2002 Kia Sedona Electrical Problems

While driving just a block from your house, you noticed smoke coming from the driver's side fuse panel, which then caught fire and engulfed the entire panel in flames. You called the fire department to extinguish the fire, but the damage was severe enough to total the vehicle. This type of failure typically involves inspecting the fuse panel wiring, power distribution connections, and electrical components for shorts or corrosion that caused the overheating.

Your van caught fire while parked in your yard, with flames coming from the driver's side door and windshield area. The fire melted the dashboard, radio, steering wheel, and windshield on the driver's side. The electrical system or seat components in the driver's area may have been the source of the fire.

Your van caught fire while parked at home, with flames starting on the driver's side near the seat and fuse box area. The fire department and arson investigator determined the fire originated in that region. Your van was a total loss from the fire damage.

Your parked Kia caught fire in the engine compartment with no warning signs beforehand. The entire engine compartment was destroyed by the fire, and no one was in the vehicle at the time. This appears to be an electrical or engine-related fire that requires investigation of the wiring and engine components.

Your vehicle stalled without warning while driving at 55 mph on multiple occasions and wouldn't restart. At the same time, the front passenger seat belt tightened up and got stuck—it wouldn't retract back to its normal position. The problem hasn't been diagnosed or repaired yet. This combination of an electrical stall and a stuck seat belt suggests issues in both your electrical and restraint systems that need professional inspection.

Your car's air conditioning and heating units have wiring problems that are affecting their operation. Your dashboard lights aren't illuminating properly, and your power door locks and power windows are cutting out intermittently. An independent mechanic wasn't able to pinpoint the cause of these electrical failures. Fixing this will likely involve a thorough electrical system inspection and rewiring of the affected components.

AT APPROX. 3:55 A.M ON THE ABOVE DATE MY STEP SON WOKE UP TO THE SOUND OF A HORN CONTINUOUSLY BLOWING IN OUR DRIVEWAY. HE LOOKED OUT THE WINDOW AND SAW FLAMES COMING FROM INSIDE THE CAB OF THE LISTED VEHICLE. HE RAN INTO THE BEDROOM AND WOKE ME AND HIS MOM UP. I JUMPED UP AND RAN OUTSIDE TO FIND MY FIANCES VAN ON FIRE AS I RAN BACK IN THE HOUSE TO GET THE KIDS AND HER TO GET OUT OF THE TRAILER BECAUSE THE VAN WAS PARKED WITHIN 5 FEET OF IT THE DRIVERS WINDOW BUSTED AND FLAMES BEGAN ROLLING OUT OF IT. WE CALLED 911 AND WAITED FOR THE FIRE DEPT TO GET THERE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE VAN BECAME FULLY INVOLVED AND BURNED ALMOST COMPLETELY UP. I FOUND OUT LATER THAT DAY OF A RECALL BACK IN 2005 OF POSSIBLE FIRE DANGER CAUSED BY WIRING IN ELECTRIC SEATS. I STARTED THINKING THAT MAY BE WHAT STARTED BECAUSE THE DRIVERS ELECTRIC SEAT STOPPED WORKING ABOUT 8 MONTHS AGO. WE BOUGHT THE CAR USED A COUPLE YEARS AGO AND NEVER RECEIVED ANY RECALL NOTICES ABOUT IT. WHAT DOES HER OR I NEED TO DO. IF THIS WAS IN FACT CAUSED DUE TO A RECALL WE NEED TO BE REPLACED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. *TR

I NOTICE THAT WHEN I UNBUCKLE MY SEATBELT, THE WARNING LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON, NOR DOES IT CHIME. IT DOES NOT MATTER IF YOU ARE IN DRIVE AND MOVING, OR PARKED. THE SEAT BELT LIGHT WON'T ILLUMINATE, NOR DOES THE CAR CHIME. THE ONLY TIME THE LIGHT ILLUMINATES IS WHEN YOU FIRST START UP THE VEHICLE. I DON'T BELIEVE IT EVER HAS IN THE ENTIRE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. I NOW HAVE OVER 102,500 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. *TR

MY 2002 KIA SEDONA CAUGHT FIRE ON NOVEMBER 7, 2012. I WAS UNAWARE OF THE EXISTENCE OF ANY RECALLS NEEDED FOR MY KIA OR THAT I WAS DRIVING A VEHICLE THAT COULD START ON FIRE AT ANY TIME?..I HAVE CHILDREN AND A GRANDCHILD THAT I TRANSPORT! I SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL. I NOTIFIED KIA THE DAY OF THE INCIDENT, PROVIDED ALL INCIDENT INFORMATION AND REPORTS FROM THE KIRKLAND FIRE DEPARTMENT, WAITED, AND CONTINUED TO DO ALL THAT WAS ASKED OF ME BY KIA. OVER 2 MONTHS LATER I WAS TOLD BY MICHELE HILLEGAS, NATIONAL CONSUMER AFFAIRS ANALYST, THAT MY VEHICLE WAS TOO OLD, WASN'T UNDER WARRANTY ANYMORE AND HADN'T BEEN FOR QUITE SOME TIME SO THEY WOULD NOT COMPENSATE ME FOR ANY LOSS. SHE ALSO STATED THAT IF I HAD FULL COVERAGE INSURANCE THIS WOULD HAVE COMPENSATED ME FOR MY LOSS. RECALLS HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THE DEALER WARRANTY OR MY INDIVIDUAL INSURANCE THAT I CARRY ON MY VEHICLE. SOON AFTER I BOUGHT MY KIA IN 2008 I PURCHASED AN 50,000 MILE EXTENDED VEHICLE WARRANTY FOR MY VEHICLE FROM A COMPANY KNOWN AS ENDURANCE WARRANTY WHICH HELPED ME MAINTAIN MY VEHICLE IN THE BEST WAY IT COULD BE. THIS WEB LINK TALKS ABOUT THE RECALL WHICH MY 2002 KIA SEDONA EX NEEDED??..HTTP://WWW.OHIOLEMONLAW.COM/SAFETY-RECALL-17.SHTML A FEW WEEKS PRIOR TO THE FIRE, MY ELECTRIC FRONT PASSENGER SEAT STOPPED WORKING. I BELIEVE NOW THAT A FAULTY ENGINEERING PROBLEM WELL DOCUMENTED BY KIA IS THE REASON WHY THAT SEAT QUIT WORKING AND THEN EVENTUALLY CAUSED A SHORT IN THE WIRING ULTIMATELY CAUSING THE FIRE IN THE FUSE BOX THAT DESTROYED MY VEHICLE. SINCE KIA IS REQUIRED TO PERFORM RECALLED REPAIRS TO ALL KIA VEHICLES INVOLVED IN RECALLS THAT ARE IN THEIR POSSESSION (KIA DEALERSHIPS) AND MY RIGHTS AS A KIA OWNER WERE NEGLECTED, I BELIEVE I AM LAWFULLY ENTITLED TO BE COMPENSATED FOR MY LOSS IN A FAIR AND EQUITABLE MANNER. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT FAILED AND WAS BLOWING WARM AIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND AN INSPECTION WAS PERFORMED, WHICH DETERMINED THAT THE CONDENSER WAS LEAKING. THE DEALER ALSO FOUND THAT THE VEHICLE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE SUB FRAME WAS CORRODED WITH ONLY TWO INCHES OF METAL LEFT SUPPORTING THE ENGINE. THE CORROSION ALSO SPREAD TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE 2002 KIA SEDONA HAS BEEN ON AND THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN ASSESSED MANY TIMES. PER THE MECHANIC AT THE DEALERSHIP THERE IS NO WAY TO IDENTIFY IF THE AIRBAG WORKS OR NOT. THE ENTIRE SYSTEM WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED WHICH IS VERY EXPENSIVE. THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS TO THE HATCHBACK HAVE FAILED AND THE ABILITY TO OPEN THE HATCHBACK HAS CAUSED AN ISSUE WITH RELEASING THE CAGE TO DROP THE SPARE TIRE. BE PREPARED THERE IS NOT A LIGHT THAT TELLS YOU THE HATCHBACK WILL NOT OPEN WHICH COULD LEAD TO A MULTITUDE OF PROBLEMS WHILE TRAVELING AT NIGHT. ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE A TIRE FAILURE WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY DRIVING OUT OF TOWN ON A WEEKEND AND GO TO OPEN THE HATCH AND IT WILL NOT OPEN, THEREFORE THE ABILITY TO USE THE SPARE IS NOW NULL AND VOID. HOPEFULLY THE CELL PHONE YOU OWN HAS RECEPTION TO CALL A TOW TRUCK TO TOW YOUR CAR TO THE NEAREST TOWN. ONCE THERE I HOPE THE HOTEL LEFT THE LIGHT ON BECAUSE THE TIRE STORE IS NOT OPEN AT 10 PM. THE BRAKE LIGHT HARDWARE IS NOT BOLTED IN PROPERLY- WHEN I BOUGHT MY VAN SOMEONE HAD ACTUALLY USED VELCRO TO HOLD THE BRAKELIGHTS/TAILIGHT COVERS IN PLACE. WHICH ALSO CONSISTS OF A HEADLIGHT ISSUE- WHEN THERE IS A LOT OF SNOW/RAIN I MUST REPLACE THE HEADLIGHTS EVERY 6 TO 8 WEEKS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO INFORMED HER THAT THERE WAS A LOOSE WIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, IT CURRENTLY WILL NOT START AND SHE NOTICED THAT THE HEATING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT ALL OF THE WIRES HAD MELTED, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 73,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SEDONA. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY AND THE WIRES FROM THE DRIVER SIDE UNDER THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CAUGHT FIRE. THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE BY ALSO CUTTING THE ELECTRICAL WIRES FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND STATING THAT WAS THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE. A REPORT WAS AVAILABLE IF NEEDED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT DID NOT CONTACT HER INSURANCE COMPANY, THE DEALER OR THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

2002 KIA SEDONA EX, PURCHASED 03/2008. MY SISTER IN LAW WAS DRIVING MY VAN ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED. SHE PULLED OVER OFF THE HIGHWAY AND WENT TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, TO WHICH IN BEGAN TO SMOKE AND THE WHOLE FRONT END WENT UP IN FLAMES. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SEDONA. THE CONTACT HEARD AN UNFAMILIAR NOISE AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CAUGHT FIRE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS ELECTRICAL. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY PARKED IN HIS DRIVEWAY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 61,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SEDONA. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED FOR APPROXIMATELY 8-10 HOURS WHEN IT SUDDENLY CAUGHT FIRE. THE WIRING FUSE BOX CAUSED THE ENGINE, RADIO, AND WIPER/WASHER TO ACTIVATE. THE FIRE ORIGINATED IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DOUSE THE FIRE WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO A DEALER AND THEY DID NOT PROVIDE A REASON AS TO WHY IT CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THE SAME TYPE OF VEHICLE WITH IDENTICAL FAILURES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 72,000. UPDATED 03/06/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE RECALL WAS DONE, HOWEVER EVER SINCE THE REPAIR, THE SEATS NEVER WORKED CORRECTLY. THE CONSUMER HAD WORKED DONE ON THE AIR CONDITIONER. UPDATED

SINCE PURCHASING A SEDONA VAN IN '02 WE HAVE HAD NONE STOP ELECTRICAL ISSUES. THE BATTERY HAS BEEN REPLACED AT LEAST TWICE, SAME FOR THE ALTERNATOR, AND MOST RECENTLY THE CAR CAUGHT FIRE BEHIND THE PANEL NEST TO THE PARKING BRAKE PEDAL. MY WIFE DROVE THE CAR AT 1:00PM TO THE STORE AND THEN CAME HOME, PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, AND LOCKED THE DOORS. AT 10:00PM WE WERE AWAKEN BY A NEIGHBOR WHO TOLD US THAT THE CAR WAS RUNNING, THE WIPERS RUNNING, AND THE INTERIOR FILLING WITH SMOKE. I UNLOCKED THE DOORS AND USED THE EXTINGUISHER TO STOP THE FIRE. THANKFULLY SHE DID NOT PARK IN THE GARAGE OR OUR HOUSE WOULD PROBABLY HAVE CAUGHT FIRE. *TR MM

4 MONTHS AGO MY ALTERNATOR WENT, TAKING WITH IT MY ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. AFTER EVERYTHING WAS FIXED BY THE REPAIR SHOP OF MY CHOICE, THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS STILL ON AND COULD NOT BE RESET BECAUSE KIA WILL NOT RELEASE THE CODES TO DO SO. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND $90 LATER SIMPLY RESET THE CODES TO CLEAR THE LIGHT. NOW I FIND MYSELF WITH THE LIGHT ON AGAIN, AND MY 2002 KIA SEDONA AT THE DEALERSHIP TO FIND OUT WHY. OF COURSE, IT CANNOT BE AS SIMPLE AS THE CODE NEEDING TO BE RESET, AND I HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THERE IS A FAULTY SENSOR IN THE SEATBELT MECHANISM THAT WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. THIS WILL COST $200 + TO HAVE DONE. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS IS A RECURRENT PROBLEM WITH KIA SEDONAS AND I CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY IT IS NOT A RECALL ITEM. MY SISTER-IN-LAW HAS HAD TO REPLACE THEIRS TWO TIMES NOW, MY FATHER-IN-LAW HAS HAD TO REPLACE HIS AT LEAST ONE TIME, AND MY SISTER-IN-LAWS MOTHER-IN-LAW HAS HAD TO REPLACE HERS AT LEAST TWICE. THESE ARE JUST FAMILY MEMBERS, AND I CAN ONLY IMAGINE HOW MANY OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. ON THIS SITE ALONE I HAVE FOUND SEVERAL, NOT TO MENTION OTHER MESSAGE BOARDS SHOWING THE SAME COMPLAINTS. AT WHAT POINT DOES A COMPLAINT LIKE THIS GET INVESTIGATED TO BE RECALLED? THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF AND I IMPLORE YOU TO INVESTIGATE INTO THIS MALFUNCTION. THANK YOU. *TR UPDATED 09/19/07 *TR

