Here is a list of most of the items that have been replaced during 116,000k of ownership.
Power Steering Pump - warranty
Hydraulic Hoses - warranty
Coolant Pipes -warranty
Wiper Motor - warranty
Rear Shocks - warranty
Wheel bearing - warranty
Door locks - warranty
Alternator- initial cost of $1,100
Interior trim pieces - warranty
Tree sets of brake rotors - warranty
Front seat belt - warranty
Rear sear hold down hooks - recall
Exhaust system - warranty
10 Head light bulbs @ $20 a piece.
Driver seat back collapsed - cost $120.
I may appear to a bit of a cynic towards Kia but believe me, I do have just cause. My 2002 Sedona is proving to the worst automotive purchase I've ever made.
Kia manufactures low end vehicles for the north american market. I knew this when I purchased my Sedona, but I was willing to take the gamble. At the time, I wasn't prepared to pay more for a Honda or Toyota or for that matter, a domestic brand. In hind sight I wish I had.
This is one of the poorest built vehicles you could buy. What initially attracted me to the Sedona was the warranty which by the way, came in really handy. By the way, you'll get to know all the dealerships staff on a first name basis. The price plus the warranty were irresistible, so I bought one thinking I made a great buy.
I've owned the van for about four years and there's another year to go before it's paid for. Just recently, at 2,000k over warranty, the alternator failed. Kia and the dealer wanted over $1,100 to replace it. And yes, there is little in the way of after-market parts available for Kia's here in Canada. For your info, the alternator for my wife's Audi was two thirds the cost. It failed at 280,000k.
Just yesterday, while I was driving on a busy street, the drivers seat back collapsed. No, I didn't get into an accident, but if my wife or daughter were driving, the results may have been different. Upon initial investigation, I found a bolt and weld nut laying loose on the floor under the seat assembly. I called Kia Canada to advise them of this potential safety hazard, but the customer service adviser didn't seem all that concerned, but thanked me for calling anyway.
So, I took my Sedona to the Honda dealer here in town to talk trade. The salesperson quite politely told me that they really didn't want my Sedona and I would probably be better of if I sold it myself. I guess that means I'm stuck with it until it's paid for unless somebody wants to buy it as a family hauler. Gee, I wouldn't do that, my conscience would bother me. Better I sell it as road trash. I'll let you know what the scrap value is.
Before you buy stop to investigate what the actual cost of ownership will be. The initial purchase price plus the cost of repairs coupled with worthless trade in value make the Sedona an expensive vehicle to own. And another thing, the Sedona's a gas hog, it's reminds me of a drunk who's on a binge.
Most other Sedona owners would probably agree with my sentiments, but I can understand them being reluctant to speak out. At this point I don't care. I only hope I can dump it before something else breaks. It's not worth anything now and definitely not worth repairing. If you know this before you buy one then you've only got yourself to blame when it breaks.
I'd be happy to hear what other owners have to say, good or bad.
My review of our Sedona is parallel to yours. We are just holding on until the bleeping van gives out on us... which should be any day now. When researching vans in 02 we found nothing to lead us to believe we would have any trouble. Since then we have been in the service dept. so many times I can't even count. We are now to the point that we only go to the service dept. on a as needed basis. We are done sinking any more money into this disaster. We now know to only buy something tried and true. We will also speak to the service guys in private before buying our next auto. Good luck and realize that there are many of us out here in the same boat.
We purchased a 2002 kia sedona last year and we have seen our share of problems I've been to a couple of sites and its the same story everywhere. the first thing that gave out was the alternator, the ac, the transmision started skiping,mind you this vehicle only has 63000 miles. the rotors on its 3rd set its been allinged 4 times the guy thinks its the shocks and struts now OK. tires are eaten up again, those we have to pay for. the cd even that just stops and goes as it wants to its cheap ya I know. and theres alota recals on this vehicle this model I mean.
High, it's me the original reviewer.
Well I took my 2002 Sedona to a local Ford dealer in town to talk trade. They offered me $5,000 against Ford's retail. My Sedona has new tires and brakes and, had the 96k timing belt & spark plug replacement and transmission service done at a cost of $1,300. The van has not been in any accidents and the body and interior are in excellent condition. It has 120k (70,000 miles) on it and has been dealer maintained since new.
Now, I'm trying to sell it privately for $7,000 but no takers yet. If any of you live near Barrie Ontario Canada and are looking for cheap transportation, ("pun"), then write back on this site or contact me at jw.wright@rogers.com. Seriously!
I have some friendly advice for JW (the original reviewer).
You may want to try selling your Kia privately for $4,000, which you MAY be able to get for it - as long as the buyer doesn't see your review here.
Then, if you want another new car, try going to a dealer and just negotiate the price. For example, the Ford dealer might give you $3,000-$5,000 off the sticker price of the vehicle you were looking at without a trade in.
