MYRModel Year Report

2002 Kia Sedona

◆ Worse than typical
2002 Kia Sedona
RENDERED 2026-11-01T13:35:28.009Z

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
198
Recalls
3

Campaigns on file for 2002

Investigations
3

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Electrical system

30% of complaints

Complaints per year

2002: 198 complaints 2002 198 2003: 163 complaints 2004: 176 complaints 2005: 185 complaints 2005 2006: 385 complaints 2007: 157 complaints 2008: 170 complaints 2008 2009: 48 complaints 2010: 32 complaints 2011: 65 complaints 2011 2012: 108 complaints 2013: 0 complaints 2014: 39 complaints 2014 2015: 140 complaints 2016: 297 complaints 2017: 134 complaints 2017 2018: 49 complaints 2019: 39 complaints 2020: 20 complaints 2020 2021: 10 complaints
2002: 198 complaints 2002 198 2003: 163 complaints 2004: 176 complaints 2004 2005: 185 complaints 2006: 385 complaints 2006 2007: 157 complaints 2008: 170 complaints 2008 2009: 48 complaints 2010: 32 complaints 2010 2011: 65 complaints 2012: 108 complaints 2012 2013: 0 complaints 2014: 39 complaints 2014 2015: 140 complaints 2016: 297 complaints 2016 2017: 134 complaints 2018: 49 complaints 2018 2019: 39 complaints 2020: 20 complaints 2020 2021: 10 complaints
2002: 198 complaints 2002 198 2003: 163 complaints 2003 2004: 176 complaints 2004 2005: 185 complaints 2005 2006: 385 complaints 2006 2007: 157 complaints 2007 2008: 170 complaints 2008 2009: 48 complaints 2009 2010: 32 complaints 2010 2011: 65 complaints 2011 2012: 108 complaints 2012 2013: 0 complaints 2013 2014: 39 complaints 2014 2015: 140 complaints 2015 2016: 297 complaints 2016 2017: 134 complaints 2017 2018: 49 complaints 2018 2019: 39 complaints 2019 2020: 20 complaints 2020 2021: 10 complaints 2021

2002: 198 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
2002198
2003163
2004176
2005185
2006385
2007157
2008170
200948
201032
201165
2012108
20130
201439
2015140
2016297
2017134
201849
201939
202020
202110

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Electrical system

30% · 59 reports

Most commonly citing alternator/generator/regulator and 12v/24v/48v battery.

FIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I drove 25 minutes from a to b and parked my car. Turned the engine off sat there with the radio on for 1 minute exactly and I hear a. Pshhhhh and smoke rising quickly, then a flame from the fuse box by my left foot.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-08-30

Also filed under Steering

Seat belts

15% · 29 reports

Most commonly citing rear/other and buckle assembly.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Consumer states that during a vehicle accident the front seat belts buckles will not latch properly causing injuries to the consumer. Dealer notified.…

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-11-13

Service brakes

15% · 29 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Engine and engine cooling

14% · 27 reports

Most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

FIRE

Visibility

11% · 21 reports

Most commonly citing windshield and power window devices and controls.

Show complaint excerpts

Windshields have distortions at eye level, causing consumer to see objects through windshields wavy. Dealer replaced windshield on 24 sep 2001, then again on 29 sep 2001. Both had same defects.

NHTSA ODI report, 2001-10-09

Front windshield shattered while driving. No injuries were reported. Dealer was notified. Feel free to provide any further information on this matter.

NHTSA ODI report, 2001-09-05

Safety timeline

3 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2002Complaint volume 198 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2003-02-24Seat belts03V017000 Certain mini vans fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 209, "Seat belt assemblies." The second and third seat belt buckle anchor bolts do not comply…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat belt buckle anchor bolts. Owner notification began February 24, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2003-04-25Seats03V135000 On certain passenger vehicles, some of the second and third row seat strikers installed on the vehicle floor pan have been improperly heat treated and could break in a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat strikers. Owner notification began April 25, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. I
    2004-09-24Preliminary evaluationClosed 2005-01-27 Throttle cable binding
  5. R
    2005-03-21Vehicle speed control05V013000 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. I
    2008-04-28Preliminary evaluationClosed 2008-08-28 Steering binding
  7. I
    2008-08-28Engineering analysisClosed 2009-07-01 Steering intermediate shaft binding

Buy-smart checklist

2002 Kia Sedona — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Electrical system: 59 reports on file for this year.
  • Seat belts: 29 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 29 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 03V017000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 03V135000 · Seats
  • Recall 05V013000 · Vehicle speed control
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2002 Kia Sedona reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2002 Kia Sedona is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Kia Sedona?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 30% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2002 Kia Sedona have?
3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.