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Kia Sedona problems - READ ONLY

1373 messages,  Last post on Oct 23, 2006 at 2:18 AM

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Messages Page 43 of 138

#416 of 1373 Such a disappointment by tingram

Jan 30, 2004 (10:38 pm)

We bought our 2003 Sedona in June of last year. From the start it has been a nightmare. It started with the sale of the vehicle and now with the service. We have just over 17000 miles on it and it is having its third transmission in a week put in tomorrow. Transmission started shifting erratically with about 7000 miles on it, took it to KIA and they said couldn't get it to do it when it was in the shop. Then at about 10000 miles noticed it was having trouble going into drive when first started, Again dealer couldn't get the problem to replicate. Finally had enough and took it back guess what new transmission being installed. I asked the manager what exactly had happened really couldn't get a straight answer was told the transmission was surging into gear on test drive and KIA's answer for this problem was a new transmission. Picked it up today found out they put a remanufactured transmission in it, asked why. They said that this is the way KIA handles it. Drove it less then 30 miles had to push it out of the road. Called the dealership back told them it was sitting in the middle of the road they told me to call the 1-800 number so "I" wouldn't have to pay for towing, go figure new trans with less then 30 miles on it and they can't call a tow truck to come and get it. Wrecker shows up and asks where I want it taken to, told him back to dealer he then asks what's wrong with it, when I tell him, he starts laughing hysterically, I asked him what was so funny, he says and I quote "KIA IS NOTED FOR IT'S TRANSMISSION TROUBLE". I have the same problem with the radio that I have seen here, it plays when it wants to they ordered a new one said it would be three weeks before it comes in. I have clear coat chipping off of the passenger side door. They won't repair it said it was caused by "ACID RAIN" and it wasn't covered under warranty. Go figure only spot on the whole vehicle that is affected by acid rain. The plating is coming off of the inside door handles, the passenger side middle seat won’t latch in any position but all the way back, the wind noise is getting worse the fuel mileage sucks (my full size Dodge truck with a 5.9 gets better gas mileage) need I go any further this has been the biggest piece of garbage I have ever owned. I am currently having yellow signs made to put on it and when I get it back it will be parked on the road in front of the dealership telling people NOT to by KIA.

#417 of 1373 tingrams' disappointment by minivanfrank

Feb 02, 2004 (8:06 am)

"I asked him what was so funny, he says and I quote "KIA IS NOTED FOR IT'S TRANSMISSION TROUBLE"."
 
I cannot agree with that statement; Otherwise, this board would be full of stories such as yours. Maybe that tow truck operator just likes to laugh hysterically! Seriously though, if the transmission problem does not get corrected, you may be a "lemon law" candidate.

#418 of 1373 Warped rotors? by km04

Feb 17, 2004 (10:37 pm)

We have a 2003 Kia Sedona...20,000kms on it so far. (we've had it almost a year)
 
So far we've had the rotors replaced twice. Could there be an underlying problem or could it be just a fluke? I don't want to have to get the rotors replaced every 10,000kms.
 
Thanks for any advice.

#419 of 1373 rotors by bluedevils

Feb 18, 2004 (6:28 am)

Perhaps they mounted Kia Sephia rotors on your Sedona by mistake?! Sorry, bad joke. The Sephias have a very well-known and big problem with brakes. I have not heard too many similar problems with Sedona brakes. Our U.S.-spec 2002 EX has almost 32,000 miles and the brakes are performing fine. Plenty of in-town driving. Based on prior brake inspections, the pads on our Sedona should last til 40-50k miles.

#420 of 1373 Sedona nightmare by mrspartydj

Feb 21, 2004 (5:42 am)

I purchased my 2003 Sedona EX in October 2002. It was a wonderful van for 4 1/2 months and has been a nightmare since. I have had the following work done:
1. Replaced engine at 6500 miles
2. 2-3 Oxygen sensors replaced
3. Factory paint problems with clear coating - they repainted but did such a bad job that I would like for them to redo it.
4. Replaced stereo because it stopped tracking the cd. I am having the same problem now but can't recreate it at the dealership and therefore they won't replace it.
5. Power steering rack replaced
6. 1 month after power streering rack, the power steering pump was replaced.
7. I have had lots of work on the rear air expansion valve. The story on this is that is is a real problem for all. As of Dec. 2003, they are making a replacement fix in Seoul but won't be available for about 6-12 months in the states. In the meantime they wrapped it with insulating material to minimize the sound. That solved the problem for about 4 months. It is now singing its' heart out.
8. Front A/C has had some work on it.
9. Terrible time with the window staying fogged up. tried lots of things here and have resolved some.
10. Problem with fuses being blown, rear light assemblies breaking free.
 
