The Kia Sedona: A Reliable Minivan The Kia Sedona is an excellent minivan, yes. Due to its excellent balance of quality and value, we actually selected the Sedona a finalist for our 2021 Best Minivan for the Money award. It has no significant flaws outside its underwhelming mpg ratings.
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What issues are there with Kia Sedonas?
The recurrent starting issues with the Kia Sedona from 2002 to 2016 are among the most prevalent complaints. Owners have reported that the Sedona’s vehicle immobilizer control module can make it difficult to start the car. It can activate as though the car is being stolen if it can’t find the push-to-start Kia smart key.
How many kilometers are there in a Kia Sedona?
Since its introduction in 1998, the Kia Sedona has served as the brand’s iconic minivan model for more than 20 years. It served as the forerunner to Kia’s rebranded and redesigned minivan, the Carnival, which made its debut in 2022. Until the more SUV-like Carnival took its place, the Sedona served as Kia’s main offering in the minivan market.
Although not very sophisticated, most Sedonas were said to have few problems and could travel up to 250,000 miles with regular maintenance and proper upkeep. Despite being somewhat successful, it still had shortcomings. These Kia Sedona years should be avoided.
Short Answer: 2002, 2003, 2005, 2012, 2016
The Sedona had been a fixture in the minivan market for 20 years prior to the Carnival. The Sedona is generally thought of as a nice minivan for a reasonable price. However, some particular years have a number of issues, including recalls and owner-reported customer complaints. The first and third versions of the Kia Sedona are mostly the ones to steer clear of.
Common problems and grievances
- An abundance of recalls
- low engine output
- Fire risks
- Ratings of average safety
- Costly repair work
The Sedona has seen a series of significant recalls since its launch shortly after 2000 for each model year. The only vehicles with just one significant recall were those from 2014 and the most recent model year in 2020. Recalls are a factor to take into account, although they do not always make or break a car.
- 4 in 2002
- 5 in 2003
- 3 in 2004
- 2 in 2005
- 8 in 2006
- 9 in 2007
- 6 in 2008
- 6 in 2009
- 6 in 2010
- 6 in 2011
- 5 in 2012
- 2013 not applicable
- 1 in 2014
- 3 in 2015
- 3 in 2016
- 3 in 2017
- 3 in 2018
- 1 in 2020
In addition to recalls, Kia has replied to over 200 recorded bulletins with common troubleshooting concerns reported by drivers and consumers. Due to the fact that the 20062012 models were recalled numerous times for the same issues, they have a comparable number of recalls. Due to the Kia Sedona’s absence in 2013 the 2013 model is also lacking.
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Kia Sedona Years to Avoid: 2002, 2003, and 2005
A used 2002 Kia Sedona would probably cost less than $3,000 if you were looking for one today. There have been concerns about the difficult handling and weak engine in this model year. In addition, the 2002 Sedona was the target of numerous safety recalls right away after the model’s introduction. It encountered comparable difficulties in 2003 and 2005 as a result of inadequate front seat assembly and seat belt concerns.
The seatbelts’ shoddy construction prevented them from providing reliable restraint in the event of a collision. Wires that touched the metal underneath the front seats were the subject of the most recent recall, which was issued in 2005. This was one of the most hazardous risks since it occasionally sparked flames.
Common problems
- inadequate engine power
- defective seatbelts
- numerous recalls
- Under the chairs, there are fire risks
- inadequate handling skills
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Kia Sedona Years to Avoid: 2012
The 2012 Sedona gained notoriety for a relatively unusual cause. It had a weak roof rating and presented potential safety risks in the event of an accident. Furthermore, the car cage’s design and safety rating only obtained a “satisfactory grade. The best cars on the market right now, even older Sedona models, frequently have great overall IIHS ratings.
