Kia Sedona Complaints (2004)

213 consumer complaints on file.

#11767032September 25, 2026
ENGINE
In XXX, my 2004 Kia Sedona caught fire shortly after I arrived at work in [XXX]. My [XXX] daughter was with me because she was sick. After parking, I removed her from the back seat and went inside the salon. Minutes later, I returned and saw smoke coming from the engine. Within seconds, the front of the vehicle caught fire. The vehicle was parked near a building, and the fire and smoke spread toward the building. The fire department responded and made a report. The vehicle was completely disabled and later sold to a salvage yard because I could not drive or transport it. My insurance did not cover the fire because I did not have fire coverage. I am especially concerned because my daughter had been inside the vehicle moments before the fire. Fortunately, I removed her before the fire started. I later contacted Kia America, which opened Case No. XXX and requested the vehicle's location for investigation. Kia also requested preservation of the vehicle, but it had already been destroyed by the fire and sold to salvage. I am requesting that NHTSA review this incident for possible safety defects, recalls, investigations, or similar fire complaints involving the 2004 Kia Sedona or its components. I can provide the fire report, Kia correspondence, and other supporting records. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11436117October 8, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Everything appears normal driving down road bout 45 to 50 mph. Slowed down for car n front was turning when I noticed smoke coming from under hood around headlights both sides. Then we pulled into a storage unit place. When even more smoke . I got out popped hood it was all on fire. I turned off van and a friend and I got a couple cups and dipped in water puddle and put fire out , while we were watching to make sure it restarted 2 more times. After half hour goes by and no more smoke . Closed van up found a ride home after contacting insurance company.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11319611March 28, 2020
WHEELS
I HAVE A 2004 KIA SENDONA LX VAN AND THE WHEEL BARRINGS ARE BAD I FIXED IT ONCE ALREADY A MONTH AGO AND IT IS ALREADY BROKEN AGAIN BOTH TIMES IT COMPLETELY FELL APART IN TO LITTLE PEICES WHEN I TOOK THE WHEEL OFF.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11221742June 21, 2019
STEERING
POWER STEERING MAKES WHINING SOUND WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL, POWER STEER FLUID LOW IN CANISTER DUE TO LEAKS. HARD TO TURN TO THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN TURNING. DON'T KNOW IF BELTS AFFECTED I HEAR A HUMMING SOUND. DON'T KNOW IF THE POWER STEERING PUMP IS WORKING PROPERLY. CONSTANTLY ADDING FLUID TO THE CANISTER.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11193363April 2, 2019
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A TOW YARD. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS UNKNOWN. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,100.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11141627October 21, 2018
ENGINE
MY 2004 KIA SEDONA WAS SITTING STATIONARY IN MY DRIVEWAY ENGINE WAS OFF. WHEN SOMETHING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO ENGINE PARTS ON THE TOP SIDE OF THE ENGINE. SUCH BE AS FLUID RESERVOIRS WIRING, FUSE BOX, AND MORE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11080722March 21, 2018
