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 2005 Kia Sedona owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
Tl* the contact owned a 2005 Kia Sedona. While driving approximately 30 MPH on an icy road, the engine jerked and the contact lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle crashed into a fence. The air bags had not deployed and the seat belt had not retracted. A police report was filed. There was one injury reported that required medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed. The approximate failure mileage was 95,610.
Tl* the contact owned a 2005 Kia Sedona. While parked at the contact's residence, the vehicle caught fire underneath the hood and inside the vehicle. The fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle was totaled. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The cause of the failure was not determined. The failure mileage was 200,000. Photos attached
I was driving down the road when the clear road turned into black ice going around a corner, I then got pulled into snow and then side swiped a telephone pole that sent me into a boulder bigger than my car. The impact was at 30mph and the air bags were supposed to deploy between 7 and 10mph. My head when into the windshield 2 times and bounced off the steering wheel. My wife slammed her head off the dash and my daughter had a seatbelt bruise. The air bags never deployed and Kia has a so called fix for the airbags but its still not out or recalled yet. When the ambulance showed up they hit the black ice and almost slid into us. About 20 to 30 mins after the ambulance showed up the town had a salt and sand truck come out and fix the corner. On the way to the hospital the emt told me I was the 5th or 6th person to crash in the same spot this year. And the year had just begun. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Kia Sedona. While driving low speeds, the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (Kia of grand blanc at 6167 saginaw rd, grand blanc, mi 48439, [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the vehicle did not have the original crankshaft position sensor part. The vehicle was not repaired due to the dealer not diagnosing the aftermarket dorman crankshaft position sensor that was defective and caused the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the crankshaft position sensor was not a Kia part and did not offer any further assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 165,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Kia Sedona. While driving at various speeds, or sitting for 10 minutes, the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle was able to restart. The failure recurred five times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the failure was undetermined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000. Updated 03/09/16 the consumer was informed the crank sensor needed to be replaced. Updated 05/10/16.
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 at various speeds and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was able to restart. The failure occurred randomly. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 109,000.
Have a 2005 Kia Sedona and the van has 22,000 and has been in the repair shop for brake problems over 6 times. Since 8/05 has been back in for service for oil leaks, remote problems, tire problems. The rotors have been changed, the pads, everything has been done but after a little time passes the noise and the pulsating comes back. The van starts to pull when you go to put on the breaks and it makes noises. Keep bring it back to the dealership and they fix it with new brakes, rotors, pads but the problem keeps coming back and back. Should not have had to replace the brakes and pads, and rotors so many times with very little mileage on it. Updated 12/12/07
Engine complaints in other Sedona years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2005 Kia Sedona?
NHTSA has 27 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2005 Kia Sedona, 15% of the model year's 185 complaints. The component named most often is engine (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Kia Sedona engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 88,000 miles, and 24% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 2 fires and 4 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.