Recalls, complaints, and safety data from NHTSA
The 2002 Kia Optima has 3 recalls, 110 complaints.
3
Recalls
110
Complaints
N/A
Safety Rating
Data source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) · Last updated April 8, 2026
04V180000
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
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...
03V067000
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5 AND 2.7 LITER V6 ENGINES, THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR (CKP) CASES DID NOT MEET DIMENSIONAL SPECIFIC...
09V183000
SUSPENSION:FRONT
KIA MOTORS CORPORATION (KMC) IS RECALLING 36,538 MODEL YEAR 2001-2004 OPTIMA VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONN...
Overall
Not Rated
Front Crash
Not Rated
Side Crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
Rating for: 2002 Kia Optima 4-DR
| Date ↓ | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 12, 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE | locked the car as most people do, then went to unlock the car heard it unlock but the door would not... |
| Nov 4, 2022 | SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE | The contact owns a 2002 Kia Optima. The contact stated that after he replaced all four tires, the ve... |
| Nov 20, 2020 | STRUCTURE | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE HOLES FROM CORROSION DUE ... |
| Oct 7, 2019 | SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE,WHEELS | OVER A WEEKS TIME,I NOTICED MY STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED LIKE MAYBE I NEEDED AN ALIGNMENT AND IT STA... |
| Oct 3, 2019 | AIR BAGS | AIR BAG LIGHT ALL OF SUDDEN,AFTER JUST STARTING UP |
| Oct 15, 2017 | AIR BAGS | TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED ... |
| Aug 20, 2016 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | MY 16 YEAR OLD JUST PURCHASED A 2002 KIA OPTIMA SEDAN ON SATURDAY 8/20/2016 FROM A USED CAR DEALERSH... |
| Aug 19, 2016 | STEERING,SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, T... |
| May 20, 2016 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 2002 KIA OPTIMA DRIVER DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH KEYLESS ENTRY OR FROM IN SIDE OF CAR ONLY AFTER LOC... |
| Apr 6, 2016 | SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE LOWER SUBFRAME D... |
| Mar 4, 2016 | SUSPENSION | I JUST GOT MY 2002 KIA OPTIMA AND IT JUST RECENTLY STARTED HAVING ISSUES. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROA... |
| Jan 22, 2016 | STRUCTURE | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED, THE MECHANIC NOTICED T... |
| Jul 15, 2015 | SUSPENSION,WHEELS | WE OWN A 2002 KIA OPTIMA- FOUND OUT THERE WAS A RECALL- THE RECALL WAS CORRISION TO THE SUBFRAME THA... |
| Jun 24, 2015 | SUSPENSION | DRIVING UP THE ROAD ,PUT ON BRAKES ,AXLE AND SUBFRAME BROKE CAUSING MY CAR TO SLIDE AND STOP IN MIDD... |
| Mar 27, 2015 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | I WAS DRIVING ON FREEWAY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON VEHICLE STOPPED ENGINE SHUT OFF I HAD TO COAST TO SIDE... |
| Mar 25, 2015 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA OPTIMA. AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, FLAMES STARTED TO EMIT FROM UNDE... |
| Feb 5, 2015 | SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE | DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, STEPPED ON BRAKES AND FRONT FRAME BROKE INTO TWO PIECES, IN THE MIDDLE OF THE... |
| Jun 19, 2014 | STRUCTURE | A FIRE STARTED INSIDE THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR PANEL FILLING THE CAR WITH HEAVY BLACK SMOKE MY WIFE OPE... |
| May 5, 2014 | SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE | MY TIRE HAD STARTED BENDING INWARD AT THE TOP, AND OUTWARD AT THE BOTTOM. MY CAR STARTED GOING OUT O... |
| May 1, 2014 | STEERING,SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE | SUBFRAME IS RUSTING OUT AND MY TIRES ARE GETTING ABNORMAL WEAR AND MY FRONT TIRES ARE ANGLED IN. *T... |