2002 Kia Optima: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 107 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is structure (17% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 107 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2002 Kia Optima. The contact stated that after he replaced all four tires, the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for an alignment; however, the mechanic was unable to perform an alignment due to the subframe corrosion. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V183000 (Suspension) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 111,000.”Owner report · Structure · Nov 2022
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 kia optima. The contact stated that there were holes from corrosion due to sub-frame rust. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with needing the sub-frame to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired as of yet. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA campaign number: 09v183000 (suspension) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.”Owner report · Structure · Nov 2020
“Tl* the contact owned a 2002 kia optima. While driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle hydroplaned and crashed into a tree. The air bags failed to deploy. There were no injuries and a police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. The dealer was not contacted and the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 219,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2017
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 kia optima. While driving approximately 10 mph and making a left turn, the front driver side control arm, tie rod, and cv axle fractured. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the subframe needed to be replaced along with the driver side control arm, tie rod, and cv axle. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 09v183000 (suspension). The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was approximately 133,313.”Owner report · Steering · Aug 2016
“2002 kia optima driver door will not unlock with keyless entry or from in side of car only after locking and waiting several minutes to hitting unlock about 20 times to get the door to unlock have been locked in car and crawl threw car or out window. Car has 142000.milies”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · May 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 kia optima. While driving 50 mph, the front driver side lower subframe detached due to corrosion inside the subframe. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 09v183000 (suspension). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 180,000.”Owner report · Structure · Apr 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 kia optima. While the vehicle was being serviced, the mechanic noticed that the subframe was rusted out and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.”Owner report · Structure · Jan 2016
“Driving up the road ,put on brakes ,axle and subframe broke causing my car to slide and stop in middle of road.thank god no one hit us.”Owner report · Suspension · Jun 2015
“I was driving on freeway engine light came on vehicle stopped engine shut off I had to coast to side of road. It quit shifting after it stalled. Had to be towed home. Kia dealer in ontario california can't find what is wrong they want me to pay 1600.00 to change battery cables, battery and fix shifter. *tr”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Mar 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 kia optima. After starting the vehicle, flames started to emit from underneath the hood due to the wiring near the starter. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 220,000.”Owner report · Engine · Mar 2015
When filing, owners marked a crash in 15 of these complaints and injuries in 11 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
KIA MOTORS CORPORATION (KMC) IS RECALLING 36,538 MODEL YEAR 2001-2004 OPTIMA VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. ROAD SALT APPLIED IN THESE STATES DURING THE WINTER MONTHS MAY RESULT IN PROGRESSIVE, INTERNAL CORROSION OF THE FRONT SUBFRAME. OVER TIME, SUCH SUBFRAME CORROSION NEAR THE CONNECTION TO THE LOWER CONTROL ARM CAN LEAD TO WHEEL MISALIGNMENT AND/OR OTHER NOTICEABLE STRESS IN STEERING, OR ACCELERATED ABNORMAL TIRE WEAR.
Remedy: KMC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 15, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA'S CONSUMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-333-4542.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5 AND 2.7 LITER V6 ENGINES, THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR (CKP) CASES DID NOT MEET DIMENSIONAL SPECIFICATIONS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CKP. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 28, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY CONTAIN A FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE THAT MAY NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. IF A VEHICLE WITH A FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE THAT IS NOT PROPERLY CLOSED WERE TO ROLL OVER, FUEL SPILLAGE MAY OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 25, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2002 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Optima by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2002 Kia Optima reliable?
NHTSA has 107 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2002 Kia Optima. The most complained-about area is structure (17% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2002 Kia Optima problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 85,152 miles or less.
Does the 2002 Kia Optima have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning suspension:front. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.