2002 Kia Sedona Problems, Recalls & Reliability
328 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2002 Kia Sedona, alongside 3 recall campaigns and 3 defect investigations. It scores 76/100 on the trouble index — one of the years to avoid for this model. Electrical leads the reports, typically around 52,000 miles.
Avoid this year if you can. The 2002 Kia Sedona sits at the top of this model's complaint rankings. Quieter picks in the same family: 2009–2011, 2014, 2018–2019.
Avoid
Where 2002 sits among all Sedona years
What owners report
“1) battery discharge occured during slow speed driving and hot conditions. Vehicle stalled at intersection and was almost hit several times. 2) service bulletin put out by kia calls for new alternator, with smaller pulley and ecm battery compensation 3) kia technical service bulletin calls for a…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2002 Sedona
“Consumer stated that while driving and without warning the exhaust started to leak fluid causing and distraction to the consumer. Dealer notified. Ts”— owner report to NHTSA, 2002 Sedona
“Brake system fail to respond every 3000 to 4000 miles dealer claim is adjustment and cleaning, the vibration is terrible when braking is not safe i dont feel safe last time was 2 days ago and again car only 16106 miles bought in feb 2002 will go back to dealer lets see what they do”— owner report to NHTSA, 2002 Sedona
“Seat belt buckle is not locking seat belts in place. Contacted deal and dealer was aware of the problem.ak”— owner report to NHTSA, 2002 Sedona
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 177 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 46,876 miles. Half of those reports fall between 15,000 and 69,500 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (3)
ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, DURING ASSEMBLY, THE THROTTLE CABLE WOULD TWIST ITSELF OUT OF POSITION.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE THROTTLE CABLE FREE OF CHARGE. VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM MARCH 20, 2001 THROUGH NOVEMBER 7, 2001 WILL HAVE A GUIDE CLIP INSTALLED ON THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY IN ORDER TO…
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, SOME OF THE SECOND AND THIRD ROW SEAT STRIKERS INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE FLOOR PAN HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND COULD BREAK IN A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT STRIKERS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 25, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE…
CERTAIN MINI VANS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." THE SECOND AND THIRD SEAT BELT BUCKLE ANCHOR BOLTS DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE STANDARDS.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE ANCHOR BOLTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 24, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO…
Federal defect investigations
Led to recall campaign 05V013000.
Technical service bulletins
22 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on engine and electrical — are on file for the 2002 Kia Sedona. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
See the 2002 Sedona TSB list →
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2002 Kia Sedona reliable?
The 2002 Kia Sedona drew 328 complaints in federal safety records — one of the years to avoid for this model. Its trouble index is 76/100, scored against the model's worst year (2006).
What are the most common 2002 Kia Sedona problems?
The top reported problems for the 2002 Kia Sedona are electrical (64 complaints), engine (31), and brakes & stability (30).
At what mileage do 2002 Kia Sedona problems show up?
Owners most often report 2002 Kia Sedona problems around 46,876 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 15,000 and 69,500 miles.
Does the 2002 Kia Sedona have recalls?
3 recall campaigns apply to the 2002 Kia Sedona. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.