Complaints
168
Crashes
28
Fires
5
Injuries
17
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 2002 Kia Optima Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#118 complaints
Suspension Failures
Avg mileage:137,752 mi
#213 complaints
Airbags
Avg mileage:73,267 mi
Crash-related:8
#313 complaints
Structure:Frame And Members
Avg mileage:97,794 mi
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2002 Kia Optima.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension Failures | 18 | — | — | 137,752 mi | |
| Airbags | 13 | 8 | — | 73,267 mi | |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 13 | — | — | 97,794 mi | |
| Body Structure | 10 | 1 | 1 | 140,356 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 9 | 1 | — | 66,549 mi | |
| Latches / Locks | 9 | — | — | 88,568 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 6 | 1 | — | 120,725 mi | |
| Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields | 6 | — | — | 128,766 mi | |
| Wheel Issues | 5 | 1 | — | 138,651 mi | |
| Engine Problems | 4 | — | 1 | — | |
| Structural Problems | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 3 | 3 | — | — | |
| Engine & Cooling | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Automatic Transmission | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Side/Window | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Starter Assembly | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Parking-Brake Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 2 | — | — | — |
Suspension Failures
18
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
137,752
Airbags
13
complaints
Crashes
8
Fires
—
Avg Miles
73,267
Structure:Frame And Members
13
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
97,794
Body Structure
10
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
140,356
Electrical Faults
9
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
66,549
Latches / Locks
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
88,568
Steering Defects
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
120,725
Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
128,766
Wheel Issues
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
138,651
Engine Problems
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Structural Problems
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Frontal
3
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine & Cooling
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Gasoline Fuel System
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Automatic Transmission
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Side/Window
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Starter Assembly
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Parking-Brake Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Hydraulic Brakes
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
2
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2002 Kia Optima. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Kia Optima Years
2002 Kia Optima — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2002 Kia Optima reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 2002 Kia Optima has 168 NHTSA complaints, 28 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Suspension Failures with 18 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2002 Kia Optima?
Top reported problems: Suspension Failures (18 complaints, avg 137,752 mi); Airbags (13 complaints, avg 73,267 mi); Structure:Frame And Members (13 complaints, avg 97,794 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2002 Kia Optima?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 108,912 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2002 Kia Optima?
NHTSA complaints for the 2002 Kia Optima include 28 crash-related reports, 5 fire reports, 17 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2002 Kia Optima have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 2002 Kia Optima as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 2002 Kia Optima?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Kia Optima reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2002 Kia Optima
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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