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2002 Kia Optima

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2002 Kia Optima do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 186.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

87 reports with mileage · 20 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Structure. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

15 crash reports4 fire reports10 injury reports

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints

4 reports
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100,000 miles · Sep 28, 2013
Electrical SystemEngineExterior Lighting

I HAVE ALSO BEEN STATED AS "NOT INCLUDED". 2002 KIA OPTIMA V6 LX. THE VEHICLE SHAKES MY ENTIRE BODY UPON BRAKING. RADIO TURNS ON AND OFF. RADIO GOES FROM CD1 ERROR TO FM. LIGHTS FLICKER, AIR SHUTS OFF. IM ALMOST NOT ABLE TO PUMP GAS ANYMORE. PUMP HANDLE CONTINUOUSLY CLICKS OFF. ITS PATHETIC THAT I AM NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE TO WORK!…

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I HAVE ALSO BEEN STATED AS "NOT INCLUDED". 2002 KIA OPTIMA V6 LX. THE VEHICLE SHAKES MY ENTIRE BODY UPON BRAKING. RADIO TURNS ON AND OFF. RADIO GOES FROM CD1 ERROR TO FM. LIGHTS FLICKER, AIR SHUTS OFF. IM ALMOST NOT ABLE TO PUMP GAS ANYMORE. PUMP HANDLE CONTINUOUSLY CLICKS OFF. ITS PATHETIC THAT I AM NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE TO WORK!! I HAVE ACTUALLY CALLED IN FOR FEAR OF IT JUST DECIDING TO COMPLETELY STALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10545763

86,020 miles · Dec 10, 2008
Air BagsEquipmentFuel System, Gasoline

AFTER BUYING THE VEHICLE FROM A AUTO DEALER BETWEEN JULY 2 AND JULY 5 ...THIS VEHICLE BEGAN TO HAVE MANY PROBLEMS LIKE THE AUDIO RECEIVER SWITCH FROM RADIO TO CD ON ITS OWN,DOORS LOCKS ON ITS OWN,RPM RUNS TO 4000 GOING 45MPH AFTER A HARD JERK ASSUMING THAT I WAS HIT BY A OTHER CAR THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AFTER THAT 2 HARD JE…

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AFTER BUYING THE VEHICLE FROM A AUTO DEALER BETWEEN JULY 2 AND JULY 5 ...THIS VEHICLE BEGAN TO HAVE MANY PROBLEMS LIKE THE AUDIO RECEIVER SWITCH FROM RADIO TO CD ON ITS OWN,DOORS LOCKS ON ITS OWN,RPM RUNS TO 4000 GOING 45MPH AFTER A HARD JERK ASSUMING THAT I WAS HIT BY A OTHER CAR THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AFTER THAT 2 HARD JERKS WHILE DRIVING,,(THEY DIDN'T EVEN DEPLOYED) CAN NOT PUMP GAS DUE TO FUEL KEEPS OVER FLOWING WHEN ITS BARELY EMPTY ....ITS BEEN A LIVING ?!@#$% AND I'M STILL PAYING FOR THE CAR....IS IT LEGAL FOR A DEALERSHIP TO SELL A VEHICLE LIKE THIS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10251412

77,675 miles · Aug 4, 2005
Fuel System, Gasoline

RECALL ON FUEL CUT VALVE WAS INSTALLED AT 33,000 MILES ON VEHICLE - AT 77,000 VEHICLE FAILED - FOUND OUT FROM ANOTHER DEALER (GREYSTOKE) THAT RECALL FUEL CUT VALVE HAD BEEN INSTALLED INCORRECTLY. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10131554

18,500 miles · Jun 28, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline

VEHICLE HESITATES WHEN PRESSING ON THE GAS. IT TAKES APPROXIMATELY 5-10 SECONDS BEFORE THE VEHICLE RESPONDS TO DEPRESSION OF ACCELERATOR PEDAL CONSUMER INDICATES THAT SHE HAS ALMOST BEEN REAR-ENDED DUE TO STALLING WITHOUT WARNING. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10080067

Official recalls

3

09V183000 · Suspension:front

May 27, 2009

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 & remedy

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.

04V180000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly

Apr 12, 2004

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 & remedy

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.

03V067000 · Electrical System:starter Assembly

Mar 4, 2003

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 & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.