2nd May 2006, 17:38

For six months now my family and I have been fighting with Kia. We bought a 2002 Sedona minivan 2 years ago. It came with the remaining balance of the manufacturers warranty. Since we were not the original owners, their warranty clearly states that we have a 60,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty. Well, six months ago, the engine blew... with only 56,000 miles on it. That's where the run-around began. First they denied the warranty claim, stating there was sludge in the engine and it wasn't maintained. We then produced all maintenance records showing regular oil changes since the day we bought the van. Then they tried denying the claim based on some changes being done at 4,000 miles. We then showed their own Owner's Manual that shows their reccomend oil change interval to be 3,000 to 7,500 miles. You'd think at this point they would realize they were in the wrong and fix the van. Well, at that point, they starting refusing the claim... based on our inability to to prove the previous owners' maintenance. Now their warranty takes this into account, since it only gives the 100,000 mile warranty to the original owners, and 60,000 mile warranty to all subsequent owners. I've spoken to the service manager at Ray Carter Kia, as well as form the dealership we bought it from... and both say that Kia should be fixing it under warranty. The district manager is the one refusing the claim... and he refuses to even talk to us.

The worst part is that they've been performing other warranty work on the van al along.

19th Jun 2006, 16:59

I have a 2002 KIA Sedona, I purchased it in Sept 2001. Within the first few months, the Alternator went out, since that time I have replaced it two other times, but hey, I had to only pay for it once to be replaced.

Now the other problems. I have had the problem starting around 50k with it cutting out while pressing on the gas, (like it’s missing a cylinder or two). They replace a bunch of stuff, like spark plugs, ignition harness, coil, pretty much everything dealing with the fire to the cylinders. (Which took only 3 weeks to do that) Now at 99,975 miles they are telling me that it’s the catalytic converter which will cost $1,400 to fix, but no assurance that is the problem.

KIA, says, I know that you have been having the same symptoms doesn’t mean they are the same problem. Sorry no LUCK, pay the $1,400 and we can go from there…

WOW, I will NEVER OWN another KIA ever again. Yes, I will tell everyone that I ever talk to about buying a car not to buy a KIA, they won’t cover the car, if they can get out of it.

20th Jun 2006, 05:51

"You get what you pay for" and you guys did!

You would've been better off buying new Caravans, or used Siennas!

24th Jun 2006, 11:12

I bought a 2002 Kia Sedona when it was new. The check engine light was on frequently, and I took it back three times for that. It would only stay off a short while. I finally quit taking it back for that, and it has been on constantly the last two years. For the last six months, the brake light comes on everytime I make a right turn. The air conditioner has gone out four times. It is out now and they have had it for a week and cannot figure out where the leak is coming from. I won't buy a Kia product again.

18th Jul 2006, 12:18

Bought a 2002 KIA Sedona New august 2001, original owner did all recommended service regular oil changes 5000km, warranty just ran out 100,000 km replaced timing belt spark plugs 102,000km. Now at 113,000 km CRANKSHAFT broke in two requiring a new engine. I will never ever buy another KIA product and I will tell anyone considering purchasing a KIA to save their money go buy used Honda or Toyota it will last longer. Also had regular problem blown headlight bulbs 6mths max, replaced two alternators, warped rotors, bad vibration at 110km\h ac doesn't work efficiently above 33c.Aside from regular recalls I have been in and out of dealer on a regular basis. Also windshield just cracked when vehicle was parked in winter. Alternators are defective, but no recalls killed battery replaced with napa battery and front rotors. Anyone with 02 Sedona nearing 11300km or 75,000 miles beware of crankshaft breaking in two requiring new motor 3-5 grand. Never again will I subject myself to a Kia Motor vehicle don't Buy-it.

