Here Are The Kia Sedona Years to Avoid
The Kia Sedona was the Kia brand’s signature minivan model for over 20 years from its debut in 1998. It was the predecessor to the Carnival minivan, Kia’s rebranded and retooled minivan that debuted in 2022. The Sedona was Kia’s principal product in the minivan market until the more SUV-like styled Carnival replaced it.
While not a super-advanced vehicle, most Sedona’s were credited with limited flaws and could last up to 250,000 miles with general maintenance and good upkeep. Though it was fairly successful, it still had its flaws. Here are the Kia Sedona years to avoid.
THE MOST RELIABLE YEAR FOR THE KIA SEDONA
Read on to learn about the most reliable Kia Sedona year options, the worst for your wallet, the largest problems, and anything else you should understand before buying.
Short Answer: 2002, 2003, 2005, 2012, 2016
Before the Carnival, the Sedona had been a mainstay for two decades in the minivan segment. For the most part, the Sedona is regarded as a good minivan for a moderate price. However, some specific years have multiple faults, including recalls and customer complaints that have been reported by owners. The Kia Sedona years to avoid are mainly in two generations: the first and the third.
Common issues and complaints:
- A large number of recalls
- Low engine power
- Fire hazards
- Average safety ratings
- Expensive repair costs
Since its inception shortly after 2000, the Sedona has faced a fair number of major recalls for each model year. The 2014 and most recent model year in 2020 were the only models that only had one major recall. While recalls are something to consider, they don’t necessarily make or break the vehicle as a whole.
- 4 in 2002
- 5 in 2003
- 3 in 2004
- 2 in 2005
- 2 in 2005
- 8 in 2006
- 9 in 2007
- 6 in 2008
- 6 in 2009
- 6 in 2010
- 6 in 2011
- 5 in 2012
- Not applicable for 2013
- 1 in 2014
- 3 in 2015
- 3 in 2016
- 3 in 2017
- 3 in 2018
- 1 in 2020
Outside of recalls, there are over 200 recorded bulletins that Kia officially responded to, with common troubleshooting issues being documented from drivers and customers. The 2006-2012 models have a comparable amount of recalls due to the fact that they were recalled many times for the same reasons. The 2013 model is also missing due to the Kia Sedona’s non-appearance that year.
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Kia Sedona Years to Avoid: 2002, 2003, and 2005
If you were looking into a used 2002 Kia Sedona today, you’d likely be able to find it for under $3,000. This model year had complaints of awkward handling and an underpowered engine. In addition, immediately after the model’s launch, the 2002 Sedona was subjected to a slew of safety recalls. It faced similar challenges in 2003 and 2005 with poor assembly on the front seats and seat belt complaints.
Because the seatbelts were poorly assembled, they were unable to offer effective restraint in the event of a collision. The most recent recall was issued in 2005 to repair wires that touched the metal beneath the front seats. Because it caused occasional flames, this was one of the most dangerous hazards.
Common issues:
- Lack of engine power
- Faulty seat belts
- Multiple recalls
- Fire hazards beneath the seats
- Poor handling ability
THE BEST SEDANS WITH HIGH GROUND CLEARANCE
There are plenty of vehicles on the market that let you tower over obstacles without losing the convenience of a compact car. Therefore, we’ve put together a list of our favorite new sedans with high ground clearance.
Kia Sedona Years to Avoid: 2012
The 2012 Sedona was infamous for a fairly uncommon reason. It received a low roof strength rating and posed some safety concerns if the vehicle was to overturn. Additionally, the construction and safety rating for the vehicle cage only received a “satisfactory” grade. The top vehicles on the market today, including other years of the Sedona, often have excellent IIHS scores across the board.
There are a total of 5 major recalls for the 2012 model year, adding additional questions about its safety. There was even a lawsuit against the 2012 model year that was based on its soy wire coating, which had attracted animals to the undercarriage causing damage to the electrical system. Consumer Reports awarded the 2012 model with just a 1 out of 5 owner satisfaction rating, which is a major representation of dissatisfaction from consumers.
Most common issues:
- Safety concerns
- Electrical wiring issues from soy-based material
- Poor customer satisfaction rating
Kia Sedona Years to Avoid: 2016
The 2016 Kia Sedona is the priciest and most recent model to make the list of years to avoid, but its problems indicate that it is not worth the money. The 2016 Sedona is listed on Kia Complaints as the only model year from the third generation to avoid.
Electrical concerns are the most prevalent NHTSA issues regarding the 2016 Sedona. Blinkers would react with the wrong rear light, creating an obvious hazard on the road. In addition to the turn signals not responding correctly, headlights abruptly go off, significantly increasing the likelihood of a nighttime collision.
Most common issues:
- Expensive repair costs
- Electrical and turn signal failure
- Abrupt headlight failure
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What Kia Sedona Models are Good?
The Kia Sedona has been on the market in the United States for nearly two decades. We were able to obtain long-term owner testimonies from a number of Sedona forums in this respect. Many respectable publications have considered the Kia Sedona, particularly the most recent generation outside of 2016, to be trustworthy. The scores for these are generally 4.5 out of 5 stars from U.S. News, indicating that they are pretty reliable options for consumers. Outside of the 2016 model, most of the latest generation models only have a few recalls and nagging complaints.
The most recent Sedona received an 81 out of 100 quality and reliability rating from J.D. Power, which places it second among the top four minivans. Once the 5-year anti-perforation guarantee expires on a more modern Sedona model, most experts would recommend additional rustproofing. While the model has since been retired for the more modern Carnival, the Sedona provides a fairly reliable vehicle for an affordable price for most families.
It’s always a good idea to try out a few different model years to get a better feel for the ride. While each generation is fairly similar, each particular year does have a slightly different vibe and their own quirks. The Sedona is a good option for most minivan seekers; you’ll just have to do a little bit of searching for the one that fits you best.
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