2005 Kia Sedona Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe brake problems, especially front rotor warping, pulsation and repeated brake jobs at very low mileage, with many complaints filed in the first few thousand miles. Electrical faults, steering and suspension complaints and early tire wear also appear, usually at moderate mileage, and a smaller group of complaints describes stalling, unintended acceleration and non-deploying airbags at higher mileage. The sample shows these reports spread over a wide range of years and odometer readings rather than one single period.

1. 1
   Brakes

   Repeated brake rotor warping and pedal pulsation

   • 61 complaints (33%)
   • median 8,882 mi at 1.7 yrs old (49 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2005–2017

   Complaints describe a shaking or pulsing through the brake pedal and steering wheel when braking, sometimes with grinding or squealing, and often returning within a few thousand miles of new rotors or pads. Several owners say the front rotors were turned or replaced more than once, and some report dealers attributing it to driving habits or to the vehicle's weight, while others were told the rotor warping was known. In a number of complaints owners say no repair has resolved the vibration. Mostly reported at very low mileage, frequently under 20,000 miles and sometimes within the first few thousand miles, and often noted when braking downhill or from highway speed.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Brake firmly at highway speed and downhill to feel for pulsation, and ask for service records showing how often rotors and pads were replaced. Check the front rotors for scoring or recent resurfacing.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Front brakes and rotors on the 2005 Kia Sedona. The rotors are overheating with normal driving and had to be resurfaced at 15000 miles. The brake pads had to be replaced at 23000. The rotor had to be replaced at 34000. Kia manager told me there is a problem with the 2005 Kia Sedona brake system and suggested that I make a complaint to NHTSA.”

   NHTSA complaint #10195346, filed 2007-07, 34,000 miles

   “I have a 2005 Kia Sedona van with less than 34,000 miles. I have been pulsating problem in what I thought was my brakes but now know that it is the rotors on my van. When driving especially on the highway when I apply my brakes the shaking and pulsation makes me think I will not be able to stop. After doing some research on the internet I find that many Sedona owners have had the same problems. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10278614, filed 2009-07, 25,000 miles
2. 2
   Brakes

   Brakes slow to stop or not holding the vehicle

   Mentioned in 9 of 60 sampled complaints

   Some complaints describe the pedal going low or to the floor, longer stopping distance than expected, or the van continuing to roll with the pedal pressed hard. A few owners report ABS module or master cylinder replacement, and some say the problem returned after repairs; others report that a dealer could not find a fault. Reported across a wide mileage range, from a few thousand miles up to well over 100,000 miles, in normal road and wet or icy conditions.

   What to check: Ask whether the ABS module or master cylinder has been replaced and whether any brake hydraulic work was done. Test the pedal feel on a quiet road and check for a low or spongy pedal.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I own a 2005 Kia Sedona that I purchased new. I put the first set of brakes on it at 15,000 miles. It now has 52,000 and I'm going to have to put the fifth set on. I contacted Kia directly and they told me their wasn't a recall but there was a brake system upgrade that I could purchase. I asked if they were aware of a brake problem and they said only in certain areas ,depending on the terrain. I am 32 years old and have never seen nothing like this and I have always lived here. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10240686, filed 2008-09, 15,000 miles

   “Took my 2005 Kia Sedona van in for the 7 time since 12/2004 to have brakes replaced. Spoke with the service techs and they say that Kia seems to have a problem with the front braking system on this vehicle, and is aware of the problem. The manufactor tells the service dept. To just keep replacing them. I am worried about the safety of my family when driving this vehicle. The dealership service department has replaced the braking system many times, but the Kia motors refuses to acknowledge the problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #10126026, filed 2005-06, 7,100 miles
3. 3
   Engine

   Stalling, rough running and check engine light

   • 44 complaints (24%)
   • median 87,200 mi at 9.2 yrs old (32 state mileage)
   • 8 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2005–2021

   Complaints describe the engine cutting out without warning at various speeds or while idling, sometimes restarting normally and sometimes recurring. Owners mention check engine light illumination and, in some cases, crankshaft or other sensor replacement; several say the cause was not confirmed. Related complaints mention the throttle sticking or engine speed rising on its own. Mostly reported above 85,000 miles, with a few at lower mileage, and often described as intermittent.

   Recall 05V3290002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask about any check engine light history and whether the throttle body or cables were serviced. A scan tool check for stored codes and a cold-start test drive can be useful.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My vehicle has been pulling to the right and to the left ever since I purchased it. It also accelerates on its own. It seems as if the gas pedal sticks from time to time. We are currently working with the bbb and manufacturer.there is no specific incident date.”

   NHTSA complaint #10168377, filed 2006-09, 100 miles

   “2005 Sedona check engine light illuminated, spark plugs were replaced. Consumer also experienced problems with the gear shift, throttle and brakes locked up. Previously responded on 12-15-06 by aae duplicate letter the master cylinder in the consumer vehicle had to be replaced. The part had been recalled (recall number 05v329000) but the dealer refused to replace it. The consumer requested reimbursement form the manufacturer.”

   NHTSA complaint #10177481, filed 2006-12, 21,866 miles
4. 4
   Suspension

   Early front tire wear and alignment that will not hold

   • 42 complaints (23%)
   • median 20,398 mi at 2.4 yrs old (31 state mileage)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2005–2018

   Owners describe front or rear tires wearing unevenly and needing replacement every few thousand miles despite repeated alignments and balancing. Several mention knocking or noise from the front struts at low speed and being told by dealers that no adjustment or aftermarket part was available. Reported from very low mileage upward, with several complaints filed under 20,000 miles.

   What to check: Inspect all four tires for uneven inner or outer wear and ask for alignment printouts. Check for clunking from the front suspension when pulling away from a stop.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “2nd complaint for the 2005 Kia Sedona - rear tire wear. Every set of tires I put on the vehicle need to be replaced in the back after 6 months due to extreme inside wear. Took the vehicle to a private repair shop and they stated there was no way to adjust and suggested taking to a dealer. I took it to a dealer and got the same response - plus no aftermarket part to put on it either. Of course it took me 3 months to get a response out of the dealer on the aftermarket question. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10280853, filed 2009-08, 10,000 miles

   “We have a 2005 Sedona which we love. It's been a great car for us. Unfortunately, we have had ongoing issues with it for some time now. Our main problem and concern right now is with the front end struts and or alignment. The noise and knocking at low speeds (especially when accelerating from a stand-still) is troublesome, but more troublesome is that we constantly need to replace the front tires. We are going on our 4th set of new tires (for the front alone) due to alignment issues. No balancing or alignment work has helped. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10557596, filed 2013-12, 70,250 miles

Buying note. Front brake work is the most common theme in owner reports for this model year, so service records for rotors and pads matter more than mileage alone. A thorough test drive that includes hard braking, parking-lot steering and a cold start will surface most of what owners describe here.

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.