Investigations
| NHTSA ID | Manufacturer | Date open | Date close | Subject | Recall campaign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STEERING | ||||||
| EA08017 | HYUNDAI-KIA AMERICA TECHNICAL CENTER INC | 08/28/2008 | 07/01/2009 | STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT BINDING | ||
| Odis analysis of warranty data shows that the alleged defect has occurred at a relatively high frequency in salt-belt states (5.9 percent).however, the tests conducted by odi and kia have shown that the alleged defect has a minimal effect on steering efforts.in addition, odi interviews of owners who experienced the alleged defect showed that in most cases the problem was preceded by months or years of noise or a gradual increase in steering efforts and was more of a nuisance concern. there has been one allegation of a minor crash related to the alleged defect, involving a my 2003 kia sedona with 59,900 miles.the vehicle had been checked twice in the previous nine months by a dealer for complaints of stiff steering and that the vehicle felt like it was intermittently losing power assist.the crash occurred as the driver was attempting to make a left turn while traveling at approximately 20 miles per hour and struck a vehicle parked on the right side of the street that the vehicle was turning into. the crash resulted in minor injuries to the driver. after the crash, it was determined that the intermediate shaft was exhibiting some binding of the steering intermediate shaft bearings.while the absence of additional crashes or injuries does not mean that there is not a safety-related defect, there have been no reported additional crashes caused by the alleged defect in the past three years. the release of the technical service bulletin should assist service personal in diagnosing this potential problem long before it becomes potentially dangerous.accordingly, this investigation is closed. the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by nhtsa that a safety-related defect does not exist. the agency will continue to monitor complaints and other information relating to the alleged defect in the subject vehicles and take further action in the future if warranted.for additional information regarding this engineering analysis refer to the ea08-017 closing report. | ||||||
| PE08033 | HYUNDAI-KIA AMERICA TECHNICAL CENTER INC | 04/28/2008 | 08/28/2008 | STEERING BINDING | ||
| On april 28, 2008, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened preliminary evaluation pe08-033 to investigate complaints alleging steering binding in model year 2002 through 2004 kia sedona minivans.kia's response to odi's request for information in pe08-033 indicated that concerns with binding of the steering intermediate shaft were first identified and investigated in august 2002, in vehicles sold in indonesia.this investigation resulted in the addition of a stiffening rib to the bearing cap seal.in june 2003, kia again investigated owner complaints of steering noise and higher than normal steering resistance and in october and november of 2003 design changes to the shaft universal joint bearings were made to improve lubricant retention and eliminate water intrusion that could lead to early bearing failure.according to kia, the alleged defect results in a progressive change in steering effort that should be apparent to the driver through noise and gradual changes in steering stiffness long before the condition could become dangerous. odi's analyses of complaint and warranty data relating to the alleged defect show that the condition is occurring at significantly higher rates in salt-belt states (note:for purposes of this investigation the salt belt includes connecticut, delaware, the district of columbia, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia and wisconsin).the warranty rate for replacement of the steering intermediate shaft is 5.5% for vehicles sold in the salt belt and 0.5% for the rest of the united states.the complaint rate for the alleged defect is 186.8 per 100,000 vehicles in the salt belt and 29.4 per 1000,000 vehicles for the rest of the united states.there is one allegation of a crash related to the alleged defect.a subject vehicle struck two parked cars while attempting to make a left turn, allegedly resulting in minor injuries to the driver. odi has upgraded this investigation to an engineering analysis (ea08-017) covering my 2002 through 2004 kia sedona vehicles sold or currently registered in salt belt states to assess the frequency and trend of the alleged defect and its effect on steering effort. | ||||||
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| STEERING | |||
