PITSTOP - ENGINE COMPONENT RE-USE GUIDELINES - In general, parts and components removed during engine repairs should be considered serviceable, and should be thoroughly cleaned and transferred to the new engine.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2005 Kia Sedona engine problems
severe 18 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
18
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
1crash
1fire
When does it fail?
Of the 18 engine complaints filed for the 2005 Kia Sedona, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 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
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 14 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
KIA: INTERMITTENT MIL ON WITH NO FAULT CODE STORED; INFORMATION ABOUT DTC P1330. PROVIDES INFORMATION RELATING TO CERTAIN VEHICLES. IN AFFECTED VEHICLES AN INTERMITTENT SHORT TO GROUND IN A CIRCUIT ONLY INTENDED FOR TESTING PURPOSES MAY CAUSE THE MIL TO ILLUMINATE AND A DTC P1330 (SPARK TIMING ADJUST) TO BE STORED.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗KIA: ECM UPGRADE WITH TP SENSOR REPLACEMENT-MIL ON WITH DTC P2135/P0638. INFORMATION RELATED TO ECM SOFTWARE AND TP SENSOR UPGRADE ON SOME VEHICLES WITH 2.7L ENGINES WHICH MAY EXPERIENCE A MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ILLUMINATED WITH THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL (ETC) SYSTEM RELATED DTC P2135 OR P0638 OR P2A00 OR P2A03.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SEDONA (GQ) CORRODED HEATER COOLANT PIPES - ON SOME BUILT FROM MAY 1, 2001, TO AUG. 30, 2005. UPDATED 6/17/08.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗CANISTER CLOSE VALVE INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT. MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT (MIL) RELATED TO THE CANISTER CLOSE VALVE AND/OR EVAPORATIVE SYSTEM.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of the 2005 Kia Sedona describe two major engine-related failure patterns. The first is rear coolant line corrosion. Metal lines running to the rear heater rust and leak, causing coolant loss, engine overheating, and vehicle shutdown. Multiple owners report the same failure sequence: driving normally, then sudden overheating and loss of power on highways and city streets. One owner was told by a dealership technician that most owners don't catch the problem in time before engine damage occurs. A TSB exists for this repair, yet Kia has declined warranty coverage if the vehicle exceeds 60,000 miles, calling it a maintenance issue.
The second is unpredictable engine stalling. Owners report sudden shutdown at highway speeds, in stop-and-go traffic, and even at idle—sometimes with restart after a few minutes, sometimes immediately. These stalls occur in all weather conditions with no warning lights. Root causes vary: crankshaft position sensors, throttle position switches, faulty engine control modules, failed rear engine mounts, and stuck intake solenoids. Some failures happened as early as 4,300 miles; others at 160,000 miles. One vehicle stalled three separate times and the dealer still couldn't identify the cause. One owner also reported a stuck throttle during cold or rainy weather that caused a crash. A dealer-issued recall exists for stuck throttle defects but hasn't solved the broader stalling problems.
Same Kia Sedona engine reports on nearby years: 2006
Failure modes owners describe
Rear coolant line corrosion and leaks
Metal coolant lines running to the rear heater corrode and leak over time, causing coolant loss, engine overheating, and vehicle shutdown. Multiple owners report the same failure; one dealership technician indicated most owners don't catch it before engine damage occurs. A TSB exists for this issue, and at least one owner was told Kia is aware of the problem. The fix replaces the corroded lines with the same type, inviting recurrence.
When: 65,000 miles; can occur within a few year period
Symptoms owners cite: Coolant loss without visible external leaks (initially); Engine overheating; Vehicle shuts down while driving; Large puddles of coolant under rear of vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Rear coolant line replacement; one owner was denied warranty coverage at 65,000 miles (warranty expired at 60,000 miles); dealer noted lines rust and corrode
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB exists for the repair; Kia denied warranty coverage beyond 60,000 miles; known solution using aluminum lines with plastic coating exists but not applied in replacement
Engine stalling without warning
Vehicle stalls unexpectedly during highway and city driving, at various speeds and weather conditions. Failures occur both when the vehicle is running and at idle. Some owners report the vehicle restarts after 5–10 minutes; others report immediate restart. One complaint cites a failed crankshaft position sensor (aftermarket Dorman part). Another complaint identifies a throttle position switch issue after dealer rework of ground connections. Another identifies a faulty engine control module. One failure remains undiagnosed after three occurrences and repeated dealer visits.
When: 4,300 miles; 28,000 miles; 109,000 miles; 160,000 miles; various
Symptoms owners cite: Unexpected engine shutdown while driving at highway and city speeds; Stalling at idle; Engine stalls during acceleration attempts; Stalling in various weather conditions; Intermittent stalling with no warning lights
Repairs/costs cited: Throttle position switch replacement (after initial ground rework); crankshaft position sensor replacement (one case with aftermarket part); engine control module replacement (one case); one case unresolved after multiple dealer visits; one case blamed on aftermarket crankshaft position sensor with no Kia responsibility
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB or recall exists for stuck throttle; manufacturer refused assistance when aftermarket crankshaft position sensor was identified; dealers unable to diagnose in multiple cases
Rear engine mount failure
Defective rear engine mount allows excessive movement and causes vehicle shutdown. One owner reported engine mount failure at 4,300 miles (very low mileage), requiring part replacement from Kia Japan. Owner expressed concern about driving a vehicle with a failed engine-retention component, especially with infants aboard. Dealer was unable to explain the shutdown mechanism.
When: 4,300 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle shutdown while driving; Engine mount inadequacy detected via diagnostic code
Repairs/costs cited: Rear engine mount replacement; part required special order from Kia Japan; dealer could not explain failure mechanism or installation timeline
Stuck throttle / accelerator pedal
Throttle becomes stuck, particularly during inclement or cold weather, causing uncontrolled acceleration and loss of vehicle control. One complaint documents a crash into a porch and tree due to stuck accelerator. Owner was told a recall had been issued for this defect.
When: During inclement or cold weather
Symptoms owners cite: Throttle sticks during cold or rainy weather; Vehicle accelerates uncontrollably; Loss of vehicle control
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall issued for stuck throttle defect
Slow or sluggish acceleration response
Vehicle takes approximately five seconds to respond when accelerator pedal is depressed at modest speeds, combined with intermittent stalling at idle. Dealer unable to duplicate or diagnose. Later identified as faulty engine control module.
When: 28,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Five-second delay in acceleration response at 35 mph; Intermittent stalling at idle; Repeated shutdown and restart cycle
Repairs/costs cited: Engine control module replacement
Stuck intake solenoid valve
Engine control valve (solenoid) sticks in closed position, illuminating check engine light. Defect persists after dealer repair, prompting owner to seek independent shop diagnosis (which confirms the same fault). Dealer subsequently refused further service.
When: <UNKNOWN>
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illuminates; Solenoid valve stuck in closed position
Repairs/costs cited: Solenoid valve repair; defect recurred after dealer service; independent shop confirmed same diagnosis
Engine fire
Vehicle caught fire under the hood and inside the cabin while parked at owner's residence. Fire department extinguished fire; vehicle totaled. Cause undetermined.
When: 200,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Fire underneath hood and inside vehicle while parked
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle totaled
Overheating without coolant leaks (air conditioning system)
Vehicle overheats during operation without detectable coolant line leaks. Air conditioning and heater operate intermittently (sometimes on, sometimes off), indicating potential refrigerant or heating control issues contributing to thermal management failure.
When: <UNKNOWN>
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle overheating without coolant leaks; Air conditioner intermittently inoperative; Heater intermittently inoperative
Repairs/costs cited: Air conditioning unit replaced (in one multi-defect case); heating system issue noted but specific repair not documented
Overheating with no warning lights
Engine overheats while vehicle is parked, with no warning lights illuminated. Owner unable to open hood to investigate. Dealer informed owner VIN was not under recall but did not diagnose or repair.
When: 88,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle overheating while parked; No warning lights illuminated; Hood will not open
Repairs/costs cited: Not repaired; no diagnosis provided
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer confirmed VIN not under recall
Synthesized from 18 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Engine stalling.... Completely stopped... Loss of power during city driving. Dealer not able to find problem. Had van towed. Air bag sensor will not shut off. Several dealers have tried to solve problem but cannot and van is unsafe and risky to drive. *tr
Had engine 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 engine problem on the 2005 Kia Sedona?
It's a meaningful issue. 18 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 13 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 60,000 and 160,000 miles, with the median around 88,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 60,000; a quarter make it past 160,000. 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 $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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.