Or you could just buy a used vehicle. I own a 2002 Kia Rio. I know I am probably VERY LUCKY to have had few problems at 65,000 miles. But every 15,000 miles I end up paying about $300-$400 at the Kia dealership for general maintenance to keep the warranty up. Now I have to pay $700 for the 60,000 service because of the standard timing belt replacement.
This was the first new car I ever bought (at 35 years old), and will probably be the last. Not because of major mechanical problems with my Kia. It is just plain expensive to own a new car, especially when you take into account the cost of maintenance at the dealership just to keep the warranty going. I'm sure it is like this with all new cars, but maybe I'm wrong about that.
Before my Kia I pretty much bought used American cars, basically because you can get them for much less with the same mileage. For example, I've seen 1997 Hondas and Toyotas with $80,000 miles going for $10,000! I just bought a 1997 Mercury Cougar with 79,000 miles for $2,700 and it looks great, runs excellent, floats over bumps, and is MUCH more comfortable than any Honda or Toyota I ever drove. My girlfriend has inherited the Kia for now, which we plan to keep until we run it into the ground. It is still in good condition, but I will almost be relieved when the 100,000 mile warranty period is over.
While in college, by the way, I worked at a valet parking lot at the airport and found American cars to be far superior in the comfort category than any other manufacturers. Mechanical reliability may be slightly less, but I've never had to dump huge amounts of money into any used car I owned. Again, maybe just luck.
In the last 25 years I have owned about 9 used cars and 1 new car. I've had 4 Mercurys during that time, which I seem to have the best luck with - my Grand Marquis lasted about 6 years at a total cost of about $8,000 - purchase price plus minor repairs over the years. I had a Pontiac 6000LE that also lasted about 3 years for about $2,500 purchase price plus $500 repairs (totaled in accident).
So the best advice I can offer is to buy a decent used car. Also, pay the $25 to use Carfax for a month while you are looking, consider a lower priced American car, and check out some of the owner review sites.
If you spend $2,500 - $5,000 on a decent used car and it turns out to be a problem, it is a MUCH easier loss to take.
Good luck!
Hi, original reviewer here again.
Thanks for the kind advice. Unfortunatly here in Ontario Canada, we have to pay 15% tax on the purchase of a new or used vehicle from a dealership. If the dealer allows $5,000 as trade value it also reduces the tax charged by $750. You pay tax on the net value of the deal only. Our governments don't double dip on taxation.
Your advice is good though. Many dealers don't want high mileage cars as trade and may cut a deal that is better if you don't trade. You may also be able to sell your car for much more than the trade value if you sell it as certified. Obviously it's a risk, but one worth considering. Like you pointed out, just do the math.
Fortunatly, I received a $6,000 trade in value from my local Pontiac dealer. I purchased a new 2006 Montana SV6. I looked at an Odyssey as well as a Sienna, but they offered much less for my Sedona than the Ford dealer and their vans were considerably more than the Montana. I would have bought the Ford, but I liked the Montana better.
Time will tell if I made the right choice. My only suggestion is to buy what you like not what's the cheapest. I found this out the hard way.
Good luck with your Kia, it seems you may have a good one.
What kind of alternator costs 1100?
Call the Kia dealer in Barrie Ontario Canada and ask how much they want to replace the alternator in a 2002 Sedona.
Oh, and one more thing. Even though the same dealer had just replaced the accessory drive belt at the 96k service, their parts manager said that I had to replace the same belt because Kia said that this was mandatory. They wanted $240 for this belt. I had to remind him that they had just replaced the belt and should Kia insist that a new one be installed, then Kia should pay for it. He then said he was just passing on what he was told. I don't like being taken advantage of, or by people who think they can, and that's one more reason why I'll never buy another Kia.
While your at it, ask them how much they want for an air filter ($42) and spark plugs ($18 each).
My Kia Sedona 2002, 67,000 miles, stopped working while we were driving on the Pa. turnpike. Long story short... towed to kia dealer, they said that my sears battery buckled and ruined the alternator, $950. later I am driving and the car does the same thing. Got towed again. Now I am reading that in the TBS May 2003 there was a statement from Kia that the alternators are causing the batteries to drain and are burning out. Dealer and KIa rep act as if I am talking gibberish.
I would never again buy any Kia. We have had electrical problems from the beginning.
I own a 2002 Kia Sedona with about 87,000 miles on it. so far it is the best car/van I have ever owned. The alternator went bad at 81,000 that cost $550 installed. and tires at 40k & 80k because the van weighs almost 2 1/2 Tons. the check engine light came on just before had to take it in for an emissions test at 86k. Turns out it was the 02 oxygen sensor. If you get it before 80k its covered. I do need a front wiper motor because it starting to slip. my wife wants me to buy a new van, but this is my third van because of the kids and I'm not buying another van. Next car has got to be sporty. and no van I don't care who makes it can be considered sport.
