Tl* the contact owns a 2008 kia sedona. While driving 35 MPH, the contact's vehicle accelerated without warning and crashed into the rear of another vehicle. There were no injuries and a police report was filed. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 128,000.
2008 Kia Sedona acceleration problems
38 complaints (22% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 25,000. 1 crash reported.
- owner complaints
- 38
- of this car's complaints
- 22%
- typical mileage
- 25,000
- crashes
- 1
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
- Accelerator pedal1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Kia Sedona acceleration problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2008 Kia Sedona acceleration
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
What 2008 Kia Sedona owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Traveling at 85 MPH, cruise control on, "ESC off" light and check engine light illuminated on the dashboard and the vehicle decelerated rapidly. Lost ability to accelerate past 20 MPH. Vehicle was stopped and restarted. Accelerator resumed working for however the check engine light illuminated and checked the code it was throttle position sensor. This morning the check engine light remained on and the vehicle.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 kia sedona. While driving 50 MPH, the vehicle decelerated independently and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the throttle sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 45,000.
As I was approaching an intersection and I started to apply the brakes, the van suddenly accelerated, when I pressed hard on the brake still it wouldn't stop...call kia sedona authorized dealer, they said there's no recall. As I researched the internet, I notice that car gurus(which is a car forum) over 33 people had complaint with the same problem. There were an accident with fatalities even. I'm very concern as I drive with all my kids specially my grandson often, and it scares the crap out of me to think that I would get involved in an accident with the little one on board. A lot of people did the diagnostics that the dealer suggested, after paying over $110 plus taxes, the car is still showing the same problem. I really need somebody to tell me what am I supposed to do? I'm still paying for the vehicle, I'm scared to drive it anywhere specially the highway...help please...
The first time this incident happened, I was driving my 2008 kia sedona van on a level street at approximately 30mph. The van started accelerating at a fast speed and the brakes would not work. Fortunately, there were no cars coming the other way and no people out walking. I was not able to stop at the stop sign and I put on my emergency brake and turned off the van. The second incident occurred while I was driving up a hill. The van started accelerating and I was not able to use my brakes. This time I put the van in neutral and was able to regain control of the van. I took the van to my mechanic and they did not find any problem with the brakes or anything else. My friend also experienced a similar incident with her newer model kia sedona and uses my same mechanic and found nothing wrong. Her incident happened before my first episode in june. Today, I was driving my daughter to work and the same thing happened as I was driving up a slight elevated street. I was not able to use the brakes and shifted into neutral. I was able to slow the engine and get her to work. I have five children and I have had at least one of them with me when each of these incidences has occurred. I called the kia dealer today and they told me to call monday. This is a very scary situation and I fear serious injury may occur. I was on residential streets when all three episodes occurred and did not have my cruise control on as noted from other kia owners who have experienced this on the highway.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 kia sedona. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH the vehicle would not accelerate. The failure occurred intermittently at different speeds and the check engine light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The mechanic stated the engine throttle position sensor had to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.
Traveling at 70 MPH, cruise control on, "ESC off" light and check engine light illuminated on the dashboard and the vehicle decelerated rapidly. Lost ability to accelerate past 20 MPH. Vehicle was stopped and restarted. Accelerator resumed working for about 50 miles and the same things happened again: ESC off light and check engine light illuminated and vehicle rapidly decelerated and lost all acceleration ability this time. Stopped vehicle again and restarted and accelerator resumed working. This happened at around 2am. In the morning the check engine light remained on and the vehicle was taken to a kia dealer. On the way to the dealer the "ESC" light began blinking (note: this is not the same as the ESC off light), the acceleration sputtered, but remained working. The dealer stated that they retrieved the throttle position sensor codes, but they cleared the computer history and could no longer duplicate the problem and therefore it could not be fixed. They retrieved the codes, cleared the memory and want to send me on my way. This is the second time a kia dealer has cleared the computer memory and the vehicle was not fixed. I was told, by my local dealer to make sure the dealer does not clear the codes/history or it can not be fixed. I have called kia consumer affairs and am awaiting a response.
While traveling on the open highway at a high rate of speed, the vehicle rapidly decelerated and lost ability to maintain acceleration, as if in idle but without rpms. The cruise control was on at the time. The check engine light and the ESC off light illuminated on the dashboard. Once the vehicle was stopped and restarted it was drivable to the nearest kia dealer. The check engine light stayed on. The dealer (who was closing for the weekend and 200 miles away from home) ran a diagnostic scan which indicated that the throttle position sensor needed replacement and an ECM software upgrade was needed. He then cleared the computer and sent us on our way, telling us we should be able to make it home, but stated it was imperitive it get fixed. He stated that when it happened again to stop and restart the vehicle. Once home, the dealer said he could do nothing to repair the vehicle because the computer was no longer registering a problem and the check engine light was not on. I called back to the dealer that originally diagnosed the vehicle and he concurred that without a current code/check engine light on, the vehicle could not be fixed (he was the manager!). So now I am told to wait for it to happen again and come in immediately. This is the second time the check engine light has come on and the dealer was unable to diagnose the problem because it was off when taken in. The rapid deceleration was a very dangerous situation as there were many semi-trucks on the open highway and they can not stop/slow down quickly. One blasted his horn and was barely able to move over in time as we tried to coast to a safe area on the side of the road! Scary, with 2 children in the vehicle and completely helpless to do anything to quckly get to safety.
2 months while decelerating at red light, acceleration occurred while pressing brake pedal, stopped within a fraction of an inch from car in front of me. Last night while driving 70mph on hwy ESC and check engine lights came on and lost all acceleration function. Car stayed idling but could not regain acceleration. Had to cross over 4 lanes of traffic to get to an offramp exit. Was able to pull over to small shoulder and had myself and 6 children standing on highway while waiting for roadside assistance. The exit was for another hwy so we had no safe place to stand but along the guardrail of 2 hwys. Was told to call a taxi and would be reimbursed. Now kia motors is telling me that since I purchased a fleet vehicle I am not covered under a warranty because it is at 70000. Purchased as certified reowned and was told it would be covered for 10 years 10,000 miles. Same problem was recalled on the 06 and 07 models but has not been corrected for 08 model. We all could have been killed!!! Dealer was not even able to look at it yet and said they won't until tomorrow so here I am on the second day without transportation and do not know what it is going to take to be fixed. Internet searches and complaint search on this site reveal complaints of the same nature to numerous to count.
2008 kia sedona 47000 miles. Loss of acceleration and check engine and ESC light come on. Van coast to a stop and after I shut off the ignition it cranks back up and is fine but it does this alot.
Questions about the 2008 Kia Sedona acceleration
Does the 2008 Kia Sedona have acceleration problems?
Owners have filed 38 complaints about the acceleration of the 2008 Kia Sedona, 22% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2008 Kia Sedona acceleration problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 25,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2008 Kia Sedona acceleration?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Kia Sedona have the most acceleration problems?
The Kia Sedona model years with the most acceleration complaints are 2008 (38 complaints), 2006 (22 complaints) and 2007 (21 complaints).
Other 2008 Kia Sedona problems
Electrical 45Body 25Brakes 20Driver assistance 16Lights 16Suspension 15Engine 12Locks 11Airbags 8Fuel system 7Steering 4Transmission 4Visibility 4Seats 3Tires 3
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