2002 KIA SEDONA WITH ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE CAR WENT DEAD WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE**CC IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ALTERNATOR WAS THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM, WHICH ALSO DAMAGED OTHER COMPONETS. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT RECEIVED TWO RECALL LETTERS; ONE FOR THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS, AND THE OTHER FOR HEADLIGHTS. SHE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM BY PHONE AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE UNTIL JANUARY 11, 2005. THE MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDED THAT CONTACT ANOTHER DEALERSHIP. *AK

FIRST HAD PROBLEMS WHEN THE WINDOWS WOULD NOT ROLL DOWN OR UP. ALSO, THE DOOR LOCKS WOULD CLICK AND NOT FUNCTION. WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND TOOK THE VAN TO THE DEALER - THEY SAID THEY FIXED IT - NEXT DAY WHEN OUT OF TOWN THE SAME THING HAPPENED. TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK IN AND THEY SAID THERE WAS A GROUND/SHORT FAULT IN THE WIRING OF THE DOOR HARNESS CONNECTED TO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THEY WORKED ON IT AGAIN AND STILL NOT FIXED. THREE WEEKS LATER - RECEIVE A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE ABOUT DEFECTIVE WIRING UNDER THE SEATS AND CAUSING SHORTS AND POTENTIAL FIRES. TWO DAYS LATER - ALL LIGHTS ON THE DASH BOARD COME ON - BOTH LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS BLOW. CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY SAY GIVE ME SOME NONSENSE ABOUT "THIS CAN'T BE RELATED TO ANY OF THE OTHER PROBLEMS." TOOK THE VAN INTO A NON-KIA SERVICE CENTER AND THEY TELL ME THAT THE ALTERNATOR IS SPIKING AND GOING OUT. THEY ALSO INFORM ME THAT THE OTHER PROBLEMS WILL AFFECT THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ESPECIALLY IF THERE IS A SHORT. I HAVE READ MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM OF THE KIA AND I BELIEVE THAT THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE FOR GENERAL USE - NOT JUST MINE. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. MY WINDOW REPAIR IS STILL COVERED UNDER WARRANTY REPAIR - THE SEATS NEGLECT/MIS-WIRING IS UNDER RECALL BUT MY WARRANTY IS EXPIRED BY 10,000 MILES ( 74,000 ) MILES CURRENTLY. I AM FILING A COMPLAINT WITH ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE, BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU AND KIA - POSSIBLY ATTORNEY INVOLVEMENT IF (ALL) THESE ISSUES ARE NOT FIXED IMMEDIATELY BY KIA! *JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL PROBLEMS. THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS IN AUGUST 2005 WHEN THE ALTERNATOR, ALTERNATOR BELT, AND A SENSOR WERE REPLACED. A SENSOR WAS REPLACED TWICE IN OCTOBER 2005. THEN, ON OCTOBER 28, 2005 THERE A CONTROL VALVE WAS REPLACED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON EACH TIME BEFORE THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NORMALLY REMAINED OFF FOR ABOUT THREE DAYS. HOWEVER, WHEN THE LAST REPAIR WAS MADE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED OFF FOR ONLY ABOUT 50 MILES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN BACK TO THE DEALER SINCE THEN. *AK

