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Comments
First major problem EVER! Turned left yesterday, power steering groaned - bad. Pulled over, checked fluid - OK. Pulled back out into traffic and GOODBYE POWER STEERING!
I seem to remember reading other posts on this and Ray at the dealership said he's had a couple with the same problem. While it's in, he's also going to do the seat belt bolt recall thing, the 35000 mile maintenance, and look at my front struts. Apparently, there's a tech note out at the dealers that some Sedonas have bad strut plates which can cause a thunking in the front end.
Regarding wind noise: It's been kind of a sore spot with me from the beginning. Some days it's stone quiet and some days you have to yell. I've noticed it seems to be worse in crosswinds and on cold days.
Here's some ideas to try that have worked very well for us: First, check to make sure your roof rack has had a bead of silicone run the entire length of the cross-piece seam. This was a known issue with many early production units and was the subject of a service bulletin. Second, move your front roof rack to the back. REALLY cuts down on the turbulence over your head. Third (and this is the BIGGIE) Armorall your weatherstripping, including the seal around the sun roof, at least monthly. Open all the windows and do those, too. Seals dry out and harden (or in cold weather, stiffen). The more flexible you keep them, the better they work. Additionally, dust and grime build up on the seals which adversely affects the sealing quality.
Regarding traction: We had an unusually hard winter here in Oklahoma this year, but found the Sedona was more than up to the challenge - except on ice and then it was no better or worse than any of the other guys playing bumper cars on the highway. I totally agree with the snow tire idea - it's a lot better to buy a set of tires than lose ten grand on a trade-in.
Regarding the radio: The tweeters are buzzing bad. Ray at the dealership is going to replace them under warranty (we've got a 3/36 on the sound system, gang). This is also our second radio. First one lasted less than a month. Someone posted that Kia says it's an $1800 unit. Yeah. Right.
To Navyair: More than happy to keep up the hi-miles postings. The new hauler is going to sit in the barn, and the Kia is going to be the work beater to the tune of about 600 miles a week. Also, from your handle I assume you may be involved with Uncle Sam's Canoe Club. I'm a 23year graduate of the All Nuclear Navy myself.
I just noticed this the other day. I have been doing my best to clean off the salt - probably 5 times this winter - bought it in October of 2002 on 4500 miles.
Is this covered under warrantee? All I can figure is that this sat on the lot a long time before I purchased it in October and that along with all the salt this winter has contributed to the small, but growing rust on the sides of this chromeplated piece above the license plate.
Any thoughts?
When we bought our Sienna last month, I discussed a protection package with the dealer and subsequently declined. I didn't want to be labeled as a sucker for something that was not needed because of coverage from the factory warranty. And let's face it - no one gets a car rustproofed these days.
After further consideration, I called him back and spent $500 on a package from the dealer that consisted of rustproofing, undercoating, scotchguard on the interior and a teflon coating on the exterior paint. Oh well I figured, it's not the first time I did something stupid.
Here are my reasons: 1. I plan of keeping this van for 4 or 5 years so the piece of mind alone is worth it. 2. With a small child [21 months] and another planned, there is a good chance that some sort of spillage will occur during that time. 3. Damage from road salt is not covered under the factory warranty. 4. I don't have to wax the van for 5 years and they guarantee that the paint will keep it's shine. 5. The van was quiet to begin with, but with the undercoating it's even more so. After reading the posts above, I'm glad I did it.
We have had the Sienna for 3 weeks [it has 500 miles on it] and it is performing flawlessly. In comparing it with the Sedona [the Kia dealer gave me an 03 Sedona to use for 3 days before we bought the Toyota] and both vans are very similar.
There are no glaring differences with the two - only minor items. I like the steering and handling of the Toyota much better. Sorry Navyair - I must disagree with you on this point. The Toyota is almost 1,000 pounds lighter than the Sedona. Plus, the steering in the Sedona we had was completely numb at dead center and wandered while driving down the road - it took some getting used to. That may have been a problem with our unit as I have never seen that mentioned before by anyone here. As for overall quality, I cannot see any difference between the two [brand new]. We will see how it goes as our vehicles age.
