2002 Kia Sedona EX review from North America

Driving off the lot, the A/C recycle light didn't work correctly. (wouldn't stay lit and never has worked right)

When we got home, the home link system wouldn't work and never has after three months any many attempts to program it.

Minor issues such as shoddy interior parts (minor problems). Overall, I expected that because it was a cheap car.

The brakes started making a "pop" sound around 3,000 miles when we slow to a crawl. It sounds like we're being rear-ended by a bicycle. Dealership said they can't reproduce the problem or find any issues. They are not very willing to help or fix problems.

Finally, last week at 4000 miles, it wouldn't start. It was not a battery problem--the horn would blow, lights and stereo would come on, but it didn't even make a noise when you'd turn the key all the way. We were lucky this happened in our driveway. So much for reliability. We had it towed to the dealership and they said it started when it got there and that they couldn't find anything wrong.

We've always stuck with Toyota in the past because they are excellent for reliability. But we needed a minivan and didn't want to spend 30k on a Toyota minivan.

Buying the Kia was a big mistake. It is a piece of junk.

I'm going to take the initial depreciation loss (after three months of owning) and dump it as soon as I pick it up from the shop.

I'm going to buy a Toyota Highlander. Whatever you do, please don't make the costly mistake I did. Spend a few extra grand and get a car made anywhere besides Korea and by anyone, but Kia.