22nd Jul 2006, 17:33

We will never ever buy a KIA car again after buying the 2002 Sedona new in 2001. We have had rust spots on the front from the first year and were told it was caused by rocks on the highway and they would not fix it. But that is the least of our worries! The KIA is the only car we have had that has spent so much time in the shop. Right now the airbag light is on and has been on for over a year. On a ski trip to Colorado the front heat and defrost would not work, so in order to be able to see, we had to keep the back heat on very high, which was very uncomfortable for the kids. As soon a we were out of the mountains, the heat started working again.

After taking the van into the KIA dealership shop last year for some recall, the gas pedal has been hard to push when accelerating, so everyone always seems to be thrown forward hard as we start out. It is really annoying and scary on the highway when you try to pass a slow car.

The inside parts seem to be made of very cheap plastic! One of the back seats has broken and will not stay in an upright position.

I hate visiting the KIA dealership repair shop, which is over an hour away, and refuse to go ever again. We have a recall letter for the driver seat wiring and I just won't take it in.

I've found a good mechanic close to home who has ordered parts from the dealerships for other problems, I don't put too much faith in the so called 10 year warranty KIA spouts.

We are close to getting rid of the KIA and will let it be a lesson learned. I tell everyone I know that KIA's are lemons and are not worth the "DEAL" they spout.

31st Jul 2006, 13:05

I purchased my 2002 KIA Sedona EX in February 2002. The main selling point was that it was $10K less than the Honda Odyssey, which looking back on it now, I should have spent the money up front and not on all these repairs.

At 25K the passenger side sliding door jammed open. It could not be shut. I had my two very young children with me, and luckily was less than 3 miles from a dealership. I drove the car to the shop; they got the door shut for me, and a week later, made the repair. Not even a month later, the repair broke, and once again the door would not shut. The dealership did give me a loaner for the time it took to get the part in and make the repair.

Around 30K the windshield cracked, for no reason. I assumed it was from a rock and paid for the replacement.

Around 40K the engine started bucking and lurching, generally when it was wet out. I had the dealer look at it, nothing. The bucking and lurching continued, and when I took it to the dealership, they stopped selling and servicing KIAs. The only way I was notified was by a small note taped to their door. I took the van to the new dealership, stating the van was bucking and lurching, the check engine light was on, and please fix it. Their answer was, “We’re not accepting KIAs right now, come back in a month. You probably didn’t put your gas cap on tight enough.” Thanks. Speaking of gas, my gas mileage has averaged 17 miles to the gallon. Ouch. I’m putting $400 a month in gas in the van, not to mention the thousands of dollars in repairs.

For the past three years I have been trying to getting the check engine light problem fixed, along with having recalls performed, and replacing broken parts, including a dead battery at 55K. The check engine light with the bucking and lurching has been the most irritating. The mechanic puts the van on the machine, it reads a code, they fix it, I pay, I drive out, the light comes on again, they put it on the machine, it reads a code, they fix it, I pay, I drive out, the light comes on again………….. I am so tired of this van it is not funny.

I feel like I live at the dealership’s auto shop. Two weeks ago I had the check engine light problem “fixed”, again. They indicated that I needed a new mass-air-flow-valve. This repair was done (after a 6 month losing battle about the warranty) and as soon as I drove it off the lot, the check engine light came on again. I took it back last week, to have it once again diagnosed, and to replace a malfunctioning windshield wiper switch. They’ve now determined that it’s my catalytic converter. Well, let’s replace that for $1300 and who knows, it may be something after that, we’re really not sure. AARRGH!!! I picked up the van on Friday, my check engine light came on Saturday, and on Sunday my brake and battery light came on, with the door-ajar beeping noise. I spoke to my KIA rep today (Monday, July 31, 2006) and apparently, I now need a new Alternator, along with a Catalytic Converter.

Everyone at the dealership auto shop knows me by name. When I picked up the van last Friday, one of the other shop reps gave me a card to a repair shop that will fix the catalytic converter for half the price. He did this in front of the shop manager! They all know that KIA is junk, including the KIA rep. I’ll make the last repairs to the van and then I’m selling it. I’m making a wise investment this time; I’m getting a Honda Civic Hybrid.