2002 Kia Sedona Complaint Log

2002 KIA SEDONA. 66,000 MILES. STEERING WAS BINDING. FELT LIKE POWER STEERING HAD GONE OUT. WOULD NOT RETURN TO CENTER AFTER CORNERING. HAD TO EXERT FORCE TO STRAIGHTEN VEHICLE BACK OUT. TAKEN TO KIA DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR. TOLD THAT STEERING COUPLER WAS DEFECTIVE. REPLACED SHAFT ASSEMBLY-INTERMEDIATE 1 0K52Y-32-090. TOLD ALIGNMENT WOULD ALSO BE REQUIRED AFTER THIS REPAIR. FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS WERE ALSO REPLACED. TOTAL COST. 560.80. *TR

DOOR HANDLES, PASSENGERS AND DRIVER, FRONT AND BACK. HANDLES IN THE FRONT HAVE BOTH BEEN REPLACED ONCE, AND THE NEW ONES ARE NOW DEFECTIVE AND WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE. REAR PASSENGER DOOR HANDLES ARE BROKEN ON THE OUTSIDE. IF THE VEHICLE WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND NEEDED TO BE EXITED QUICKLY, OR ENTERED QUICKLY, THIS POSES A SAFETY PROBLEM. *TR

I HAD A FEW OCCASIONS WHERE THE MIDDLE ROW SEATBELTS LOCKED UP AND IT TOOK AWHILE FOR THEM TO UNLOCK SO I COULD BUCKLE MY CHILDREN IN. OVER A WEEK AGO ONE LOCKED UP AND WE COULDN'T GET IT TO UNLOCK. I HAD TO TAKE MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND IT TURNED OUT I NEEDED TO HAVE THREE (BOTH MIDDLE ROW ONE REAR ROW) SEATBELT REPLACED. ALL NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO INFORMED HER THAT THERE WAS A LOOSE WIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, IT CURRENTLY WILL NOT START AND SHE NOTICED THAT THE HEATING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT ALL OF THE WIRES HAD MELTED, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 73,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SEDONA EX. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A POPPING NOISE WHEN HE MADE A LEFT TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED TO THE RIGHT AND THE STEERING WHEEL KEPT SPINNING. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND IT WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP. A MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS THE STEERING AND RACK. IN ADDITION, THE BEARINGS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FROM WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED AND THEY STATED THAT THE STEERING FAILED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TEMPORARILY REPAIRED TO WHERE THE VEHICLE COULD BE DRIVEN, BUT HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED COMPLETELY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 146,731 AND CURRENT MILEAGE IS 147,000. UPDATED 2/19/09*CN THE SHAFT WAS CRACKED AND THE GEARS WERE STRIPPED. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE NEEDED A STEERING RACK. UPDATED 02/20/09. *JB UPDATED 3/3/09 *CN THE VEHICLE NEEDED A WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND THE STRUTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 03/04/09. *JB

ENGINE VIBRATIONS IN SPEED 35 MPH TO 50 MPH IN 5 TO 10 DEGREE UPHILL EVERYDAY. WHEN ITS VIBRATE ENGINE,PUMP MORE GAS GRADUALLY OR OFF GAS PEDAL WILL STOPS VIBRATION. *TR

I OWN A 2002 KIA SEDONA, AND 2 TIMES NOW THE TRANSMISSION LINKAGE HAS TOTALLY SEIZED. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS LAST WINTER, AND THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP. NOW AGAIN IN NOVEMEBER IT HAS HAPPENED. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE REPAIR SHOP BUT ONCE THERE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR AT ALL. IT WAS ACTUALLY TOWED INTO THE BAY FOR REPAIRS. EACH REPAIR WAS OVER 300.00 CDN. *TR

2002 KIA SEDONA ABS BEGAN ENGAGING WHEN BRAKES APPLIED AT LOW SPEEDS. WEATHER WAS NEVER A FACTOR. UNABLE TO STOP VEHICLE WITHOUT PUMPING BRAKES. THREE NEAR MISS ACCIDENTS BEFORE TAKING THE VAN INTO KIA DEALERSHIP WHERE I WAS TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE WASN'T PART OF THE 2003 RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH THEY AGREED THEY WERE ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND THAT IT APPEARED TO BE THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

