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Research · Minivan - 2WD

2002 Kia SedonaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 250 owner complaints for the 2002 Kia Sedona. Most complaints involve electrical system (63) and seat belts (33). The EPA rates it 16 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
16mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Jan 2005
Owner complaints
250
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$4,000est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Vehicle speed control: cables

Free remedy

ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, DURING ASSEMBLY, THE THROTTLE CABLE WOULD TWIST ITSELF OUT OF POSITION.

Vehicle speed controlReported Jan 19, 2005NHTSA 05V013000

Seats: mid

Free remedy

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, SOME OF THE SECOND AND THIRD ROW SEAT STRIKERS INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE FLOOR PAN HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND COULD BREAK IN A CRASH.

SeatsReported Apr 3, 2003NHTSA 03V135000

Seat belts: rear

Free remedy

CERTAIN MINI VANS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." THE SECOND AND THIRD SEAT BELT BUCKLE ANCHOR BOLTS DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE STANDARDS.

Seat beltsReported Jan 22, 2003NHTSA 03V017000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 31, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

250 complaints filed with NHTSA · Sep 2001 – Nov 2017
  1. Electrical system63
  2. Seat belts33
  3. Engine and engine cooling31
  4. Service brakes, hydraulic29
  5. Air bags26
  6. Visibility23
  7. Seats21
  8. Structure19
  9. Vehicle speed control19

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Sedona model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2002250
2003200
2004213
2005185
2006385
2007157
2008170
200948
201032
201165
2012108
201439
2015140
2016297
2017134
201849
201939
202020
202110
Crashes reported
20
Fires reported
22
Injuries reported
25
Deaths reported
1
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 31, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

63 reports18 fires
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SEDONA EX. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT TIGHTENED AND WOULD NOT RETRACT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 2, 2017Electrical system, Seat beltsODI 11042779

Seat belts

33 reports6 crashes1 fire
“BEFORE THE INCIDENT THERE WERE ISSUES WITH THE REAR CAPTAIN CHAIRS SEAT BELT LATCH WHEN TRYING TO BUCKLE THEM. I HAVE THREE SMALL CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 3 YEARS OF AGE AND IT IS VERY IMPORTANT AND CRUCIAL THAT SEAT BELTS ARE IN WORKING ORDER WITHOUT ISSUES FOR THE SAFETY OF THEIR WELL BEING. BEFORE THE INCIDENT THE SEATS THEMSELVES IN THE REAR ROWS HAD ISSUES LATCHING AS WELL WHEN BEING INSTALLED. ON AUGUST 18, 2015 MYSELF AND THREE SMALL CHILDREN WERE IN A SEVERE HIGH IMPACT ACCIDENT AND NONE OF THE AIRBAGS HAD GONE OFF LIKE THEY NEVER EXISTED. MY KIDS AND I SUFFER FROM SEAT BELT ABRASIONS AND I SUFFER FROM BRUISING IN MULTIPLE PLACES FROM MY HEAD DOWN, SHOULDER PAIN AND BACK ISSUES. POLICE, PARAMEDIC'S, COLLISION CENTER, WITNESSES, AND MY INSURANCE COMPANY WERE ALL NOTIFIED OR HAD NOTIFIED ABOUT THE AIRBAGS. APPARENTLY, MY SEAT WHICH WAS THE DRIVER SEAT WAS ALSO COMPLETELY SNAPPED OFF AS WELL. UPDATED 08/26/15*BF”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 21, 2015Air bags, Seat belts, SeatsCrash reportedODI 10750433

Engine and engine cooling

31 reports2 fires
“I OWN A 2002 KIA SEDONA. I PURCHASED IT IN FEBRUARY AND WAS FINE UNTIL A MONTH LATER. I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK AND I GOT ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE VAN STALLED AND JUST SHUT DOWN. AFTER ABOUT 5 MINUTES LATER IT RESTARTED THEN SHUT OFF AGAIN ABOUT 3 MILES DOWN THE HIGHWAY. I HAD THE FUEL PUMP AND CAMSHAFT REPLACED BUT IT STILL WILL NOT START. THEN THE BATTERY STOPPED WORKING. I REPLACED THAT AND IT STILL WILL NOT WORK. I CALLED KIA AND BECAUSE IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY THEY WOULD NOT HELP. THE DEALERSHIP IS WAY TOO EXPENSIVE BEING THAT I AM A SINGLE PARENT I CANNOT AFFORD THEIR PRICES. KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE IS VERY BAD AND WILL NOT HELP WITH ANYTHING. AFTER SEARCHING ONLINE I HAVE CAME TO A CONCLUSION THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND THERE HASN'T BEEN ONE FIX TO IT. I DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO GO OUT AND PURCHASE ANOTHER VEHICLE AND JUST WANT THIS ONE FIXED. PLEASE HELP! *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 3, 2012Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, gasoline, Electronic stability control (esc)ODI 10457359
All 2002 Sedona problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 31, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Minivan - 2WD
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 5-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 31, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Sedona
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
141816$4,000555
  • Sedona
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    14 city · 18 hwy · $4,000/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 31, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2002 Kia Sedona as of Oct 31, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 31, 2026Vehicle 4455
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2002 Sedona questions

How many recalls does the 2002 Kia Sedona have?

3 safety recalls as of Oct 31, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2002 Kia Sedona problems?

Owners filed 250 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (63), seat belts (33), engine and engine cooling (31). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2002 Kia Sedona get?

The EPA rates the 2002 Kia Sedona at 16 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 31, 2026