2003 Kia Sedona Problems, Recalls & Reliability
214 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2003 Kia Sedona, alongside 4 recall campaigns and 4 defect investigations. It scores 54/100 on the trouble index — a below-average year for this model. Electrical leads the reports, typically around 51,000 miles.
Below average
Where 2003 sits among all Sedona years
What owners report
“My Sedona keeps catching on fire not sure why but now if I get it up to temperature it automatically catches on fire I'm going into my second fire extinguishe”— owner report to NHTSA, 2003 Sedona
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 146 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 48,383 miles. Half of those reports fall between 25,456 and 96,283 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (4)
ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, FREEZING CONDITIONS CAN CAUSE WATER ON THE THROTTLE CABLE TO FREEZE DURING NORMAL OPERATION. RESISTANCE TO MOVEMENT OF THE THROTTLE CABLE CAN OCCUR WHEN THE DRIVER LIFTS THEIR FOOT OFF OF THE GAS PEDAL.
Fix: DEALERS WILL MODIFY A PROTECTIVE SLEEVE AROUND THE THROTTLE CABLE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 15, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
ON CERTAIN MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH ALLOY WHEELS, MOISTURE CAN ACCUMULATE AROUND THE REAR HUB CAPS CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE OUTER WHEEL BEARING.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR HUB CAPS FREE OF CHARGE. UPON INSPECTION, SOME VEHICLES WILL ALSO REQUIRE REPLACEMENT OF THE REAR OUTER BEARINGS AND/OR HUB ASSEMBLY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 13, 2005.…
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, THERE WAS A PROGRAMMING ERROR IN THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE LOGIC. THE PROGRAMMING ERROR COULD CAUSE REDUCED BRAKING FORCE AT SPEEDS BELOW 25 MPH, WHICH COULD RESULT IN INCREASED STOPPING…
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE CONTROL MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 19, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE…
Federal defect investigations
Led to recall campaign 05V463000.
Led to recall campaign 05V013000.
Technical service bulletins
21 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on electrical and engine — are on file for the 2003 Kia Sedona. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
See the 2003 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 2003 Kia Sedona reliable?
The 2003 Kia Sedona drew 214 complaints in federal safety records — a below-average year for this model. Its trouble index is 54/100, scored against the model's worst year (2006).
What are the most common 2003 Kia Sedona problems?
The top reported problems for the 2003 Kia Sedona are electrical (33 complaints), brakes & stability (29), and airbags (25).
At what mileage do 2003 Kia Sedona problems show up?
Owners most often report 2003 Kia Sedona problems around 48,383 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 25,456 and 96,283 miles.
Does the 2003 Kia Sedona have recalls?
4 recall campaigns apply to the 2003 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.