For the 2012 model year, there have been a total of 5 significant recalls, raising more concerns about its safety. Even the 2012 model year was the target of a lawsuit because of the soy wire coating that had drawn animals to the undercarriage and harmed the electrical system. Consumer Reports only gave the 2012 model a 1 out of 5 owner satisfaction rating, which is a significant indicator of consumer unhappiness.
Most frequent problems:
- safety issues
- problems with soy-based electrical wiring
- a low score for customer satisfaction
Kia Sedona Years to Avoid: 2016
The most expensive and current model to appear on the list of years to stay away from is the 2016 Kia Sedona, but its issues show that it is not worth the money. According to Kia Complaints, the only Sedona model year from the third generation to stay away from is the 2016.
The 2016 Sedona has received the most NHTSA complaints involving electrical issues. The incorrect rear light would be produced by blinkers, posing a clear driving hazard. Headlights suddenly cut off and turn signals don’t work properly, greatly increasing the chance of a collision at night.
- Turn signal and electrical failure
- sudden failure of the headlights
You want to find the best bargain on the car you want, not actually purchase it. If a comparable vehicle is offered locally for less money, the CoPilot app will let you know, so you can be sure you received the best bargain.
What Kia Sedona Models are Good?
In the US, the Kia Sedona has been available for sale for about 20 years. In this regard, we were able to gather testimonials from long-term owners from a variety of Sedona forums. The Kia Sedona has received favorable reviews from numerous reputable sources, especially the most current model produced prior to 2016. These typically receive ratings from U.S. News of 4.5 out of 5 stars, indicating that they are reasonable choices for customers. Most of the newest generation cars have only a few recalls and minor complaints, with the exception of the 2016 model.
J.D. Power ranked the most recent Sedona second among the top four minivans with an 81 out of 100 quality and reliability rating. Most experts would advise extra rustproofing after the Sedona’s 5-year anti-perforation warranty has passed. Although the Sedona has since been replaced by the more contemporary Carnival, it still offers most families a reasonably reliable car at a reasonable cost.
To get a better sense of the ride, it’s usually a good idea to test out a few different model years. Even though each generation is generally similar, each year does have a distinctive mood and its own eccentricities. Most people looking for a minivan should consider the Sedona; you just need to look around a bit to get the one that’s right for you.
Get a Curated List of the Best Used Cars Near You
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Just seeking for more recent models? The search engine for virtually new vehicles is CoPilot Compare. only observe recentfive years or lessautos with little mileage. The greatest place to look for off-lease, early trade-in, and CPO vehicles is CoPilot Compare.
What’s best? We have more information on each vehicle than our rivals since CoPilot was developed using the same technologies that dealerships use to acquire and sell their inventories. Since CoPilot doesn’t partner with automakers, there aren’t any sponsored posts or other dubious tacticsjust the most information about the best vehicles. To learn more about CoPilot’s operation, see our About Us page.
What are the Kia Sedonas like?
Highs Square-jawed nice looks, a silky V-6, and a good price. Lows Middle-of-the-road mileage, a less adaptable cabin design than competitors, and top-of-the-line model-only luxury items. Verdict Although it may not be the finest in its class, the Kia Sedona is an attractively designed van with a strong value proposition.
Why is the Kia Sorento having problems?
Customers have experienced a number of issues with the Kia Sorento since it has been advertised and sold by Kia. These models share costly issues with one another. The following model years should be avoided: 2004, 2006, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2016.
Common difficulties include those with the engine, the electrical system, the airbags, the seat belts, the lights, and the body or paint.
Engine failure is the most serious problem that these Kia Sorento models have. When most consumers have traveled an average of 62,000 miles, something happens. They could end up costing you more money in repairs, so we advise avoiding them.
Which Year Models of Kia Sorento Are Safe to Buy Used?
Production of the Kia Sorento has been going on for approximately 20 years. Not all of the models that are released, like many other cars in its market class, are flawless right out of the factory. Some people have flaws. Despite this, you have a selection of others. This is particularly true if you want to stay away from those already listed.
