Research · Minivan - 2WD

2005 Kia SedonaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 185 owner complaints for the 2005 Kia Sedona. Most complaints involve service brakes, hydraulic (72) and electrical system (22). The EPA rates it 17 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
17mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Jul 2005
Owner complaints
185
Top: service brakes, hydraulic
Fuel cost / yr
$3,800est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Vehicle speed control: cables

Free remedy

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.

Vehicle speed controlReported Jul 20, 2005NHTSA 05V329000

Wheels

Free remedy

ON CERTAIN MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH ALLOY WHEELS, MOISTURE CAN ACCUMULATE AROUND THE REAR HUB CAPS CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE OUTER WHEEL BEARING.

WheelsReported May 19, 2005NHTSA 05V232000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 31, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

185 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jun 2005 – Apr 2023
  1. Service brakes, hydraulic72
  2. Electrical system22
  3. Engine and engine cooling16
  4. Air bags16
  5. Suspension14
  6. Steering14
  7. Wheels13
  8. Engine11
  9. Tires11

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
9
Injuries reported
16
Deaths reported
0
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

Service brakes, hydraulic

72 reports4 crashes1 fire
“2005 KIA SEDONA BRAKE SYSTEM IS NOT SAFE. I HAVE REPLACED THE FRONT PADS, CALIPERS, WHEEL BEARING, AND DISKS MULTIPLE TIMES. WHEEL BEARING AND CALIPERS WERE FROZEN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 15, 2011Service brakes, hydraulicODI 10396030

Electrical system

22 reports2 crashes8 fires
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 13, 2021Engine and engine cooling, Electrical systemODI 11429054

Engine and engine cooling

16 reports1 crash
“THE COOLANT LINE CORRODED AND LEAKED COOLANT WHICH MADE THE VEHICLE RUN HOT AND STOP. I WAS LUCKY TO BE NEAR A GAS STATION AND GOT OFF OF THE ROAD. I CALLED AAA FOR A TOW. THE DEALER WOULD NOT WARRANTY THE COOLANT LINE STATING IT IS A MAINTENANCE ISSUE. MAINTENANCE ISSUE? HOW CAN THE GENERAL CONSUMER KNOW THAT THE COOLANT LINE THAT RUNS UNDER THE VEHICLE IS A MAINTENANCE ISSUE AND NOT COVERED UNDER THE MAKERS WARRANTY. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 20, 2015Engine and engine coolingODI 10676777
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
142117$3,800523
  • Sedona
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    14 city · 21 hwy · $3,800/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
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 2005 Kia Sedona as of Oct 31, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 31, 2026Vehicle 1613
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

2005 Sedona questions

How many recalls does the 2005 Kia Sedona have?

2 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 2005 Kia Sedona problems?

Owners filed 185 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes, hydraulic (72), electrical system (22), engine and engine cooling (16). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2005 Kia Sedona get?

The EPA rates the 2005 Kia Sedona at 17 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 31, 2026