I HAVE HAD AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES PERIOD. I HAVE HAD THE PARKING BRAKE REPLACED DUE TO NOT WORKING. I HAVE ALSO GONE THROUGH FOUR SETS OF ROTORS IN 90,000 MILES. THE REASON IS BECAUSE SHORTLY AFTER BEING REPLACED WHEN BRAKING THE ENTIRE CAR BEGINS TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY UNTIL THE SPEED REACHES BELOW 40 MPH OR SO. I HAVE HAD THE TIRES REPLACED ALSO DUE TO THEIR RECOMMENDATION THAT IT WAS THE TIRES POSSIBLY. I AM TIRED OF REPLACING ALL THE PARTS FOR IT TO JUST COME BACK SHORTLY AFTER. THE DEALER HAS ALSO ELUDED THAT THIS IS A BROAD ISSUE AMONGST OWNERS. PLEASE HELP. *TR

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.

THERE WAS NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE, I WAS PULL ON TO THE ROAD AND LOST COMPLETE CONTROL OF MY STEERING, MY STEERING WHEEL JUST KEPT GOING AROUND AND AROUND, COMPLETE STEERING FAILURE. I HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING YET TO FIX... *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SEDONA EX. EVERY TIME THE CONTACT DRIVES THE VEHICLE, HE WOULD EXPERIENCE BINDING IN THE STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE MECHANIC AND THEY REPLACED THE STEERING UNIVERSAL JOINT. CURRENTLY, THE VEHICLE IS DRIVING PROPERLY. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 79,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

BELT SEPARATION. THIS IS THE THIRD INCIDENT OF BELT SEPARATION ON THIS BRAND, TYPE OF TIRE ALL OF WHICH WERE PURCHASED AND MOUNTED IN 2004. *TR

THE THIRD ROW BACK SEAT FOLDED WITH SUCH FORCE IT THROW ME INTO THE BACK OF THE SEAT IN FRONT OF ME. IT BRUISED MY FACE, MY TEETH CUT THE INSIDE OF MY MOUTH, MY FOREHEAD GOT A LUMP FROM THE FORCE OF THE IMPACT. WE WAS AT MY HOME GETTING READY FOR A TRIP SO IT WAS NOT TIME FOR THE SEAT BELTS. I HAD TO EAT SOFT FOOD FOR SEVEN DAYS, USE PEROXIDE MOUTHWASH FOR THE SORES AND USE ICE PACKS FOR SEVERAL DAYS. I CONTACTED KIA TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM STATING THAT IF THIS HAD BEEN A SMALL CHILD (I WEIGH 120) THERE COULD HAVE BEEN SOME SERIOUS FACIAL DAMAGE. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE BACK OF THE SEAT FOLDING SO HARD AND THEY ASKED FOR ME TO SEND A FEW PICTURES OF MY FACE. AFTER VIEWING THE PICTURES I RECEIVED A CALL FROM KIA TO VERIFY MY ADDRESS FOR THEM TO SEND ME $100 TO 'MAYBE TAKE MY HUSBAND OUT TO DINNER'. I DECLINED SUCH AN OFFER AFTER THE 13 DAYS I'D BEEN THROUGH. I EXPLAINED MY CONCERN ABOUT SOMEONE GETTING HURT FROM THIS HAPPENING AGAIN AND MY INSURANCE COMPANY HAD TOLD ME TO REPORT THIS FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION BECAUSE THEY WERE LIABLE FOR ANY INJURIES. THE KIA REPRESENTATIVE TOLD ME TO 'MAKE SURE I WARN ANYBODY THAT SEATS IN ANY OF THE BACK SEATS THAT THE BACK PART OF THE SEAT COULD FOLD WITH FORCE.' I SUGGESTED KIA BUY MY VAN SO THEY COULD REALLY FIND OUT WHY THIS HAPPENED AND THAT IT COULD NOT HAPPEN AGAIN. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME I HAD EVER USED THE THIRD ROW OF SEATS AND HAD NO IDEA THE SEATS FOLDED SO FAST AND HARD. KIA DECLINED TO BUY MY VAN THEN OFFERED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE VAN CHECKED OUT AT MY EXPENSE. *TR

