2002 Model Year

Kia Optima

NHTSA Complaints & Reliability Data

Compare
Complaints
110
Recalls
1
Crashes
16
Severe
32

Active Recalls

Manufacturer safety recalls

03V067000 Mar 2003

Other

No consequence data available

Recent Complaints

Latest owner reports

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE
Nov 2025

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 loc...

SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE
Nov 2022

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...

Structure
Jan 2021

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 IND...

SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE,WHEELS
Nov 2019

OVER A WEEKS TIME,I NOTICED MY STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED LIKE MAYBE I NEEDED AN ALIGNMENT AND IT STARTED PULLING TO THE LEFT SO BAD THAT I HAD TO FORC...

Air Bags
Oct 2019

AIR BAG LIGHT ALL OF SUDDEN,AFTER JUST STARTING UP

Air Bags Crash
Oct 2017

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 DE...

SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE
Dec 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...

SUSPENSION,WHEELS
Nov 2016

WE OWN A 2002 KIA OPTIMA- FOUND OUT THERE WAS A RECALL- THE RECALL WAS CORRISION TO THE SUBFRAME THAT COULD LEAD TO PROBLEMS WITH THE CONTROL ARM. I...

Suspension
Nov 2016

I JUST GOT MY 2002 KIA OPTIMA AND IT JUST RECENTLY STARTED HAVING ISSUES. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND MY CAR STARTED TO SLIGHTLY WANDER TO THE LEF...

STEERING,SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE
Aug 2016

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...

VS

Vehicle Safety Research Team

Automotive Data Analysts

Independent researchers analyzing NHTSA data to help consumers make informed vehicle decisions.

Data updated: March 4, 2026

Summary

The 2002 Kia Optima has 110 complaints and 1 recalls on record. The most commonly reported issue is Air Bags. 16 crash-related incidents have been reported.

Complaint Trend