Recalls


CampaignManufacturerManufacturing dateType# of units affectedDate Owner notified MfgRecall Initiated byManufacturers of recalled vehicles/productsReport Recieved DateRecord Creation DateRegulation Part NumberFMVSS Number
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR - ANTILOCK - CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
03V158000KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.from 11/27/2002 to 03/10/2003V (Vehicle)337505/19/2003MFRHYUNDAI-KIA AMERICA TECHNICAL CENTER INC04/25/200304/30/2003
Defect SummaryOn certain passenger vehicles, there was a programming error in the anti-lock braking system (abs) electronic control module logic. the programming error could cause reduced braking force at speeds below 25 mph, which could result in increased stopping distances.
Consequence SummarySuch increased stopping distances could result in a crash.
Corrective SummaryDealers will reprogram the control module. owner notification began may 19, 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.
NotesKia recall no. sc032. customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration

Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - ANTILOCK - CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
03205/01/200310001684Recall campaign to reprogram the anti-lock brake system (abs) control module. *tt06/19/2003

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
10/20/200312312402/04/2003
 When braking at speeds over 45 mph the vehicle shutters and vibrates. felt like the rotor is warped, but the vehicle only has 12,000 miles. *la
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR - ANTILOCK
04/01/200796283902/02/2007
 Tl*the contact owns a 2003 kia sedona. while driving 25 mph, the vehicle failed to brake at a safe distance. the vehicle was taken to the dealer several times to replace the brake pads and the rotor. the dealer stated that the contact is driving the vehicle improperly and causing the brakes to wear out. the contact stated that the air bag indicator does not appear on the dashboard. the current mileage is 100,000 and failure mileage was 96,283.
36001
 Consumer complained about a brake problem. manufacturer issued a recall, but dealership was unaware of the recall and continued to sell these vehicles. *ak
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR - ANTILOCK - CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
01/03/200772291309/15/2003
 Tl*the contact owns a 2003 kia sedona. she received a recall notice for the wheel bearings, brake lights, and the vehicle speed control. the dealer refused to honor her recall notice since the vin was not included. the contact provided the dealer with copies of the recall notice with her vehicle information listed and they declined to repair the recall. the manufacturer admitted that her vehicle is included in the recalls based upon the vin. the contact returned to the dealer; however, they did not honor the recall after confirming that she received approval from the manufacturer. she is currently responsible to assume the cost for repairs related to the recalls. the failure and current mileages were 79,291. the nhtsa campaign id number(s) are: 03v158000 , 05v013000 , 05v232000.
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR - DISC - ROTOR
09/16/2004402951104/23/2003
 I've had many problems with my 2003 kia sedona. the emergency brake has never been right. the brakes were replaced at 13k miles, again at 24k miles (front & back) and i'm sure they need to be replaced again at 40k miles. at 22k miles i took the van to the shop for brakes only to be told that both wheel bearings, the left strut (they refused to replace both struts since it was warranty but if i was paying for the repairs they would recomend replacing in pairs) and the power steering pump was going out (which the manager said he was doing me a favor by telling me about). i have also complained of the a/c taking forever to cool down, had a sensor replaced for the gas tank after the check engine light came on and service to the drivers seatbelt. then yesterday during a storm i went through a puddle about 4 or 5 inches deep which splashed water on my van for a couple of seconds and about 50 feet down the road the van died and could not be restarted. upon having it towed to the kia dealer i was told that my airfilter had gotten wet and that there was dish soap in my airfilter which would be considered customer damage and not covered by warranty. i also complained about more noises coming from the front and a grinding noise when i begin acceleration in low gears. they requested i make an appointment for service on those issues. in addition, i purchased this vehicle on 4/23/03, when i tried to file a complaint about my service on the wheel bearing, etc with kia they had no record of me ever purchasing this van. apparently in their minds my van was sold to someone else on 2/27/03. this means if there is ever a recal or service notice sent out i would not receive them. in addition they had my warranty expiration date set at 2/27/03. i spoke with several people concerning this issue and was assured that this would immediately be corrected, however yesterday when i called for assistance i was told that the van was still listed as being sold to another person. *ak
