2003 Kia Sedona Logo
Posted on Oct 03, 2008
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2003 kia sedona

The steering wheel on turns doesnt rotate back have to turn it back and its very stiff now and then

  • 5 more comments 
  • regorp Oct 31, 2008

    I have a 2003 sedona and it has same steering problem, fluid level is up & belt is OK

  • patrickcolle Nov 08, 2008

    I have a 2003 sedona and it has same steering problem, fluid level is up & belt is OK

  • Air-Rick Jan 13, 2009

    I took my 2003 Sedona to the shop. 3 mechanics looked at it for about 45 minutes. They could not find anything wrong with. This is with 9 degree and 30 below with the windchill, here in Chicago. The steering got better in the warm garage as they were doing all the testing. They ask me all kinds of questions as we were all underneath the van trying to figure outl the problem. There were no signs of leaking and no noise when the steering wheel is rotating from left to right. So they drop the car down and said they would have to start with the steering wheel pump because they could not feel any pressure from the resevoir. While I drove home, the steering wheel was back to normal. I had this problem for a week and finally feels better driving it after being in a heated garage. I think I will change the power steering fluid to synthetic or a higher grade that won't freeze.

  • cfarley4006 Feb 10, 2009

    Hey mtbtfultz, did your mechanic happen to meantion anything else about this "u-bolt"? I have the exact same problem and cant find any reference to a u-bolt in the steering.

  • Ron1270 Feb 12, 2009

    My wifes 2003 kia sedona was having steering problems. Making a noise and not steering correctly. On way home last night she stopped at service garage. They told her the rack was bad and would have to be replaced. Today they called and said the steering shaft flex joint was also bad and would cost an extra $118.00 to replace. They gave her the flex shaft to bring home, I can see it was definitely bad, but now wonder if the rack was really bad? Also charged for a fluid flush, charge of $110.00, not sure if that was necessary or not? The system is already drained to replace the rack? What are your thoughts. And does Kia have issues with their racks? Van has under 60,000 on it. Thanks



  • Ron1270 Feb 12, 2009

    To your question about the ubolt, I believe that might be the same as the flex joint?

  • ploneill Mar 16, 2009

    I have the same problem with a 2005 sedona. Started when it was very cold, the steering wheel would not straighten out after turning and you had to manually straighten the wheel. Seemed to get better in the warmer days, but now, about 3-4 weeks after first noticing the problem, its seems to be a constant thing. Kia told me it could be the power steering fluid pump or the intermediate steering column. Any thoughts.

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  • Posted on Jan 18, 2009
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I had the same thing (hard to turn, especially in cold temps, wouldn't return to straight.....). Since the power steering fluid was full, I decided it had to be "gunk" in the fluid, so I took my '03 Kia Sedona in to have the power steering fluid flushed & filled (over $100 I think!).

No better. So I took it to another mechanic and he said that the "U-Bolt" had frozen up. He changed it (part was $117 and labor was 2 hours, for a total cost of $350ish) and it's good as new now!

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  • Posted on Oct 07, 2008
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Does it come back on one side and not the other..if so..and fluid is up..definitely the rack...provided it drives straight otherwise (no damage to steering linkage)

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  • Posted on Oct 03, 2008
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Could be as simple as very bad toe.

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Check your power steering fluid. if thats not it the rackin pinion may be going

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Sometimes its hard to turn van

First I'd check your power steering fluid. However it's common for the rack and pinion to go bad as the vehicle ages, other than that it could also be you're power steering pump. You will have to have a mechanic take a look at it to be sure.
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2003 Kia Sedona steering not as smooth as it was 2days aga, slight pull to right and when I turn a corner, the steering wheel does not come back as easily as it used to. Is this a tie rod problem? ...

I would get the vehicle aligned first. Usually, a tie rod will cause the vehicle to shake when you apply the breaks.Take it in for an alignment.
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yes look there and also inspect your track bar, tierod ends, pitman arm ball joint. Have someone turn your steering wheel while you look. the bind or looseness should be evedent. Its a big sysytem to cover.
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Low tyre pressures or tracking out will cause stiff steering.
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It might be a failing power steering rack as well...classic symptoms are very stiff when first starting vehicle or at a stoplight, then loosens up as rpms increase.
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Have you ck'd to make sure the engine drive belt isn' loose?.
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Kia sedona 2004 steering wheel would not

sounds like either the power steering pump or the power steering rack is failing.
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Steering started to feel real stiff yesterday

may possibly be the ball joints or tie rod ends. to check... jack the vehicle up. make sure it's support safely and you have a back up in case the jack fails.
now grab the wheel in the 9 and 3 o'clock position.... try and move the wheel side to side.... if it moves you likely have a bad tie rod... next place your hands on the wheel at the 12 and 6 o'clock position and try to move the wheel up and down. if it moves.. the ball joint needs to be replaced. repeat those test on the other wheel as well.
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