MyCarTSB

2002 Kia Sedona Engine Problems

29 owner-reported engine complaints from NHTSA data

29
Complaints
2
Fires
Jan 2005Dec 2002
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Owner Complaints (29)

highENGINE
Filed: Feb 2015

Your camshaft rear plug has fallen out twice now (first in 2014, again recently), causing oil leaks both times. You're not sure whether the plug itself is faulty or if there's an underlying issue with the camshaft that's pushing it out. A mechanic should inspect the camshaft and install a new plug, and may need to check why the original plug isn't staying seated properly.

NHTSA #: 10689862
mediumENGINE
Filed: Feb 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, SHE HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE THREADS FOR THE CRANK SHAFT BOLT WERE MISSING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BALANCER AND BOLT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,500.

NHTSA #: 10498010
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
Filed: May 2012

I OWN A 2002 KIA SEDONA. I PURCHASED IT IN FEBRUARY AND WAS FINE UNTIL A MONTH LATER. I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK AND I GOT ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE VAN STALLED AND JUST SHUT DOWN. AFTER ABOUT 5 MINUTES LATER IT RESTARTED THEN SHUT OFF AGAIN ABOUT 3 MILES DOWN THE HIGHWAY. I HAD THE FUEL PUMP AND CAMSHAFT REPLACED BUT IT STILL WILL NOT START. THEN THE BATTERY STOPPED WORKING. I REPLACED THAT AND IT STILL WILL NOT WORK. I CALLED KIA AND BECAUSE IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY THEY WOULD NOT HELP. THE DEALERSHIP IS WAY TOO EXPENSIVE BEING THAT I AM A SINGLE PARENT I CANNOT AFFORD THEIR PRICES. KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE IS VERY BAD AND WILL NOT HELP WITH ANYTHING. AFTER SEARCHING ONLINE I HAVE CAME TO A CONCLUSION THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND THERE HASN'T BEEN ONE FIX TO IT. I DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO GO OUT AND PURCHASE ANOTHER VEHICLE AND JUST WANT THIS ONE FIXED. PLEASE HELP! *TR

NHTSA #: 10457359
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jan 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SEDONA EX. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE STALLED. THE BATTERY, BRAKE AND SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE ENGINE WAS RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL MOMENTS. THE FAILURE RECURRED AT LEAST EIGHT DIFFERENT TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES FOR THE SIMILAR FAILURE. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 94,000.

NHTSA #: 10378634
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Sep 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE FUEL PUMP AND BATTERY WERE REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE DEALER THEN REPLACED THE AIR FLOW SENSOR. SEPTEMBER 2010, THE ENGINE WAS SHAKING FOLLOWED BY THE VEHICLE STALLING AGAIN. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,735. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,084.

NHTSA #: 10358191
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Feb 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SEDONA. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 65MPH HE NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE SUDDENLY STALLED FOR A SHORT PERIOD AND THEN CORRECTED ITSELF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT HAD THE CATYLATIC CONVERTER REPLACED; HOWEVER, AFTER THE REPAIRS THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE FOLLOWED BY THE ENGINE LIGHT APPEARING ON THE DASHBOARD. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS . THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 106,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS AT 3000.

NHTSA #: 10303846
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEATS
FireFiled: Nov 2007

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

NHTSA #: 10209702
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Mar 2007

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.

NHTSA #: 10185386
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Jul 2005

2ND REQUEST LTR FM RICHARD JORGE (FL) RE HIS DEFECTIVE 2002 KIA SEDONA.*MR WHEN THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 180 MILES IT OVERHEATED AND SHORTED OUT. PRESENTLY, THE CONSUMER IS EXPERIENCING A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR. *JB

NHTSA #: 10129108
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Apr 2005

WHILE DRIVING,THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING UNCONTROLLABLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THEN STALL. THE DRIVER TRIED TO RESTART,BUT WAS UNABLE TO START. THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE PROBLEM CAN NOT BE DUPLICATE AT THIS TIME. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM

NHTSA #: 10119035
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Feb 2005

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY STALLED, AND THE ENGINE DIED UPON TRYING TO ACCELERATE. *AK

NHTSA #: 10111532
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,VISIBILITY,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,TIRES,WHEELS,SEATS
Filed: Jan 2005

I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH MY KIA SEDONA. WITHIN A FEW MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP THE HEAD GASKET BLEW AND IT WAS TOWED IN AND REPLACED. THEN THE WINDSHIELD BROKE DURING THE NIGHT IN THE GARAGE WITH NO WEATHER EXTREMES. I REPLACED THAT. IN 2 YEARS I'VE HAD 2 BLOWOUTS TO THE FRONT DRIVER'S TIRE. THE ONLY 2 IN MY WHOLE 30+ YEARS OF DRIVING.DEALER SAYS ITS NOT THE CAR. THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS WERE REPLACED. IN DEC 2004 THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED, THE LUMBAR SUPPORT WAS BROKEN AND FIXED, THE DRIVER'S DOORHANDLE BROKE AND WAS FIXED BY KIA. JAN18 IT WAS BACK IN BECAUSE THE HOOD RELEASE WAS NOT WORKING. IT WAS FIXED AND WE PICKED UP THE VEHICLE 1/19. ON 1/21 THE GAS PEDAL STUCK, I BROUGHT IT IN AND THEY FIXED IT IMMEDIATELY. " THE COVER HAD FALLEN DOWN AND THEY TIED IT BACK UP." OBVIOUSLY NOT A GOOD JOB BECAUSE IT STUCK AGAIN ON THE WAY HOME AT 65MPH. I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO STOP THE CAR AND HAD IT TOWED BACK IN. I THINK IT IS A DEATH TRAP!

NHTSA #: 10107689
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Oct 2004

OUR KIA SEDONA'S ENGINE HAS BEEN DYING WHEN COMING TO A STOP FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS. KIA TRIED ON 8-5-04 TO FIX AND WAS TOLD IT NEEDED NEW SPARK PLUGS. REPLACED THE PLUGS. THREE WEEKS LATER ON 9-11-04 VAN ENGINE DYED AGAIN WHEN COMING TO A STOP. KEEPED A LOG OF THIS. ON 9-25-04 WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE, THE ENGINE AGAIN DYED WHILE IN THE PASSING LANE. FINALLY GOT A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. HAD TO WAIT THREE DAYS TO GET VAN INTO KIA, LIGHT WENT OUT BY THEN. KIA DEALERSHIP SAID IT HAS A TRANSMISSION ERROR CODE BUT CAN'T PINPOINT THE DEFECT TO FIX. KIA KEPT THE VAN A WEEK TRYING TO GET ENGINE LIGHT TO REAPPEAR IN VAIN. SO I NOW HAVE A VAN THAT COULD STOPPED RUNNING AT ANYTIME AND PLACE. NOT VERY REASSURING OR SAFE. WE ARE VERY UPSET AND KIA CORP REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING TO REMEDY THE SITUATION. *NM

NHTSA #: 10093827
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,STRUCTURE,WHEELS
Filed: Jun 2004

KIA HAS INFORMED US THAT OUR CAR WILL CONTINUE TO NEED REPAIRS SINCE IT WAS NOT DESIGNED TO BE DRIVEN ON DIRT ROADS. WE LIVE ON A DIRT ROAD AND DRIVE MANY MILES OF DIRT ROADS AND NOW WE ARE SPENDING MONEY REPLACING PARTS NOT PROTECTED FROM DIRT DUE TO FAULTY ENGINEERING DESIGN.*AK

NHTSA #: 10078936
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jun 2004

CONSUMER STATED THAT VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUME DROVE IN NORMAL CITY TRAFFIC WHEN SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT A CAUSE. VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER AT LEAST 4 TIMES. YET, PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

NHTSA #: 10079683
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,VISIBILITY
Filed: Jun 2004

