2003 Kia Sedona Recalls, Complaints & Specs
4 safety recalls list the 2003 Kia Sedona, and owners have filed 163 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
4 safety recalls for the 2003 Kia Sedona
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Cables (vehicle speed control)
On certain MINI vans, freezing conditions can cause water on the throttle cable to freeze during normal operation. Resistance to movement of the throttle cable can occur when the driver lifts their foot off of the gas pedal.
Remedy: Dealers will modify a protective sleeve around the throttle cable. The recall began on august 15, 2005. Owners may contact KIA at 1-800-333-4542.
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Wheels
On certain MINI vans equipped with alloy wheels, moisture can accumulate around the rear hub caps causing damage to the outer wheel bearing.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear hub caps free of charge. Upon inspection, some vehicles will also require replacement of the rear outer bearings and/or hub assembly. The recall began on june 13, 2005. Owners may contact…
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Cables (vehicle speed control)
On certain MINI vans, during assembly, the throttle cable would twist itself out of position.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the throttle cable free of charge. Vehicles produced from march 20, 2001 through november 7, 2001 will have a guide clip installed on the throttle body assembly in order to ensure that the tension…
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Service brakes, air: control unit/module
On 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.
Remedy: Dealers 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…
163 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2003 Kia Sedona have filed 163 complaints with NHTSA; 13 describe a crash and 21 describe a fire. Reports cite 24 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 60,415 miles. Complaints peaked in 2005 with 31 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“My Sedona keeps catching on fire not sure why but now if I get it up to temperature it automatically catches on fire I'm going into my second fire extinguishe”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, December 10, 2022 · Engine
“The contact owns a 2003 Kia Sedona. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to steer. The contact pulled over and left the vehicle. The contact returned 2 days lat”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, June 1, 2021 · Steering
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 2003 Kia Sedona. Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 16 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 14 / 18 |
| Fuel | Regular |
| EPA class | Minivan - 2WD |
| Engine | 6 cyl, 3.5 L |
| Transmission | Automatic 5-spd |
Compare Kia Sedona model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Kia Sedona model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 Kia Sedona | 3 | 198 |
| 2003 Kia Sedona | 4 | 163 |
| 2004 Kia Sedona | 2 | 176 |
| 2005 Kia Sedona | 2 | 185 |
| 2006 Kia Sedona | 7 | 385 |
| 2007 Kia Sedona | 6 | 157 |
| 2008 Kia Sedona | 5 | 170 |
| 2009 Kia Sedona | 5 | 48 |
| 2010 Kia Sedona | 5 | 32 |
| 2011 Kia Sedona | 6 | 65 |
| 2012 Kia Sedona | 5 | 108 |
| 2013 Kia Sedona | 1 | 0 |
| 2014 Kia Sedona | 1 | 39 |
| 2015 Kia Sedona | 3 | 139 |
| 2016 Kia Sedona | 4 | 296 |
| 2017 Kia Sedona | 4 | 134 |
| 2018 Kia Sedona | 3 | 48 |
| 2019 Kia Sedona | 2 | 38 |
| 2020 Kia Sedona | 1 | 20 |
| 2021 Kia Sedona | 0 | 9 |
Checking a specific 2003 Kia Sedona
How do I know if my 2003 Kia Sedona has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 4 campaigns currently list the 2003 Kia Sedona; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Kia dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 03V158000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Kia models
- Sorento10,183 complaints
- Optima7,512 complaints
- Soul5,553 complaints
- Sportage4,699 complaints
- Forte2,553 complaints
- Telluride2,026 complaints
- Sephia1,705 complaints
- Rio1,291 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.