Kia Sedona Complaints (2003)

197 consumer complaints on file.

#10091216September 18, 2004
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER, PARKING BRAKE, SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY, SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DRUM:SHOES/LININGS, SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:ROTOR, STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP, SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING, SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT
I'VE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH MY 2003 KIA SEDONA. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE HAS NEVER BEEN RIGHT. THE BRAKES WERE REPLACED AT 13K MILES, AGAIN AT 24K MILES (FRONT & BACK) AND I'M SURE THEY NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN AT 40K MILES. AT 22K MILES I TOOK THE VAN TO THE SHOP FOR BRAKES ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT BOTH WHEEL BEARINGS, THE LEFT STRUT (THEY REFUSED TO REPLACE BOTH STRUTS SINCE IT WAS WARRANTY BUT IF I WAS PAYING FOR THE REPAIRS THEY WOULD RECOMEND REPLACING IN PAIRS) AND THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS GOING OUT (WHICH THE MANAGER SAID HE WAS DOING ME A FAVOR BY TELLING ME ABOUT). I HAVE ALSO COMPLAINED OF THE A/C TAKING FOREVER TO COOL DOWN, HAD A SENSOR REPLACED FOR THE GAS TANK AFTER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND SERVICE TO THE DRIVERS SEATBELT. THEN YESTERDAY DURING A STORM I WENT THROUGH A PUDDLE ABOUT 4 OR 5 INCHES DEEP WHICH SPLASHED WATER ON MY VAN FOR A COUPLE OF SECONDS AND ABOUT 50 FEET DOWN THE ROAD THE VAN DIED AND COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. UPON HAVING IT TOWED TO THE KIA DEALER I WAS TOLD THAT MY AIRFILTER HAD GOTTEN WET AND THAT THERE WAS "DISH SOAP" IN MY AIRFILTER WHICH WOULD BE CONSIDERED CUSTOMER DAMAGE AND NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. I ALSO COMPLAINED ABOUT MORE NOISES COMING FROM THE FRONT AND A GRINDING NOISE WHEN I BEGIN ACCELERATION IN LOW GEARS. THEY REQUESTED I MAKE AN APPOINTMENT FOR SERVICE ON THOSE ISSUES. IN ADDITION, I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE ON 4/23/03, WHEN I TRIED TO FILE A COMPLAINT ABOUT MY SERVICE ON THE WHEEL BEARING, ETC WITH KIA THEY HAD NO RECORD OF ME EVER PURCHASING THIS VAN. APPARENTLY IN THEIR MINDS MY VAN WAS SOLD TO SOMEONE ELSE ON 2/27/03. THIS MEANS IF THERE IS EVER A RECAL OR SERVICE NOTICE SENT OUT I WOULD NOT RECEIVE THEM. IN ADDITION THEY HAD MY WARRANTY EXPIRATION DATE SET AT 2/27/03. I SPOKE WITH SEVERAL PEOPLE CONCERNING THIS ISSUE AND WAS ASSURED THAT THIS WOULD IMMEDIATELY BE CORRECTED, HOWEVER YESTERDAY WHEN I CALLED FOR ASSISTANCE I WAS TOLD THAT THE VAN WAS STILL LISTED AS BEING SOLD TO ANOTHER PERSON. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10091209September 17, 2004
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
PIN/LATCH ON DOOR HANDLE BREAKS. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10091146September 16, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WE HAVE A 2003 KIA SEDONA EX THAT IS ONE YEAR OLD. IT HAD 20,000 MILES ON THE CAR AND HAD NO PROBLEMS AT ALL. ON 09/03/04, AFTER DROPPING OUR DAUGHTERS OFF AT SCHOOL 5 MINUTES AWAY, WE PULLED IN THE DRIVEWAY, TURNED THE CAR OFF AND SMOKE POURED OUT OF VENTS. AFTER THAT, CAR STARTED ON ITS OWN WITH NO KEYS IN IT, PANIC STARTED SOUNDING CONSTANTLY AND THEN THE CAR STARTED ON FIRE BEHIND THE STEERING WHEEL AND WAS IN FULL FLAMES WITHIN ONE MINUTE. THE CHIEF OF THE GOSHEN FIRE DEPT. STATED IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE THAT STARTED IN