NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
50 reports56,607 miles · Oct 5, 2006
Tires
THIS IS A TIRE COMPLAINT. ON AUGUST 5, 2006, I EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION AFTER ONLY 23,620 MILES. A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT PUT MY FAMILY IN DANGER. OVER THE COURSE OF ONE TRIP, I HAD TWO TIRES TO SEPARATE. A THIRD TIRE HAD SEPARATED ONE MONTH PRIOR. PLEASE NOT, YOUR FORM DID NOT ALLOW ME TO ENTER THE CORRECT TIRE INFO. THE T…
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THIS IS A TIRE COMPLAINT. ON AUGUST 5, 2006, I EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION AFTER ONLY 23,620 MILES. A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT PUT MY FAMILY IN DANGER. OVER THE COURSE OF ONE TRIP, I HAD TWO TIRES TO SEPARATE. A THIRD TIRE HAD SEPARATED ONE MONTH PRIOR. PLEASE NOT, YOUR FORM DID NOT ALLOW ME TO ENTER THE CORRECT TIRE INFO. THE TYPE IS MASTERCRAFT SENSY 01 98T 215/70/R15. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10170003
84,000 miles · Jul 6, 2006
Seats
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED, WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO ADJUST THE DRIVER SIDE ELECTRIC SEAT, THE SWITCH MALFUNCTIONED. THE SEAT SLID COMPLETELY TO THE FRONT OF THE TRACK, FORCING THE DRIVER AGAINST THE STEERING WHEEL.
NHTSA ODI #10161619
92,000 miles · Jun 15, 2006
Seat Belts
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT LATCH JAMMED AND WILL NOT RELEASE. THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THERE WERE NOT ANY RECALLS ON THE SEAT BELTS.
NHTSA ODI #10159896
81,117 miles · Jan 13, 2006
Fuel System, Gasoline
DT*: THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WERE METAL SHAVINGS IN THE GAS TANK OF THE VEHICLE. THIS CAUSED THE FUEL PUMP TO FAIL BECAUSE THE FUEL PUMP WAS INSIDE THE GAS TANK. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE HOW THE SHAVINGS GOT INTO THE TANK. *JB UPDATED 2/24/2006 - THE CONSUMER STILL HAS THE FAULTY PUM…
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DT*: THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WERE METAL SHAVINGS IN THE GAS TANK OF THE VEHICLE. THIS CAUSED THE FUEL PUMP TO FAIL BECAUSE THE FUEL PUMP WAS INSIDE THE GAS TANK. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE HOW THE SHAVINGS GOT INTO THE TANK. *JB UPDATED 2/24/2006 - THE CONSUMER STILL HAS THE FAULTY PUMP AND SOME OF THE METAL SHAVINGS IN HIS POSSESSION. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10147680
81,117 miles · Jan 9, 2006
Fuel System, Gasoline
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WAS HARD TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHO DETERMINED THERE WERE METAL SHAVINGS IN THE GAS TANK. AS A RESULT THE FUEL PUMP, FILTER AND PRE-FILTER WERE REPLACED. THE TANK WAS INSPECTED FOR ANY REMAINING METAL SHAVINGS. *AK UPDATED 02/02/06. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10147266
48,500 miles · Jan 3, 2006
Parking Brake
PARKING BRAKE DOES NOT FUNCTION. I FIRST NOTICED THIS WHEN PARKING TO PICK UP MY DAUGHTER (SLIGHT INCLINE). AFTER PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND DEPRESSING THE PARKING BRAKE, THE VEHICLE WOULD SLIGHTLY ROLL. WHEN I GOT HOME, I STOPPED ON AN INCLINE, PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL, ACTIVATED THE PARKING BRAKE AND LET GO OF THE 4 WHEEL BRAKE…
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PARKING BRAKE DOES NOT FUNCTION. I FIRST NOTICED THIS WHEN PARKING TO PICK UP MY DAUGHTER (SLIGHT INCLINE). AFTER PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND DEPRESSING THE PARKING BRAKE, THE VEHICLE WOULD SLIGHTLY ROLL. WHEN I GOT HOME, I STOPPED ON AN INCLINE, PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL, ACTIVATED THE PARKING BRAKE AND LET GO OF THE 4 WHEEL BRAKES... THE VEHICLE ROLLED WITH ABSOLUTELY NO RESISTANCE. CONTACTED THE DEALER, SAID IT WAS NOT A WARRANTY ITEM. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10146805
3,000 miles · Jan 2, 2006
Parking Brake