INSIDE DOOR HANDLE, DRIVER'S SIDE. THE CHROME COATING STARTED TO PEEL OFF FROM THE INSIDE, BOTTOM EDGE OF THE HANDLE. IT IS A THICK METAL-LIKE COATING, THAT SEPARATED FROM THE HANDLE APPROXIMATELY 1/16". ONE DAY I OPENED THE DOOR WHILE I WAS SITTING INSIDE THE CAR, AND THE TIP OF MY LEFT FOREFINGER (FINGERPRINT AREA) WAS CUT BY THIS CHROME COATING. THE CUT WAS ABOUT 1/2" LONG AND ABOUT 1/32" DEEP, ENOUGH TO MAKE ME BLEED FOR ABOUT 10 MINS. *TR

2002 KIA SEDONA MINIVAN. PURCHASED USED FEB 2006 W/32K MILES FROM PRIVATE OWNER. MOST RECENT MILES 59K. CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED IN GARAGE AND IS TOTALED. HAVE HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS INCLUDING ELECTRIC SEAT STOP FUNCTIONING, AND DEAD BATTERY WHENEVER PARKED FOR MORE THAN 5 DAYS. REPLACED THE BATTERY, REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR, REPLACED THE SERPENTINE BELT. ON 11/17/07 AFTER 6-MONTHS OF THE SEAT NOT WORKING, THE DRIVERS SIDE ELECTRIC SEAT CONTROLS SUDDENLY BEGAN TO WORK AGAIN, A FEW HOURS LATER THE VAN CAUGHT FIRE (DRIVERS SIDE DOOR AND DASH) AND BURNED THE INTERIOR. INSURANCE DECLARED IT TOTALED. *TR

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

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

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.

2002 KIA SEDONA ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. CONSUMER VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN THE RECALL. MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. *KB THE MECHANIC WAS NOT ABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE, BECAUSE KIA WOULD NOT RELEASE COMPUTER INFORMATION FOR THE NECESSARY DIAGNOSTICS. THE CONSUMER CALLED SEVERAL OTHER DEALERSHIP AND THEY WERE NOT VERY ACCOMDATING. THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TWICE. THE BATTERY AND BELTS HAD TO BE REPLACED AND THE AC WAS RUNNING LOW. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THERE MAY BE SOME TYPE OF PROBLEM WITH THE ALTERNATOR. *JB

4 MONTHS AGO MY ALTERNATOR WENT, TAKING WITH IT MY ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. AFTER EVERYTHING WAS FIXED BY THE REPAIR SHOP OF MY CHOICE, THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS STILL ON AND COULD NOT BE RESET BECAUSE KIA WILL NOT RELEASE THE CODES TO DO SO. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND $90 LATER SIMPLY RESET THE CODES TO CLEAR THE LIGHT. NOW I FIND MYSELF WITH THE LIGHT ON AGAIN, AND MY 2002 KIA SEDONA AT THE DEALERSHIP TO FIND OUT WHY. OF COURSE, IT CANNOT BE AS SIMPLE AS THE CODE NEEDING TO BE RESET, AND I HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THERE IS A FAULTY SENSOR IN THE SEATBELT MECHANISM THAT WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. THIS WILL COST $200 + TO HAVE DONE. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS IS A RECURRENT PROBLEM WITH KIA SEDONAS AND I CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY IT IS NOT A RECALL ITEM. MY SISTER-IN-LAW HAS HAD TO REPLACE THEIRS TWO TIMES NOW, MY FATHER-IN-LAW HAS HAD TO REPLACE HIS AT LEAST ONE TIME, AND MY SISTER-IN-LAWS MOTHER-IN-LAW HAS HAD TO REPLACE HERS AT LEAST TWICE. THESE ARE JUST FAMILY MEMBERS, AND I CAN ONLY IMAGINE HOW MANY OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. ON THIS SITE ALONE I HAVE FOUND SEVERAL, NOT TO MENTION OTHER MESSAGE BOARDS SHOWING THE SAME COMPLAINTS. AT WHAT POINT DOES A COMPLAINT LIKE THIS GET INVESTIGATED TO BE RECALLED? THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF AND I IMPLORE YOU TO INVESTIGATE INTO THIS MALFUNCTION. THANK YOU. *TR UPDATED 09/19/07 *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SEDONA. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 25 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT SENSOR FAILED AND CAUSED THE AIR BAG LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE AS OF YET. THE VIN AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 84,000. UPDATED 09/19/TR *TR

