Kia Sedona hesitation problems

Filed Jul 4, 2025 · Engine · IL

In October 2024 we broke down on the highway outside of DesMoines, IA. The van slowed considerably in the midst of 11am traffic on I [XXX] from a lack of power, not from applying the brakes. Cars behind us had no warning, but no one hit us. The 4-way flashers and turn signals would not engage. There was no warning from the dashboard of a pending issue. Trent’s Garage in Clive, IA determined the main reason was an internal oil leak that damaged the alternator, which they replaced along with the right-side valve cover gasket. There was an earlier incident that I attributed to a service mistake. Shortly after Napleton Elmhurst Kia in IL serviced the vehicle in June 2023, it began to hesitate and become unresponsive while we were driving. There was no indication from the dash lights or from our garage floor that the engine was leaking any fluids or was low on oil, but I checked the oil at a suggestion from my wife. It barely registered on the dipstick. I added oil and the van ran fine. I now monitor the oil level regularly and add a quart of oil every 1000 miles. There is still no visible oil leak. Napleton Kia Service told me nothing could be done short of replacing the engine, and that I should change the oil more frequently (April 2025) than their original recommendation of every 5000 miles. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Aug 18, 2021 · Engine · 60,000 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2006 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would stall with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact also stated that the vehicle would fail to reverse once placing the gear shifter into reverse. The contact had initially taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who was unable to service the vehicle and referred him to another mechanic who replaced the transmission. Almost a year later, the failure recurred, and the contact bought a code scanner that informed him that the catalytic converter was defective. The contact bought a new catalytic converter and had the catalytic converter replaced. Recently, the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle began to hesitate upon depression of the accelerator pedal with the throttle body warning light illuminated. The contact used the code reader to clear the warning light and the vehicle resumed normal operation. On another occasion while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic who replaced the throttle body. Soon after the test drive, the transmission failed. The contact agreed to have the transmission replaced and the vehicle remained in the possession of the dealer. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

Filed Dec 11, 2020 · Transmission · 5,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2019 kia sedona. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle jerked or hesitated without warning, with the accelerator pedal depressed. The contact also stated that the vehicle would perform hard downshifts without warning while depressing the brake pedal. The contact took the vehicle to hagerstown kia (10307 auto pl, hagerstown, md 21740) where a software update was performed however, the failure persisted. The contact had taken the vehicle back twice and no remedies were performed after each visit. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000.

Filed Aug 10, 2020 · Acceleration, Engine · 500 miles · NM

Something is wrong with my engine or transmission whichever which one it is I do not know I've taken it to the dealer 5 or more times they cannot duplicate the problem or the or they say it's operating as assigned how's the car operating as designed when the vehicle soon as you push the accelerator at bucks it jerks it hesitates to go and that one that goes it takes offit also does the same thing when slowing down in a buck little jerk and then downshift very hard this is very dangerous when driving during certain conditions

Filed May 8, 2020 · Electrical, Engine · 200,000 miles · TN · fire

Tl* the contact owned a 2003 kia sedona. The contact stated while driving at 25 MPH the vehicle hesitated and failed to shift into the desired gear with smoke coming from under the hood. The contact managed to drive the vehicle home, parked the vehicle, and upon opening the hood saw flames. The contact stated that the fire department was called however, her neighbor attempted to extinguish the flames with a water hose until the fire department arrived to extinguish the fire. There were no injuries and a fire report was taken. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000. The dealer was not notified of this issue and the manufacturer was not made aware of this issue. The contact mentioned that the check engine and air bags warning lights had been illuminated since she purchased the vehicle.

Filed Mar 5, 2020 · Fuel system · 72,000 miles · TX

Gas smell in car 11/2017 while in motion. Experiencing a sort of 'hesitation', like wanting to stall. Brought to dealer. Dealer identified issue- crack in fuel rail, leaking on engine. Item was not covered under warranty and quoted at just under $1k to repair. The dealership wanted me to sign a waiver saying I knew my car was a fire hazard since I couldn't afford to pay their rates for the repair. Told me I would end up in the news if I didn't get it fixed there. I refused, and took my car to my local repair shop where I paid for the repair.

Filed Aug 3, 2016 · Acceleration · TN

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 kia sedona. The contact stated that the vehicle jerked and hesitated to accelerate when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The ESC warning light randomly flashed. The dealer was notified of the failure, but the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was not available.

Filed Jul 30, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · 73,000 miles · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 kia sedona. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated to start and was towed to the dealer. The dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 73,000.

Filed Mar 14, 2014 · Engine · 27,800 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 kia sedona. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 MPH, the vehicle hesitated and stalled. The failure was recurring. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer several times however, they were unable to diagnose the failure. The failure persisted and the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 27800.

Filed Jul 24, 2012 · Engine, Fuel system · 60,000 miles · AZ

Multiple instances where vehicle has been unable to start. Will subsequently turn over for a period of about 5 seconds and finally "catches" and will run rough. Upon driving the vehicle will run rough, hesitate and stall, mostly at times during a full stop attempting to accelerate to normal driving speed in traffic and through turning. Upon inspection at dealership, no faulty parts found and condition "disappears". Upon receipt of vehicle from dealership, problem has continued to plague vehicle. Replaced many parts under the advisement of the dealership and have never found a solution to the problem. No check engine code present during problem. Has left family stranded on more than a few occasions making vehicle unreliable and unsafe to operate.