2002 Kia Sedona Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2002 Sedona most often describe electrical troubles — batteries going dead, flickering lights and alternator failures — along with brake vibration and seat-belt or airbag warning-light faults. Many reports come in at relatively low mileage, and a recurring theme is that dealers could not reproduce or permanently resolve the symptoms.

1. 1
   Electrical system

   Battery drains, flickering lights and alternator failure

   • 56 complaints (28%)
   • median 55,000 mi at 3.9 yrs old (36 state mileage)
   • 11 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2002–2016

   Complaints describe batteries that go flat overnight or after short parking periods, requiring repeated jump starts, and dash, interior and exterior lights that flicker or dim while driving. Several owners say the alternator failed and took other electrical components with it, and some report the radio, door locks or instrument cluster behaving erratically. According to the complaints, dealers replaced batteries, radios, relays and wiring harnesses, and in several cases said they could not pinpoint the drain. Reported from a few hundred miles up to roughly 100,000 miles, with several cases under 35,000 miles and some owners noting trouble in hot weather.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the battery and alternator have been replaced and have the charging system load-tested, including a check for parasitic drain with everything switched off. Look for flickering dash or exterior lights on the test drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “2002 Sedona was repaired 2 times with less then 200 miles on it for battery draining- claim was it was the radio didn't shut off with the car. Then last month with 59.000 miles on it I complained of the car hesitating and lights flickering, airbag light came on for no reason, claim to repair was tune-up- 1700.00 and two months later my battery went on fire with 5 people in it, 3 children and one is carried out handicapped. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10132572, filed 2005-08, 210 miles

   “We purchased the 2002 Kia Sedona yesterday 12-28-03. We drove the car for about 45 minutes today, stopped for dinner at a fast food restaurant and then drove again for about 10 minutes when while driving the vehicle, the battery and brake warning lights flashed on and off a few times, then stayed on. When the brake pedal was depressed, the radio shut off and would not come back on. Then the seatbelt warning light came on and the dash lights, exterior and interior lights dimmed. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10051291, filed 2003-12, 47,857 miles
2. 2
   Air bags

   Airbag light on, seat-belt buckle sensor faults

   • 22 complaints (11%)
   • median 81,350 mi at 5.2 yrs old (14 state mileage)
   • 7 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2002–2015

   Complaints describe the airbag warning light coming on and staying lit, with dealers tracing it to a failed front seat-belt buckle sensor. Owners say parts were back-ordered and the same fault returned after repair, and some were told the airbags would not deploy while the light was on. Other reports describe airbags that did not deploy in a collision or that deployed without an impact. Mostly reported between about 34,000 and 100,000 miles.

   Recall 03V017000Recall 03V135000

   What to check: Confirm the airbag light comes on with the ignition and goes out after startup, and ask whether the seat-belt buckle sensors or airbag system have been serviced. Check that any open seat-belt or seat recall work was completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Airbag light was illuminating intermittently - took to dealership for diagnostic in 2010. Kia dealership in turnersville said that light illuminating was normal and no issue. I recently had timing chain replaced by same dealership - different tech. This time they said that the light meant the airbags would not deploy in an accident! They said repairs would not be covered! I am furious.”

   NHTSA complaint #10483838, filed 2012-11, 90,000 miles

   “Driving home and a deer jumped out in front of my van and I hit the deer and totaled my van bad where the air bags should of went off but it didn't now there's a light on the dash that looks like a guy sitting in a seat with a belt on and an air bag in front of it.”

   NHTSA complaint #10553509, filed 2013-11, 187,376 miles
3. 3
   Engine cooling

   Stalling, rough running and check-engine light

   • 36 complaints (18%)
   • median 28,000 mi at 2.6 yrs old (23 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2002–2013

   Complaints describe the engine dying when coming to a stop or while driving at highway speed, sometimes with a check-engine light that goes out before the dealer can read it. Owners mention repeated tune-ups, coil and sensor replacements and long waits for diagnosis, with the problem returning afterward. Some also report coolant smells through the vents and heater or coolant pipe corrosion. Spread from under 10,000 miles to about 100,000 miles, with several reports under 30,000 miles.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask for records of tune-ups, ignition coil and sensor replacements, and check whether the heater coolant pipe bulletin was applied. Watch for a check-engine light during the test drive and look for coolant residue or a sweet smell under the hood.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving on highway with heat on, the air stopped blowing into the car from the vents even though we could hear the blower motor running. This started october 4, 2003 and still has not been fixed as of june 2004.even though we have had the car in the repair shop 11 times. We have been placed in very dangerous situations because of this. During the winter, when the blower would quit, the windows would fog up or freeze up immediately. We couldn't even see to get the car off the road. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10078451, filed 2004-06, 26,000 miles

   “Strong antifreeze smell when using the AC on hot days. Transmission shifts violently from 1-2 and occasionally into reverse. Dealer has attempted to correct several times. Sliding doors have had alignment problems and bearing failure several times also. (currently fixed).”

