The Lemon Index2003 Kia Sedona.
The 2003 Kia Sedona is one of the worst years by owner complaints: 91 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 215, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about brakes, it has 5 recalls, and it gets 16 mpg combined. The best Kia Sedona year is 2010.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 197 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Kia Sedona year. 2003 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 19K to 98K miles on the car (149 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–109K miles
- airbags complaints mostly came at 30K–111K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 20K–79K miles
Recalls 5
- 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, FREEZING CONDITIONS CAN CAUSE WATER ON THE THROTTLE CABLE TO FREEZE DURING NORMAL OPERATION.
- wheels 2005
ON CERTAIN MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH ALLOY WHEELS, MOISTURE CAN ACCUMULATE AROUND THE REAR HUB CAPS CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE OUTER WHEEL BEARING.
Show all 5 recalls
- speed control 2005
ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, DURING ASSEMBLY, THE THROTTLE CABLE WOULD TWIST ITSELF OUT OF POSITION.
- service brakes, air 2003
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THERE WAS A PROGRAMMING ERROR IN THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE LOGIC.
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 21 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- 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…
- Recall campaign to reprogram the anti-lock brake system (abs) control module
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
- ClosedElectrical fire2005
- 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
2003 Kia Sedona developed problems with the brake equipment.
2003 Kia Sedona owner · NHTSA complaint 10130249
More owner reports
Brakes failed in an accident and the air bag did not deploy.
NHTSA complaint 10099041
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.
NHTSA complaint 10109168
Quick answers
Is the 2003 Kia Sedona reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew 2.1× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 215; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Kia Sedona year by this measure is 2010.
What are the most common 2003 Kia Sedona problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (22%), electrical (18%) and speed control (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2003 Kia Sedona have?
5 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 2003 Kia Sedona get?
16 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2003 Kia Sedona problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 19,900 and 98,100 miles. The middle report was at 50,000 miles, from 149 complaints.
Does the 2003 Kia Sedona have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2003 Kia Sedona cost in fuel a year?
About $4000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2003 Kia Sedona have?
3.5L 6-cyl.
What Kia Sedona year is better than the 2003?
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