2000 Sedona bought at 35000 miles gave me unbelievable performance record:
Our Sedona has suffered a string of mechanical and bodywork disasters, the first of which was a failed fuel pump after only 20 miles of personal motoring! Kia collected the vehicle and delivered a courtesy car. They had it for two weeks, then returned it, advising that the entire fuel system had been replaced with new parts. I was never really happy with it - sluggish take up and noisy engine - but Kia just kept telling me everything was fine. The following year's service with a local garage revealed that, just 7000 miles after the fuel system was replaced, there was excessive noise and lateral play in the pump bearings. They suggested to me that the pump had never been replaced, but was probably 'bodged'. On taking this up with Kia, they simply claimed that they had never had the car booked in for any kind of work and their overall response was 'tough, go away and stop bothering us, we don't actually give a monkeys!'
The Kia has now packed in altogether - a blown head gasket and cracked piston probably caused by general strain on the engine due to the faulty pump. Will Kia listen?
I will never, ever buy a vehicle with this badge again, and I heartily recommend that you do the same. Kia are the pits.
You are 100% right about the KIA Sedona and trying to find parts without paying out of your bottom at the dealership parts Dept. $13.00 for a lug nut that they broke!
Having made some very poor financial decisions I ended up Purchasing my first KIA (a '02 Spectra) in 2002 as a starter car for my daughter. (I am an independent collision damage appraiser) I bought this after looking at a couple of them wrecked. Do to the excellent service we received from this vehicle we replaced our GMC Jimmy with the '03 Sedona in May of 2003. My wife loves this vehicle and we have been very pleased with it's performance. I ended up here by googling "How do I replace the timing belt in my sedona" as the vehicle has 67,000 miles and it's time to replace the belt and I was amazed at how many people were un-happy with the KIA. Do to the excellent performance of Our Sedona and, Spectra When I replaced my 265,000 mile Aerostar I bought a left over '02 Sportage. I do perform most of my own maintenance which saves me money on labor. As for the Alternator I am replacing it at the same time as the belt Cost on the alternator from O'Riely's A/P $119.95 + $50.00 Core charge. Changing it is a little more difficult than my Aerostar, but not impossible. To date I have replace the timing belts on my Spectra and Sportage, other than that and now changing the belt in my Sedona I have made a total of 2 visits to the KIA service department in 4 1/2 years. Maybe I've bought the only 3 KIA's made that were well made (Doubt it). The only true downfall I have found with the KIA is the value at trade in time. Mostly because of sites like this where you only hear people complain. For my money I'm looking at replacing my Sportage with a little better than 120,000 mile as of right now and I will probably replace it with a Sorento.
I am sorry to hear all the bad comments & problems people have had with their Sedonas. I bought a 2002 Kia Sedona off the lot in February 2003 with just over 300 miles on it. I now have over 58,000 on it and short of a few little things that annoyed me (the tape player made a clicking noise, there was a loose door strip that made some wind noise, etc.) the only problem I have had is the rotors. The rotors were been replaced under warranty & the work was done quickly, same day if I remember correctly. We actually fried the ETWIS when we changed out our battery or jumped the vehicle and it was replaced by our dealership under warranty. I have to wonder if there are different locations these vehicles are made or if there were changes made along the way in production maybe that cause some people to have such trouble and others to have almost none?? I am sorry for the people who've had the problems, but I'd like to say that not all KIA's are crap. I got a good one.
Bought a Kia Sedona new in 2002. Other than going through tires a bit rapidly - this auto has been a pleasure to own and drive. Yes, I had a battery go bad - but when I mentioned it to the Service Manager - he promptly informed me that they had installed undersized alternators - and that he would be happy to replace mine before it went bad.
I have never had a bad experience with either Kia dealer or their service facilities. I dunno - maybe I'm just lucky. I've also owned a Hyundai Accent, Hyundai Elantra Wagon, Hyundai Tiburon, Hyundai Sonata - and currently drive a Hyundai Santa Fe.
For the money and the piece of mind the warranty and roadside assistance provide - I don't think you could find a better value. Unlike a lot of other people - I simply cannot wrap my brain around paying $30,000 - $40,000 for a vehicle.
Congratulations! You guys "jinxed" me...!! After entering the above comment, my Kia Sedona broke down less than 6 hours later!
We packed it up for a long trip and less than 1 mile from home (after running in to a store) went to restart the van and nothing but clicking...
Then to make it better, we started smelling burning rubber or plastic - which I think was coming from the alternator.
To make things even better, my warranty ran out 13 days ago... (the alternator and battery have already been replaced once...)
Am I loving life right now... or what?