WHEN THE ELECTRIC LOCK IS USED ON THE KIA SEDONA IT DISABLES THE FOLLOWING: ELECTRIC WINDOWS, DASH LIGHTS (ALL) INTERIOR DOME LIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS LICENSE PLATE LIGHT AND ALL PARKING LIGHTS ARE LOST. AFTER SETTING OVERNIGHT THE SYSTEMS COME BACK ON LINE SO FAR. HOWEVER IF SOMEONE HITS THE LOCKS AND IT IS AT NIGHT, ALL THE LIGHT THAT ANOTHER DRIVER WOULD SEE FROM THE REAR ARE OUT. THE DRIVER CAN NOT SEE ANY INSTRUMENTS AT ALL. AND ANY WINDOWS THAT WERE OPEN WILL NOT CHANGE POSITION. WE TOOK IT TO KIA THEY SAID A RELAY WAS MISSING. HOWEVER THE ENTIRE PRESCRIBED SET OF RELAYS WERE IN PLACE, THEY ALSO SAID THE FUSE BLOCK WAS MELTED, AND IT HAD TO BE ORDERED, THEY RETURNED THE CAR TO MY WIFE AND SHE DROVE IT HOME AGAIN. THEY PROVIDE A PICTURE OF WHAT WAS ORDERED. I LOOKED AT THE CAR AND THERE WASN'T ANY RELAY MISSING AND IF THE FUSE / RELAY WAS MELTED IT WAS NOT APPARENT FROM THE INSTALLED CONDITION. THERE WAS NOT EVIDENCE THAT ANYTHING WAS REMOVED (ALL BOLTS AND INSTALLATION HARDWARE WAS STILL INTACT AND DIRTY AND NO FINGER PRINTS WERE PRESENT) WE ARE WAITING ON THE PART DELIVERY. THIS CAR WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE YET KIA DID NOT GIVE ANY THOUGHT TO RELEASING IT TO MY WIFE TO DRIVE. WE HAVE PARKED IT UNTIL THE PART COMES IN. THE FAILURE HAS HAPPENED EVERY TIME THE LOCKS ARE USED OVER THE LAST WEEK. *JB

1) BATTERY DISCHARGE OCCURED DURING SLOW SPEED DRIVING AND HOT CONDITIONS. VEHICLE STALLED AT INTERSECTION AND WAS ALMOST HIT SEVERAL TIMES. 2) SERVICE BULLETIN PUT OUT BY KIA CALLS FOR NEW ALTERNATOR, WITH SMALLER PULLEY AND ECM BATTERY COMPENSATION 3) KIA TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN CALLS FOR A NEW ALTERNATOR WITH SMALLER PULLEY (65MM ->55MM) AND ECM BATTERY COMPENSATION REVISED.

I HAD MY BATTERY REPLACED IN MARCH 2003 BECAUSE THE CAR WOULD NOT START. AUGUST 22ND MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. I CALLED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THEY SAID COULD BE THE ALTERNATOR. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE NEXT DAY AT 9:00A.M. WHEN I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM SCHOOL I NOTICED MY ABS LIGHT WAS ON. I PARKED IT IN DRIVE WAY. IT WOULD NOT START THE NEXT MORNING SO MY HUSBAND JUMPED STARTED IT. I DROVE MY DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL AND MY CAR STARTING BEEPING, HESITATING, AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON PLUS ALL THE OTHER ONES FROM THE DAY BEFORE. I DROPPED MY DAUGHTER AT SCHOOL AND ABOUT A BLOCK DOWN THE ROAD IN JUST DIED WITH MY SON AND I IN THE CAR. I NOTICED A VAPOR FUME COMING OUT OF THE VENTS BY THE WINDSHIELD WHEN IT DIED. I GOT MY SON AND I OUT OF THE CAR AND CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID I NEED A NEW ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY. I GOT THE ALTERNATOR COVERED AND THEY PUT A NEW BATTERY IN. *JB

BATTERY DIES EVERY SUMMER DURING HOT WEATHER. THREE BATTERIES IN 3 YEARS. THE ALTERNATOR DOES NOT SUPPLY BATTERY WITH ENOUGH CURRENT WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONING, RADIO, AND LIGHTS ARE ON CAUSING THE BATTERY TO DRAIN.