The following list of reliable Kia Sorento model years includes:
- Kia Sorento 2003
- Kia Sorento from 2005
- 2007 Sorento Kia
- Kia Sorento 2008
- Kia Sorento from 2009
- Kia Sorento 2010
- Kia Sorento 2015
- Kia Sorento 2017
- Kia Sorento from 2018
- Kia Sorento for 2019
- Kia Sorento 2020
- Kia Sorento 2021
The years 2003, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021 are among the safest Kia Sorento model years to purchase. Compared to the earlier mentioned model years, these have minimal complaints.
The worst issues with many of them were engine issues, a broken air conditioner compressor, electrical issues, light issues, and AC/heater issues. Most of them are also inexpensive to fix minor problems. However, they are among the minority of car owners.
The worst car troubles in early generations include crankshaft problems, frequent lighting system failures, and broken parts. It’s important to remember that these issues only occur in cars with more than 90,000 miles on the odometer.
A few owners are also affected by the problems. They are less likely to happen in a Sorento with little mileage and good maintenance. The models from 2007 to 2010 and 2015 to 2021 are the least problematic. The year 2016 is an outlier; it is less dependable than the other years in the following years.
Which Kia Sorento Years to Avoid
The aforementioned Kia Sorento model years should easily accommodate your family’s needs and daily driving requirements. You need a dependable automobile in addition to one with excellent handling, a luxurious interior, and lots of attractive amenities. Here, we go into greater detail regarding the model years that weren’t chosen.
Steer clear of the following Kia Sorento model years:
- Kia Sorento from 2004
- Kia Sorento from 2006
- Kia Sorento from 2011
- Kia Sorento 2012
- Kia Sorento 2013
- Kia Sorento 2014
- Kia Sorento 2016
These model years frequently experience issues with their engines, electrical systems, lighting, seat belts and airbags, and body and paint. These affect everyone, and numerous users have noted concerns that are essentially the same.
You should steer clear of the 2011 Kia Sorento the most. It tops the list for having the most owner complaints. It is most likely to experience brakes issues, drivetrain issues, airbag and seat belt issues, and engine issues.
An engine failure at 77,000 miles cost the most money of all issues reported for the 2011 model year. Fixing this issue will cost $4,600. Other serious issues include an airbag problem that cost $2,000 to fix at 92,000 miles and a door issue that cost $400 to fix at 94,000 miles.
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The 2016 Kia Sorento is another vehicle you should completely avoid. In comparison to other models with lower mileage, it has more issues and costs more to repair. The most common issues are with the engine, then the steering, body/paint, and lights.
The engine has experienced the worst reported failure at 62,000 kilometers. Repairing this cost $6,100. Other owners reported having to pay up to $600 to fix wiring that rodents had gnawed. At 22,000 miles, one user’s car stalled while accelerating.
Common Kia Sorento Problems
One of the greatest warranties for cars is offered by Kia. But that doesn’t mean you should be any less critical, especially when it comes to reliability concerns. The most typical Kia Sorento issues, spanning all model years, are listed below:
- Engine issues – The Sorento’s engine frequently fails, which is a common dependability problem. The engine failure, which was primarily reported in 2011, 2016, and 2017 models, was caused by a leaky head gasket, which mixed engine oil and coolant. These liquids when combined can seriously harm engines.
- Frustrated owners reported that the Sorento’s doors won’t open when reached from the outside, which is more unpleasant than dangerous. Additionally, defective door handles made users of the child-lock feature even more irate. Owners of 2011 Sorentos make up the majority of the complaints.
- Burning out of headlight bulbs: Numerous customers noted that the headlight bulbs on Sorento models from 2002 to 2009 were particularly prone to premature failure. Additionally, several stories claimed that additional headlamp component parts were also melted. There should have been a recall for this dependability problem, but there wasn’t one. Owners were required to purchase replacement bulbs for between $100 and $600.
Kia Sorento Problem Counts by Year
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