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR - DRUM - SHOES/LININGS
09/16/2004402951104/23/2003
 I've had many problems with my 2003 kia sedona. the emergency brake has never been right. the brakes were replaced at 13k miles, again at 24k miles (front & back) and i'm sure they need to be replaced again at 40k miles. at 22k miles i took the van to the shop for brakes only to be told that both wheel bearings, the left strut (they refused to replace both struts since it was warranty but if i was paying for the repairs they would recomend replacing in pairs) and the power steering pump was going out (which the manager said he was doing me a favor by telling me about). i have also complained of the a/c taking forever to cool down, had a sensor replaced for the gas tank after the check engine light came on and service to the drivers seatbelt. then yesterday during a storm i went through a puddle about 4 or 5 inches deep which splashed water on my van for a couple of seconds and about 50 feet down the road the van died and could not be restarted. upon having it towed to the kia dealer i was told that my airfilter had gotten wet and that there was dish soap in my airfilter which would be considered customer damage and not covered by warranty. i also complained about more noises coming from the front and a grinding noise when i begin acceleration in low gears. they requested i make an appointment for service on those issues. in addition, i purchased this vehicle on 4/23/03, when i tried to file a complaint about my service on the wheel bearing, etc with kia they had no record of me ever purchasing this van. apparently in their minds my van was sold to someone else on 2/27/03. this means if there is ever a recal or service notice sent out i would not receive them. in addition they had my warranty expiration date set at 2/27/03. i spoke with several people concerning this issue and was assured that this would immediately be corrected, however yesterday when i called for assistance i was told that the van was still listed as being sold to another person. *ak
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
04/17/2009700001
 Hoses, lines corroded leaking coolant all over the garage and car overheating only 4 years old. break lines in rear very corroded and ready to fail. replace asap, mechanic says. *tr
10/22/20081
 I have a 2003 kia sedona and i have had nothing but issues. anywhere from having to replace the alternator, which i will say was a pain in the butt...to major issues with the brakes. from reading many different sites this is not an uncommon issue!!!!!!!!!!!! it is just so frustrating that you purchase a van because they say it is great then you get this piece of junk. the sad thing is most people who own these are young couples with children and can not afford the repairs but have to pay for them and we are stuck with theses trash boxes because we have children and can not afford to go out and trade it in, lose our butts because they are not worth the money we owe on them. i can not afford to keep fixing this heap of junk but i am stuck with it. i hope that something gets done with these...they are worthless and my children are paying for it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i have not had a vehicle so bad in my life...i am tired of replacing the brakes, routers, and now the calipers!!!!!!!!!!!!!*tr
08/13/200534000206/23/2003
 Car has been huge headache bought new in 2003 has been towed twice for leaking coolant lines that rusted out. last time was on vacation kia has not returned on phone call or e-mail as it cost me 300 dollars and car is under bumper to bumper warranty has 34k miles . drivers door handle broke and airbag light was on fixed by dealer. one brake pad lining fell off at 25k miles replaced myself. most important we had a rear tire blow out at 60 mph in three lanes of traffic. tire shredded apart with 28k miles and was new york inspected 2 months earlier. other back tire bubbled out on one side and made the car shudder. replaced tires myself but please investigate this car now i am really worried after reading about the airbags not deploying. *jb
07/23/2003230606/11/2003
 Dt*: the contact stated that the vehicle experienced continuous brake problems. the vehicle was taken to the dealer numerous times who repaired or replaced the brakes and rotors every time problems reoccurred. the dealer determined that the problems were due to normal wear and tear although the vehicle's problems occurred 2 months after the vehicle was purchased. the manufacturer was contacted and would not state the cause of the problem. the contact believes that the problems are a manufacturer defect.