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16, AT APPROXIMATELY 11:30 AM, MY WIFE'S 2004 KIA SEDONA SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE IN THE DRIVEWAY OF OUR HOME. I HAD DRIVEN IT THAT MORNING TO RUN A QUICK ERRAND, ACTUAL DRIVE TIME LESS THAN HALF AN HOUR WITHOUT ANYTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY. I RETURNED HOME, PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY BEHIND MY FORD WINDSTAR. BOTH MY WIFE AND MYSELF WERE IN OUR HOUSE WHEN WE HEARD A LOUD BOOM FOLLOWED SHORTLY BY A SECOND BOOM. THAT IS WHEN WE SAW THAT FIRE WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF HER VAN AND THE REAR OF MY WINDSTAR WAS ON FIRE. WE IMMEDIATELY CALLED 911 AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER OUR LOCAL FIRE COMPANY ARRIVED AND BEGAN FIGHTING THE BLAZE. BY THAT TIME BOTH VEHICLES WERE ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE APPEARS TO HAVE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF THE KIA. BOTH VEHICLES ARE A TOTAL LOSS. UNTIL THIS INCIDENT, NOTWITHSTANDING BASIC MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS, THE KIA SEDONA WAS A VERY RELIABLE VEHICLE. AS WITH THE WINDSTAR, MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS WERE DONE ON A REGULAR AND AS NEEDED BASIS BY THE SAME SHOP THAT HAS WORKED ON ALL OUR VEHICLES FOR OVER 10 YEARS. I AM SURE I CAN PRODUCE MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR RECORDS IF NEEDED. THE LAST TIME THE KIA WAS SERVICED WAS LATE OCTOBER OF THIS YEAR TO REPLACE AN ALTERNATOR.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10993222June 5, 2017
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WHEN I WENT TO START MY CAR IT IMMEDIATELY SHUT OFF, AS IT OCCASIONALLY DOES. THE RPM'S DROPPED AND THE ENGINE CUT OUT. USUALLY THE PROBLEM IS RESOLVED BY ME REVVING THE ENGINE FOR A MINUTE OR TWO, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED LONGER THAN USUAL. IT EVENTUALLY STAYED ON AND I TRIED TO DRIVE AWAY. AS I CHANGED INTO GEAR EVERYTHING SEEMED OKAY, I REVERSED FROM WHERE I WAS PARKED THEN I PUT IT INTO DRIVE AND WHILE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD THE ENGINE CUT OUT AND I WAS STUCK THERE FOR ONLY A FEW SECONDS LUCKILY. I DROVE BACK TO WHERE I WAS PARKED AND AS I STOPPED THE ENGINE CUT OUT ON ME. THIS TYPICALLY HAS HAPPENED TO ME WHEN THE GAS TANK WAS BELOW HALF. I MANAGED TO GET TO A GAS STATION AND FILL UP AND THAT STOPPED THE PROBLEM.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10992708June 1, 2017
AIR BAGS, STRUCTURE:BODY
"TAKATA RECALL" ON TUESDAY MAY 9, 2017 WE WERE INVOLVED IN AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT. TO OUR AMAZEMENT AND HORROR, NOT ONE AIRBAG DEPLOYED . 'WE WERE HIT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VAN . THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR REQUIRED ASSISTANCE FROM THE POLICE/FIRE FIGHTERS ASSISTANCE TO EXIT THE VAN HOWEVER THE SLIDING DOOR COULD NOT BE OPENED REQUIRING REMOVING THE BABY THROUGH THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND WE BEGAN TO MOVE FORWARD WHEN OUR VAN WAS STRUCK BY THE OTHER CAR EXITING A PARKING LOT. NEITHER ONE OF US SAW THE ADVANCE NOR IMPACT OF THE OTHER CAR. AFTER REALIZING WHAT HAPPENED WE CALL EMERGENCY VEHICLES FOR ASSISTANCE. WE WERE INSTRUCTED TO MOVE OUR VAN TO A SAFE LOCATION AND WAIT FOR H
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10991190May 23, 2017
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
