1) vehicle shutters and makes roaring noise when braking down hill. Brakes overheat and slide and do not stop well. Vehicle shutters when braking under normal conditions but more so going down hill. 2) tires need balance and rotating every 2000 miles and rotors and brake pads need replacing every 2000-4000 miles. The back shoes are glazed over 3) first time rotors and pads were…
2005 Kia Sedona brakes problems
severe 73 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
73
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
3crashes
1fire
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 73 brakes complaints filed for the 2005 Kia Sedona, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 7 model years of Kia Sedona we track for brakes problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 73.
Brakes accounts for 39% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 10 categories tracked.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2005 Kia Sedona brake system fails early and repeatedly. Owners report rotor warping starting as low as 2,000 miles, causing pulsating, vibration, and grinding during braking. Many service shops and dealers admit the front brakes are undersized for the van's 3,500-pound weight, causing overheating and premature wear. Brake pads and rotors need replacement every 3,000–10,000 miles instead of the normal 30,000–40,000 mile range; some owners have replaced brakes five or six times before 52,000 miles. Glazing, corrosion, and noise (grinding, squealing, moaning) are common. Rear drums also warp and require repeated resurfacing. One owner experienced a catastrophic brake line kink at 3 miles, and another reported brake failure severe enough to cause a crash. A fuse-box fire and electrical shutdown occurred under 9,000 miles on another vehicle. Dealers resurfaced and replaced components repeatedly while warranty coverage lasted, then refused coverage after expiration. One dealer cited TSB #KT20070402401 requiring brake work for reported symptoms, but initially refused to perform it. Kia acknowledged the problem to at least one owner but denied a safety defect, claiming the issue depends on terrain or driving habits. No factory solution has been released despite widespread complaints across multiple ownership years.
Same Kia Sedona brakes reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2008
Failure modes owners describe
Rotor warping and pulsation
Rotors warp prematurely, causing pulsating, vibration, and grinding when braking. Owners report rotors becoming out-of-round within 2,000–15,000 miles, requiring resurfacing or replacement multiple times. Several owners state dealers acknowledged the front brake system is undersized for the van's weight, causing overheating and warping.
When: Typically 2,000–15,000 miles; recurs every 3–6 months or 3,000–10,000 miles after repair
Symptoms owners cite: Pulsating and vibration in brake pedal and front end when braking; Grinding noise when braking; Vehicle shakes and shudders during braking, especially downhill or at highway speeds; Front end wobbles when brakes applied; Brake pedal pulsates
Repairs/costs cited: Rotors resurfaced or replaced multiple times; front brake pads replaced. OEM rotors warp again. One owner tried aftermarket and manufacturer-redesigned rotors, both warped within 10,000 miles.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers told owners the rotors are undersized for van weight; one dealer mentioned a brake system upgrade that could be purchased but was never released; KIA initially covered repairs under warranty, then denied coverage once warranty expired
Brake noise (grinding, squealing, moaning, roaring)
Persistent grinding, squealing, moaning, and roaring sounds during braking, often unrelated to pad wear. Sounds occur at low speeds and during routine stops. Dealers frequently cannot replicate or diagnose the noise, or blame it on high humidity, shipping, or normal wear despite low mileage.
When: As early as 3 miles after purchase; recurring throughout ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Loud grinding noise when applying brakes; Squealing at low speeds (under 20 mph); Moaning sound when coming to a stop; Roaring noise like large truck when stopping; Loud noise when braking downhill or at higher speeds
Repairs/costs cited: Rear drums cleaned, adjusted, and resurfaced; brake pads replaced; rotors resurfaced. Noise often returns within weeks. One owner reports dealer could not replicate noise and deferred diagnosis.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers attributed noise to shipping damage, humidity, normal wear, or incorrect driving habits; KIA customer service stated no fault found; TSB #KT20070402401 cited by one owner required brake change if customer reported the symptom, but dealer initially refused to perform it
Brake fade and reduced stopping power
Brakes fail to slow or stop vehicle properly despite pressing pedal hard. One owner reported complete brake failure due to kinked brake line within one week of purchase; others report brakes require excessive pedal pressure to function. Occurs during normal driving, highway speeds, and emergency braking.
When: One owner within one week (3 miles); others during normal operation; one failure-to-stop crash occurred at ~2 weeks of ownership (Oct 2005)
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle does not slow down or stop when brake pedal applied; Requires excessive pressure on brake pedal to stop; Brakes feel weak and do not grab properly; Vehicle continues through intersection despite full brake application
Repairs/costs cited: One owner: kinked and broken brake line replaced. Master cylinder replaced (Recall 05V329000). ABS module replaced in one case. One crash resulted in $8,000+ in damage.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer refused to replace recalled master cylinder; owner requested reimbursement
Excessive brake wear (pads and rotors wear prematurely)
Brake pads and rotors require replacement every 3,000–10,000 miles, compared to normal 30,000–40,000 mile intervals. Owners report five or more brake jobs on vehicles under 52,000 miles. Glazing and overheating cause premature wear.
When: Starting around 3,500 miles; recurring every 3,000–10,000 miles or every 2–3 months
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pads glazed over; Rotors glazed and discolored; Excessive pad wear; Burning smell from brakes
Repairs/costs cited: Brake pads replaced 5–6 times by 52,000 miles; rotors replaced or resurfaced multiple times. One owner purchased aftermarket drilled/slotted rotors to reduce heat. Goodyear upgraded to aftermarket parts when KIA parts continued to fail.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: KIA offered a brake system upgrade that could be purchased but was never released; KIA told one owner the problem depends on terrain; once warranty expired, KIA refused further coverage
Brake system electrical failure
Fuse box fire and electrical wiring melt-down occurred within 9,000 miles of purchase, preceded by burning smell. Vehicle radio, gauges, and engine shut off during highway driving. Fuses and wiring burned and melted.
When: First issue at 3 miles (kinked brake line); second major electrical failure at under 9,000 miles (July 2006)
Symptoms owners cite: Burning smell from engine area; Radio shut off during driving; Gauges shut off; Engine shut off during highway driving; Fuse box smoking and melted when opened
Repairs/costs cited: Entire wiring harness replaced; vehicle kept at dealer over one week
Glazed brake shoes and drums
Rear brake shoes become glazed and drums become out-of-round, requiring resurfacing or replacement. Condition masks rear brake adjustment issues and contributes to vibration and reduced stopping power.
When: Occurs around 11,000–30,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vibration when braking; Shuddering from rear when brakes adjusted; Glazed brake shoes visible
Repairs/costs cited: Rear drums resurfaced or cleaned multiple times; rear brakes adjusted repeatedly; drums found to be out-of-round and replaced (~$125 per drum cited by one owner)
Brake system corrosion
Rotors corrode prematurely, causing glazing and reduced braking performance. Pressure required to brake increases significantly in wet and icy conditions.
When: Around 14,000–19,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Increased pressure required on brake pedal; Glazed and corroded rotors; Loud thump from front brake during stop; Poor braking in wet/icy conditions
Repairs/costs cited: Anti-glaze chemical applied; rotors turned/resurfaced
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer informed owner that KIA is aware the rotor is undersized for the vehicle weight
Synthesized from 73 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
2005 sedona check engine light illuminated, spark plugs were replaced. Consumer also experienced problems with the gear shift, throttle and brakes locked up. *ts previously responded on 12-15-06 by aae duplicate letter the master cylinder in the consumer vehicle had to be replaced. The part had been recalled (recall number 05v329000) but the dealer refused to replace it. The consumer…
Around 4500 miles had vibration when braking. Dealer said that it was caused by warped rotors. They were replaced. Not two months later I had the same problem. Had to pay for rotors to be machined. Same week, rotors had to be machined again. One month later same problem. Had to pay to replace the pads. *jb
Consumer 2005 sedona would not move forward or backward. Mechanic determined that it was the brakes. *ts the consuemr believes the problem is with the transmission. *nm
Had brakes trouble with your 2005 Kia Sedona?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the brakes problem on the 2005 Kia Sedona?
It's a meaningful issue. 73 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Across the 58 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 4,200 and 20,934 miles, with the median around 9,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 4,200; a quarter make it past 20,934. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2005/Kia/Sedona.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.