2002 Kia Sedona EX 6 cylinder

Summary:

This van in not a good buy!

Faults:

There were two transmission leaks within the first month of owning the car.

The rear brakes and rotors had to be replaced within 2500 miles.

An engine squeal started. The van had to go to the shop five times for that.

The sliding doors were difficult to open.

The seat belt did not lock properly for a car seat to be installed.

General Comments:

Overall I liked the interior and the looks of the Sedona.

The reliability of this van is terrible.

The van was out of service for 42 days within a 4 month time period. All for the same problem. I couldn't even make it home without the problem starting again!

Brakes shouldn't go bad and need replacing after 4 months of taking children to school!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 28th July, 2003

21st Jun 2005, 15:11

My 2002 ex has a transmission leak. 3 different pros say it is a manufacturers defect caused most probably by a bubble in the aluminum casting which gave way under pressure. I'm very interested in hearing more on this problem. Brakes also seem very strange as they seem to grind intermittently while stopping even on almost dry pavement.

2002 Kia Sedona LX 3.5 V6

Summary:

A quiet, high speed family cocoon

Faults:

Rear head-rest clips broke -- dealer seems to be unable to get the part.

Dealer is also unable to get parts for seatbelt recall.

General Comments:

The car is more comfortable, quieter, and faster than the fancy Volvo I had a few years ago - and there's a lot of room for my 3 kids.

I'm almost afraid to write about how good it is after 1.5 years of occasional hard driving through the East and Midwest. In Michigan I put it on cruise at 85 mph and just ate berries and drank coffee all the way to Canada (while the kids slept).

Sometimes slow to get up to highway speed when the ramp is uphill -- it's a heavy beast and you can feel it.

On the other hand, high winds don't shake its quiet equilibrium.

Gas mileage does indeed suck, but it takes regular, so, not bad.

If this keeps up I'll keep it for 5 years and then get a new one (with my Kia loyalty discount)

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

Review Date: 20th July, 2003

10th Mar 2009, 09:21

The Sedona is ANYTHING BUT quiet.

2002 Kia Sedona LX

Summary:

Great except for the windshield

Faults:

My windshield cracked and I now need to replace the windshield again.

General Comments:

I had the van approximately 4 months when I first noticed a crack in the windshield. It appeared to be a stress crack as it started in the black border of the window. When I took it to the dealer to complain, I was told that there was a very tiny rock chip and that was why it cracked. Therefore I replaced the window myself. However, 6 months later the problem occurred again. I have been told that rock chips are not covered under warranty, but I wonder why a rock chip runs across the window instantaneously so that you cannot get it fixed without replacing the windshield. To make things worse, the only windshield available is from KIA (no after market parts here) so it costs almost $700.00 to replace. I think that they need to look at the quality of the glass they are using to manufacture the windshield.

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

Review Date: 16th July, 2003

25th Nov 2003, 12:51

I have also had serious problems with the windshield on my Sedona. I have had the van for 2 years now, and the windshield has been the only problem so far. It has cracked 3 times and has been chipped twice. We have 2 other vehicles which are driven more frequently than the Kia, and we have not had this problem. I agree that Kia really needs to look at the glass they're using. The Kia glass must be much weaker than normal. I have never had to have a windshield repaired as many times as I have done for the Kia.

Everything else about the van is fine.