THE SLIDING DOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE MIINIVAN FELL OFF. TWO MONTHS LATER, THE DRIVER'S SIDE THE HANDLE HAS FALLEN OFF. *TR

2002 KIA SEDONA WITH ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE CAR WENT DEAD WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE**CC IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ALTERNATOR WAS THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM, WHICH ALSO DAMAGED OTHER COMPONETS. *JB

BRAKES FAILED . *AK

THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY IN OUR 2002 KIA SEDONA. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SEDONA. WHEN THE SLIDING DOORS IS OPENED, THE DOOR DETACHES FROM THE HINGE AND FALLS TO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE REPAIR SHOP WHO PLACED THE DOOR BACK ON, BUT STATED THAT THE DOOR WOULD FALL AGAIN IF IT WERE TO BE OPENED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 107,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE 2002 KIA SEDONNA WITH 37275 FAILURE MILEAGE AT ANY RATE OF SPEED THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHILE BRAKING. THIS FAILURE HAPPENED FOUR TIMES. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTED. RECALL 05V013000 WAS ISSUED FOR VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: CABLES. REPAIRS HAD BEEN PERFORMED TWICE ON THE VEHICLE, BUT THE ACCELERATION WHILE BRAKING STILL PERSISTED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 37,292. *AK

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SEDONA. ON ONE OCCASION THE STEERING WHEEL TEMPORARILY LOCKS WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS MOTION. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT TO BE THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 65000.*AK

THIS IS THE 2ND ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY TO BE REPLACED. FIRST ONE WAS AT 40K MILES, AND WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THEY TRIED TO GET ME TO PAY FOR THE NEW BATTERY, BUT I INSISTED THAT SINCE THEIR FAULTY PART CAUSED THE BATTERY TO DIE, THEY SHOULD REPLACE AT NO COST. I BOUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER THINKING THE ALTERNATOR WOULD STILL BE COVERED, IT IS NOT. I REFUSED FOR THEM TO REPLACE, SINCE THERE IS AN OBVIOUS PROBLEM WITH THEIR ALTERNATORS. THE SERVICE REP. AGREED THAT THE 2ND ALTERNATOR SHOULD HAVE LASTED FOR THE LIFE OF THE CAR. I BOUGHT THE CAR TO ANOTHER MECHANIC WHO HAS NOW INFORMED THAT THE WIRE TO THE ALTERNATOR WAS FRIED/ROTTED/BURNT/ OFF. THIS IS DUE TO THE WAY THE VAN IS DESIGNED. IT IS APPARENTLY TOO CLOSE TO THE EXHAUST AND HAS CAUSED THE WIRE TO BURN OFF. THIS IS NOW A MAJOR JOB, AND HIS EXPERIENCE TELLS HIM THAT THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. ALSO, HE HAS ADVISED THAT HE HAS SEEN A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES ON THESE VANS. I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST OURS THAT NEEDED 3 SETS OF NEW BRAKES FOR LESS THAN 75K MILE ON THE CAR. THE AVERAGE LIFE OF BRAKES ON THIS VEHICLE IS LESS THAN 25K. MORE IMPORTANTLY, THE ALTERNATOR WIRING IS DEFECTIVE AND WILL UNDOUBTEDLY CAN BE A CAUSE FOR A FIRE. *NM

