2002 Kia Sedona LX

Summary:

You get what you pay for. If you leased it you probably did well. If you bought, Ouch!!

Faults:

Replaced grille 4X due to paint peeling, Finally got it right with new design.

Headlights need to be replaced every year.

Rear windshield wiper arm replaced 2X.

Windshield wiper gear.

Rims replaced due to pitting 2nd set now pitted.

Timing belt $900 plus.

Battery replaced.

2 front windshields, the first one broke after 2 days of ownership.

Stereo unit didn't work on delivery.

Rust on the back latch which was caused due to a defect in the lack assembly, refused to be covered by the warranty.

It needs the power steering rack replaced at a cost of $1300.

I have a friend with the same vehicle, but has 1/2 the km's. He had to replace the anti-freeze line to the rear heater, fortunately for him it was under warranty, cost $1100+.

As this vehicle is paid for and has 165,000 km I don't feel too abused. I would have expected it to last longer with less major repair work. My prospects for this year of the Sedona are not to last much longer than 5 or 6 years no matter how far you drive it.

I wouldn't think many 2002 Sedona owners would ever consider anything else from Kia. I know I certainly won't.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 14th March, 2006

2002 Kia Sedona EX 3.5L - 6 Cylinders

Summary:

Great value and good comfort

Faults:

Brakes needed redoing at 40,000 km. This is a bit too soon in my opinion. On the other hand my wife thinks she is in a rally every time she drives.

The air conditioning performs well in moderate weather, but very poorly in hot weather. We live in Toronto, Ontario and there are very hot muggy days in the summer. When it is that hot, the air conditioner blows warm when sitting at a stop light and only works marginally when driving at full speed.

The original dealer went belly up and we now have to drive significantly further to get servicing. The service department is good, quick and reliable. Like all dealers, prices are higher than from you corner mechanic and we will change when the warranty is over.

The windshield cracked soon after we took position. I had read that this is a common problem with this model. The dealer would not acknowledge the problem and we drive with a crack.

The rear seats don't fold away and are rarely used. It would be great to have a place to store them. We are waiting for the 2006 Sedona to get some reviews as the rear seats in that model do hide away.

General Comments:

Drive great. We test drove all the common mini-vans and the Kia cornered best and rode the smoothest. Pick-up is great even when fully loaded.

Gas mileage is not the best, but I do like the pick-up.

My main complaint is that the middle windows (sliding doors) don't open. This was common on most mini vans of that era. It looks like the newer ones have corrected that oversite.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 14th February, 2006

2002 Kia Sedona LX 3.5

Summary:

Overall, if you buy one used, and have extra money for repairs, I guess it is a decent vehicle

Faults:

Speedometer failed at 45,000.

Cruise control has had intermittent problem since 25,000. Have had van serviced for cruise control problem 4 times. Repairs made to switch in steering wheel, which didn't fix problem. Was told that vehicle needed $600.00 brake job to fix vehicle, was told speedometer problem was "probably the cause". Finally told that the problem is "out of warranty. They finally did proper diagnosis and found defective switch in brake system. Offered to fix for $80.95. KIA said I waited too long to get it fixed. How much frustration do we have to experience before we stop buying their lack of customer service. I was told I had to be more prompt, and I should have seen that the dealer wasn't documenting the problem each time I brought it in!!!

Water pump failed at 55,000 miles. Was told I was lucky they could find the only one in Kansas City. Otherwise they would have had to send for one from Korea or California. Covered under warranty. Kia has no record of this repair at all.???

Check Engine light goes on and off by itself... Was on for a month this time, and then went back off. Checked memory, emission problem this time... but nothing was wrong with vehicle. What's with that?

General Comments:

Very comfortable van, gets poor mileage, but looks great. if ONLY!!!

Have heard KIA is Korean for "check engine light". Is that true?

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 17th November, 2005