Needless to say, I could never in a million years recommend this vehicle. I am meeting with the BBB arbitration on Monday, Feb 23rd to negotiate them buying back this vehicle under the lemon law.

#421 of 1373 Check Engine Light by floridaheidi

Feb 25, 2004 (1:42 pm)

2003 Kia Sedona Minivan. The Check Engine Light keeps coming on. I have had it serviced for this problem 6 times. I have had the gas cap replaced 2 times. I am very careful to tighten the gas cap making sure it clicks at least three times. I do not overfill the gas tank. Yet the CEL keeps coming on (approximately once a month). I'm to the point now that I don't even take the van into the service center, I just drive around with the CEL on. What else could be the problem? The service center says it's from the gas tank/cap triggering the light. Can the sensor from the gas cap be turned off so that it doesn't set off the CEL?

#422 of 1373 Check Engine Light by bluedevils

Feb 29, 2004 (6:45 pm)

For some independent information, go to your Autozone auto parts store. They will pull the diagnostic codes from your computer for free. You don't get tons of detail about what each code means, but you will get a brief description/name. This may help you learn more about the problem than simply taking it back to the dealer.
 
Also, you could press the dealer for more information.

#423 of 1373 ALL OF THE ABOVE by cwoferg

Mar 04, 2004 (3:29 pm)

Let me see, where to start... I am glad I stumbled on to this web site. Boy can I add. I have a 2002 Sedona EX. I love the darn thing to death as far as capabilities, power and comfort, tows light cargo trailers with ease, but have had several problems with it. Like an idiot, I bought an absolute first run Sedona right when they first came out. I happily own a 1999 Hyundai Sonata, knew that Hyundai made the engine from the XG300 and 350, so I went with it. First thing, A/C. Wouldn't go on the front only. You had to turn on the rear A/C, then they both would work. Replaced controller head, still worked intermittently. Replaced controller head again, worked. Stopped blowing cold, compressor seized, replaced compressor. Shortly thereafter, new compressor seized, replaced compressor and dryer again. Had to do this again less than a month later. Now it works for the last four months (but it has been cold here in Southern Cali, so who knows!). Had a ticking noise that turned into a crunching noise up front (mostly accelerating through turns, replaced the drive axles, CV's, pretty much the whole shooting match up front. They replaced the radio because it was drawing my battery down. Had the brake chatter problem REALLY bad too, shook the van like an earthquake. They turned my rotors and they worked fine for about 40 miles, but they are doing it again. Here is the most fun one though. About two weeks ago, my tranny started to "chatter" as if it was slipping between third and fourth. Replaced tranny. When I went to pick it up, they said it is 100% better, but we are going to replace it again because "it isn't quite right". UNDERSTATEMENT. It is worse (I would kinda' like to see the definition for 100% in the dictionary they are using). When I accelerate moderate-hard up a hill, it feels like the tranny is going to drop, it chatters so bad. All of this, and I only have 28,500 miles on it!!I am now going through lemon law with it, will let you know how it goes. Going to get a Durango or Armada as I need to tow heavier things.
     Now all of this said, I STILL LOVE THE DARN THING and I WOULD RECOMMEND IT. You absolutely cannot match the van for value and features at the price (definitely get the EX, if for nothing else, for the captain's chairs to keep your kids from killing each other). And that warranty works! They don't mess with fixing bad parts, they replace at will!! I love the service, too. Just keep track of frequency of repairs and KEEP ALL of your repair orders.
     Sorry for writing a book! Now go ahead guys, let me have it!!

#424 of 1373 FORGOT ONE! by cwoferg

Mar 04, 2004 (4:10 pm)

We also found out this last time that the factory put in Champion Spark Plugs instead of the recommended NGKs. So they replaced them with the right plugs. Boy what a difference. I thought it was strong before. I was shocked at the difference, but I would have never known without them being changed out. Ask your service department (or look for yourself) and they will replace them.

#425 of 1373 GUESS WHAT by cwoferg

Mar 07, 2004 (12:31 am)

It is in the shop again!! The tranny is getting replaced. They are going to try to trun the rotors again (if that brings them to a "too thin" point, they will replace them, and, you guessed it, the A/C is acting up again! I will tell you, though, the service at Kia World in Murrieta, CA is outstanding! I got a replacement car because of the inconvenience of the two closely scheduled visits, they are going to completely clean the inside because they got a small grease smudge on the driver's mat last time, and they are going to give it a courtesy 128-point inspection as if it were turned in as a used vehicle. AND I DIDN'T EVEN HAVE TO ASK!

Messages Page 43 of 138

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