2003 Kia Sedona EX Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 21%of 34 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 49,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2003 Kia Sedona EX, 21% of the 34 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 49,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The icv valve clip in my 2003 Kia sedona came loose and damaged the engine. Kia recalled the same clip in all sorentos from 2003-2005. My vehicle as less than 70,000 miles. The engine made a loud noise and stalled as I was driving. Luckily I was able to pull over and not cause an accident. Kia does not believe this is a serious issue.”
NHTSA complaint #10342082, filed 2010-07, 67,000 miles“We first got our (used) Kia sedona oct. Of 2007. It had about 45,000 miles on it when we got it- and now it has about 74,000. 2 months into having it the check engine light would come on whenever the temperature dropped below 20 degrees(f). The check engine light would usually go off by the next day if it was warmer out or would stay on for up to 3 days if it was very cold) it started to buck a lot (about 6 months into having it) and we brought it to the shop and had the spark plugs, wires, boots, and coils replaced. …”
NHTSA complaint #10269907, filed 2009-05, 49,000 miles“2003 Kia sedona which we bought brand new has had a problem almost since we purchased it, initially with running rough, then transmission into stalling, or loss of power and almost stalling, when accelerating onto a highway or other main thoroughfare where rapid acceleration is required for safe entry. We have brought the vehicle back to the dealership at which we purchased it numerous times. Either they could not find the problem, or they made repairs which did not correct the problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #10170183, filed 2006-10, 5,000 miles“I was driving my Kia sedona 2003 ex one day and someone yelled at me that it was on fire. I immediately stopped and the fire came up through the windshield, also the bottom of the vehicle where the panel is. I proceeded to inform the dealer, because I had purchased it used on october 19, 2007 and this happened on march 10, 2008. The only reason why the dealer pretended to deal with it was because I had informed the dealer within less than a month of purchasing it of some details that needed attention, but they had kept putting it off. …”
NHTSA complaint #10250930, filed 2008-12, 79,100 miles“This van has been a problem ever since I bought it. This is the 3rd time the brakes have been replaced, the cd player doesn't work any more. The alternator with out at 40,000 miles. The fuses inside keep blowing. The air controller in the back in falling out of the ceiling. I had to leave it with the dealership for over a week so that they could find the hesitation problem it was having when pulling out into traffic. It turned out to be the distributor cable, this was at about 17,000 miles and that was also the miles at the 2nd brakes job. …”
NHTSA complaint #10162967, filed 2006-07, 17,000 milesEngine cooling: other model years
Other parts of the 2003 Kia Sedona EX
9 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsSteering
5 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsSuspension
3 complaintsWheels
3 complaintsAir bags
2 complaintsEngine
2 complaintsEquipment
2 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
2 complaintsSeats
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Kia Sedona EX
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology