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NHTSA vehicle safety data

2002 Kia Sedona Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2002 Kia Sedona has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 197 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Kia dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2002 Kia Sedona, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2002 Kia Sedona owner complaints

Owners have filed 197 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Kia Sedona, describing incidents dated August 30, 2001 to March 16, 2017.

Most-cited components

  • Electrical System 50 complaints
  • Engine 30 complaints
  • Seat Belts 28 complaints
  • Service Brakes 27 complaints
  • Visibility/Wiper 21 complaints
  • Air Bags 19 complaints

Of the 197 complaints on file, 17 report a crash and 13 a fire; across all 197 complaints, owners report 20 injuries and 1 death (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #11016451 · Filed

    THE DOOR HANDLES ARE PLASTIC AND EVENTUALLY BROKE OFF ON THE OUTSIDE SO THAT OPENING THE DOORS -ALL 4- IS TRICKY SINCE ONLY ONE SIDE OF THE HANDLE REMAINS IN PLACE. THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLES HAVE A PLASTIC CHROME-LOOKING COATING THAT PEELS OFF AND HAS CUT OUR HANDS SEVERAL TIMES CAUSING US TO NEED…

  • ODI #10966519 · Filed

    DRIVER DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE.

  • ODI #10929784 · Filed

    IT IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO PUMP GAS INTO THE VAN. THE PUMP KEEPS SHUTTING OFF NO MATTER HOW SLOW I PUMP OR HOW FAR I PUT THE NOZZLE INTO THE TANK.

Read all 197 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2002 Kia Sedona in 3 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

THROTTLE CABLE

NHTSA #05V013000 · Vehicle Speed Control — Cables · NHTSA notice

Reported January 19, 2005 · KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 89,238 vehicles

Kia campaign SC042 · Owners notified March 21, 2005 · Vehicles built March 20, 2001 – April 3, 2003 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, DURING ASSEMBLY, THE THROTTLE CABLE WOULD TWIST ITSELF OUT OF POSITION.

Safety consequence

THIS CAN PERMIT THE CABLE TO BE HUNG UP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE THROTTLE CABLE FREE OF CHARGE. VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM MARCH 20, 2001 THROUGH NOVEMBER 7, 2001 WILL HAVE A GUIDE CLIP INSTALLED ON THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT THE TENSION FORCE CABLE DOES NOT MOVE OUT OF POSITION. VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BEGINNING ON NOVEMBER 8, 2001, ALREADY HAVE THE EXTENDED GUIDE, WHICH ACCOMPLISHES THE SAME OBJECTIVE. THE RECALL BEGAN MARCH 21, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.

Notes

RECALL NO.SC042.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

KIA/SEATS

NHTSA #03V135000 · Seats — Mid/Rear Assembly · NHTSA notice

Reported April 3, 2003 · KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 4,276 vehicles

Kia campaign SCO30 · Owners notified April 25, 2003 · Vehicles built May 28, 2002 – June 23, 2002 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, SOME OF THE SECOND AND THIRD ROW SEAT STRIKERS INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE FLOOR PAN HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND COULD BREAK IN A CRASH.

Safety consequence

THIS COULD RESULT IN INJURIES TO OCCUPANTS OF THESE SEATS.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT STRIKERS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 25, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542

Notes

KIA RECALL NO. SC030.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

KIA/FMVSS 209/SEAT BELT BUCKLE ANCHOR BOLTS

NHTSA #03V017000 · Seat Belts — Rear/Other · NHTSA notice

Reported January 22, 2003 · KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 21,248 vehicles

Kia campaign SC023 · Owners notified February 24, 2003 · Vehicles built May 1, 2001 – November 29, 2001 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

CERTAIN MINI VANS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." THE SECOND AND THIRD SEAT BELT BUCKLE ANCHOR BOLTS DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE STANDARDS.

Safety consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE ANCHOR BOLTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 24, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.

Notes

KIA'S RECALL NUMBER IS SC023.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Other Kia Sedona model years

Check your 2002 Kia Sedona VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Kia Sedona at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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