2003 Kia Sedona LX from North America

Summary:

Below average reliability

Faults:

At 55,000 miles our air conditioner started blowing luke warm air and the delearship reportedly changed the compressor and another part. At 63,000 miles 3 engine mounts/bolts needed to be replaced. At first I was told that it would cost us $850.00, but after I expressed my anger, they noted that it was under warranty and fixed it in 90 minutes. Now at 65,000 miles our speedometer randomly drops to 0 miles/hr while driving and we were told by the dealership we needed a whole new dash unit which will cost about $500.00.

General Comments:

Pick up is impressive for the amount of horsepower.

Ride is comfortable.

The Sedona somewhat spacious.

Gas mileage is poor.

Seats are a pain to take in and out.

Stereo system is more than adequate.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 25th September, 2008

2003 Kia Sedona EX from North America

Summary:

A bargain for the price

Faults:

With 88K+ miles, we have yet to have a single repair done to the vehicle.

General Comments:

We have enjoyed the use and functionality of this van.

All complaints we consider minor considering the price we paid; not the best quality paint, cheap original tires, not the easiest seats to remove and put back.

We have taken many 700-800 mile a day trips, and have been happy with the power and manoeuvrability of the van, and the comfort of the seats.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 19th January, 2008

2003 Kia Sedona from North America

Summary:

Terrible... terrible, terrible

Faults:

The oil has built up gunk in the engine, despite frequent oil changes.

The engine has blown up.

General Comments:

We have receipts of all our oil changes, yet because of the buildup of sludge, they will not replace ANYTHING on our van. I have never been more upset with a car in my whole life.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 12th November, 2007

20th Nov 2007, 13:34

Cheap gas, what are you gonna do?

2003 Kia Sedona EX from North America

Faults:

I have 2003 Kia Sedona and have had my fair share of problems, all covered under warranty. I can say that most of the problems are caused by mechanics that don't care, and that's why we Kia owners go back to have the same thing fixed again, and replaced again.

A lot of the transmission problems are usually because of the transmission flush they recommend. They don't tell you that today oils have detergents in them which are very bad because it loosens all the dirt filings inside the tranny causing tranny failure. Well guess what, don't change it, it won't happen.

And I had tranny failure due to the left drive shaft breaking and locking up the tranny at 80km/hr, causing the differential to shatter and breaking the parking pin. All warranty.

Ny A/C works, but doesn't cool on very hot days. The dealer says it works. It reads from 49 to 44 degrees; well it's big range, so if you have a leak it's usually a small one, so the ranges get Kia out of doing warranty work. So do this; find an independent garage, get dye put in, drive with the A/C for week and find that leak. Bring it back and tell them to verify the leak you found; they have to cover it. The leaks are the lines leading to the back, usually under the bracket.

I do recommend trying different dealerships till you get what you want done under warranty; it works.

Timing belt; they say 95000 km, well you can get at least 130000 km. If you are looking for parts, well they use Hyundai parts, so cross-reference with the Santa Fe, it's the same motor.

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

Review Date: 30th September, 2007

13th Oct 2011, 17:09

It sounds like the reviewer shifted his transmission into park while driving 80 km/h, damaging the transmission and shearing the CV joint.

The same year Santa Fe has a different 2.7 L V6 engine, while the Hyundai XG350 uses the same 3.5 L V6.

Most negative KIA reviews are about poor customer service and incompetent technicians. Find a good independent garage to repair and maintain your vehicle.

The same people that tend to buy cheap South Korean cars are usually the same people that cheap out on servicing their vehicles eg; over extending service intervals (waiting too long to change the oil; waiting until the brakes are grinding before replacing brake pads, and then complaining about having to replace the brake rotors as well); buying cheap tires or not having an alignment done after replacing unevenly worn tires; using low grade gasoline without running the occasional bottle of fuel system cleaner (mid and higher octane gas are cleaner, and have detergents in them).

I know with minivans, it can be difficult to find time to schedule servicing when the family needs to use it for all their errands. It's easy to put off small problems until they become more serious, but it will cost you more money in the long run. Other minivans have the same problems with high fuel consumption, expensive to repair AC, electrical problems, transmission failures. Just look at the Chevy Venture or Ford Windstar reviews. The Honda Odyssey hasn't been problem free either.