 miles · AZ · fire

On july 4, 2002 we purchased a 2002 kia sedona minivan. Immediately after driving out of the dealership we parked at a store, when we returned to the vehicle it would not start. We called the dealership and they sent out a tow truck. The van was towed to the dealership and the service adviser indicated that they had numerous complaints regarding a driver seat relay that was causing the batteries to go out on this year, make and model of vehicle. He indicated that they were changing all relays. They replaced with new battery and new relay on the van. The van continued to give us problems, the whole electrical system (stereo, windows, door locks) would go off and on as we were driving. If we would stop vehicle, the vehicle would not start. We had numerous jump starts. We took the vehicle in approx. 4 or 5 times to the dealership with complaints regarding problems, there was black smoke coming out of the exhaust when we would start the vehicle. Brakes would squeal when applied. Van was terribly hot under the car and it would blow out the heat and almost burn us. I asked the service adviser if they could exchange the van for another one and he indicated that they had to have a continuous report of repairs in order to turn it in as a "lemon". We were traveling in mexico for business and pleasure when our van started on fire on the highway and other autos noticed and waved us down to stop. We noticed, pulled off the road safely and all 6 adult passengers were able to get out safely and run away from the vehicle as it started exploding. The fire came from all underneath of the van. The mexican federal highway police came to where the van was and took a report of the incident. The van burnt down to a skeleton. I reported the incident to the kia customer service, they denied our claim without no explanation. No one ever called to find out the facts or gather information. Obviously, they did not even look at their own service repair tickets.

Filed Jun 11, 2003 · Electrical, Engine · 3,800 miles · NV · fire

From 2nd week we complained of engine noise. Each time no problem was found. Few months later ck engine came on. A spark plug was replaced. 1 month later ck engine light on again. New fuel injector. 2 days later ck engine light again. Needed new motor at 3800 miles. 1 week later caught on fire in our garage. Kia regional management chris butler said they would repair damages from fire but had no concern that our 6 month old van with only 3800 miles already had the motor replace and caught on fire. His advise don't park in the garage anymore so we won't have to worry about it burning down our house. Ironic that we choose this van because we thought it would be easier and safer for our kids. Now I fear our families safety everyday because we have it.