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 2005 Kia Sedona owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Kia Sedona. When depressing the brake pedal, the contact heard an abnormal noise. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The contact also stated that the check engine warning light flashed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the engine sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 115,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Kia Sedona. While driving 20 MPH, the brakes failed when the brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The contact stated that the vehicle was no longer safe. The mechanic stated that the brake system needed repairing, but no repairs were made. The failure mileage was 168,000.
Dt: while going 45mph consumer's vehicle was hit head on. Upon impact, the air bags did not deploy. This happened on August 19, 2005. The brakes locked and slid into the vehicle. Called Kia, and they said they will call the consumer.
Dt: the consumer owns a 2005 Kia Sedona. She purchased the vehicle on 6-20-05, and twenty minutes after she drove the car off the lot, the radio quit working along with the ignition light illuminating. The consumer took the vehicle back to the dealership, and they could not service the car that day but made an appointment to come back on 6-22-05. The dealership kept the vehicle for three days. On 7-26-05 the brake went all the way to the floor and made a loud ticking noise while turning. The consumer took the vehicle to another dealership for repairs, and they resurfaced the brakes and the ignition. On 7-31-05 the brakes failed. The consumer tried to pump the brakes and they would not catch. To keep from hitting the vehicle in front, she veered to the left and ran onto the median, causing two blow outs on the driver's front and rear. …
Tl contact owns a 2005 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that the brake rotors had to be turned twice at 14,944 miles and 19,076 miles. The contact stated that in December 2006 a large amount of pressure was felt when depressing the brake. The dealer stated that both rotors were corroded. On April 7, 2007, the contact was driving 25 MPH in wet and icy conditions, while approaching a traffic light, the contact depressed the brake pedal half a block in advance, and the vehicle did not decrease in speed and the contact had to apply significant pressure to the brake pedal. A loud thump was heard from the front left tire brake while coming to a complete stop. The contact brought the vehicle to the dealer, and was told that both front brakes were glazed and the rotors were corroded. The dealer applied an anti glaze chemical and turned the rotors. …
2005 Kia Sedona bought van brand new 9/11/2004 on 10/3/05 took van in for service and check up vibration in front end when applying brakes, was told by dealership rotors needed to replaced and work was completed, mileage at time 11,706. In March of 06 took van in for service and had same complaint of vibration in front end when applying brakes, was told it would need the rear brakes cleaned and adjusted not covered under warranty mileage approx. 15, 000 miles. Front end still vibrated when applying brakes took vehicle in for 20,000 mile check and service and dealer advises rotors and brakes are worn out mileage is 20,398. Dealer will not take care of problem under warranty, talked to Kia customer service and they advised for discussion with field rep, he advised customer service he will not cover under warranty. …
1) vehicle shutters and makes roaring noise when braking down hill. Brakes overheat and slide and do not stop well. Vehicle shutters when braking under normal conditions but more so going down hill. 2) tires need balance and rotating every 2000 miles and rotors and brake pads need replacing every 2000-4000 miles. The back shoes are glazed over 3) first time rotors and pads were replaced and back shoes unglazed. Second time rotors turned and the brake pads were not removed and back shoes unglazed. Third time rotors and pads are going to be removed and back shoes unglazed. This vehicle has 7000 miles on it and the district manager of the dealership agrees this is excessive and he did not make me feel confident that it can be fixed. They are claiming this year and model had brake issues. On the fourth time I will sue for lemon law. This is unacceptable. …
I own an 05 Kia Sedona, bought new, has had brake problems from the beginning. The dealer, that services - not the one I bought from, has serviced the vehicle from the first, told me that the manufacturer was working on getting replacement parts and that as soon as they came out I would be one of the first to receive the part. Now, my warranty has expired and I am having to cover the cost of replacing the parts every 3-4000 miles when I get oil changes and the dealer says they cannot cover it any longer because the warranty has expired. I am concerned because I have had transmission issues (that the dealer cannot "find the problem") they say that if a problem occurs they will cover fixing it because it's been ongoing but that's what I was told about the brake problem. …
Brake complaints in other Sedona years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2005 Kia Sedona?
NHTSA has 81 complaints about the brakes of the 2005 Kia Sedona, 44% of the model year's 185 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › disc › rotor (29 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Kia Sedona brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2005 Kia Sedona, though it has 2 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 2005 Kia Sedona brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 9,000 miles, and 82% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury 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.