THE DASHBOARD. WE ARE WAITING FOR COPY OF REPORT. WE CONTACTED THE KIA MANUFACTURER IN CA IMMEDIATELY AND SENT PICTURES (CAN BE FURNISHED). IT TOOK KIA ALMOST 2 WEEKS TO EVEN CONTACT US AFTER REPEATED CALLS TO THEM. THEY CALLED ON 09/14/04 AND SAID WE'D HAVE AN ANSWER BY 2 P.M. 09/15 AND THEY NEVER CALLED. TODAY, AFTER WE CALLED AND THREATENED TO SUE THEM (MSG. LEFT ON VOICEMAIL), THEY CALLED US RIGHT BACK TO TELL US THEY ARE DENYING OUR CLAIM AND THIS IS NOT THEIR RESPONSIBILITY. THIS WAS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECTIVE CAR WITH A FAULTY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THIS IS NOT AN INSURANCE ISSUE BY ANY MEANS AND WE FEEL KIA SHOULD REPLACE THIS CAR. THEY DIDN'T EVEN ASK US ANY QUESTIONS OR WAIT FOR THE FIRE REPORT BEFORE DENYING OUR CLAIM. THE GRIEF THIS HAS CAUSED OUR FAMILY HAS BEEN HORRIBLE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10081530June 29, 2004
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
UPON IMPACT THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY RESULTING IN THE DRIVER HITTING HER FACE ON THE STEERING WHEEL.*MR THE DRIVER SUFFERED FROM MULTIPLE CUTS INSIDE HER MOUTH, A FRACTURED NOSE WHICH CAUSED SHORTNESS OF BREATH AND MULTIPLE BRUISES. *NM
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10079286June 15, 2004
SUSPENSION:REAR
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, A LOUD RATTLING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER A FIX FOR THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10074829June 4, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
I PURCHASED A 2003 KIA SEDONA VAN FROM SPEEDWAY KIA IN MARCH OF 2003. ONE OF THE REASONS I CHOOSE THIS VAN WAS DUE TO THE 5 STAR SAFETY RATING. ON MAY 26TH OF 2004, I WAS DRIVING MY VAN FROM TAMPA FL TO PORT ORANGE FL ON I-4 AND I STARTED SMELLING AN ELECTRICAL BURNING SMELL. I PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY, LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD BUT COULD NOT SEE ANYTHING BURNING. I GOT BACK ON THE HIGHWAY AND CONTINUED EAST TOWARDS DAYTONA BEACH. WHEN I GOT OFF THE PORT ORANGE EXIT ON 95, I SMOKE STARTED POURING OUT FROM UNDER MY HOOD, I DROVE ABOUT A MILE TO MY HOME. I THEN OPENED THE HOOD AND THE INSULATION UNDER MY HOOD WAS ON FIRE. MY HUSBAND PUT OUT THE FIRE, AND SMOKE CONTINUED TO COME OUT OF THE VENT BEHIND THE ENGINE. AT THAT POINT, MY HUSBAND DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY TO REMOVE THE POWER SOURCE BECAUSE IT SMELLED LIKE AND ELECTRICAL FIRE, THE SMOKE EVENTUALLY STOPPED. KIA PICKED IT UP THE NEXT DAY, THE VAN WAS AT SPEEDWAY KIA FOR ONE WEEK. NO ONE AT KIA WAS ABLE TO TELL WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE, THE ONLY THING THEY COULD TELL WAS THAT THE INSULATION WAS BURNED. I PICKED MY VAN UP ONE WEEK AFTER DROPPING IT OFF AND NOTHING WAS DONE TO IT. I WILL NEVER AGAIN BE ABLE TO CONFIDENTLY TRAVEL IN THE VAN WITH MY FAMILY BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO TELL WHY IT CAUGHT ON FIRE AND FIX IT. SO MUCH FOR THE 10 YEAR/ 100,000 MILE WARRANTY.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10075490June 1, 2004
SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY
WHILE DRIVING AND WHEN MAKING A SUDDEN STOP OR TURN SECOND ROW SEAT SLID FORWARD OR BACKWARD, NOT LOCKING IN PLACE WHEN PLACES IN THE FOLD DOWN POSITION. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10074453May 29, 2004
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
