VehicleVerdict

2002 Kia Optima problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Among the better years

The 2002 Kia Optima is among the quieter years of the Optima on NHTSA's books: 168 complaints (37% below the model's median year), 3 recalls, and no open investigations. Complainants reported 17 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across body & structure (33), suspension (22), and airbags (20), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

168

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

28

Crash-involved

5

Fires reported

17

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2002 compare to other Optima years?

Optima NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 highlighted1,871 complaints2001: 231 complaints2002: 168 complaints2003: 190 complaints2004: 306 complaints2005: 180 complaints2006: 214 complaints2007: 217 complaints2008: 188 complaints2009: 166 complaints2010: 99 complaints2011: 771 complaints2012: 1,260 complaints2013: 1,871 complaints2014: 780 complaints2015: 1,388 complaints2016: 1,065 complaints2017: 351 complaints2018: 327 complaints2019: 308 complaints2020: 199 complaints
Optima NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Optima years to avoid →

What are the most common 2002 Kia Optima problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Body & Structure3320%
Suspension2213%
Airbags2012%
Electrical System1811%
Brakes138%
Latches & Locks127%
Engine117%
Steering85%
Transmission64%
Fuel System64%
Tires & Wheels64%
Visibility & Wipers21%
Lighting21%
Other21%
Seat Belts21%
Speed Control21%
Seats11%
Driver Assistance11%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)11%

Does the 2002 Kia Optima have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09V183000SuspensionMay 27, 2009 · 36,538 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

CORROSION OF THE FRONT SUBFRAME COULD LEAD TO SEPARATION, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

04V180000Fuel SystemApril 12, 2004 · 25,803 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

FUEL SPILLAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

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.

03V067000Electrical SystemMarch 4, 2003 · 11,501 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

INTERNAL GAPS WITHIN THE CASES ALLOWED EPOXY TO CONTACT THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD, WHICH RESULTED IN CRACKING OF THE CIRCUIT BOARD CAPACITOR. A DAMAGED CKP CAPACITOR COULD RESULT IN ENGINE STALLING.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“A FIRE STARTED INSIDE THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR PANEL FILLING THE CAR WITH HEAVY BLACK SMOKE MY WIFE OPENED THE DRIVERS SIDE ELECTRIC WINDOW TO GE RID OF THE SMOKE OUT OF THE CAR. SHE DROVE THE CAR INTO HER BACK YARD AND STARTED SCREAMING FOR HELP SINCE THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN. HER HUSBAND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · June 19, 2014 · fire

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT SUBFRAME HAD CORRODED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND REFERENCED RECALL 09V183000 (SUSPENSION: FRONT) BUT WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · October 31, 2010

“MY 2002 KIA OPTIMA WAS IN AN ACCIDENT ON AUGUST 30TH 2004. MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING WEST BOUND, A SCHOOL BUS DRIVING EAST BOUND MADE A LEFT TURN IN FRONT OF MY DAUGHTER. SHE HIT THE BUS AT ABOUT 50 MPH. NO AIR BAG DEPLOYED. I AM INTERESTED IN KNOWING IF THIS HAS HAPPENED BEFORE. IT WAS A FULL…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · August 30, 2004 · crash

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 25, 2015 · fire

“WHILE SLOWING DOWN TO EXIT OFF MASS PIKE, I WAS DOING ABOUT 30-35 AND SO WERE THE OTHER CARS, I BRAKED TO CONTINUE TO SLOW - THE CAR DID NOT STOP AND APPLIED THE BRAKES ALL THE WAY DOWN AND THE CAR STILL DID NOT STOP AND I PANICKED KNOWING THE CAR WAS NOT STOPPING AND FINALLY MADE IMPACT INTO THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · July 15, 2003 · crash

2002 Kia Optima — common questions

Is the 2002 Kia Optima reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 168 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Optima year, with 3 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2002 Optima problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are body & structure (33 complaints), suspension (22 complaints), airbags (20 complaints).

Does the 2002 Kia Optima have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2002 Kia Optima. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Kia Optima years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Optima years to avoid are 2013, 2015, 2012, 2016, 2014, 2011. The cleanest record among Optima years belongs to 2010.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.