| 05/31/2011 | 135000 | ||
| The steering started to become difficult while driving ,intermitently dangerous when you never knew it was gonna happen. eventually just stopped working all together ,i did alot of online research and found out this is a very common problem ,with the steering knuckle binding because of corrosion . all and all think the vehicle was very well thought out and alot of amenities are awesome in this vehicle ,why doesnt kia just offer a recall ,since they have already posted a bullitin for this? call the dealership and realize this part is always on back order come on kia man up | |||
| 02/01/2010 | 72000 | 1 | |
| We were hearing a grinding type noise when we were making a turn so we took our vehicle in to the dealership. they diagnosed it as a bad rack and pinion and are replacing it. i have been told by numerous people that this is not something that should be going out at 70,000 miles. as of right now, kia will not replace it for us. *tr | |||
| 11/06/2009 | 99990 | 1 | |
| I have a 2004 kia sedona mini-van. on the evening of november 6, 2009 the steering column essentially seized on me. the van became extremely difficult to control almost to the point where it was undriveable. there was no warning or previous indications. i was barely able to get the van to a shop on saturday, november 7, 2009 where the mechanic found that kia had issued a technical service bulletin for steering difficulties due to malfunctioning intermediate steering column. given the severe safety implications of this situation, i believe that kia should have issued a recall notice and should reimburse owners that have had the part replaced. *tr | |||
| 12/04/2008 | 70000 | 1 | |
| Steering binds wheel does not return from cornering/turning as it normally would. steering binding makes normal handling difficult. repair shop sprayed steering knuckle/joint with lubricant but after a 2 month period the steering is binding once again. this is a recurring issue and a safety hazard. *tr | |||
| 01/08/2008 | 65000 | 1 | |
| 2004 kia sedona ex. i have had the power steering pump replaced (under 60k mile warranty) because steering got tight and noisy. now 5 months later (and out of warranty) they tell me the steering knuckle (or universal - not very specific) needs replaced at a cost of $200. i took this to the dealer for warranty repair of the front heel bearings (100k warranty on these) and for evaluation of the dangerous steering. this van suddenly became very difficult to steer, and you actually have to un-steer when going around a bend. the wheel will stay in the position you steer it to and would run right off the road if you do not force it back to center. *tr | |||
| 12/18/2008 | 85000 | 1 | |
| My 2004 kia sedona with 85,000 miles lost steering. i was lucky i was not killed. repair shop states that the shaft broke, rack and pinion went and the clock spring went. it appears to be a defect. *tr | |||
| 10/22/2008 | 79618 | 1 | |
| Problem with the steering. popping and loud tight sometimes. concerned that it could be a safety hazard. *tr | |||
| STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST - PUMP | |||
| 06/01/2009 | 36000 | ||
| Tl*the contact owns a 2004 kia sedona ex. she had to exert great force while turning the steering wheel. the vehicle was taken to a local repair facility for inspection and the mechanic replaced the power steering pump, the rack and pinion, and the intermediate shaft. the manufacturer stated that they would not assume responsibility for the failure. the failure mileage was 36,000 and the current mileage was 41,000. | |||
| STEERING - RACK AND PINION | |||
| 06/01/2009 | 36000 | ||
| Tl*the contact owns a 2004 kia sedona ex. she had to exert great force while turning the steering wheel. the vehicle was taken to a local repair facility for inspection and the mechanic replaced the power steering pump, the rack and pinion, and the intermediate shaft. the manufacturer stated that they would not assume responsibility for the failure. the failure mileage was 36,000 and the current mileage was 41,000. | |||
| 04/24/2007 | 57902 | 3 | 12/22/2006 |
| I own a 2004 kia sedona. i bought the car with 57,000 miles on it from the original owner. the warranty calls for 60,000 miles to second owner. the transmission, rack & pinion were replaced by me at 57,000 and now the engine has a build up of sludge and the local dealer is refusing to warranty the defect. they did not replace the transmission or rack and pinion either. they were paid for and replaced by me. i feel this car is a lemon and i need help in pursuing recourse against this dealer in chattanooga, prebul kia. thanks *tr | |||