EXCESSIVE FUEL CONSUMPTION. 10.8 MPG. KIA PERFORMED A TEST WITH A SCAN TOOL AND SAID THE READINGS WERE WITHIN SPECIFICATIONS. THAT WAS BACK IN MARCH. SINCE THEN MY FUEL EFFICIENCY INCREASED TO 11.7 MPG. I'LL BE TAKING IT BACK SOON FOR ANOTHER TEST. I'VE ENCOUNTERED SEVERAL PEOPLE ON THE ROAD WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT, BUT APPARENTLY THEY HAVE NOT FILED A COMPLAINT YET. CAN ANYONE INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE AND CALL ME BACK. IT APPEARS THAT THE MONEY I SAVED BY PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE, IN COMPARISON TO OTHER MINIVANS WITH SIMILAR FEATURES, I'LL BE THROWING AWAY IN GAS. THANK YOU SINCERELY. *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10068170May 2, 2004
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
2003 KIA SEDONA EX, 29 APR 2004 SUDDEN ACCELERATION. WHILE DRIVING MY KIA SEDONA, I WAS COMING ONTO THE ON-RAMP ON I-95, EXIT 130 (FREDERICKSBURG, VA). I WAS ACCELERATING SLOWLY ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND HAD GAINED SPEED OF ABOUT 40 MPH, WHEN THE PEDAL SUDDENLY DROPPED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE ENGINE WENT TO FULL-THROTTLE, AND WE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE UNCONTROLLABLY. I APPLIED THE BRAKES FULLY, BUT THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV HIGHER. WE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT ON, AND I WAS UNABLE TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN BY APPLYING BRAKES. I THEN PUT THE VAN IN NEUTRAL, AND PRESSED THE BRAKES WITH A GREAT AMOUNT OF FORCE, UNTIL WE SLOWLY DECELERATED. I SHUT THE ENGINE OFF, AND WE COASTED INTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, NEARLY HITTING AN ONCOMING BUS THAT WAS ENTERING BEHIND US ON THE HIGHWAY. WE WERE ABLE TO MAKE IT HOME, BUT ON 30 APR 2004, THE NEXT MORNING, I ATTEMPTED TO START UP THE VAN TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND WHILE IN PARK, THE VAN WENT TO FULL-THROTTLE AGAIN, SO I CALLED A TOW-TRUCK. THE KIA DEALERSHIP IN FREDERICKSBURG, VA (540)891-7400 NOW HAS THE VEHICLE, AND THEY HAVE NOT REPORTED TO ME ANY DAMAGES. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10064055March 28, 2004
TIRES
TIRE ON PASSENGER SIDE REAR HAD A PIN HOLE ON THE INSIDE OF THE SIDEWALL. SPOKE TO SOMEONE ELSE WHO HAD THE SAME VAN WHO HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10063163March 15, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED CONSUMER FELT SEVERE VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE BRAKE PEDAL. DEALER CLAIMED THAT THE BRAKE ROTORS OVERHEATED, CAUSING THEM TO WARP.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10057077February 12, 2004
EQUIPMENT, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER, CHILD SEAT
I HAVE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON MY 2003 KIA SODONA. I PURCHASED THE VECHILE IN JUNE OF 2003, WE HAVE SINCE TAKEN THE VAN IN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A VARIETY OF PROBLEMS. THE AIRCONDTIONER STOP BLOWING COLD AIR WITH IN THE FIRST THREE MONTHS OF OWNING IT, THIS HAS BEEN FIXED. PAINT HAS PEELED OFF THE FRONT BUMPER, SEAT BELT RATCHETING SYSTEM STOPPED WORKING, ENGINE MOUNT NEEDED REPLACING, TANSMITION NEEDED ADJUSTING THREE TIMES, AND THE LAST PROBLEM WAS THE VECHILE WOULD LOCK WHEN EVER AND WHERE EVER IT FELT THE NEED TO. I LOCKED MY SELF OUT OF THE CAR WITH MY CHILDREN INSIDE MANY TIMES. THE DEALSHIP REPLACED A MAIN PANAL INSIDE THE DOOR. DESPITE, ALL THE TIMES I HAVE TAKEN IT IN, AT LEAST TWICE FOR EVERY PROBLEM, THE DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO GIVE ME A CAR, MIND YOU I HAVE TWO CHILDREN TO CART AROUND ALL DAY. I AM EXTRMEMLY PEEVED ABOUT THIS VAN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10057556February 4, 2004