Oh - the hatch closes easily first time.
Thank you for posting that! I know we have that issue. It's been on my list for the next service visit, which will be the bolt replacement recall. It's certainly not worth a dedicated trip, but it has been annoying.
purchased LX in jan, 02 and now has 11.5k with no problems at all other than minor interior squeaks, and the paint/finish being overly easy to chip/scratch (and mileage hurting a little more than anticipated right now @ $1.90/gallon!) still love it overall and would buy again.
as for sedona trade in values, those are also presumably being absolutely killed right now by the newly increased rebates. i saw a new 03 LX advertised in seattle for $13488 (including regular and loyalty rebates), a paltry $5000 less than i paid for mine 14 months ago. i consider what i paid to be a great value, and at that price the value is insane! (assuming you already own a kia to get the extra rebate)
other vans have also dropped drastically in price here in the pacific northwest from this time last year (new 03 Town and Country LX for $17900??) including to a lesser extent oddys and siennas, so i just consider the extra depreciation as due to unfortunate timing, and not something to feel bad about.
cheers
I did have the opportunity on Saturday to give mine a thorough cleaning, wash and wax with the fabulous weather here in Cleveland on Saturday - 70+ degrees. Come Spring Come!
Something must be wrong. Either the method used to check the mileage, or something with the van.
That is, if you're not doing a lot of towing or something...
I can see many of these factors contributing to 13 mpg initial fuel economy in mostly city driving. You may still end up getting 15-17 mpg city and 20+ highway once the engine is broken in.
Many of us would agree with you, but we outweigh that drawback with the many other positives of this vehicle. I think it is a good idea to give it some time and drive it for a while and let the engine break-in.
But, don't panic and take a big financial hit by trading a van after only a few months. You will loose thousands of dollars.
Let say you drive 10,000 miles per year and gas cost $1.60/gallon. (By the way, based on your miles in January and February this is 10,000 a year is probably high.) If you average 13mpg at $1.60/gallon for gas, your cost per mile is $0.123. If you average 16mpg you cost per mile is $0.10. At 10,000 miles per year, the cost difference between 13mpg and 16mpg is $230.
You can drive this van for a long time before the extra fuel costs add up to what you would lose by trading now and taking a huge depreciation.
As I read the manual, one can go 7,500 before doing the first oil change. That seems to me a little long for a new engine. At the same time, 1,500 seems a little too early. So I will probably end up doing it upon our return at 3,500.
I was just wondering what the thinking was as to when to do the first change.
First thing I would do is change gas stations. Another unscientific experiment would be to accelerate the vehicle without exceeding 2600-2800 rpms between shifts. At least in our EX, it does not require much pedal travel to see shifts at 4000. For city driving, fast off the line equals fewer miles before the next stop at the gas station.
Mrwallace, I think your thinking is exactly right on the oil change. I did my first one at 2100 or so, just after a long post-break-in road trip. Have fun on yours!
I have purchased 2002 Sednoan EX with leather package last April.
Few days ago, one of my friend bought a new 2003 EX with same package, and noticed his armrest has leather wrap. Mine has just plastic arm rest.
Did I missed the wrap? or it is one of model changes Kia made?
Rather than replying to me, the customer, they forwarded my email to my dealer. The new service manager called me last week asking me to bring the van in. I did that today. He checked the badly cracked windshield and pronounced it due to a rock chip. Either he was playing for dramatic effect or he took notice of the rather dark look I was giving him and offered to replace the windshield on warranty "one time only".
He dismissed US TSB's as not applying to Canadian Sedonas as they have many differing parts. I doubt that, and we agreed to give Kia Canada 30 more days to come up with notices regarding the air bag module and seat belt anchor bolts in particular. If they have not by that time I advised that I will bring in the relevant US part numbers and compare them to his listing of the corresponding Cdn part. If they are the same, as I expect, then I will be making further and louder noises with Kia Canada.
Kia Canada has never replied to me directly regarding my concerns and I feel that this is very poor customer service. Fortunately they are bested by certain dealers that appear to be trying their hardest to please owners; e.g. shuttle van service from and to the dealership from our home some 12 miles distant.
Other things fixed today: passenger side sliding door was rubbing on the bottom of the rear vent window (again), check engine light from gas cap (again), and replaced some bushings in the front suspension to alleviate the thumping noise over small bumps.
Rather minor concerns in just over 15k miles.
The metal was dented from the way the hatch is shut. The dent caused a gap between the chrome handle piece and the metal causing it to rust. They told me people push on this causing the metal to give. I did notice before I took it in that the metal around the edges of the chrome look a little indented. Anyways, they offered to repair all the rust spots but I would have to have the dent fixed first in order to prevent it from rusting again. It cost me $155 for the dents to be fixed. I can see a difference in the appearance around the chrome handle now that it is fixed.
But anyways, they did repair and repaint the rust spots that appeared on the hatch above the chrome handle with no problems.
By the way, I had to have the fuel filter replaced, be aware that it cost me $120 to have it replaced by the dealership. $50 for the filter and $70 for labor.
I am thinking of purchasing a 2003 Sedona and have been reading the board. So I thought I would ask a few questions...
1. A gentleman posted regarding having to replace a fuel filter, I believe. He said it cost him $155.00. If the vehicle is under warranty, it only covers labor, not parts or what? He also had to pay to fix the small dents and rust around the hatch I have been hearing a lot about. This doesn't seem fair.
2. I'm in California. What's the least and highest I can pay for this vehicle?
3. I know insurance rates vary, but can some of you give me a ballpark?
4. Would you buy the vehicle again?
Thanks
1. Fuel filter. I don't understand what's up with that. It sure seems to me that IS covered under warranty. Curious.
2. Can't help you there as I'm in GA. A well equipped EX goes for about $22K I think. It was October when we bought our "left over" '02.
3. Don't have the insurance numbers in front of me. But it only went up slightly from our '99 Windstar.
4. Would definitely buy again.
I say go for it!
I found a newspaper advertisement, $14,903 at Fullerton Kia, California. We went down there, and found the one on the advertisement was black EX model. I haven't seen such a deal....
Since my friend need leather, ABS, and sunroof...ended up with EX with those options at $21,000 and $2,000 rebate.
I'd think that if a filter lasted less than it's "normal life" the dealer might be persuaded to cover it. Maybe that would depend on the miles?
Unfortunately, motoring public doesn't remember days when rotating tires, changing oil, washing/waxing on a Saturday was common...pluses of better materials and car designs...but creates an atmosphere of "anything but sticking gas in it should be covered by warantee".
Think if you look at "bumper to bumper" warantee the 5/60 coverage will say battery, lightbulbs, normal maintenance items not covered...although I don't have my manual right here to check.
Bob
In general -- it belongs on.
$120 to replace sounds ridiculous. Fuel filter is a very easy thing to replace on most vehicles, and $50 for the part also seems way high. I paid $45 for a different vehicle. Believe labor was 0.3 hours.
The one thing that everyone complains about is the poor gas mileage. I know the primary reason for the poor mileage is vehicle weight but there has to be some kind of aftermarket fix for the poor mileage.
This fix would have to be cost effective and not void the excellent KIA waranty.
In these troubled times I feel bad about using up so much expensive gasoline.
Any suggestions out there and is KIA working on this problem?
Fueleconomy.gov allows you to perform a very nice side-by-side comparison, even allowing you to adjust the cost of gasoline to your local market. Using the national average, here's how the comparable minivans and SUVs stack up on combined driving average MPG and annual fuel cost:
Sedona 17 $1367
Odyssey 21 $1107
MPV 20 $1163
Voyager 20 $1163
Windstar 19 $1223
Explorer 18 $1293
Grand Cherokee 17 $1367
YMMV. All vehicles were 2002, 6 cyl, FWD.
As for aftermarket mods, a redesigned exhaust system tuned for fuel efficiency might be one approach. Using the $250 annual delta in fuel efficiency between the Ody and the Sedona, I don't see the ROI as being particularly self-evident for investing the time and energy to research aftermarket solutions.
Good luck