Most common 2005 Kia Sedona problems
Share of the 185 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Kia Sedona complaints by model year
Best Sedona years: 2010, 2021, 2014. Years to avoid: 2006, 2016, 2002, 2004. Compare all years →
2005 Kia Sedona recalls (2)
Vehicle speed control › Cables
On certain Mini vans, freezing conditions can cause water on the throttle cable to freeze during normal operation. Resistance to movement of the throttle cable can occur when the driver lifts their foot off of the gas pedal.
Remedy: Dealers will modify a protective sleeve around the throttle cable. The recall began on August 15, 2005. Owners May contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542.
Wheels
On certain Mini vans equipped with alloy wheels, moisture can accumulate around the rear hub caps causing damage to the outer wheel bearing.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear hub caps free of charge. Upon inspection, some vehicles will also require replacement of the rear outer bearings and/or hub assembly. The recall began on June 13, 2005.
What 2005 Kia Sedona owners say
Brakes all 81 →
July 2006 I noticed a smell of burning brakes or something similar. But after I turned the vehicle off for an hour the smell disappeared. Then on July 4th 2006 we were 10 miles from home and noticed the radio turned off, then a few more miles the gauges all turned off, then by the time we got off the freeway, the car turned off. We then turned it back on, the radio and gauges all worked until we drove to the dealer which was closed so we drove one more mile to a safe place to park. At this time the car was completely dead. We looked in the engine, the fuse box was smoking and when opened, all the fuses were melted down and all the wires were melted too. We then got it towed to the dealer the next day 7/5/06. The car has now been at the dealer for over a week and half, and will not be ready until next week. I am hoping the new wiring they put in doesn't burn again. …
I bought my very first new vehicle in sept 2005, and had my first auto accident less than six weeks later. I was on my way to work on Friday, oct 28, 2005. I came upon a vehicle stopped in my lane. I put the brakes on, and left a small skid mark. I had plenty of room to stop my vehicle, but was unable to. Once I pressed the brakes, I realized I wasn't slowing down and pressed harder on them. There was some jerking and it felt like I was hopping up the road. My vehicle never slowed down at all. Needless to say, I crashed into the rear end of the stopped car. It caused major damage to my front end, and damage to the back of the other vehicle. Also, my airbag did not deploy. My vehicle is currently at the body shop waiting to be looked at, but they are estimating the cost at $8,000 or more in damage. …
Engine & cooling all 27 →
The contact owns a 2005 Kia Sedona. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, she noticed that the vehicle was overheating. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated she attempted to open the hood of the vehicle to determine the cause of the failure, but the hood would not open. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 88,000.
Tl* the contact owned a 2005 Kia Sedona. While driving 35 MPH, the vehicle suddenly shut off and the brakes and power steering no longer functioned. The contact ran off the road into a ditch. The vehicle caught fire and exploded. A fire report was filed and the fire department extinguished the fire. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. The origin of the fire was undetermined. The approximate failure mileage was 240,000.
Wheels & tires all 24 →
Tl contact owns a 2005 Kia Sedona. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the wheel hub separated from the vehicle. The failure caused her to crash into a tree. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a shop and the contact was informed to call the manufacturer. The insurance company stated that they would not repair the vehicle because it was a manufacturer defect. She then searched online and discovered recall number 05V232000 (wheels). The manufacturer stated that her vehicle was not included in the recall because it applied to alloy wheels, not aluminum. She believes that her vehicle should be included in the recall. The current and failure mileages were 78,041.
I was driving on route 55 with my 2yr old daughter and I was going 70mph when the tread separated from the tire causing my car to fishtail in between both lanes on the highway until I was able to gain control again and got my car to the shoulder of the highway. The defective tire is a Firestone wilderness ht 225/70r15
2005 Kia Sedona engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | FWD | 14 / 21 / 17 |
EPA ratings. Class: Minivan.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2005 Kia Sedona a good car?
Based on 185 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2005 Sedona rates average: 1.2× as many complaints as a typical year of the Sedona at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2005 Kia Sedona?
The brakes — 81 complaints, 44% of all complaints for this model year, most often about foundation components › disc › rotor. Next are the engine & cooling (27) and wheels & tires (24).
How many recalls does the 2005 Kia Sedona have?
There are 2 recalls for the 2005 Kia Sedona, the most recent from July 20, 2005 (cables). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Kia Sedona?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2010, 2021 and 2014. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2006, 2016, 2002 and 2004. See the full Kia Sedona years comparison.
At what mileage do 2005 Kia Sedona problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 25,000 miles; 59% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.