01/01/19013
 2003 kia sedona developed problems with the brake equipment.*mr the consumer noticed loud noises and brake pedal fade when the brakes were applied. the vehicle was taken to the dealer on three different occasions but each time the problem persisted. *nm
10/07/200412000207/01/2003
 When applying the brakes from low speeds, the pedal intermittently went to the floor. as a result extended stopping distance occurred. *jb kia replaced the brakes and the consumer had not experienced a brake problem since. *sc
01/13/2004380001
 While driving 45 mph brakes failed. *ak
09/11/20031
 While driving at 55 mph there was a loud noise, like a motorcycle, coming from right brake on passenger's side. dealer had inspected vehicle and could not duplicate or correct the problem. *ak
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - ANTILOCK
04/01/20051
 2003 kia sedona has problems with abs system, stalling and abs light flashing on the dashboard.***no answer required***. *mr the abs light flashed when it rained on when the roads were wet. the dealer was unable to duplicate the consumers concerns. *jb
10/09/20041
 While driving 45 mph, the consumer applied the brake pedal, but the brakes failed. this caused the consumer to collided with the vehicle in front of his. the occupants in all three vehicles sustained minor injuries and were transported to the hospital. both frontal air bags failed to deploy. the vehicle was towed to a garage for inspection. please provide further details. *jb
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - ANTILOCK - CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
11/12/2003106/25/2003
 Brakes failed in an accident and the air bag did not deploy. *bf when the consumer attempted to apply the brakes because the vehicle in front of him was a t a stop, the brakes locked up and the vehicle went into a skid. the consumer received the vehicle back and was told there was nothing wrong with the brakes, however over the next few months he continued to experience brake problems every so often. the dealer kept the vehicle for a few days and they replaced the wheel cylinder and the rotors which were warped. the consumer then received a recall notice regarding the brakes and took the vehicle back to the dealer who stated it would take a few hours to fix. since the recall repair was complete the consumer has not experienced anymore brake problems. *jb
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC
5001
 When brakes are applied at 55 mph vehicle shutters and souds like brakes are under a lot of pressure. *ak
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC - ROTOR
07/23/2003230606/11/2003
 Dt*: the contact stated that the vehicle experienced continuous brake problems. the vehicle was taken to the dealer numerous times who repaired or replaced the brakes and rotors every time problems reoccurred. the dealer determined that the problems were due to normal wear and tear although the vehicle's problems occurred 2 months after the vehicle was purchased. the manufacturer was contacted and would not state the cause of the problem. the contact believes that the problems are a manufacturer defect.
08/14/2004
 We've had many problems w/ kia sedona. the biggest has been brakes/rotors. we noticed a loud grinding noise & vibration not even a year after we got it, especially when going downhill. contacted dealer & they replaced the rotors at 13,000 miles. not even 4,000 miles later they were back in the same condition. took the van to a brake service center (not the dealer) to have the brake pads changed & was told the rotors were warped. i explained to the man what we had been through & he felt strongly that it was a defect. contacted our dealer again and took the van in. was not even there 10 minutes, they did not want to hear it! would not do anything for us! so far, we are told we can only purchase rotors directly from the manuf. & so far, the rotors that have been on this van from the manuf. have not been good! i've talked to several other kia sedona owners & they have expressed the same problem with their vehicle!! we are sorry for trying a kia! the airbag light came on approx. 3 wks ago and stays on all the time that the van is on! i took it in for service and was told there's a defect in the passenger side seat belt buckle but they had none in stock so had to order it. was told that the airbag probably would not deploy if we're in an accident but they did not seem to mind letting us drive around like that for an undetermined amount of time. said they would send a card in the mail when they get the part in! the passenger's side window started not working! about every other day it would just stop! i told the service dept about this at the same time i took the van in for the airbag light & was told, well its not doing it right now so we can't do anything about it! the window is still giving us problems but about every day now instead of every other! we've tried to trade this vehicle in a few times & we can only get about half of what we owe on it! we were even told about a week ago that there are major problems with the clearcoat on it!
04/22/200310001
 While driving at any speed consumer felt severe vibration in the steering wheel and the brake pedal. dealer claimed that the brake rotors overheated, causing them to warp.*ak
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DRUM
12/25/200913000
 Tl* the contact owns a 2003 kia sedona. while driving approximately 20 mph the left rear wheel separated from the vehicle. he was able to pull over on the side of the road. the vehicle was towed to the garage. the manufacturer did not take a report. the estimated cost for the repair was $400.00. the wheel bearing seals, break drum, and mountain plate might need to be repaired. the failure and current mileages were 130,000.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
04/02/20034681
 Air in the brake line caused the brakes to fail without warning. the lines were serviced but the problem recurred. *nlm
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - PEDALS AND LINKAGES
01/26/20051
 The accelerator pedal and brake pedal are leveled too close together, causing the driver to hit both pedals at the same. time, making it difficult to control the speed of the vehicle. *ak the consumer stated that the harder she pressed on the brake the higher the engine revved up. *tc