   NHTSA complaint #10021018, filed 2003-06, 3,000 miles
4. 4
   Vehicle speed control

   Unexpected acceleration or surging at low speed

   • 21 complaints (11%)
   • median 37,137 mi at 3.2 yrs old (14 state mileage)
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2002–2010

   Owners report the van surging forward or accelerating on its own at stop signs, intersections and parking speeds, sometimes with the brake applied. Some describe the engine stalling or idling low and then lunging, and a few mention the accelerator becoming unresponsive at certain engine speeds. Complaints say dealers replaced wiring harnesses, spark plugs and throttle-related parts, and some repairs did not stop the symptom. Reported from a few thousand miles up to about 65,000 miles, often at low speed or while stopping.

   Recall 05V0130001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the throttle cable recall work was performed and whether any throttle-position sensor or engine-control software updates were applied. During the test drive, check that idle is steady and the van does not lunge when creeping or stopping.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My 2002 Kia Sedona has approximately 54000 miles. At approx 34000 miles, we encountered a very serious safety problem with the vehicle surging forward at stop signs, red lights, and busy intersections. It was as if were sitting at a stop sign w/ one foot on break and a ghost was stomping on the accelarater. Kia changed out the wiring harness and this seemed to fix the problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #10106033, filed 2005-01, 34,000 miles

   “- the contact stated that while driving the 2002 Kia sedonna with 37275 failure mileage at any rate of speed the vehicle accelerated while braking. This failure happened four times. The vehicle has been to the dealer three times, but the problem still persisted. Recall 05v013000 was issued for vehicle speed control: cables. Repairs had been performed twice on the vehicle, but the acceleration while braking still persisted. The current mileage was 37,292.”

   NHTSA complaint #10185945, filed 2007-03, 37,275 miles
5. 5
   Brakes

   Brake vibration and repeated rotor wear

   • 10 complaints (5%)
   • median 25,000 mi at 2.9 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2002–2006

   Owners describe the front end shaking or the pedal and steering wheel pulsating when braking from highway speeds, often returning after rotors were resurfaced or replaced. Complaints mention rotors found warped or heat-spotted at low mileage, and repeat repairs within 20,000 miles. Dealers reportedly resurfaced rotors, replaced pads and rotors, and in some cases attributed the vibration to driving style. Often reported between about 10,000 and 50,000 miles, typically when braking from 40 mph or above.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Test braking firmly from highway speed and feel for pulsation through the pedal and steering wheel. Ask for service records showing when rotors and pads were last replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I own a 2002 Kia Sedona. Yesterday I took it in to the dealer for the 15th time due to a check engine light. I also asked them to check the brakes since they are pulsating when stopping, which is the fourth time for this specific problem. It has been just 19,000 miles since the last rotor and brake change. They told me that they had done a good will replacement of parts the last time I brought it in and that it will cost $700.00 to fix this time. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10126355, filed 2005-06, 55,000 miles

   “The incident started prior to this date. It started when my vehicle hit 10,000 miles. I heard a rumbling in the brakes and told my husband, he thought I was crazy-that brakes don't go at 10,000 miles, but sure enough they did. It was covered under Kia warranty, they said the rotors were warped and the brakes were shot. Now in april of 04 at about 22,000 miles same thing again. Kia said all 4 sets- front and reat needed replacement and it wouldn't be covered under warrant-normal wear and tear. They wanted to charge me $600.00. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10112695, filed 2005-03, 10,000 miles

Buying note. A pre-purchase inspection covering the charging system, brakes and airbag warning lights is worthwhile on this model year, and service records showing whether the throttle-cable and seat-belt recalls were completed help. Reports here center on recurring electrical and brake faults rather than a single widespread failure.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.