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 2003 Kia Sedona owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owned a 2003 Kia Sedona ex. While making a left turn at 5 MPH, another vehicle rear ended the rear passenger side of the contact's vehicle. The vehicle spun out of control. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed by the highway patrol and sheriff. The contact sustained bruising from the seat belt strap across the chest, and bruising across the waistline and back. Medical attention was received. The vehicle was towed to a police holding station and later to a body shop. The vehicle was declared totaled. The failure mileage was approximately 99,000. Updated 02/03/17
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Kia Sedona. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle crashed into a deer and caused significant damage to the front end. During the crash, the air bags did not deploy. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was invalid. The failure mileage was 80,000.
In July 2004 a person ran a stop sign, I completely drove into her whole passengers side with the front end of my 2003 Kia Sedona. I also had my 2 year old son in the car at the time. The air bags did not deploy which was a concern to the emergency personnel that responded to the scene. I sustained neck injury that later had to have surgery to correct and my son who was in his safety seat in the rear also sustained burn injury from his safety seat harness. I contacted Kia after the accident and was told that there was no way to test the air bags unless they deployed them. Needless to say they would not do this. Again in August 2005 another driver ran a stop sign and again I hit them with full front end to their drivers side. Again the air bags did not deploy causing concern with the emergency personnel. …
Driving a 2003 Kia Sedona approximately 35 MPH when a car made a left turn right in front of us. We hit them almost head on, then were thrown to the right, up over a curb and came to rest against a brick wall. My husband was driving, he sustained cuts to his forehead when he struck the windshield, and yes, we were both properly belted in. He also broke the steering wheel, leaving bruises on his chest. I was in the front passenger seat and sustained a fractured right radois and a fractured left femur, both required surgery to put in plates and screws. I spent a week in the hospital;, another week in a rehab hospital before being allowed to return home. I am now in a wheelchair for the next 3 months, while undergoing physical therapy and need daily assistance to get by.. None of the airbags on my 2003 Kia Sedona deployed during the accident. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Kia Sedona. While driving 2 MPH, the passenger side air bag deployed without warning or impact. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. There was no crash or fire. The driver sustained cuts on the face and arms. The passenger sustained shrapnel in the right eye with bruising, along with glass in her face and hair. The four passengers in the rear sustained ringing in the ears. The ambulance provided routine assistance, but medical attention was not provided. A police report was filed (case number: 15-1706-00760). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the contact's residence. The failure mileage was 163,511.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle was involved in a head on collision with another vehicle. Neither frontal air bag deployed. There was a police report taken at the scene. There were no injuries sustained. The vehicle was towed to a private repair shop, where the mechanic was unable to determine the problem. A service dealer was contacted, and the manufacturer was also notified. Updated 12/04/06.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the air bag deployed independently. As a result, the windshield shattered. The contact sustained two broken fingers that required medical attention. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.
On April 23 2005 the front end of my 2003 Kia Sedona hit a Ford explorer. This accident caused $9,000 in damage to my Kia and sent myself, my husband, and my 2 year old daughter to the hospital. My airbags did not go off, and no one seemed to know why. I would like this investigated.
Upon impact the driver's side air bag did not deploy resulting in the driver hitting her face on the steering wheel. The driver suffered from multiple cuts inside her mouth, a fractured nose which caused shortness of breath and multiple bruises.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that while in park and starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 132,000.
Airbag complaints in other Sedona years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2003 Kia Sedona?
NHTSA has 27 complaints about the air bags of the 2003 Kia Sedona, 14% of the model year's 197 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Kia Sedona airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2003 Kia Sedona, though it has 5 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 2003 Kia Sedona airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 96,000 miles, and 15% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 12 crashes, 0 fires and 21 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.