The Lemon Index2002 Kia Sedona.
The 2002 Kia Sedona is one of the worst years by owner complaints: 143 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 259, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about electrical, it has 4 recalls, and it gets 16 mpg combined. The best Kia Sedona year is 2010.
Lemon alert. 2.6× the average car's complaints.
Best year 2010
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 248 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Kia Sedona year. 2002 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 28K to 89K miles on the car (152 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- electrical complaints mostly came at 25K–87K miles
- seat belts complaints mostly came at 34K–90K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 6K–67K miles
Recalls 4
- seats 2005
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH POWER SEATS, THE WIRING UNDER THE FRONT SEATS COULD BE MISROUTED, ALLOWING CONTACT WITH METAL SEAT COMPONENTS.
- speed control 2005
ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, DURING ASSEMBLY, THE THROTTLE CABLE WOULD TWIST ITSELF OUT OF POSITION.
- seats 2003
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.
Show all 4 recalls
- seat belts 2003
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.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Kia told dealers about
Kia sent dealers 22 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Intermittent mil on with no fault code stored; information about dtc p1330
- TSB - USE OF AFTERMARKET USB CHARGING CABLES IN USB/12V PORTS - This article provides…
- Charging system changes to improve alternator output during high ambient temperature severe…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedSteering intermediate shaft binding2008–2009
- ClosedSteering binding2008
- ClosedThrottle cable binding2004–2005
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $4000 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.5L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
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.
2002 Kia Sedona owner · NHTSA complaint 10021018
More owner reports
An enormous amount of gas leaks from the bottom of the van.
NHTSA complaint 786404
The mini-van started with a simple oil leak that developed into a cracked oil filter housing on the engine to then 3 burned out coils and two check engine lights all within 30 days. Car still in shop. Eb.
NHTSA complaint 10010551
Quick answers
Is the 2002 Kia Sedona reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew 2.6× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 259; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Kia Sedona year by this measure is 2010.
What are the most common 2002 Kia Sedona problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (31%), engine (17%) and brakes (17%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2002 Kia Sedona have?
4 safety recalls (latest: seats). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2002 Kia Sedona get?
16 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2002 Kia Sedona problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 28,300 and 89,600 miles. The middle report was at 58,600 miles, from 152 complaints.
Does the 2002 Kia Sedona have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2002 Kia Sedona cost in fuel a year?
About $4000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2002 Kia Sedona have?
3.5L 6-cyl.
What Kia Sedona year is better than the 2002?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2010, 2014 and 2011.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works