2004 Kia Sedona Problems, Recalls & Reliability

226 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2004 Kia Sedona, alongside 2 recall campaigns and 3 defect investigations. It scores 47/100 on the trouble index — a below-average year for this model. Wheels & tires leads the reports, typically around 51,965 miles.

226Complaints
47/100Trouble index
2Recalls
47,500Typical trouble mileage

Below average

Where 2004 sits among all Sedona years

Darker = quieter yearsBrighter amber = more trouble

What owners report

Wheels & tires 38 complaints (17%) · typically ~51,965 miles
“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.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2004 Sedona
Brakes & stability 35 complaints (15%) · typically ~16,975 miles
Engine 29 complaints (13%) · typically ~52,000 miles
“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.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2004 Sedona
Electrical 23 complaints (10%) · typically ~33,000 miles
Steering 22 complaints (10%) · typically ~68,000 miles
Suspension 18 complaints (8%) · typically ~14,000 miles

Mileage when trouble shows up

Among the 156 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 47,500 miles. Half of those reports fall between 14,480 and 83,325 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.

Recalls (2)

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 05V329000 2005

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.

WHEELS 05V232000 2005

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.…

Federal defect investigations

STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT BINDING EA08017 opened 2008, closed 2009
STEERING BINDING PE08033 opened 2008, closed 2008
THROTTLE CABLE BINDING PE04067 opened 2004, closed 2005

Led to recall campaign 05V013000.

Technical service bulletins

18 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on electrical and engine — are on file for the 2004 Kia Sedona. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.

See the 2004 Sedona TSB list →

Complaint history for this model year

When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.

2004peak 75 in 20052021

Questions buyers ask

Is the 2004 Kia Sedona reliable?

The 2004 Kia Sedona drew 226 complaints in federal safety records — a below-average year for this model. Its trouble index is 47/100, scored against the model's worst year (2006).

What are the most common 2004 Kia Sedona problems?

The top reported problems for the 2004 Kia Sedona are wheels & tires (38 complaints), brakes & stability (35), and engine (29).

At what mileage do 2004 Kia Sedona problems show up?

Owners most often report 2004 Kia Sedona problems around 47,500 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 14,480 and 83,325 miles.

Does the 2004 Kia Sedona have recalls?

2 recall campaigns apply to the 2004 Kia Sedona. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.

← 2003 Sedona All Sedona years 2005 Sedona →
Data updated 2026-08-20 from NHTSA's public records

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.