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL AT APROX 70 MPH THEN I DEACTIVATED IT BY STEPPING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, A FEW MINUTES LATER THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED BY ITS SELF. THIS HAPPENED THREE TIMES IN A PERIOD OF THREE WEEKS. THE FIRST TWO TIMES THE CRUISE DEACTIVATED AFTER STEPPING ON THE BAKE PEDAL. BUT THE THIRD TIME WAS THE SCARY ONE. AFTER LEAVING THE FREEWAY AND ENTERING THE CITY, THE CRUISE CONTROL ACCELERATED THE KIA SEDONA TO APROX 72 MPH IN THE CITY. THE BAKE PEDAL DID NOT DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THE ENGINE STARTED TO OVER POWER THE BRAKES. A FEW SECONDS LATER I REALIZED THERE WAS A MAIN ON OFF SWITCH ON THE DASH OF THE VEHICLE, SO I TURNED IT OFF, WITCH TURNED THE CRUISE CONTROL. I WAS VERY LUCKY TO HAVE STOPPED THE VAN, AS I WAS VERY CLOSE TO A HEAVY INTERSECTION. AFTER THAT KIA SEDONA EVERY KNOW AND THEN I COULD NOT GET THE SHIFT LEVER OUT OF PARK, I HAD TO STICK A PENCIL IN TO THE SHIFT RELEASE HOLE TO DRIVE THE VAN. I DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL SWITCH WAS FAULTY, NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE CRUISE IS ALSO NOT COVERED. SO I NO LONGER USE THE CRUISE AND I WARN EVERYBODY USING THE VAN OF ITS ABILITY TO TAKE OFF AFTER USE OF THE CRUISE CONTROL. *JB

AT 64,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION FAILS TO REVERSE. KIA WILL NOT REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY. PEAK KIA GM SAYS THAT IF YOU DRIVE IN COLORADO YOU SHOULD FOLLOW THE SEVERE DRIVING MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE AND CHANGE FLUID EVERY 30,000 MILES. OF COURSE KIA DOES NOT TELL COLORADO BUYERS THAT THE PLACE THEY LIVE IS CONSIDERED SEVERE DRIVING AND TO FOLLOW THAT SCHEDULE TO RETAIN THE WARRANTY. *JB

THE REAR ANTI-FREEZE LINE OF MY 2002 KIA SEDONA RUSTED THROUGH AT 70,000 MILES CAUSING A SEVERE LEAK AND EVENTUAL TERMINAL ENGINE FAILURE. THERE WAS NO OVER HEATING WARNING ALARM BUILT IN AS A SAFETY PRECAUTION. DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE LINES WERE NOT DEFECTIVE SO IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. REGIONAL KIA SERVICE REP WAS VERY DISRESPECTFUL. KIA DID NOTHING TO HELP AND IT COST $4,000 TO REPLACE THE ENGINE WITH A USED ONE.

MOTOR VEHICLE PART DEFECT- SPARE TIRE CARRIER ASSEMBLY WAS DEFECTIVE, AS I WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE SPARE TIRE FROM THE CARRIER AFTER HAVING A FLAT TIRE ON THE INTERSTATE. THE CARRIER'S THREADS SEEMED TO BE DEFECTIVE, AS I WAS UNABLE TO LOWER OR RAISE THE CARRIER ASSEMBLY. I CONTACTED THE KIA DEALERSHIP ABOUT THE PROBLEM, BUT THE SERVICE DIRECTOR REFUSED TO FIX THE ISSUE UNLESS I WAS WILLING TO PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF DEFECTIVE PARTS. I REFUSED SINCE THE SPARE TIRE ASSEMBLY HAS NEVER BEEN USED UNTIL SEPTEMBER 2, 2006, WHEN I HAD A FLAT TIRE ON THE INTERSTATE AND DISCOVERED THIS DEFECTIVE PART.*AK