AIR BAGS
SRS LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON UNTIL VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC TOLD CONSUMER THAT PARTS WERE ON BACK ORDER. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10055584January 21, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH BRAKES FAILED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10055426January 20, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A BRAKE PROBLEM. MANUFACTURER ISSUED A RECALL, BUT DEALERSHIP WAS UNAWARE OF THE RECALL AND CONTINUED TO SELL THESE VEHICLES. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10069132January 15, 2004
SUSPENSION
THUMPING NOISE IN LEFT FRONT FROM STRUT WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS KIA IS AWARE OF SITUATION AND DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO RECTIFY
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10052090December 30, 2003
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER BEGAN TO SMELL FUEL. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10051066December 24, 2003
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
ONLY 260 MILES ON VEHICLE AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. DEALER STATED CHECK GAS CAP. STATED IT NEEDS TO "CLICK" 3 TIMES TO TIGHTEN AND SEAL. HAVE PERFORMED TASK REPEATEDLY WITH NO CHANGE. WHILE STANDING OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE, WITH VEHICLE RUNNING, CAN HEAR AIR SUCKING IN THROUGH GAS FILL AREA. NEVER HAD THAT HAPPEN ON ANY OTHER VEHICLE OWNED. NOTICED FLAPPER VALVE AT TOP OF GAS FILL AREA IS CREASED AND DOES NOT SEAL LIKE OTHER MANUFACTURERS VEHICLES. WORRIED THAT THIS AIR PROBLEM WILL CAUSE FUTURE ENGINE PROBLEMS. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10050521December 15, 2003
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
POWER LOCKS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER STATES AN ELECTRICAL SHORT OCCURRED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10047397November 23, 2003
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
IN EARLY SEPTEMBER, THE AIR CONDITIONING ON OUR NEW 2003 KIA SEDONA EX WENT OUT. WE TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID A ROCK HAD HIT THE CONDENSER UNIT AND DRAINED THE FREON. THIS UNIT SITS UNPROTECTED IN FRONT OF THE AIR INTAKE. THE SERVICE MANAGER CLAIMED THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT MANY HAD EXPERIENCED. HE SAID IT WOULD COST $850 TO REPAIR AND THAT WE SHOULD PLACE A PROTECTIVE SCREEN AROUND THE UNIT SO IT DIDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN! I SENT A LETTER ON SEPT. 16TH TO MR. GEOFF BEDINE, THE PRESIDENT OF THE DEALERSHIP, BUT RECEIVED NO RESPONSE. ON OCTOBER 8TH, I STOPPED BY THE DEALERSHIP, BUT HE WAS NOT IN. THE SALES ASSOCIATE, MICHELLE WILSON, SUGGESTED I FAX A COPY OF THE LETTER TO HER AND SHE WOULD GIVE IT TO HIM. I WENT HOME AND DID JUST THAT, AND CALLED TO MAKE SURE SHE RECEIVED IT. SHE DID. HOWEVER, STILL NO RESPONSE AS OF NOV. 22ND! ON NOV. 13TH, I WENT TO THE KIA WEBSITE AND FILED CASE#242983 WITH THEIR CONSUMER ASSISTANCE DIVISION. I RECEIVED A CALL FROM MS. BEA UNDERWOOD ON NOV. 20TH, BUT SHE SAID A REGIONAL DIRECTOR CLAIMED THIS WAS AN INSURANCE ISSUE AND NOT A WARRANTY CLAIM, SO THEY WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING FOR ME. I CONSIDER THIS AN ENGINEERING DESIGN DEFECT AND FEEL IT IS KIA'S RESPONSIBILITY. HOWEVER, WHAT CAN I DO NOW? THANKS FOR YOUR HELP ON THIS! *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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