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY WITH HEAT ON, THE AIR STOPPED BLOWING INTO THE CAR FROM THE VENTS EVEN THOUGH WE COULD HEAR THE BLOWER MOTOR RUNNING. THIS STARTED OCTOBER 4, 2003 AND STILL HAS NOT BEEN FIXED AS OF JUNE 2004.EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE HAD THE CAR IN THE REPAIR SHOP 11 TIMES. WE HAVE BEEN PLACED IN VERY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS BECAUSE OF THIS. DURING THE WINTER, WHEN THE BLOWER WOULD QUIT, THE WINDOWS WOULD FOG UP OR FREEZE UP IMMEDIATELY. WE COULDN'T EVEN SEE TO GET THE CAR OFF THE ROAD. THERE WAS NO WAY TO CLEAR THE WINDOWS, NOT TO MENTION THE DISCOMFORT OF FREEZING TO DEATH WHEN IT WAS 30 DEGREES BELOW ZERO. THE ENTIRE HEATING SYSTEM, ACTUATORS, BLOWER MOTOR WERE REPLACED AND THE BLENDER DOORS WERE REPROGRAMMED. WE ONLY HAVE HEAT SPORADICALLY. NOW THAT SUMMER IS HERE, THE AIR CONDITIONER DOESN'T WORK,. IT IS IN THE SHOP NOW HAVING THE COMPRESSOR REPLACED. THE TRANSMISSION ALSO WAS REPLACED IN OCT. 2003. WE FEEL THE COMPANY HAS HAD AMPLE TIME TO REPAIR THE CAR. THEY EVEN ADMIT THEY CAN'T FIX IT. WE ARE SEEKING A REPLACEMENT (COMPARABLE) VEHICLE OR A REFUND SO THAT WE CAN GET A VEHICLE THAT WORKS. I REFUSE TO GO THROUGH ANOTHER WINTER LIKE THAT. *AK

NHTSA #: 10078451
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Jun 2004

VEHICLE STALLED DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL COMPONENT SHORTING OUT THE BATTERY. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED 4 TIMES AND ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED ONCE. ALSO, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE ENTIRE MOTOR. VEHICLE BURNED EXCESSIVE FUEL UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITION. THE ABOVE REPAIRS ONLY PROVIDED A TEMPORARY SOLUTION FOR THE PROBLEMS.*AK

NHTSA #: 10075890
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Oct 2003

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON, EVERY 2000 MILES. IT IS ALWAYS THE SAME THING, A RICH FUEL MIXTURE. THIS PROBLEM AFFECTS THE ACCELERATION OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE DRIVER STEPS ON THE GAS, THE CAR EITHER BUCKS AND WON'T GO, OR JUST BOGS DOWN AND WON'T ACCELERATE. THIS IS DANGEROUS WHEN TRYING TO MERGE IN TRAFFIC ON BUSY, CONGESTED HIGHWAYS. EVERYTIME THIS HAPPENS, WE TAKE IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY KEEP IT SEVERAL DAYS TO A WEEK BEFORE THEY CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG. THIS IS THE 3RD TIME SINCE APRIL 2003 FOR THE SAME ISSUE. *LA

NHTSA #: 10041280
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES,EQUIPMENT
Filed: Jul 2003

MY 2002 KIA SEDONA HAS EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE PROBLEMS SINCE I BOUGHT IT IN MARCH, 2002. MAJOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, BATTERY REPLACEMENT, SLIDING DOOR FAILING TO CLOSE, ENGINE NOISE, AIR CONDITIONER PROBLEMS. HAVE CONTACTED MANUFACTURER AND DEALER. SOME ISSUES RESOLVED - - OTHERS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPLICATED. FEAR THAT ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS STILL NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND WILL FAIL AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.*AK

NHTSA #: 10028851
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FireFiled: Jun 2003

