Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Kia Sedona owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owned a 2002 Kia Sedona ex. While driving 45 MPH, the contact crashed into the preceding vehicle. All the air bags failed to deploy. The police arrived at the scene, but a report was not filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to an impound lot. The dealer was not contacted. The contact sustained injuries to the neck, lower back, left shoulder, and chest, which did not require medical attention. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 87,000. The VIN was not available.
Before the incident there were issues with the rear captain chairs seat belt latch when trying to buckle them. I have three small children under the age of 3 years of age and it is very important and crucial that seat belts are in working order without issues for the safety of their well being. Before the incident the seats themselves in the rear rows had issues latching as well when being installed. On August 18, 2015 myself and three small children were in a severe high impact accident and none of the airbags had gone off like they never existed. My kids and I suffer from seat belt abrasions and I suffer from bruising in multiple places from my head down, shoulder pain and back issues. Police, paramedic's, collision center, witnesses, and my insurance company were all notified or had notified about the airbags. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Kia Sedona. The contact was driving approximately 45 MPH and crashed into the rear another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The contact suffered head, neck and back injuries. The vehicle was destroyed and a police report was filed at the scene. The manufacturer was not notified of the defect. The failure mileage was 92,000.
While driving 50 MPH vehicle was involved in a collision. Upon impact, dual air bags did not deploy, and seat belt broke. According to the consumer the seat belt retractor did not lock during the event. Driver sustained neck injuries during the rollover crash. The back seat had become dislodged during the accident. Recall#03V135000.
Driving home and a deer jumped out in front of my van and I hit the deer and totaled my van bad where the air bags should of went off but it didn't now there's a light on the dash that looks like a guy sitting in a seat with a belt on and an air bag in front of it.
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. …
We own a 2002 Kia Sedona minivan. We bought it new in October of 2002. Since 04/03 we have had to return the car for airbag/seatbelt fault indications four times. In every case the front seat belt buckle sensors have been found to be defective.the dealer mechanic has told us that the air bags would not deploy with this fault indication. With each failure they have had to wait for back ordered parts, and the mechanic says this is a common fault with theses cars. Since they are always waiting for parts to repair this defect, it leads me to believe that there is indeed a widespread problem of this nature. In researchuing past problems on your web site iit seems that air bag/ seatbelt problems are a recurrent Kia defect. This is an apparant engineering design defect that puts owners of these vehicles at serious risk. …
On 2/11/11 my Kia Sedona airbag light went on and stayed on. Upon extensive research, I've seen numerous complaints online on the same issue. On 2/28/11, I had the airbag module sensor replaced by a private mechanic. Two weeks after being replaced, the airbag light went on again and stayed on. I have repaired/replaced thousands of dollars of parts on this Kia, making it the most expensive vehicle I've ever owned in the past 32 years. I was told that with the airbag light always on, that in an accident my airbags will not deploy. I have 84,000 miles on this van. The only warranty remaining from Kia is their 100,000/10 yr power train, which basically covers nothing. With all the complaints on this most extreme safety issue, and the fact that Kia touts this vehicle as a 5 star safety rating, they should be "forced" to recall this apparent manufacturing defect. …
Back in 2003, the airbag light on my van came on and would not go away. It was under warranty. The problem was a defective passenger side seat belt buckle. That was replaced. Now in 2005 the airbag light came on and would not go away again. My warranty has expired, so I tried finding out what the problem was myself. It was the same passenger side seat belt buckle. The problem was a broken wire in the harness to the sensor. The cause was a metal clip that pinches the harness, and with the movement of putting the seat belt on and off, eventually leading to the wire breakage. That I fixed myself and airbag light went out. In 2006, the airbag light came back on and would not go out. The problem now is the driver side seat belt buckle, once again a broken wire at the clip. Once again my warranty has expired so I am going to fix it myself. …
Dt*: the contact stated the air bag warning light illuminated shortly after the vehicle was started. Previously, the vehicle was repaired under recall campaign #03v17000 regarding the seat belts. Before the recall work was completed the air bag warning light was illuminated. Once the repair was made the light went off. The contact is concerned the same seat belt problem has returned, but has not made an appointment with the dealer for inspection.
Airbag complaints in other Sedona years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2002 Kia Sedona?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the air bags of the 2002 Kia Sedona, 10% of the model year's 248 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Kia Sedona airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2002 Kia Sedona, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2002 Kia Sedona airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 84,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 7 crashes, 0 fires and 7 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.