AFTER HAVING A VARIETY OF MECHANICS DIAGNOSE A PROBLEM OF MY VEHICLE NOT STARTING FOR 20 MINS TO 1 HOUR AFTER THE ENGINE IS WARM & AFTER THE VEHICLE DOES START; IT HAS A VERY STRONG GASOLINE &/OR ADDITIVE SMELL. I WENT TO A KIA DEALER TO HAVE THEIR OPINION: THE KIA MECHANIC STATED: TO START A $200.00 TEST WOULD HAVE TO BE PERFORMED TO ENSURE THAT IT'S THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR; A $159.00 PART; THAT IS COMMON FOR KIA'S TO GO BAD, BECAUSE IT COULD BE FUEL RELATED; ANOTHER COMMON PROBLEM THEY HAVE. TO REPLACE THE SENSOR WILL COST $1,400.00 BECAUSE OF WHERE IT IS; MAKING A TIMING BELT REPLACEMENT NECESSARY. (THIS IS AFTER GETTING SPARK PLUGS DONE & NUMEROUS OTHER REPAIRS THAT INVOLVED REPEATED FIXES INVOLVING THE VEHICLES WATER SYSTEM); ONE MECHANIC SAYS THERE MAY BE ANOTHER PROBLEM & UNRELATED TO THE SENSOR; AND THESE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN ONGOING WITH NO MECHANIC ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEMS SINCE THE VEHICLE'S PURCHASE IN 2012; EVEN THE RADIATOR WAS REPLACED & THE VEHICLE STILL CAN QUICKLY OVERHEAT; ESPECIALLY AFTER DRIVING THROUGH THREE TRAFFIC LIGHTS OR IN TRAFFIC. I AM MORE THAN UNCOMFORTABLE WITH CERTIFIED MECHANICS SAYING WHEN I DO HAVE THE MONEY FOR THE SENSOR REPAIR, THEY'LL REPLACE THE WATER PUMP AS WELL; EVEN THOUGH THERE IS NO VISIBLE SIGN OF LEAKAGE...THE VEHICLE TAKES ABOUT 1 1/2 LITERS OF WATER A DAY DIRECTLY INTO THE RADIATOR & ONLY PERIODICALLY SUCKS IT FROM THE RESEVOIR...THIS ADDED REPAIR IS NOT INCLUDED FOR FREE... AND IF THAT DOESN'T FIX IT, WE WILL DO THE FAN ETC...THE A/C IS NOT CONNECTED; SO DRIVING WITH THE HEAT ON IN FL TO KEEP THE VEHICLE FROM OVERHEATING IS NOT MAKING IT EASY TO RESOLVE THIS/THESE ONGOING PROBLEMS THAT IS STATED TO BE 'COMMON'.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10985783May 15, 2017
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SEDONA. WHILE STATIONARY, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE ERUPTED INTO FLAMES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FIRE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10969516March 30, 2017
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
TAKATA RECALL..MY VAN STALLS OUT NO MATTER WHERE..STOPPED AT IDLE IT RANDOMLY SHUTS OFF..DRIVING AVERAGE SPEED IN TOWN 45MPH IT RANDOMLY SHUTS OFF..ON THE HWY. SPEEDS AVERAGE FROM 55 TO 70 MPH IT RANDOMLY SHUTS OFF ..IN HEAVY TRAFFIC THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS..I HAVE REPLACED THE FOLLOWING.. FUEL PUMP FUEL FILTER FUEL PUMP RELAYS THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR OXYGEN SENSOR FUEL COIL PACKS SPARK PLUGS INTAKE GASKETS INJECTORS AIR FILTER JUST LIKE THE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE ON THE FORUMEBAY ABOUT KIA SEDONA..I'VE PUT $1000'S IN THE VAN WITH NO SOLUTION TO THE DANGEROUS ISSUES..THE ONLY THING LEFT TO CHANGE IS THE INTERNAL WIRING..THIS PROBLEM IS WAY TO COMMON FOR KIA NOT TO HAVE A RECALL ON IT..ITS A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD AND NEEDS TO HAVE SOMETHING DONE ABOUT IT..NOT JUST FOR ME BUT FOR EVERYONE THAT HAS A KIA SEDONA..ITS OBVIOUSLY A SHORT IN THE WIRING AND IS A MANUFACTURER FLAW FOR SO MANY PEOPLE TO HAVE THE SAME ISSUE..BTW MY VAN ONLY HAS 100.000 MILES ON IT I'VE SEEN SOME AS LOW AS 30.000 WITH THIS SAME ISSUE..NO EXCUSES FOR THIS..ANY KIND OF ELECTRONIC SHORT OUT HAS POTENTIAL FOR FIRE NOT TO MENTION THE HAZARDS OF THE VAN RANDOMLY STOPPING IN TOWN AT INTERSECTION ON THE INTERSTATE .