THE PARKING BRAKE ON MY VAN WILL NOT HOLD IT IN PLACE PROPERLY. IT HAS BEEN THAT WAY SINCE I BOUGHT IT AS A DEMO WITH 2,400 MILES. I COMPLAINED ABOUT IT WITHIN THE FIRST FEW WEEKS OF OWNING IT. THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT TRIED TO TIGHTEN IT, AND THEY ENDED UP BREAKING IT. A NEW ONE WAS INSTALLED, AND IT FEELS JUST LIKE THE OL…
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THE PARKING BRAKE ON MY VAN WILL NOT HOLD IT IN PLACE PROPERLY. IT HAS BEEN THAT WAY SINCE I BOUGHT IT AS A DEMO WITH 2,400 MILES. I COMPLAINED ABOUT IT WITHIN THE FIRST FEW WEEKS OF OWNING IT. THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT TRIED TO TIGHTEN IT, AND THEY ENDED UP BREAKING IT. A NEW ONE WAS INSTALLED, AND IT FEELS JUST LIKE THE OLD ONE. I DEPRESS THE PEDAL DOWN TO THE FLOOR, AND WHEN I SHIFT INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE, THE VEHICLE MOVES. IF I GIVE IT A LITTLE BIT OF GAS, THE CAR WILL ROLL. I JUST MADE UP MY MIND THAT MY VAN DOES NOT HAVE A WORKING PARKING BRAKE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10146723
58,000 miles · Dec 12, 2005
Electrical System
FIRST HAD PROBLEMS WHEN THE WINDOWS WOULD NOT ROLL DOWN OR UP. ALSO, THE DOOR LOCKS WOULD CLICK AND NOT FUNCTION. WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND TOOK THE VAN TO THE DEALER - THEY SAID THEY FIXED IT - NEXT DAY WHEN OUT OF TOWN THE SAME THING HAPPENED. TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK IN AND THEY SAID THERE WAS A GROUND/SHORT FAULT IN THE WIRING …
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FIRST HAD PROBLEMS WHEN THE WINDOWS WOULD NOT ROLL DOWN OR UP. ALSO, THE DOOR LOCKS WOULD CLICK AND NOT FUNCTION. WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND TOOK THE VAN TO THE DEALER - THEY SAID THEY FIXED IT - NEXT DAY WHEN OUT OF TOWN THE SAME THING HAPPENED. TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK IN AND THEY SAID THERE WAS A GROUND/SHORT FAULT IN THE WIRING OF THE DOOR HARNESS CONNECTED TO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THEY WORKED ON IT AGAIN AND STILL NOT FIXED. THREE WEEKS LATER - RECEIVE A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE ABOUT DEFECTIVE WIRING UNDER THE SEATS AND CAUSING SHORTS AND POTENTIAL FIRES. TWO DAYS LATER - ALL LIGHTS ON THE DASH BOARD COME ON - BOTH LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS BLOW. CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY SAY GIVE ME SOME NONSENSE ABOUT "THIS CAN'T BE RELATED TO ANY OF THE OTHER PROBLEMS." TOOK THE VAN INTO A NON-KIA SERVICE CENTER AND THEY TELL ME THAT THE ALTERNATOR IS SPIKING AND GOING OUT. THEY ALSO INFORM ME THAT THE OTHER PROBLEMS WILL AFFECT THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ESPECIALLY IF THERE IS A SHORT. I HAVE READ MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM OF THE KIA AND I BELIEVE THAT THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE FOR GENERAL USE - NOT JUST MINE. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. MY WINDOW REPAIR IS STILL COVERED UNDER WARRANTY REPAIR - THE SEATS NEGLECT/MIS-WIRING IS UNDER RECALL BUT MY WARRANTY IS EXPIRED BY 10,000 MILES ( 74,000 ) MILES CURRENTLY. I AM FILING A COMPLAINT WITH ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE, BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU AND KIA - POSSIBLY ATTORNEY INVOLVEMENT IF (ALL) THESE ISSUES ARE NOT FIXED IMMEDIATELY BY KIA! *JB
NHTSA ODI #10144948
Mileage unknown · Nov 17, 2005
Seats
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 05V463000 CONCERNING THE POWER SEATS. THIS VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL, BUT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. THE CONTACT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AT HIS OWN EXPENSE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10143033
Mileage unknown · Oct 14, 2005
Seat Belts
SON WENT TO UNBUCKLE HIMSELF AND SEATBELT BUCKLE CAME OFF. THE CABLE LINKING THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE TO THE FLOOR SEVERED. KIA REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE, ADVISED ME THAT THIS WOULD BE THE ONLY REPLACEMENT OF SEAT BELT DEFECT WITHOUT CHARGING ME.
