Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 200 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Kia Sedona, and it carries 4 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 26 | 13% |
| Air bags | 22 | 11% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 18 | 9% |
| Service brakes | 16 | 8% |
| Vehicle speed control | 12 | 6% |
| Suspension | 8 | 4% |
| Tires | 7 | 4% |
| Seat belts | 7 | 4% |
| Wheels | 7 | 4% |
| Seats | 7 | 4% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
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 later and drove the veh
NHTSA complaint: Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND SHUT OFF THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT HAD EXPERIENCED A FIRE AND MELTED. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED SMOKE AND SOOT PRESENT INS
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND FAILED TO SHIFT INTO THE DESIRED GEAR WITH SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO DRIVE THE
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
THE BREAKS WERE CHANGED DUE TO GRINDING COM TO FIND OUT THERE WAS 1BOLT ON THE BREAK CALIBERS PUT THEM ON AND IT STILL GRINDS AND CAN NOT STOP
NHTSA complaint: Wheels
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SEDONA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL SEIZED HALFWAY DOWN WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT SWERVED ONTO THE SIDEWALK AND STOPPED 30 YARDS IN A PARKING LOT. THE VEHIC
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
ON FEB. 25, 2018, WE PURCHASED A 2003 KIA SEDONA VAN FROM CITY START AUTO SALES IN PARADISE, CA. ALL FOUR TIRES AND THE SPARE WERE GOODYEAR INTEGRITY 215/70R15. THE TIRES READ MAX. PSI 44, BUT THE VAN SAID TO RUN AT 35 P
NHTSA complaint: Tires
THERE BEEN WHINING NOISE DURING ACCELERATING AND DE-ACCELERATE SPEED, I HAD SOMEONE LOOK AND THOUGHT I WAS BRAKING SYSTEM. YESTERDAY MY SON WAS DRIVING IT AND TURNING RIGHT AND WE HEARD A POP, AND THE WHOLE STEERING WENT
NHTSA complaint: Steering
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2003 Kia Sedona. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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.
Risk: THIS CAN CAUSE THE CABLE TO STICK, THUS PREVENTING THE ENGINE FROM RETURNING TO IDLE AND CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO MAINTAIN SPEED OR ACCELERATE. SUCH AN EVENT CAN OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING AND COULD CAUSE A
Fix: 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.
ON CERTAIN MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH ALLOY WHEELS, MOISTURE CAN ACCUMULATE AROUND THE REAR HUB CAPS CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE OUTER WHEEL BEARING.
Risk: WHEEL BEARING FAILURE MAY OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Fix: 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.
ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, DURING ASSEMBLY, THE THROTTLE CABLE WOULD TWIST ITSELF OUT OF POSITION.
Risk: THIS CAN PERMIT THE CABLE TO BE HUNG UP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Fix: 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 ENSU
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.
Risk: SUCH INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Fix: 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 RE
| Reliability raw | 77 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 77 | good |
| Maintenance | 81 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 62 | average |
| Performance | 57 | average |
| Efficiency | 31 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other minivans & vans in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 200 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and electrical system is the most reported area with 26 of them (13%). There are 4 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 77/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 77/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2003 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 69/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.