2005 Kia Sedona Problems, Recalls & Reliability
272 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2005 Kia Sedona, alongside 2 recall campaigns and 0 defect investigations. It scores 65/100 on the trouble index — one of the years to avoid for this model. Brakes & stability leads the reports, typically around 8,500 miles.
Avoid this year if you can. The 2005 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 2005 sits among all Sedona years
What owners report
“Brakes constantly squeak after new brakes and pads on. Electric windows passagener and driver side not workin”— owner report to NHTSA, 2005 Sedona
“Stalls with no warning all speeds all weather conditions..engine hot or cold..starts right back up..very dangerous”— owner report to NHTSA, 2005 Sedona
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 194 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 20,934 miles. Half of those reports fall between 6,000 and 89,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (2)
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.…
Technical service bulletins
22 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on engine and electrical — are on file for the 2005 Kia Sedona. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
See the 2005 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 2005 Kia Sedona reliable?
The 2005 Kia Sedona drew 272 complaints in federal safety records — one of the years to avoid for this model. Its trouble index is 65/100, scored against the model's worst year (2006).
What are the most common 2005 Kia Sedona problems?
The top reported problems for the 2005 Kia Sedona are brakes & stability (94 complaints), engine (27), and wheels & tires (24).
At what mileage do 2005 Kia Sedona problems show up?
Owners most often report 2005 Kia Sedona problems around 20,934 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 6,000 and 89,000 miles.
Does the 2005 Kia Sedona have recalls?
2 recall campaigns apply to the 2005 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.