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 185 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Kia Sedona, and it carries 2 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 51 | 28% |
| Electrical system | 10 | 5% |
| Wheels | 9 | 5% |
| Steering | 9 | 5% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 8 | 4% |
| Air bags | 7 | 4% |
| Vehicle speed control | 7 | 4% |
| Service brakes | 6 | 3% |
| Unknown or other | 6 | 3% |
| Engine | 5 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
Hi my van started smell a lot to fuel so I looked for leaks and I found a big leak on the fuel rail rack dripping a lot of fuel on the side of engine when engine is running and the car is unsafe to drive and I’m very wor
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
The contact owns a 2005 Kia Sedona. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, she noticed that the vehicle was overheating. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated she attempted to open the ho
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
MY 2005 KIA SEDONA WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE AND IT CAUGHT FIRE IN THE DASH IN FRONT OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THAT IS WHERE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SAID IT STARTED. IT WAS A TOTAL LOSS, ONLY HAD 115,000 MILES, NO ISSUES. THANK
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 KIA SEDONA. WHILE PARKED AT THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD AND INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. TH
NHTSA complaint: Engine
MY KIA SEDONA STARTS WHEN IT WANTS TO. I HAVE POWER TO THE DASH LIGHTS, RADIO, AND OTHER ELECTRONICS. THE COMPANY HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS ISSUE SINCE THE 2002 VERSION AND WITH HIGH MILES. IT HAS TO DEAL WITH THE "AN ISSUE
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
WHILE DRIVING AT APPROX 55MPH ON BOTH A 2 LANE HWY AND THE INTERSTATE HWY, THE VAN WOULD SUDDENLY MAKE A LOUD BANG SOUND, JUMP, AND THE RPMS WOULD GO UP TO OVER 4000 AND SOUND LIKE IT WAS IN 2ND GEAR. ENG LIGHT CODE SAID
NHTSA complaint: Power train
MY AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AND I TALK TO KIA ABOUT IT THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME A PRICE FOR TO TAKE IT OFF I HAE A WHEEL BEARING PROMBLE TO. I HAD TO GET MY WHEEL BEARING REPAIR TO.
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
I WAS DRIVING ON ROUTE 55 WITH MY 2YR OLD DAUGHTER AND I WAS GOING 70MPH WHEN THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE CAUSING MY CAR TO FISHTAIL IN BETWEEN BOTH LANES ON THE HIGHWAY UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL AGAIN AND G
NHTSA complaint: Wheels
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2005 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.
| Reliability raw | 73 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 75 | good |
| Maintenance | 81 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 62 | average |
| Performance | 57 | average |
| Efficiency | 33 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other minivans & vans in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 185 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and service brakes is the most reported area with 51 of them (28%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 73/100 (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 75/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2005 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 68/100. 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.