no report yet
Suspension: front
Risk. CORROSION OF THE FRONT SUBFRAME COULD LEAD TO SEPARATION, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
2002 Kia OptimaProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 107 owner complaints about the 2002 Kia Optima, most often about the structure. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 13, 2025. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.
Complaints by system
Where the 2002 Kia Optima has problems
107 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
30Structure2 crash/fire/injury
21Suspension
19Air bags13 crash/fire/injury
14Electrical system3 crash/fire/injury
12Latches/locks/linkages
9Service brakes, hydraulic
8Steering
7Engine and engine cooling
6Power train
3214 other systems7 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | 30 | 2 |
| Suspension | 21 | 0 |
| Air bags | 19 | 13 |
| Electrical system | 14 | 3 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 12 | 0 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 9 | 4 |
| Steering | 8 | 2 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 7 | 0 |
| Power train | 6 | 0 |
| 14 other systems | 32 | 7 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
3 recalls
2002 Kia Optima recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
no report yet
Storage: tank assembly
Risk. FUEL SPILLAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
no report yet
Electrical system: starter assembly
Risk. INTERNAL GAPS WITHIN THE CASES ALLOWED EPOXY TO CONTACT THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD, WHICH RESULTED IN CRACKING OF THE CIRCUIT BOARD CAPACITOR.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Kia.
Mileage at failure
When do structure problems start?
117kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 26 structure complaints. 38% were reported before 100,000 miles.
0under 30k miles10under 100k miles16100k miles or more
Best & worst years
2002 vs. every other Optima year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Optima median. How we score
'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2002 Kia Optima safety ratings
2002 Kia Optima 4-DR in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- Stability control: No
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words
What Optima owners report
Recent structure complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
locked the car as most people do, then went to unlock the car heard it unlock but the door would not open. I could hear the door sound like it was locking/unlocking like it was stuck. I tried to climb through the passenger side to open the door from the inside and it will not open. The door appears…
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…
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,…
Own a 2002 Optima?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.