2002 Kia Sedona recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
3 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Seat belts
What's wrong, in plain English: Seat belts may not hold you in a crash. CERTAIN MINI VANS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." THE SECOND AND THIRD SEAT BELT BUCKLE ANCHOR BOLTS DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE STANDARDS.
What could happen: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE ANCHOR BOLTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 24, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2002 SEDONA.
- Book a repair at any authorized Kia dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 03V017000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-333-4542.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
Summary: CERTAIN MINI VANS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." THE SECOND AND THIRD SEAT BELT BUCKLE ANCHOR BOLTS DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE STANDARDS.
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE ANCHOR BOLTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 24, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
Notes: KIA'S RECALL NUMBER IS SC023. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
2. Vehicle Speed Control
What's wrong, in plain English: A vehicle part that may fail. ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, DURING ASSEMBLY, THE THROTTLE CABLE WOULD TWIST ITSELF OUT OF POSITION.
What could happen: THIS CAN PERMIT THE CABLE TO BE HUNG UP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE THROTTLE CABLE FREE OF CHARGE. VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM MARCH 20, 2001 THROUGH NOVEMBER 7, 2001 WILL HAVE A GUIDE CLIP INSTALLED ON THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT THE TENSION FORCE CABLE DOES NOT MOVE OUT OF POSITION. VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BEGINNING ON NOVEMBER 8, 2001, AL…
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2002 SEDONA.
- Book a repair at any authorized Kia dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 05V013000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-333-4542.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES
Summary: ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, DURING ASSEMBLY, THE THROTTLE CABLE WOULD TWIST ITSELF OUT OF POSITION.
Consequence: THIS CAN PERMIT THE CABLE TO BE HUNG UP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE THROTTLE CABLE FREE OF CHARGE. VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM MARCH 20, 2001 THROUGH NOVEMBER 7, 2001 WILL HAVE A GUIDE CLIP INSTALLED ON THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT THE TENSION FORCE CABLE DOES NOT MOVE OUT OF POSITION. VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BEGINNING ON NOVEMBER 8, 2001, ALREADY HAVE THE EXTENDED GUIDE, WHICH ACCOMPLISHES THE SAME OBJECTIVE. THE RECALL BEGAN MARCH 21, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
Notes: RECALL NO. SC042. CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
3. Seats
What's wrong, in plain English: Seat frames, adjusters or child-seat anchors. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, SOME OF THE SECOND AND THIRD ROW SEAT STRIKERS INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE FLOOR PAN HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND COULD BREAK IN A CRASH.
What could happen: THIS COULD RESULT IN INJURIES TO OCCUPANTS OF THESE SEATS.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT STRIKERS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 25, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2002 SEDONA.
- Book a repair at any authorized Kia dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 03V135000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-333-4542.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY
Summary: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, SOME OF THE SECOND AND THIRD ROW SEAT STRIKERS INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE FLOOR PAN HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND COULD BREAK IN A CRASH.
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN INJURIES TO OCCUPANTS OF THESE SEATS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT STRIKERS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 25, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542
Notes: KIA RECALL NO. SC030. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 2002 Kia Sedona owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Electrical system (63), Engine (37), Brakes (34), Seat belts (33), Hydraulic (29).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
11/02/2017 · Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SEDONA EX. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT TIGHTENED AND WOULD NOT RETRACT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. NEITHE…
08/21/2017 · Body / structure
THE DOOR HANDLES ARE PLASTIC AND EVENTUALLY BROKE OFF ON THE OUTSIDE SO THAT OPENING THE DOORS -ALL 4- IS TRICKY SINCE ONLY ONE SIDE OF THE HANDLE REMAINS IN PLACE. THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLES HAVE A PLASTIC CHROME-LOOKING COATING THAT PEELS OFF AND HAS CUT OUR HANDS SEVERAL TIMES CAUSING US TO NEED BANDAGES AS SOON AS WE RUN IN THE FRONT DOOR.
08/09/2017 · Airbags · crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 KIA SEDONA EX. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. ALL THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE POLICE ARRIVED AT THE SCENE, BUT A REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK, LOWER BACK, LEFT SHO…
03/17/2017 · Body / structure
DRIVER DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE.
12/04/2016 · Fuel system
IT IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO PUMP GAS INTO THE VAN. THE PUMP KEEPS SHUTTING OFF NO MATTER HOW SLOW I PUMP OR HOW FAR I PUT THE NOZZLE INTO THE TANK.
05/03/2016 · Electrical system · fire
I WAS DRIVING NO LESS THEN THAN BLOCK FROM MY HOUSE - WHEN I NOTICE SMOKE FROM THE DRIVER SIDE FUSE PANEL AND NEXT THING YOU KNOW THE WHOLE PANEL BECAME ENGULF IN FLAMES. I CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND ABLE TO PUT FIRE OUT- BUT UNFORTUNATELY, THE CAR BECOME TOTAL IN THE DAMAGE.
04/09/2016 · Transmission / drivetrain
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND WHEN YOU BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN THE TRANSMISSION DOWN SHIFTS FASTER THEN IT SHOULD AND ON SNOW COVERED ROAD THE FRONT STARTS TO SLIDE WHEN IT DOES THIS AND WHEN IT SHIFTS BACK UP IT VIBRATES OTHER THEN THAT ITS FINE ANY IDEA WHAT THE PROBLEM COULD
01/25/2016 · Electrical system · fire
THE VAN WAS ON FIRE IN MY YARD. ONLY THE FRONT DRIVERS FRONT SIDE CAUGHT FIRE. WHEN I FOUND IT IT WAS BLASING OUT OF THE DOOR AND WINDSHIELD. I GOT THE HOSE PIPE AN UNHOOKED THE BATTERY TO PUT THE FIRE OUT. IT MELTED THE WHOLE DASHBOARD ALL THE WAY TO THE RADIO STEERING WHEEL WINDSHIELD ONLY ON DRIVERS SIDE ALL DAMAGE WAS AT FRONT DRIVERS FRONT SIDE.I DIDN'…