2005 Kia Sedona Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 3%of 185 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 87,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2005 Kia Sedona, 3% of the 185 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 87,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, 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.
“While driving at approx 55mph on both a 2 lane hwy and the interstate hwy, the van would suddenly make a loud bang sound, jump, and the rpms would go up to over 4000 and sound like it was in 2nd gear. Eng light code said intake trans sensor, which I had replaced. Same problem happend 2 more times after that and still not fixed.will work for a while after shutting car off and restarting it but same problem happens after about 20 miles. Code still reads intake sensor problem each time. I tried using off brand sensors the first 2 times and an authentic Kia sensor the 3rd time. …”
NHTSA complaint #11152197, filed 2018-11, 185,000 miles“I was driving down the road when the clear road turned into black ice going around a corner, I then got pulled into snow and then side swiped a telephone pole that sent me into a boulder bigger than my car. The impact was at 30mph and the air bags were supposed to deploy between 7 and 10mph. My head when into the windshield 2 times and bounced off the steering wheel. My wife slammed her head off the dash and my daughter had a seatbelt bruise. The air bags never deployed and Kia has a so called fix for the airbags but its still not out or recalled yet. …”
NHTSA complaint #10521600, filed 2013-06, 90,000 miles“Consumer 2005 Sedona would not move forward or backward. Mechanic determined that it was the brakes. The consuemr believes the problem is with the transmission.”
NHTSA complaint #10174318, filed 2006-11, 25,000 miles“The contact owns a 2005 Kia Sedona. While driving approximately 45 MPH on normal road conditions; there was a loud noise when pressure was applied to the accelerator pedal. Suddenly, there was no power. The contact was able to drive to the emergency lane; however, reverse was the only functional gear. The driver was able to drive cautiously in reverse cautiously to a nearby residence. The vehicle has not been repaired. The contact had concerns of the safety risk involved. The VIN was unavailable. The failure and current mileages were 85,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10282459, filed 2009-08, 85,000 miles“2005 Kia Sedona lx purchased new from dealer on 3-10-05. On 3/24/05, took van in for initial oil change and asked them to check brakes as well because of excessive noise, grinding, and a pulsating when using brakes. Mileage was 2890. When technician checked brakes, the rotors were found to be warped, so they were resurfaced. On 9/17/05, took van back in for grinding noises as well as transmission slippage. Mileage was 7781. According to the technician, no fault was found with braking system and noised was blamed on high humidity. No fault found on transmission either. …”
NHTSA complaint #10170434, filed 2006-10Related service bulletins
- 10091489Dec 6, 2013Tsb: automatic transmission fluid application guide - this bulletin provides information relating to the correct automatic transmission fluids that are required for each kia…
- 10021561Jan 1, 2007Automatic transmission adaptive value reset/relearn.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2 | 10% |
| 2019 | 4 | 10% |
| 2018 | 3 | 6% |
| 2017 | 4 | 3% |
| 2016 | 13 | 4% |
| 2015 | 4 | 3% |
| 2014 | 2 | 5% |
| 2012 | 8 | 7% |
| 2011 | 3 | 5% |
| 2010 | 3 | 9% |
| 2009 | 2 | 4% |
| 2008 | 4 | 2% |
| 2007 | 8 | 5% |
| 2006 | 24 | 6% |
| 2005 | 5 | 3% |
| 2004 | 7 | 4% |
| 2003 | 3 | 2% |
| 2002 | 17 | 9% |
Other parts of the 2005 Kia Sedona
81 complaintsElectrical system
22 complaintsAir bags
16 complaintsEngine cooling
16 complaintsSteering
14 complaintsSuspension
14 complaintsWheels
13 complaintsEngine
11 complaintsTires
11 complaintsVehicle speed control
11 complaintsOther or unknown
9 complaintsEquipment
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 Kia Sedona
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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