Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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. The contact stated while driving at 25 MPH the vehicle hesitated and failed to shift into the desired gear with smoke coming from under the hood. The contact managed to drive the vehicle home, parked the vehicle, and upon opening the hood saw flames. The contact stated that the fire department was called however, her neighbor attempted to extinguish the flames with a water hose until the fire department arrived to extinguish the fire. There were no injuries and a fire report was taken. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000. The dealer was not notified of this issue and the manufacturer was not made aware of this issue. The contact mentioned that the check engine and air bags warning lights had been illuminated since she purchased the vehicle.
Tl* the contact owned a 2003 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that while in park, the front of the vehicle caught fire. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.
My Sedona keeps catching on fire not sure why but now if I get it up to temperature it automatically catches on fire I'm going into my second fire extinguishe
I have a 2003 Kia Sedona. I have had to have the alternator replaced 2 times in a months time. The dealership is saying now that the connector to the fan has melted because the fan is pulling too much voltage. But from what I understand from others, the issue is the connector and not the fan? I hope they are able to find out what keeps causing these issues and can fix this asap! I am sick of spending my nights stranded on the side of the road! Not to mention the financial strain it is placing on my family. Now I know why the previous owner traded in this junk with only 53,000 miles on it!
2003 Kia Sedona ex caught on fire 07/11/10. Vehicle was parked for more than an hour and not running. Resultant vehicle destroyed and surrounding vehicles had melted components, driver side mirrors, roof rack, bumpers, headlights and cracked windshield due to explosion and launch of a reach strut.
I was driving my Kia Sedona 2003 ex one day and someone yelled at me that it was on fire. I immediately stopped and the fire came up through the windshield, also the bottom of the vehicle where the panel is. I proceeded to inform the dealer, because I had purchased it used on October 19, 2007 and this happened on March 10, 2008. The only reason why the dealer pretended to deal with it was because I had informed the dealer within less than a month of purchasing it of some details that needed attention, but they had kept putting it off. The dealer picked up the Kia after 2 weeks from the incident and they fixed some holes that were burned, but only the ones I could see. I went various times because I kept having problems, they fixed the gears but, I kept having problems, everytime I went they pretended to fix something but did nothing. …
We first got our (used) Kia Sedona oct. Of 2007. It had about 45,000 miles on it when we got it- and now it has about 74,000. 2 months into having it the check engine light would come on whenever the temperature dropped below 20 degrees(f). The check engine light would usually go off by the next day if it was warmer out or would stay on for up to 3 days if it was very cold) it started to buck a lot (about 6 months into having it) and we brought it to the shop and had the spark plugs, wires, boots, and coils replaced. About a month after those were replaced the catalytic converter went and we needed to replace that. The check engine light still comes on when the temperatures drop-but they cant figure out why. Now the car stalls (and bucks) at various times for no reason. We've taken it to the shop but they cant find anything wrong with it. …
I bought a 2003 Sedona used in 2007 with about 50000 miles and have nothing but problems ever since. 1st in 7/08 I went to a local shop (not Kia) because my engine seemed very loud. The mechanic told me I needed new motor mounts n that it was kind of unusual for a car to need them so soon. I did call Kia n ask them about this and was basically told to bad for you. So I had them fixed ($556.36). Not even a few weeks later my ac was blowing hot. Same mechanic told me my ac was out n that one of the hoses needed replaced. Had to wait a few years but had it replaced ($1050.72). Had my 1st brake job done in 2008 ever since I've had to have my brakes replace 2-3 yearly plus had to have new calipers. No one can tell me way the breakpads wear out so quickly. I dont drive a unusual amount. I've had to replace 2 interior door handle and now have a broken exterior handle. …
2003 Kia Sedona which we bought brand new has had a problem almost since we purchased it, initially with running rough, then transmission into stalling, or loss of power and almost stalling, when accelerating onto a highway or other main thoroughfare where rapid acceleration is required for safe entry. We have brought the vehicle back to the dealership at which we purchased it numerous times. Either they could not find the problem, or they made repairs which did not correct the problem. On October 4, 2006, my wife was driving it on a busy 4 lane road when it stalled and could not be started again, leaving her stranded in a dangerous situation. The dealership replaced the power control module this time, and we got it back today, October 6, in the late afternoon. I drove to a destination 17 miles away and back this evening. …
This van has been a problem ever since I bought it. This is the 3rd time the brakes have been replaced, the cd player doesn't work any more. The alternator with out at 40,000 miles. The fuses inside keep blowing. The air controller in the back in falling out of the ceiling. I had to leave it with the dealership for over a week so that they could find the hesitation problem it was having when pulling out into traffic. It turned out to be the distributor cable, this was at about 17,000 miles and that was also the miles at the 2nd brakes job. It now makes a noise in the back of the van that sounds like a motorcycle is coming up behind you. I just hope whatever it is it doesn't blow like it sounds like it could. I bought this van because I have a 1 year old and a 4 year old so I really don't want to crash with such precious cargo. Thanks, rose ann.
Engine complaints in other Sedona years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2003 Kia Sedona?
NHTSA has 34 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2003 Kia Sedona, 17% of the model year's 197 complaints. The component named most often is engine (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Kia Sedona engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 58,000 miles, and 21% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 6 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.