2002 SEDONA WAS REPAIRED 2 TIMES WITH LESS THEN 200 MILES ON IT FOR BATTERY DRAINING- CLAIM WAS IT WAS THE RADIO DIDN'T SHUT OFF WITH THE CAR. THEN LAST MONTH WITH 59.000 MILES ON IT I COMPLAINED OF THE CAR HESITATING AND LIGHTS FLICKERING, AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON FOR NO REASON, CLAIM TO REPAIR WAS TUNE-UP- 1700.00 AND TWO MONTHS LATER MY BATTERY WENT ON FIRE WITH 5 PEOPLE IN IT, 3 CHILDREN AND ONE IS CARRIED OUT HANDICAPPED. LIGHTS FLICKERED, ODOMETER WENT NUTS WITHOUT THE ENGINE RACING, DOOR LOCKS LOCKED AND UNLOCKED, BATTERY LIGHT, BREAK LIGHT, AND AIRBAG LIGHT CAME BACK ON. WIPERS WENT ON WITHOUT TURNING THEM ON WITH THE SWITCH AND THE HAZARDS WENT ON WITHOUT PUSHING THE BUTTON. I AM MORE THEN HAPPY TO FILE A CONSUMER COMPLAINT AND A LAWSUIT. MY DEALER WENT OUT OF BUSINESS I WAS TOLD WHEN MY CAR WENT ON FIRE TWO WEEKS AGO. SO NOW IT IS AT ANOTHER DEALER AND AT 65,000 NOT COVERED, IT WILL BE COVERED. I AM ACTUALLY COMPILING A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT ON THE SAFETY OF THESE BATTERIES. I WANT MY CAR FIXED AND ALL THESE VANS RECALLED TO FIND OUT THE REASON, I WOULD NOT WANT ONE OF MY FAMILIES KILLED AND DON'T WANT TO WAIT TILL IT HAPPENS TO SOMEONE ELSE'S. ALL OF US CAN'T BE WRONG AND AS A SAFETY PROBLEM AND A POSSIBLE MEANS OF KILLING PEOPLE WHEN THE DOORS LOCK AND WON'T LET YOU OUT WHEN THE CAR IS ON FIRE - ?? GET WITH IT PEOPLE. RECALL THESE CARS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. USE MY CAR AS YOUR TEST SUBJECT, I OFFER IT. NOW MY DAUGHTERS LUNGS HURT FROM THE SMELL OF THE SULFUR HURRYING TO GET THE KIDS OUT. *NM

DT: 2002 KIA SEDONA. THE CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE SMELLED OF SMOKE. THEN, THE VEHICLE STOPPED DUE TO A COMPLETE ELECTRICAL SHUTDOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN PUSHED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. CONSUMER TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE NUMEROUS TIMES, BUT COULD NOT DO SO. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. *AK

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HER 2002 KIA SEDONA AND IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS ELECTRICAL IN NATURE AND BEGAN IN THE STEERING COLUMN. AFTER TURNING OFF THE IGNITION AND REMOVING THE KEYS, THE ENGINE STARTED ALONG WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. THE FIRE WAS CONTAINED TO THE DASH AND STEERING COLUMN AREA. A NEARBY CITIZEN EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. WE ARE FORTUNATE THAT MY WIFE AND 3 YOUNG CHILDREN WERE NOT SERIOUSLY INJURED.

CHARGING SYSTEM UNDER ENGINEERED. BATTERY FAILS TO CHARGE IN HOT WEATHER, SAY 90 F OR ABOVE. AMPERAGE TOO LOW FOR USE IN HOT WEATHER WITH AC AT FULL POWER, ESPECIALY WHEN IDLING. I HAVE TRIED A LAGER BATTERY 1,000 CCA, BUT ITS ONLY A TEMPORARY FIX. AS THE HOT DAYS GO BY THE BATTERY STARTS TO LOSE ITS POWER AND THEN I NEED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE FOR A LONG TIME BEFORE THE BATTERY IS FULLY CHARGED AND I MEAN 3HR OR MORE OF A DRIVE! I HAVE HAD TO JUMP START 2002 KIA SEDONA 6 TIMES IN HOT WEATHER. TALKED TO DEALER ABOUT IT. THEY SAID IT WAS A VERY COMMON COMPLAIT WITH THE KIA SEDONA IN HOT WEATER CITIES AND THAT KIA IS NOT GOINT TO CHANGE THE WIMPY ALTERMATOR WITH A MORE BEEFY ONE. AS A FORMER TECHNICIAN I KNOW THAT THIS IS A FIRE HAZARD, RADIOS AND OTHER ELECTRONICS WILL SHORT OUT IF NOT REMEDIED. CORTRARY TO MAIN BELIEF THAT ONLY HIGH VOLTAGE CAN CAUSE A SHORT I HAVE FOUND THAT LOW VALTAGE CAN CAUSE A SHORT THEN WHEN YOU INCREASE YOUR VOLTAGE BY JUMP STARTING YOU CAN CAUSE A FIRE. SO HEADS UP (TICK, TOCK,TICK ,TOCK)