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.*AK

I HAVE HAD MY 02 KIA FOR 2 YEARS. IT RAN GREAT FOR A FEW 1000 MILES BUT THEN IT JUST WENT HAYWIRE. THE PROBLEM THAT COST ME THE MOST TIME AND MONEY TURNED OUT TO BE THE FUEL PUMP. THE KIA DEALER IN CHARLSETON SC ORIGINALLY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS BAD GAS SO I CALLED TO THE GAS STATION ON THE MILITARY BASE THAT I GOT GAS FROM AND RAISED SAND. THEY PULLED THE WHOLE PUMP AND IT TURNED OUT TO BE GOOD GAS SO THE GOVERNMENT COULD NOT REIMBURSE MY MONEY SINCE IT WAS NOT THEIR FAULT. KIA WANTED TO CHARGE ME 500 DOLLARS TO PULL ALL THE FUEL COMPONENTS AND DISPOSE OF A FULL TANK OF GAS. IMAGINE THAT..I WAS WITHOUT MY VAN FOR 3 WEEKS SINCE I WAS STRANDED ON THE INTERSTATE WITH 2 KIDS AND MY PREGNANT WIFE. I ALSO HAD TO GET A RENTAL CAR. PROBLEMS: 1. FUEL PUMP-STRANDED ME FOR 3 WEEKS AND SOME DAYS ..NEW FUEL PUMP 2. NEW BATTERY-VEHICLE DIED ON ME IN FLORIDA. THOUGHT ALTERNATOR WENT OUT... 700 MILES AWAY FROM HOME. TOWED THROUGH INSURANCE AND BOUGHT REPLACEMENT BATTERY WOULD NOT JUMP START 3. FRONT MOTOR MOUNT WAS WENT BAD,HEARD CLUNKING NOISE IN FRONT OF VEHICLE. TWICE TO DEALER, BROKE DOWN, 1 WEEK AFTER GETTING IT BACK..DEALER FIXED UNDER WARRANTY 4. FRONT SUSPENSION STRUTS REPLACED DEALER REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY 5. AC WENT OUT IN FRONT AC STILL NOT FIXED.. DEALER SAYS THAT SINCE AFTERMARKET STEREO IS INSTALLED IT IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY 6. ALTERNATOR WENT OUT. VEHICLE BEING SERVICED NOW. ESTIMATED AT AROUND 600 DOLLARS TO FIX BY KIA. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE THAT ATTACHES TO THE PASSENGER SIDE MIDDLE SEAT OF THE VEHICLE FRACTURED AND DETACHED AT THE SEAM. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN INFORMED.

BACK IN 2003, THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON MY VAN CAME ON AND WOULD NOT GO AWAY. IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. THE PROBLEM WAS A DEFECTIVE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE. THAT WAS REPLACED. NOW IN 2005 THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND WOULD NOT GO AWAY AGAIN. MY WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED, SO I TRIED FINDING OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS MYSELF. IT WAS THE SAME PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE. THE PROBLEM WAS A BROKEN WIRE IN THE HARNESS TO THE SENSOR. THE CAUSE WAS A METAL CLIP THAT PINCHES THE HARNESS, AND WITH THE MOVEMENT OF PUTTING THE SEAT BELT ON AND OFF, EVENTUALLY LEADING TO THE WIRE BREAKAGE. THAT I FIXED MYSELF AND AIRBAG LIGHT WENT OUT. IN 2006, THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND WOULD NOT GO OUT. THE PROBLEM NOW IS THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE, ONCE AGAIN A BROKEN WIRE AT THE CLIP. ONCE AGAIN MY WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED SO I AM GOING TO FIX IT MYSELF. THIS KIND OF PROBLEM CAN BE FIXED IF THE CLIPS ARE REMOVED, EXTENDING THE LIFE OF THE SENSING UNIT. I AM SURE THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHERS WITH THAT SAME PROBLEM. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THIS DEFECT FIXED. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT LATCH JAMMED AND WILL NOT RELEASE. THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THERE WERE NOT ANY RECALLS ON THE SEAT BELTS.

THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT CAME OFF THE SIDE WALL AND WAS NOT USABLE. I HAD THE DEALER RE-ATTACH IT AND ASKED IF THERE WAS A RECALL DUE TO THIS PROBLEM AND THEY SAID NO. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED, WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO ADJUST THE DRIVER SIDE ELECTRIC SEAT, THE SWITCH MALFUNCTIONED. THE SEAT SLID COMPLETELY TO THE FRONT OF THE TRACK, FORCING THE DRIVER AGAINST THE STEERING WHEEL.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED SHORTLY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. PREVIOUSLY, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER RECALL CAMPAIGN #03V17000 REGARDING THE SEAT BELTS. BEFORE THE RECALL WORK WAS COMPLETED THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. ONCE THE REPAIR WAS MADE THE LIGHT WENT OFF. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED THE SAME SEAT BELT PROBLEM HAS RETURNED, BUT HAS NOT MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE LOST POWER INTERMITTENTLY ON HOT DAYS WHILE ACCELERATING. FURTHERMORE, WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS RELEASED AND AGAIN DEPRESSED THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, BUT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED.

THE SLIDING DOOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WON'T GO FARTHER BACK THAN 1/2 WAY & THEN STOPS. WHEN THIS HAPPENED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE ON MAY 16, 2005, AND WE PULLED IT BACK ALL THE WAY, THE SLIDING DOOR ASSEMBLY FELL OUT OF THE WINDOW IN THE REAR & THE REAR PART OF THE SLIDING DOOR FELL DOWN TO THE GROUND & LEFT LARGE GOUGES IN THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THIS WAS MARKED AS RECALL WHEN FIXED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE - 2002, KIA SEDONA.*AKI

I HAVE A 2002 KIA SEDONA VAN. WE HAD TAKEN THE CHILD SEAT OUT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE-MIDDLE ROW AND WAS TRYING TO REINSTALL THE SEAT. THAT IS WHEN WE DISCOVERED THE SEAT BELTS FAIL TO RATCHET WHEN INSTALLING CHILD SAFETY SEAT. SINCE WE STILL HAD THE BACK SEAT IN THE VAN (I OFTEN TAKE THEM OUT.), I WAS ABLE TO INSTALL THE CHILD SEAT IN THE BACK SEAT. HOWEVER, HAD THE BACK SEAT BEEN OUT AND WE HAD BOTH OF OUR CHILDREN WITH US, WE WOULD HAVE HAD TO DRIVE WITH ONE OF OUR CHILDREN IN AN UNSECURED CHILD SEAT. IF WE HAD AN ACCIDENT...WELL, LETS SAY THAT I WOULD OWN PART OF KIA. WE HAVE HAD SEAT BELTS REPLACED FOR SAME FAILURE IN THE PAST. THIS IS THIRD FAILURE IN OUR VAN, WHICH HAS LESS THAN 51,000 MILES. ALSO, IT ISN'T LIKE WE TAKE THE CHILD SEATS IN AND OUT MUCH. I WOULD GUESS THAT THE CHILD SEAT HAS ONLY BEEN REMOVED 2 OR THREE TIMES. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WAS HARD TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHO DETERMINED THERE WERE METAL SHAVINGS IN THE GAS TANK. AS A RESULT THE FUEL PUMP, FILTER AND PRE-FILTER WERE REPLACED. THE TANK WAS INSPECTED FOR ANY REMAINING METAL SHAVINGS. *AK UPDATED 02/02/06. *JB

DT*: THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WERE METAL SHAVINGS IN THE GAS TANK OF THE VEHICLE. THIS CAUSED THE FUEL PUMP TO FAIL BECAUSE THE FUEL PUMP WAS INSIDE THE GAS TANK. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE HOW THE SHAVINGS GOT INTO THE TANK. *JB UPDATED 2/24/2006 - THE CONSUMER STILL HAS THE FAULTY PUMP AND SOME OF THE METAL SHAVINGS IN HIS POSSESSION. *NM

