Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Kia Sedona owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I have been going to Kia for years complaining of a strange intermittent groaning sound coming from the brakes at low speed stops. It would never make noise at the dealer and would only make the noise sometimes. Never for the same reason. It was very random. This time I was driving for several hours ( city traffic) where I began to hear the sound. After about 20 minutes or so I smelled rubber or tar. Thought it was from the street repaving but when we passed the construction I could still smell it. The car began to drive as though the transmission was not working properly. After about 2 miles at slow speed I pulled over and saw steam. I lifted hood where it appeared to be coming from transmission. I continued 10 MPH or less to get closer to home and out of the way of traffic. About a mile or 2 later I could hardly drive even at slow speed. …
The vehicle was bought in July of 2004 since then I been having several problems with the brakes. Nov 26, 2006 brake pads were worn out, there was no specific reason fron the mechanic since the vehicle was less than 3000 miles. April 2, 2006 the vehicle went back to warranty for the same reason noisy brakes and vibration. July 23, 2005 back to repairs for same reason. September 9, 2005 the vehicle went back to repairs for same reason, brakes, vibration and noise. Nov 10, 2005 the whole car went black no lights, vibration and noise. Dec 9, 2005 the vehicle was down due to brake problems. Dic 21, 2005 the car dos not want to start. May 31, 2006 problem with front and rear brakes. August 2, 2006 vibration when brake, noise in front suspension and noisy engine. Dic, 15, 2006 vehicle went down due to brake problem. …
While driving today, I noticed a whining noise, with a slight grinding noise to it as well. Initially thinking it was the brakes, I listened closer and realized it was not happening when braking but rather seemed to be happening when turning, primarily during acceleration. Soon after the turn as I steadied speed, the noise would decrease or disappear. After the first few times making turns however, in addition to the noise the steering wheel also became very stiff and extremely difficult to turn. It progressed so suddenly and severely that I was worried I May not make it home without crashing. This all happened during a total of approximately 20 miles of driving in town. …
5/05 noticed humming on occasion from rear wheels at highway speeds 6/30/05 received recall notice that rear hub assembly/or bearings May need replacing. 7/05 brought car to dealer for recall repair, dealer ordered part 8/12/15 part in to dealer, bearing scored and replaced both outer wheel bearings noticed loud humming noise worse since recall repair 8/30/05 both rear hub assemblies needing replacement 3/22/06 at 22,000 miles both rotors and brake drums warped and need replacing at owners expense 8/29/06 vibration coming from rear of van, tires rotated and rebalanced, vibration still noted in rear end 8/31/06 ac compressor and radio brakes both replaced 9/29/06 radio breaks again and is replaced 11/1/06 unable to remove key from engine, shift lock cable binding 11/9/06 loud humming noise again noted in rear of car, rear valve replaced 11/29/06 loud humming noise continues rear hub …
This van has brake problems squeaking and wearing out pads way too fast. I was told nothing is wrong with the brake system but when taking it to a brake shop I was told the calipers are bad, Kia has not fixed them and denies that they're bad. The check engine light came on and I was told that a spark plug had misfired, that was fixed under warranty and then another spark plug misfired and was fixed under warranty. The oil level was getting low but I had no leak and I was told that the oil filter was simply loose so they said they fixed it. I asked if I should bring the van back in a week to have the oil level checked and we were assured there was no leak. Check engine light came on again and the oil light flickered, did not stay illuminated, so we took it to the dealership immediately, as the owners manual and the mechanic had stated. …
Kia Sedona rear outer bearings and/or hub assembly needing replaced. When the consumer arrived at the dealership, she informed the representative the left rear seat would not come out and the air bag light was on. When the consumer went to pick up the van and after going over the paperwork, she noticed only the air bag light was fixed and everything else the parts were on order. After getting another appointment, the consumer then told the dealer she was experiencing a pulsation when in the brakes. The dealer told the consumer the brakes were not a part of the warranty, however they would take the responsibility for the rotors, but the consumer would have to pay for the brake pads. The consumer stated the pulsation problem had never been fixed. The consumer was told now the rear brakes were pulsating.
We recently had to have brakes redone on our Kia Sedona with only 25,000 miles. We were told there was only 5 percent braking left. This is consistent with the vibrations we observed upon braking. We were told by the Kia service manager that the vehicle was very heavy in front and that was the reason for the extreme brake failure. We were also told they had to replace the brakes on a Sedona with only 13,000 miles. The service manager also said the brake wear was due to driving habits. As a comparison, we have a Ford windstar, 1995 model, with about 140,000 miles and it had to have only one brake job. Another vehicle in our possession, a Nissan frontier with over 80,000 miles has not had to have the brakes redone. I feel this is a design problem with Kia Sedona and can lead to a safety issue.
Tl contact owns a 2004 Kia Sedona. When the brakes are applied, the contact hears a grinding, squealing, and squeaking sound. The failure is heard when two or more people are in the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer a dozen times concerning this and, on six of those occasions, the sounds could not be duplicated. The braking system has been replaced twice; once at the contact's expense and once at the dealer's expense. The sounds ceased for approximately one week and then resumed. The current mileage was 53,891 and failure mileage was 30,000. Updated 12/31/07 the fuel tank pressure sensor was replaced due to the check engine light illuminating. Different parts within the brake system was replaced; such as the drums and rear brake shoes updated
Tl contact owns a 2004 Kia Sedona. While driving 40 MPH, the contact had to slam on the brakes and the ABS failed. The ABS engaged for 1 1/2 seconds, disengaged for 5-6 seconds, and then re-engaged, causing the vehicle to slide 12 feet. The contact almost drove off the road before the brakes finally stopped the vehicle. The ABS failure occurred nine times from the date the vehicle was purchased. The harder she depresses the brake pedal, the longer it takes to stop the vehicle. After avoiding a crash, the contact drove straight to the dealer. Due to the rain, the dealer would not allow the technician to test drive the vehicle because a crash could result due to the brake failure. The failure mileage was 320.
Had engine and trans problems at 1200 mi. Found metal in engine and could not explain why. Have had recurring problems with brakes/rotors in which have had rotors replaced and new pads as well. Has had vibration in engine on other occasions in which found crack in spark plug. Interior lights would not work. My van would not start one day and had to have it towed to Kia in lex and they had it for several days and was never given a reasonable answer to what it was that caused it to not start. The dealership has been friendly and helpful, however to many occurrences for any new vehicle so plan to start litigation to declare it a lemon!
Brake complaints in other Sedona years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2004 Kia Sedona?
NHTSA has 39 complaints about the brakes of the 2004 Kia Sedona, 18% of the model year's 213 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Kia Sedona brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2004 Kia Sedona, though it has 3 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 2004 Kia Sedona brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 16,000 miles, and 59% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 0 injuries to brakes 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.