NHTSA ODI #10139717
NHTSA investigations
2EA08017 · Steering Intermediate Shaft Binding
Opened Aug 28, 2008 · Closed Jul 1, 2009
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
ODIS ANALYSIS OF WARRANTY DATA SHOWS THAT THE ALLEGED DEFECT HAS OCCURRED AT A RELATIVELY HIGH FREQUENCY IN SALT-BELT STATES (5.9 PERCENT).HOWEVER, THE TESTS CONDUCTED BY ODI AND KIA HAVE SHOWN THAT THE ALLEGED DEFECT HAS A MINIMAL EFFECT ON STEERING EFFORTS.IN ADDITION, ODI INTERVIEWS OF OWNERS WHO EXPERIENCED THE ALLEGED DEFECT SHOWED THAT IN MOST CASES THE PROBLEM WAS PRECEDED BY MONTHS OR YEARS OF NOISE OR A GRADUAL INCREASE IN STEERING EFFORTS AND WAS MORE OF A NUISANCE CONCERN. THERE HAS BEEN ONE ALLEGATION OF A MINOR CRASH RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT, INVOLVING A MY 2003 KIA SEDONA WITH 59,900 MILES.THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN CHECKED TWICE IN THE PREVIOUS NINE MONTHS BY A DEALER FOR COMPLAINTS OF STIFF STEERING AND THAT THE VEHICLE FELT LIKE IT WAS INTERMITTENTLY LOSING POWER ASSIST.THE CRASH OCCURRED AS THE DRIVER WAS ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MILES PER HOUR AND STRUCK A VEHICLE PARKED ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE STREET THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TURNING INTO. THE CRASH RESULTED IN MINOR INJURIES TO THE DRIVER. AFTER THE CRASH, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT WAS EXHIBITING SOME BINDING OF THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT BEARINGS.WHILE THE ABSENCE OF ADDITIONAL CRASHES OR INJURIES DOES NOT MEAN THAT THERE IS NOT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT, THERE HAVE BEEN NO REPORTED ADDITIONAL CRASHES CAUSED BY THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE PAST THREE YEARS. THE RELEASE OF THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN SHOULD ASSIST SERVICE PERSONAL IN DIAGNOSING THIS POTENTIAL PROBLEM LONG BEFORE IT BECOMES POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED. THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST. THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR COMPLAINTS AND OTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS REFER TO THE EA08-017 CLOSING REPORT.
PE08033 · Steering Binding
Opened Apr 28, 2008 · Closed Aug 28, 2008
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
ON APRIL 28, 2008, THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED PRELIMINARY EVALUATION PE08-033 TO INVESTIGATE COMPLAINTS ALLEGING STEERING BINDING IN MODEL YEAR 2002 THROUGH 2004 KIA SEDONA MINIVANS.KIA'S RESPONSE TO ODI'S REQUEST FOR INFORMATION IN PE08-033 INDICATED THAT CONCERNS WITH BINDING OF THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT WERE FIRST IDENTIFIED AND INVESTIGATED IN AUGUST 2002, IN VEHICLES SOLD IN INDONESIA.THIS INVESTIGATION RESULTED IN THE ADDITION OF A STIFFENING RIB TO THE BEARING CAP SEAL.IN JUNE 2003, KIA AGAIN INVESTIGATED OWNER COMPLAINTS OF STEERING NOISE AND HIGHER THAN NORMAL STEERING RESISTANCE AND IN OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER OF 2003 DESIGN CHANGES TO THE SHAFT UNIVERSAL JOINT BEARINGS WERE MADE TO IMPROVE LUBRICANT RETENTION AND ELIMINATE WATER INTRUSION THAT COULD LEAD TO EARLY BEARING FAILURE.ACCORDING TO KIA, THE ALLEGED DEFECT RESULTS IN A PROGRESSIVE CHANGE IN STEERING EFFORT THAT SHOULD BE APPARENT TO THE DRIVER THROUGH NOISE AND GRADUAL CHANGES IN STEERING STIFFNESS LONG BEFORE THE CONDITION COULD BECOME DANGEROUS. ODI'S ANALYSES OF COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA RELATING TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT SHOW THAT THE CONDITION IS OCCURRING AT SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER RATES IN SALT-BELT STATES (NOTE:FOR PURPOSES OF THIS INVESTIGATION THE SALT BELT INCLUDES CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA AND WISCONSIN).THE WARRANTY RATE FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT IS 5.5% FOR VEHICLES SOLD IN THE SALT BELT AND 0.5% FOR THE REST OF THE UNITED STATES.THE COMPLAINT RATE FOR THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS 186.8 PER 100,000 VEHICLES IN THE SALT BELT AND 29.4 PER 1000,000 VEHICLES FOR THE REST OF THE UNITED STATES.THERE IS ONE ALLEGATION OF A CRASH RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT.A SUBJECT VEHICLE STRUCK TWO PARKED CARS WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, ALLEGEDLY RESULTING IN MINOR INJURIES TO THE DRIVER. ODI HAS UPGRADED THIS INVESTIGATION TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA08-017) COVERING MY 2002 THROUGH 2004 KIA SEDONA VEHICLES SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN SALT BELT STATES TO ASSESS THE FREQUENCY AND TREND OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT AND ITS EFFECT ON STEERING EFFORT.
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