After less than one week old I had my KIA Sedona XE back to the dealership because I had problems starting it. They informed me that I now need a fuel pump which is under warranty however will take up my time to bring it in for servicing.
Other than the fuel filter that is now required I am very pleased with my KIA Sedona XE. Before buying the vehicle I did extensive research since I was not familiar with KIA. Most of the reviews came out on top which made me more encouraged when it came time to purchasing the vehicle. For the money this van has everything you could imagine with a reasonable price tag. As well it has a 5 star rating for safety front and side and a 5 year 100,00 kilometre bumper to bumper warranty at no extra cost. I knew that gas consumption would not be the best however this vehicle weighs in the range of 4,700 lbs. The KIA salesman at 417 KIA in Ottawa, Ontario Canada was a gem. He was true gentlemen who listened to everything I had to say and even came with me to my home to show the van to my wife on a Saturday afternoon. My hat goes off to Dane. I have no regrets so far and I would recommend this vehicle to anyone who wants to drive in class. By the way the extra money I paid for the leather interior, sunroof and rust proofing package was well worth it for me since I will keep this vehicle 5 years. The financing was only 3.9% for 5 years which is well below the banks. Thanks KIA.
Many people will be shocked when they find that KiA (USA) IS COVERING UP A HUGE AND CHRONIC PROBLEM with the SEDONA!!
RUST!!!
We have discovered that there was a bulletin that has gone out to Kia dealers in the US that involves the way the front grille and back door area that surrounds the license plate (the chrome fixture that houses the lighting above the license plate, etc.) is installed, it creates a jagged scratch into steel that will rust soon after you have purchased the car.
We have RUST holes forming and have been offered a re-painting on a NEW CAR of which we have had for only a few months?!
RUST on a new car with less than 7,000 miles is not acceptable.
The fact that the dealership knew the exact problem and showed us more spots that will rust soon is a little scary!
The fact that the KIA Service DIRECTOR said there was a mistake made in how they were manufactured and they received a bulletin about this (THE CUSTOMER WAS NOT GIVEN THIS DISCLOSURE AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE AND/OR EVER AS A RECALL) shows there is a huge fleecing going on.
We were excited to purchase our SEDONA based on the 5 star safety rating because we have kids, but the problems is with the car's assembly and process in which the fixtures are installed. It is sub-par and defective. KIA was learning as they go it would seem to allow these cars on the market when they know the problem, We have not received any documents on this as a recall so I am to assume that they don't want us to know, why would they send a bulletin to the dealers, but not the consumer? They must think we the consumer are dumb or something or maybe we will think the RUST is not a problem on a new car with a few thousand miles!
No one wants to get body work done within months of buying a new car that has (not) been in an accident!!
We are not happy about this at all and plan to spread the word about it. Be warned the KIA REPS have their wording together to make you feel as if the 10 year warranty is all they need to offer you and it's your problem that the car is rusting and that they will paint the spots that are rusting and that's all, and no it is not a factory paint job, but it will look real nice...
Is this a correct way to run a car business? Do not be fooled by a comment made on this review: that it is a competitor trying to hurt business, because we are not!
I own a KIA SEDONA with mechanical problems under the hood and rust holes after a few months of purchase on a new vehicle and hope you do not have the same problem if you own one. We definitely don't recommend you buy one even if the 5 star rating and nice rebate make you think you should..
KIA has some things to learn about customer service and yes they are moving huge numbers in the USA and that's great for them, but it takes more than sales to validate your product. Millions of people buy fast food everyday, but we all know that's is not really the best thing to do right?
I did my part in saying this so hopefully more people will come forward with their problems before it's to late.
Sad, mad and confused.
The other problems this minivan has is that there is major belt noise and/or Air condition problems that made us have to take the car in to find the problem several times of which there was no real solution.
KIA USA is enjoying major success with the sale of these minivans right now, but I hate to say once they start rusting there will undoubtedly be a huge amount of sad, mad, and confused people who want answers as to why a new car would rust IN A FEW MONTHS OF PURCHASE!!
It's a big mistake for KIA USA to think it is acceptable to be rude to it's customers and offer the paint over the RUST?! To cover up the problem vs. admitting the screwed up! This huge and disgusting manufacturing mistake is a problem KIA is trying to cover up and it is only a matter on time before this cheating of the US consumer is brought into the light.
Well, I've read mostly good stuff about the Sedona, and only a few bad things (gas mileage/windshield cracking/rare electrical problems). So, this issue of rust disturbed me.
I looked online and cannot seem to find another instance of anyone having a rust problem, at all. In fact, one review mentioned that Kia is the only other minivan, besides Toyota, that uses some sort of silicon to prevent rust.
Is this something they've fixed for 2003 I wonder?
Purchased my minivan in August 2002. I have the rust problem, just discovered and am getting ready to go to the dealer with it. sigh...
Also found a recall for:
Engine Hesitation - have it
Cooling Fan Noise - have it
Seat Belt issue - (mine is that the passenger seat belt locks when it shouldn't)
Also a shimmy when braking.
Otherwise love my van. I hope the service department stands by what it sells.
Purchased kia in feb of 2002...ex had auto start installed by dealer some months thereafter had problem with starter reengaging after vehicle was running.. took to dealer reset computer problem re accured two weeks later..computer replaced.. recently vehicle parked on incline could not get reverse to engage engine would rev, but wheels did not turn.. towed to nearest dealer said it would be two weeks before servic!.. took car from tow drove home reverse works level? went up inclined driveway vehicle starts backwards, but then slips.. vehicle tried to engage reverse by acelerating vehicle suddenly goes reverse even in neutral and had no forward gear.. towed to dealer.. replaced transmission!..also had rear liftgate pistons replaced poor lift, since owned car didn't realize this was problem.. big difference now.. overall very pleased with performance and service.
I own a 2002 Sedona with approximately 96,000 Kilometers (60,000 miles) on the clock. I,ve owned this since new and just recently, I asked the dealer here in Barrie to provide a quote on replacing the timing belt and spark plugs. The total quote was nearly $1,100.00 CAN. ($875.00 U.S.) I recently read a review in another feed back where some concern was raised about KIA's parts pricing.
The dealership has always been fair and has resolved a lot of warranty issues amicably. However, the dealers quoted parts price of nearly $18.00 CAN. per spark plug shocked me. These plugs are now available at Canadian Tire for about $8.00 CAN. each. KIA's price for the timing belt is more than twice of that of a Ford Windstar and the labour to replace the timing belt is nearly six hours.
The car is not the greatest nor is it the worst vehicle I've owned, but it's the most expensive parts wise.
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