19th Mar 2004, 11:45
All states have some sort of Lemon Laws. If things were really as bad as you've stated, you should have looked into your options.
25th Mar 2004, 12:32
We looked into the lemon law. we talked to Kia and they said that most of the problems were caused by our use of the van and not a manufacturing defect...SURE...Not again..
19th Apr 2004, 07:48
I've been doing a lot of research. It seems like all minivans have transmission problems. What my friend said who is a mechanic is that most of them are built on a car platform. What happens is people drive them like they are sports cars or load them up like trucks because they have the capacity. What results is the transmission going out.
He said if you want to drive a minivan and if you want the transmission to last you have to kind've baby them. He also said that the only ones he's seen that don't go out are the really old Ford Aerostars, but they are built off their truck chassis. The problem with them is they get awful gas mileage. So I guess it's a tradeoff.
10th Oct 2005, 09:35
I think that perhaps the first engine was maybe a Kia problem, BUT the second, I blame the owner for not noticing the gauge or idiot light or for that matter the lack of fan noise after a mile or two. Also the seatbelt buckle in the door gives a picture of the owner's care for the vehicle. My Aunt has a Sedona. Has had it for a while. They have a farm, drive if with a 'full load' of people and supplies sometimes. It's not had any issues. My 1992 Mazda Protege has a dead engine at 272k miles, but that's not Mazda's fault. I let it overheat by being in a hurry and not watching the temp gauge. The belt broke to the pump, AGAIN not Mazda's fault, mine, the belt was questionable when I checked it the last time I inspected the car. Bottom line, cars are not idiot proof devices.
12th Jun 2010, 16:06
LOVE MY KIA!! I bought a 2002 Sedona LX in Feb 2003. I now have over 112,000 miles on it & really cannot complain.
Have had to replace brake rotors twice (I was told there were not heavy duty enough for weight of van).
Transmission started acting up around 75k, so had it serviced & no more issues.
I fried my computer by being given the wrong battery, & stupidly not noticing it was the opposite of the old one. Hooked it for one minute & the van went berserk. The van was still under warranty & so the dealer fixed it for me FREE, even though I did it.
I also have not kept up on all the recommended servicing, etc & still no major issues.
A/C now needs servicing, but after 7 years that's to be expected.
I have to wonder if these cars are made in different plants or what? Seems like you either get a great car or one that's got a lot of problems? Maybe it does have something to do with the owners? Who knows, but myself & my 3 friends who have Kia cars have been happy...
22nd Jan 2004, 20:01
Sounds just like my Dad's Flower Van that he uses to work Funerals with. That thing breaks down all the time. The funeral home is going to trade it in as soon as they can on the taxes. Until then they are stuck with it. My dad drives the old 1991 Ford Aerostar instead of the Kia when he can. That is really bad that a cheap American made van with 122,000-miles on it is more reliable than a 2002 Kia Sedona with only 14,000-miles.
Good luck.