Vehicle Safety Hub
RecallsVIN LookupZero Recalls

Vehicle Safety Hub

Free vehicle safety data powered by NHTSA government records. Recalls, complaints, and reliability information for every car, truck, and SUV.

Browse by Make

  • Toyota
  • Honda
  • Ford
  • Chevrolet
  • Nissan
  • Hyundai
  • Kia
  • BMW
  • Mercedes-Benz
  • Subaru

Tools

  • VIN Lookup
  • Recent Recalls
  • Compare Vehicles
  • Zero-Recall Vehicles

About

  • About
  • Methodology
  • Data Sources
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service

© 2026 Vehicle Safety Hub. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any government agency.

Data source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

  1. Home
  2. >Kia
  3. >optima
  4. >2002
  5. >Suspension

2002 Kia optima Suspension Problems

Suspension complaints and recalls from NHTSA

Summary

The 2002 Kia optima has 17 NHTSA suspension complaints and 1 suspension-related recall.

Problem Areas for the 2002 Kia optima

Suspension
17
Airbags
16
Structure
13
Electrical
12
Brakes
11
Latches & Locks
9
Engine
8
Steering
7
Fuel System
4
Other
3
Powertrain
3
Visibility
3

17

Complaints

1

Recalls

0

Injuries Reported

Data source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) · Last updated April 9, 2026

Suspension Recalls

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...

All Suspension Complaints

Date ↓ComponentSummary
Nov 4, 2022SUSPENSION,STRUCTUREThe contact owns a 2002 Kia Optima. The contact stated that after he replaced all four tires, the ve...
Oct 7, 2019SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE,WHEELSOVER A WEEKS TIME,I NOTICED MY STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED LIKE MAYBE I NEEDED AN ALIGNMENT AND IT STA...
Apr 6, 2016SUSPENSION,STRUCTURETL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE LOWER SUBFRAME D...
Mar 4, 2016SUSPENSIONI JUST GOT MY 2002 KIA OPTIMA AND IT JUST RECENTLY STARTED HAVING ISSUES. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROA...
Jul 15, 2015SUSPENSION,WHEELSWE OWN A 2002 KIA OPTIMA- FOUND OUT THERE WAS A RECALL- THE RECALL WAS CORRISION TO THE SUBFRAME THA...
Jun 24, 2015SUSPENSIONDRIVING UP THE ROAD ,PUT ON BRAKES ,AXLE AND SUBFRAME BROKE CAUSING MY CAR TO SLIDE AND STOP IN MIDD...
Feb 5, 2015SUSPENSION,STRUCTUREDRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, STEPPED ON BRAKES AND FRONT FRAME BROKE INTO TWO PIECES, IN THE MIDDLE OF THE...
May 5, 2014SUSPENSION,STRUCTUREMY TIRE HAD STARTED BENDING INWARD AT THE TOP, AND OUTWARD AT THE BOTTOM. MY CAR STARTED GOING OUT O...
Mar 15, 2014SUSPENSIONTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO DRIVE IN A STR...
Nov 25, 2013SUSPENSION,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE,SERVICE BRAKESWE HAVE HAD ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH A 2002 KIA OPTIMA, INCLUDING TIRE WEAR, BRAKE PROBLEMS, ELECTRICAL...
Oct 4, 2012SUSPENSION,STRUCTURECAR WAS MAKING STRANGE NOISE. TOOK TO MECHANIC TO HAVE CHECK. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE SUBFRAME ...
Apr 13, 2012SUSPENSIONTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MEC...
Mar 6, 2012SUSPENSIONTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE CONTACT HEA...
Oct 31, 2011SUSPENSIONTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, ...
Oct 31, 2010SUSPENSIONTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED, THE CONTACT WAS INFORME...
Aug 15, 2010SUSPENSION,STRUCTUREI HAVE A 2002 KIA OPTIMA THAT THE VIN IS NOT ONE OF THE VEHICLES THAT IS COVERED BY YOUR RECALL NHTS...
Nov 27, 2009SUSPENSION,STRUCTUREMY SON WAS DRIVING OUR 2002 KIA OPTIMA AND WHEEL ASSEMBLY FELL OFF. THE WHOLE FRAME RUSTED FROM INSI...

Explore More

2002 Kia optima Full Report→All Kia Models→