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10788466November 4, 2015
STEERING
MY STEERING IN MY 2004 KIA SEDONA LX IS TENDING TO BIND AND NEARLY LOCK UP AROUND TURNS. THIS PROBLEM COMES AND GOES.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10716372May 14, 2015
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
UPON RETURNING HOME AND PARKING MY VAN AFTER RUNNING AN ERRAND OF ABOUT 5 MILES, I SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, RAN TO GET A FIRE EXTINGUISHER, THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT WITHIN 60 (SIXTY) SECONDS AFTER SEEING THE SMOKE. REMOVING THE AIR CLEANER AND OTHER COMPONENTS, -- THE WIRE HARNESS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS FOUND CHARRED BY THE FIRE. NO IMMEDIATE REASON WAS FOUND FOR THIS INCIDENT TO OCCUR.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10705253April 13, 2015
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
I BOUGHT MY SEDONA ON OR ABOUT FEBRUARY 7 2015. AFTER AWEEK ALMOST TWO. I WAS BROKE DOWN AND STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD.VAN WAS SO HOT IT WOULDN'T START AND. BEHAVED AS A VEHICLE WITH A BLOWN HEAD GASKET . THE DISHONEST CRIKED. CROOK SALES MAN AT THE DEALER. SHIP WOUND. NOT FIX IT AT FIRST AFTER COMPLAINING AT THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU SALES MAN [XXX]. PRAMIER AUTO SALES SOUTH NINTH STREET MODESTO. CAILIFORNIA 95351 WOULDN'T. HELP ME AFTER A WEEK OF COMPLAINING. HE AGREED TO PUT IT IN HIS SHOP WHO HE IS IN PARTERNS WITH (BOY) PREMER.AUTO SALES MATNENS LOCATED ON ANGEY WAY CERES CAILIFORNIA. 95307 MY SADONS VAN REMAINED THERE ON ANGIE WAY FOR. SEVEN DAYS ON MARCH TWENTIETH. 2015 [XXX] FROM PREMER AUTO SALES. REFUSED TO SURRENDER KIA SEDONA. VAN WITHOUT WRITING THREE TIMES I AM A SATISFIED CUSTOMER.HE WAS ANNOYED DUE TO EXPENSIVE OF A NEW WATER PUMP,RADIATOR,FAN, BELT,AND THERMOSTAT.NOW ONLY APRIL 10,2015 MY KIA SEDONA IS PERFORMING THE WAY IT WAS BEFORE REPAIR.FAN NOT COMING ON,RADIATOR NOT CIRCULATING,MOTOR CUTTING BECAUSE ITS SO HOT.I PAID 2200.00 DOLLARS DOWN AND HAVE DRIVEN IT FOR TWO MONTHS. TWO MONTHS OF COST.MY INSURANCE WAS 500.00 DOLLARS TO START UP 143.00 DOLLARS A MONTH,HOWEVER WHEN THE RUBBER DEMINISHES COMPLETELY OFF SEDONAS TIRE RIM WHILE DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY, MY INSURANCE. STONEWOOD FROM COST U LESS WOULDN'T ANYONE UNDER 18 IN THEIR TOW TRUCK A.D WOULD ONLY DISPATCH A TOW TRUCK IF ONLY SOMEONE OVER EIGHTEEN STAYED ON HIGHWAY WITH BROKE DOWN SEDONA.UNABLE TO DO SO BECAUSE I WAS THE ONLY ADULT WITH THREE CHILDREN. AGES ,11,7,5, SO THE VERY BEST HIGHWAY PATROL WERE ARE ONLY HOPE.AGAIN MY KIA SEDONA AFTER COMPLETELY NEW PARTS COOLANT. FAN AGAIN NOT WORKING 2 MONTHS OWNING ONE OF THE WORST CARS WITH ONE OF THE WORST EXPERIENCE IN MY LIFE ,LIKE WHEN I OWNED A GRAND TRINO EXPERIENCING. FREEZE PLUGS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10695433March 19, 2015
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED AFTER DRIVING ENGINE WAS OFF . HISTORY OF OIL LEAKS. #15003607 VAN TOTALED AND SENT TO SALVAGE YARD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10681668February 6, 2015
STEERING
MY VAN WONT STEER. IT IS TIGHT AND WONT LET ME GO LEFT OR RIGHT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10669086December 30, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SEDONA. WHILE OPENING THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE, ALL FOUR DOORS ON THE VEHICLE LOCKED INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. UPDATED 6/11/15*CN UPDATED 06/16/15*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10668374December 26, 2014
STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING IN WET CONDITIONS THE BRAKE AND BATTERY LIGHT WILL COME ON INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THERE IS A LOSS OF POWER OF STEERING. WHEN TAKEN TO KIA DEALERSHIP TO FIX PROBLEM THEY TOLD US IT IS A COMMON COMPLAINT AMONG KIA CARS. THEY CHECKED ALL BELTS, BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR ALL TESTS CAME BACK NORMAL. WHILE DRIVING IT IS DANGEROUS TO LOSE POWER OF STEERING ESPECIALLY IN WET CONDITIONS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10663267December 9, 2014
ENGINE
ENGINE SEIZED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THERE WASN'T MUCH TRAFFIC ON THE ROAD AND HELPED TO STEER THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER. IN BAD WEATHER AND/OR TRAFFIC CONDITIONS, THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE SOME SAFETY ISSUES WITH THE ENGINE OF THIS VEHICLE MAKE/MODEL AND WOULD LIKE TO REGISTER THIS INCIDENT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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