ST: 8TH OF 2004 THE BATTERY STARTED TO DIE,\. DEALER TOLD CALLER TO SHUT THE ALARM SYSTEM OFF WHEN NOT DRIVING. VEHICLE BATTERY WAS CHECKED BY KIA, AND REPORTED NO PROBLEMS WITH BATTERY. HOWEVER, BATTERY HAD TO BE CHARGED NUMEROUS TIMES IN DRIVEWAY. ON MAY 2005 THE LOCKS BEGAN TO GO ON AND OFF, AND ALL LIGHTS CAME ON THE DASH. TOOK THE CAR TO DEALER, WHO CHECKED THE BATTERY, BUT DEALER REPORTED THE CAR NEEDED A NEW BATTERY. 05/05/05 AS CONTACT WAS DRIVING ON A MAIN ROAD AND ALL SENSOR LIGHTS CAME ON, AND LOCKS CAME ON AND OFF, AND CAR SHUT OFF. AFTER RESTARTING VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER AGAIN FOR REPAIR.*AK

RE:KIA SEDONA MINIVAN [XXX] WITH ABOUT 58,300 MILES. NO PRIOR PROBLEMS OF ANY KIND. ST COMPLAINT: ON EVENING OF FRIDAY, 12/31/04, A CLUNKING/GRINDING SOUND FROM RIGHT SIDE OF MY KIA SEDONA AT ABOUT 58,000 MILES GRABBED AND SEIZED THE RIGHT AXLE. ON 1/1/05 [SAT] I DROVE CAR TO LOCAL SRVCE CNTR. ON 1/3/05 [MONDAY] SRVC CNTR DIAGNOSED BURNT/BROKEN RIGHT AXLE WHEEL BEARINGS. ALTHO I TOLD SRVCE CNTR TO DO BRAKE SERVICE ON ALL 4 WHEELS BUT NOT WHEEL BEARINGS, AS I WANTED THAT WORK TO BE DONE BY MY KIA DEALERSHIP - MY LOCAL STATION REPLACED BRAKE PADS & RIMS AND HONED ROTORS AND REPLACED FRONT RIGHT AXLE WHEEL BEARINGS. TOW SERVICE TO KIA DEALERSHIP WAS CANCELLED BY ME AS A RESULT. 2ND COMPLAINT: ON WED, 1/5/05, I DROVE DAUGHTER AT 6:45 A.M. FROM BRONX TO HER LAGUARDIA HS IN MANHATTAN. NOTICED THAT CAR RADIO AND HEAD LIGHTS FLICKED ON & OFF WHILE DRIVING FOR MINUTES AT A TIME. LATER IN DAY, I DROVE TO BROOKLYN'S 99 STREET CLEANERS TO PICK UP MY MILITARY FIELD COAT AT 3:20 P.M. MINIVAN PARKED BUT ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER & START. USED AUXILIARY BATTERY PACK [ABP] TO START ENGINE AND ENTERED BQEXPRESSWAY. CROSSING BROOKLYN BRIDGE TO MANHATTAN, ENGINE DIED. USED ABP TO START ENGINE AND ENTERED FDR DRIVE UP MANHATTAN TO HOME. CAR ENGINE DIED 3 MORE TIMES. AFTER 4 STALLS AND RE-STARTS WITH ABP, I KEPT ABP CONNECTED TO VEHICLE BATTERY AND, WITH ALL LIGHTS OFF IN DARKNESS FROM 4:30 P.M.-5:45 P.M., IN SLOW RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC, THE ABP KEPT CAR ALIVE TILL ARRIVAL AT LOCAL SRVCE CNTR. ALL FUSES CHECKED OKAY WHILE CAR BATTERY RECHARGED. DIAGNOSIS MADE THAT ALTERNATOR AND/OR REGULATOR NOT WORKING. HAVE PHONED KIA TOW SERVICE FOR PICK UP TO DEALERSHIP. VEHICLE HAS ABOUT 58,300 MILES ON IT. NB: I AM VERY SATISIFED WITH KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND KIA TOW SERVICE, WHOM I TELEPHONED ON 1/3/05 [AND THEN CANCELLED TOW] AND TODAY ON 1/6/05. *AK UPDATED 07/24/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

