4.3

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
26,959 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2002 Kia Sedona transmission problems

transmission problem

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2002 Kia Sedona Owner Comments

problem #12

Nov 222008

Sedona 6-cyl

  • 80,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Engine vibrations in speed 35 mph to 50 mph in 5 to 10 degree uphill everyday. When its vibrate engine, pump more gas gradually or off gas pedal will stops vibration.

- Santa Maria, CA, USA

problem #11

Nov 012006

Sedona 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 64,100 miles
At 64,000 miles the transmission fails to reverse. Kia will not repair under warranty. Peak Kia GM says that if you drive in Colorado you should follow the severe driving maintenance schedule and change fluid every 30,000 miles. Of course Kia does not tell Colorado buyers that the place they live is considered severe driving and to follow that schedule to retain the warranty.

- Littleton, CO, USA

problem #10

Dec 232005

Sedona 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 54,600 miles
12-23-05 the vehicle started to show reverse problems. Dealer was called and the dealer said that the manufacturer would not honor the warranty because I had not taken it to the dealer to have the tranny fluid checked. This was said without seeing the vehicle and after I had just been asked if I was the same person that had just had their tranny fixed. Many phone calls later, without any resolution, I took the vehicle to be fixed at a cost of $2400.

- Methuen, MA, USA

problem #9

Jun 212005

Sedona 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 74,384 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

We bought a van that was delivered from portland Oregon to our home in lynden Washington about 10:30 pm the next day my wife proceeded to check the vehicle fluids, clean the vehicle, ect. Then apon that found the fluids to be low and not serviced. She my wife then called the car lot talked to the sales manager, he professed that it had been serviced and when my wife explained her discovery he then told her to take it to jiffy lube and the car lot would pay for it to be done. When driving it to be serviced we my wife and I noticed the transmission was slipping there for we contacted our loan office to see if the deal had been funded in which it had but they advised us to have the dealership swap us out of the vehicle, so we then went back to the dealership to let them know they were rude and wanted my wife to take it to the Kia dealership to be diagnosed. When my wife took it to the Kia dealership it was found that in fact the transmission was slipping and we would need a new transmission, we then contacted the dealership in which we bought the van, asked once again to be swapped out of this vehicle, they gave us the run around and told us unless we came up with $8,000 - $10,000 dollars there was nothing they could do except have us drive the van to them 224+ miles for them to put in a refurbished transmission in it. My wife before buying the van told them we did not want a vehicle with this much mileage on it the sales person told my wife it was ok because it had a 10 year 100,000 mile warranty on it. Which in fact it does not. They have lied to us about checking the vehicle out when in fact they bought it from another dealer where it was in storage. They told us we need to bring it to them if we brake down and the transmission goes out on the way that they would send a tow truck to pick it up and we would have to find our own way home. Maybe we should bring our other vehicle in case that was to happen. Also our paper work has no signatures.

- Lynden, WA, USA

problem #8

Jan 072002

Sedona 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
We have a 2002 Kia Sedona; we bought in Dec of 2001. Within the first 6 months, the alternator, battery, ignition switch, had to be replaced, along with sliding doors falling off the hinge. I complained of a wind noise for the first year no one knew what it was. It went unfixed. Within a year the shocks, the struts and sliding doors had to be replaced. My air-condition went out completely guess what no more wind noise. And no longer under warranty. My rear wiper control went out. Recently, while on thanksgiving vacation to Ohio we had to have roadside pick up our van as the transmission totally went out without warning. While in the shop we were advised our brakes were not safe to drive. We had never had a problem with the brakes. And the motor mounts were also in need of replacement. Was in the shop 14 days, we had to drive back to Ohio to when ready. The brakes went to the floor had never ever done that before. When we were on our way out of town, the transmission was acting up. We made it home on Dec 7th and no one at Kia could take the vehicle in until the service manager returned my call he was off for doctor visit. On Dec 13, I took my van in to be repaired, they called me and told me it would need a new transmission, and guess what they are also repairing the sliding doors 5th time I think. They have to also fix the dent in the hood that was not there, before the Ohio Kia took it in to be fixed. Today it has been 15 days. I still do not have my van. I would not recommend Kia to my worst enemy. Please allow others to know that Kia is a lemon if ever there were one.

- Oxford, MS, USA

problem #7

Oct 042003

Sedona 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 26,000 miles
While driving on highway with heat on, the air stopped blowing into the car from the vents even though we could hear the blower motor running. This started October 4, 2003 and still has not been fixed as of June 2004.even though we have had the car in the repair shop 11 times. We have been placed in very dangerous situations because of this. During the winter, when the blower would quit, the windows would fog up or freeze up immediately. We couldn't even see to get the car off the road. There was no way to clear the windows, not to mention the discomfort of freezing to death when it was 30 degrees below zero. The entire heating system, actuators, blower motor were replaced and the blender doors were reprogrammed. We only have heat sporadically. Now that summer is here, the air conditioner doesn't work, . it is in the shop now having the compressor replaced. The transmission also was replaced in Oct. 2003. We feel the company has had ample time to repair the car. They even admit they can't fix it. We are seeking a replacement (comparable) vehicle or a refund so that we can get a vehicle that works. I refuse to go through another winter like that.

- Carthage, NY, USA

problem #6

Mar 122004

Sedona

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Our Kia sadona is a 2002 model and has about 52,000 miles on it. It has had problems with the transmission, brakes and the windshield has been replaced three times etc. Today however, my husband was driving the vehicle when the front drivers side seat in the vehicle broke. The seat broke completely out of it's chamber. Thank god this did not happen during an accident. The dealership said they would be replacing the part that broke under the warranty however it will be awhile before they get the part in. They refused to provide us with a safe vehicle to drive during the time it takes to get it fixed and Kia corporate also refused saying they do not provide rentals even if the part is a defect from the manufacturer. They pride themselves on the warranty of the car parts but who cares how much you have to spend on rental cars while yours is in the shop so many times.

- Cedar Hill, TX, USA

problem #5

Sep 122002

Sedona 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,000 miles
Brought 2002 Kia Sedona in July 2002 and transmission went out in September 2002. Transmission was replaced and ever since on cold mornings transmission jerks violently several times while driving. Has been to shop several times for repair but Kia service response to problem is let car warm up for 15 minutes or so before you drive off. This solution is not working.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #4

Sep 092003

Sedona

  • miles
While driving at a normal speed vehicle will overheat, causing the fluid to burn dry. There is no power or acceleration.

- Anchorage, AK, USA

problem #3

Mar 302002

Sedona 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 3,000 miles
Strong antifreeze smell when using the ac on hot days. Transmission shifts violently from 1-2 and occasionally into reverse. Dealer has attempted to correct several times. Sliding doors have had alignment problems and bearing failure several times also. (currently fixed).

- Lowell, ME, USA

problem #2

May 212003

Sedona 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 20,420 miles
Driving on interstate and vehicle suddenly felt like someone slammed on the brakes and slowed the vehicle from 65 mph to 35mph right away. This problem has happened 5 times, 5/21/03, 5/23/03, 5/24/03, 5/27/03, 5/28/03. Vehicle has been to dealer service dept. 5/21/03, 5/23/03, 5/27/03, 5/28/03.

- Hagerstown, MD, USA

problem #1

Apr 072003

Sedona 6-cyl

  • miles
The vehicle did not hold when going down a hill or no low range. There was a knocking sound coming from the motor(dealer didn't find problem), and a wind noise had come from the front glass while the vehicle was in motion.

- San Leandro, CA, USA

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