FROM 2ND WEEK WE COMPLAINED OF ENGINE NOISE. EACH TIME NO PROBLEM WAS FOUND. FEW MONTHS LATER CK ENGINE CAME ON. A SPARK PLUG WAS REPLACED. 1 MONTH LATER CK ENGINE LIGHT ON AGAIN. NEW FUEL INJECTOR. 2 DAYS LATER CK ENGINE LIGHT AGAIN. NEEDED NEW MOTOR AT 3800 MILES. 1 WEEK LATER CAUGHT ON FIRE IN OUR GARAGE. KIA REGIONAL MANAGEMENT CHRIS BUTLER SAID THEY WOULD REPAIR DAMAGES FROM FIRE BUT HAD NO CONCERN THAT OUR 6 MONTH OLD VAN WITH ONLY 3800 MILES ALREADY HAD THE MOTOR REPLACE AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. HIS ADVISE DON'T PARK IN THE GARAGE ANYMORE SO WE WON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT IT BURNING DOWN OUR HOUSE. IRONIC THAT WE CHOOSE THIS VAN BECAUSE WE THOUGHT IT WOULD BE EASIER AND SAFER FOR OUR KIDS. NOW I FEAR OUR FAMILIES SAFETY EVERYDAY BECAUSE WE HAVE IT. *AK

NHTSA #: 10021392
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN
Filed: Jun 2003

STRONG ANTIFREEZE SMELL WHEN USING THE AC ON HOT DAYS. TRANSMISSION SHIFTS VIOLENTLY FROM 1-2 AND OCCASIONALLY INTO REVERSE. DEALER HAS ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT SEVERAL TIMES. *NLM SLIDING DOORS HAVE HAD ALIGNMENT PROBLEMS AND BEARING FAILURE SEVERAL TIMES ALSO. (CURRENTLY FIXED).

NHTSA #: 10021018
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: May 2003

DEFECTIVE AUTO EQUIPMENT.

NHTSA #: 10016810
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,VISIBILITY
Filed: Apr 2003

THE VEHICLE DID NOT HOLD WHEN GOING DOWN A HILL OR NO LOW RANGE. THERE WAS A KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE MOTOR(DEALER DIDN'T FIND PROBLEM), AND A WIND NOISE HAD COME FROM THE FRONT GLASS WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. *NLM *SCC

NHTSA #: 10015324
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Mar 2003

THE MINI-VAN STARTED WITH A SIMPLE OIL LEAK THAT DEVELOPED INTO A CRACKED OIL FILTER HOUSING ON THE ENGINE TO THEN 3 BURNED OUT COILS AND TWO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS ALL WITHIN 30 DAYS. CAR STILL IN SHOP. EB. *NLM

NHTSA #: 10010551
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
Filed: Jan 2003

MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH 2002 KIA SEDONA MINIVAN INCLUDING FRONT WINDOW NOT WORKING; TRUNK/BACKLATCH NOT OPENING (TWICE); CHECKENGINE LIGHT(TWICE); FRONTBLOWER FOR HEATER/AIRCONDITONING NOT FUNCTIONING (TWICE). PROBLEMS STARTED NOV. 2002 AND ARE ONGOING.

NHTSA #: 10003185
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Dec 2002

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING THE EXHAUST STARTED TO LEAK FLUID CAUSING AND DISTRACTION TO THE CONSUMER. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS

NHTSA #: 10001395
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Nov 2002

THIS STARTED AS A SLIGHT KNOCK & WITHIN 5 MINUTES THE ENGINE WAS SCREAMING LOUD KNOCKING BANGING CLANKING ETC. TOTAL LOSS OF POWER, AND SLIPPING OF GEARS ON TOP OF WHAT SOUNDING LIKE THE ENGINE FALLING APART. THEY TOOK A MONTH TO REPLACE THE ENGINE NOW I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS SPEEDOMETER, CHECK ENGINE, ODOMETER & CHECK ENGINE FAILURES/MALFUNCTIONS. DT

NHTSA #: 769276
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Aug 2002

AT DIFFERENT INTERVALS, THE OIL LEAKS ONTO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER CAUSING SMOKE TO COME FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR. ALSO, NOW AT 5000 MILES THE MOTOR IS FAILING. *JG

NHTSA #: 786404
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jul 2002

VEHICLE WILL INTERMITTENTLY SHUT OFF WHILE CONSUMER IS DRIVING, CONSUMER TRIED TO START VEHICLE BACK UP, BUT THERE WAS NOTHING. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER STATED THAT CONSUMER SHOULD NOT USE ALOT OF ELECTRICITY IN VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA #: 8014575

Other 2002 Kia Sedona Issues