WE HAVE A 2002 SEDONA. WE HAVE OWNED IT FOR 2 YEARS. AND THIS IS THE 7TH TIME THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS COME ON AND STAYED ON. EVEY TIME WE TAKE IT IN THEY REPLACE SOMETHING, ONCE WAS THE SEAT BELT LATCH, ANOTHER TIME WAS A PART IN THE COMPUTER AND SO ON. THEY JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT IS CAUSING IT TO COME ON, SO THEY TELL ME. THAT IS SUCH A REASSURING ANSWER FOR A CAR OWNER. WE HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE BATTERY, HATCHBACK NOT OPENING AND HAVING DENTS IN IT FROM WHEN WE SHUT IT AND BREAK PROBLEMS THAT THEY REFUSSED TO FIX UNTIL AFTER THE WARRENTY EXPIRED. IT IS TIME NOW FOR AN ATTORNEY TO STEP IN FOR US.*AK

UNKNOWN ELECTRICAL DRAIN IN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM LEAVES BATTERY DEAD. HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS REQUIRING JUMP STARTS.*AK

REMOTE ENTRY LOCKS OFTEN DO NOT WORK. DEALER SAID OTHER OWNERS HAVE COMPLAINED OF THE SAME THING BUT MANUFACTURER IS UNABLE TO PINPOINT THE PROBLEM AND NO FIX IS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE. *NLM

KIA-SEDONA. WINSHIELD CRACKS. BATTERY DRAINES WHEN VAN SITS 2 OR MORE DAYS. I HV CONTACTED THE DEALR. AM SCHEDULING SERVICE. HAVE HAD TO JUMP START THE VAN 3 TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR. WINSHIELD CRACKED RECENTLY WHILE DRIVING(NO OBJECTS INVOLVED). BELIEVE THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM. FRIEND HAS SIMILIAR PROBLEM WITH 2002 SEDONA. DEALER REPLACED. DRIVER WINDOW CLOSES TOO TIGHTLY WHEN BUTTON IS HELD TO CLOSE. MAKES CRACKING NOISE. *AK

BATTERY KEEPS ON DYING, NEEDING BOOST. RECIEVED NEW ONE IN JANUARY 2003. THAT ONE DIED IN FEB. THEY REPLACED RADIO, SAYING IT HAD A SHORT. BUT BATTERY DIED AGAIN. THEN THEY SAID AN ALTERNATOR WIRE WAS LOOSE. THEY RECONNECTED IT. BUT BATTERY DIED AGAIN, THE FOLLOWING MONTH. BACK FOR SERVICE ON 6/2/03. AFRAID ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MAY FAIL WHILE VEHICLE IS BEING OPERATED. KNOW OF 2 OTHER INDIVIDUALS WITH SAME KIA SEDONA EX THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO (BATTERY FAILURE).*AK

BATTERY KEEPS ON DYING, NEEDING BOOST. RECEIVED RUARY JANUARY 2003. THAT ONE DIED IN FEB. THEY REPLACED RADIO, SAYING IT HAD A SHORT. BUT BATTERY DIED AGAIN. THEN THEY SAID AN ALTERNATOR WIRE WAS LOOSE. THEY RECONNECTED IT. BUT BATTERY DIED AGAIN, THE FOLLOWING MONTH. BACK FOR SERVICE ON 6/2/03. AFRAID ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MAY FAIL WHILE VEHICLE IS BEING OPERATED. KNOW OF 2 OTHER INDIVIDUALS WITH SAME KIA SEDONA EX THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO (BATTERY FAILURE). *AK

THE FUSE BOX CAUGHT ON FIRE . DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PH

THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE STALLS. ON ONE OCCASION THE VEHICLE WAS MOVED IN THE STREET WITH TRAFFIC FLOW, AND THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. A VEHICLE HAD CONTINUED MOVING AND SLIGHTLY SCRAPED THE REAR OF THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. THE ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SHOP FOR REPAIRS AND AFTER INSTALLING A NEW BATTERY, THE ALTERNATOR DOESN'T CRANK. *SCC

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE HAVE STALLED ON THREE OCCASIONS. VEHICLE TAKEN TO THE DEALER. DEALER INFORMED THAT THE ALTERNATOR WAS OVERHEATING AND CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *MR

BATTERY KEEPS DRAINING THE SYSTEM. DEALER STATED WHEN USING AIR CONDITIONER AND LUMBAR SEAT BATTERY WILL DRAIN. THERE IS NO REMEDY AT THIS TIME.*AK

VEHICLE SHUTDOWN AND THE VEHICLE HAS NO POWER AT ALL. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

ELECTRIC SYSTEM WIRING CAUSING LIGHTS/WINDOWS AND DOOR LOCKS TO GO OUT. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK