| Issue ID | 777991 |
| Internal NHTSA # | 10320550 |
| Manufacurer | HYUNDAI-KIA AMERICA TECHNICAL CENTER INC |
| Brand | KIA |
| Model | SEDONA |
| Model Year | 2006 |
| File date | 17/03/10 |
| Component | LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES |
| Product type code | VEHICLE |
| Description of the problem | While driving my 2006 kia sedona on the highway the rear passenger sliding door opened by itself with my child seated next to it in her car seat. After numerous attempts at trying to close the door by the power switches, i had to push the door closed manually. I got in my vehicle and drove to a nearby parking lot to move my child's car seat to the other side. I contacted my dealership to let them know i was on my way and gave an explanation of the issue. I was asked to wait until the next day, that they were busy and already had people waiting. I explained that i had my child in the car and was told perhaps i could use the vehicle without her in the car, but that they probably would not get a chance to fix the problem today. I expressed my disappointment and told him i would be coming now to the dealership as soon as i could get there. The door continued to open throughout my 30 minute drive to the nearest kia dealership, leaving me to pull over and, again, manually try to close the door. This occurred 6 times. On pulling into the dealership parking lot, which is down a small hill, the door again slid open and closed. I was told by the mechanic that it was a mechanical problem with the latch on the sliding door. That the vehicles computer system does not recognize a broken latch as it is a mechanical part. I was told that the car looks at the open latch as if someone wants the door to open, not understanding that it could be a defect of the part itself. The part was replaced and i paid out of pocket for the expenses, as my limited warranty had expired. When i asked the dealership if this was a common problem, i was told that they had seen it before, but would not call this issue common. My concern is for the safety of my child. My choice in this vehicle was made based on safety. This defect of the latch on the door is not safe. And, common or not, must be addressed. |
| Vehicle Mileage at Failure | 66400 |
| Number of Occurences | 1 |
| Source of the issue | NHTSA WEB SITE |
| City and State | ATKINSON, NH |
| VIN pattern | KNDMB233366XXXXXX |
| Was vehicle invloved in a crash? | N |
| Was vehicle involved in a fire? | N |
| Was incedent reported to police? | N |
| Was medical attention required? | |
| Was part original equipment? | |
| No. of injured persons | |
| No. of fatalities | |
| Date of purchase | 07/08/26 |
| Was original owner? | N |
| Anti-lock brakes | N |
| Cruise control | N |
| Number of cylinders | |
| Drive train type | |
| Transmission type | |
| Vehicle speed | 60 |
| DoT tire identifier | |
| Tire size | |
| Location of tire code | |
| Type of tire failure code | |
| Was defective tire repaired? | |
| Date of manufacture | |
| Type of child seat code | |
| Type of restraint | |
| Dealer's name | |
| Dealer's telephone number | |
| Dealer's city | |
| Dealer's state code | |
| Dealer's ZIP code |