PARKING BRAKE DOES NOT FUNCTION. I FIRST NOTICED THIS WHEN PARKING TO PICK UP MY DAUGHTER (SLIGHT INCLINE). AFTER PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND DEPRESSING THE PARKING BRAKE, THE VEHICLE WOULD SLIGHTLY ROLL. WHEN I GOT HOME, I STOPPED ON AN INCLINE, PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL, ACTIVATED THE PARKING BRAKE AND LET GO OF THE 4 WHEEL BRAKES... THE VEHICLE ROLLED WITH ABSOLUTELY NO RESISTANCE. CONTACTED THE DEALER, SAID IT WAS NOT A WARRANTY ITEM. *NM

12-23-05 THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHOW REVERSE PROBLEMS. DEALER WAS CALLED AND THE DEALER SAID THAT THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT HONOR THE WARRANTY BECAUSE I HAD NOT TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE TRANNY FLUID CHECKED. THIS WAS SAID WITHOUT SEEING THE VEHICLE AND AFTER I HAD JUST BEEN ASKED IF I WAS THE SAME PERSON THAT HAD JUST HAD THEIR TRANNY FIXED. MANY PHONE CALLS LATER, WITHOUT ANY RESOLUTION, I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BE FIXED AT A COST OF $2400.*JB

IN 11/04 MY ABS LIGHTS WENT ON IN MY 02 KIA SEDONA. I TOOK THE VAN TO GET NEW BRAKES AND WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THE ABS SENSOR WAS BROKEN IN PIECES ON THE DRIVER SIDE WHEELS. IN 8/05 MY AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON IN THE DASH AND STAYED ON. BEFORE I COULD GET MY CAR IN TO DEALERSHIP, I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK IN EARLY 9/05 GOING OVE AN OVERPASS WHEN MY CAR JUST DIED AND LOST ALL POWER. I WAS TOLD THAT MY MASTER FLOW SENSOR WENT BAD AND NEEDED A NEW ONE (WARRANTY). THEY ALSO REPLACED THE SEAT BELT SENSOR IN THE DRIVERS SIDE TO TAKE CARE OF THE AIR BAG LIGHT.2 DAYS LATER MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME BACK ON. IN 12/05 MY ABS LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN ALONG WITH THE WARNING BEEP. I CALLED MY DEALERSHIP AND GOT APPT. FOLLOWING TUESDAY. I WAS TOLD IT SHOULD BE SAFE TO DRIVE UNTIL THEN. BOTH HEADLIGHTS ALSO WENT OUT. NOW WHEN APPLYING BRAKE MY BRAKE GOES DOWN GRINDS, ADJUST THEN GOES ALL THE WAY DOWN . GOT CAR TO DEALERSHIP TUES AM. IN THE AFTERNOON RECEIVED CALL 1 YR OLD BATTERY IS LEAKING ACID DUE TO FAULTY ALTERNATOR (SENDING TOO MUCH POWER OUT. WAS TOLD MUST REPLACE BATTERY SO THAT DEALERSHIP MAY COMPLETE DIAGNOSIS. WAS TOLD BY DEALERSHIP KIA ONLY WARRANTIES MAIN ISSUE NOT ANY ADDITIONAL ITEMS DAMAGED BY MAIN ISSUE. RECEIVED CALL A LITTLE WHILE AGO, TOLD BAD ALTINATOR NEEDS BATTERY FAULTY SEAT BELT SENSOR NOW IN PASSENGER SEAT BELT (3 MONTHS AGO WAS DRIVERS SIDE ALSO MY HEADLIGHTS ARE BOTH BLOWN - YES FAULTY ALTENATOR MOST LIKELY CAUSED THIS. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT MY NEW BRAKES (REPLACED IN AUG 05 AT LESS THAN 3000 MI AGO) ARE WORE THIN AND NEED RELACEMENT ALONG WITH ROTORS WHICH NOW HAVE GROOVES IN THEM AND THEY ARE ALSO TO THIN. I HAVE NOW REPLACED THE BRAKES 4 TIMES ON A VEHICLE THAT IS 4 YRS OLD AND BEING TOLD MUST REPLACE ONCE AGAIN. *NM