2002 Kia Optima: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2002 Kia Optima: 3 recalls, 107 owner complaints and up to 21 mpg combined.
Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Electrical Vehicle recall #03V067000 · 2003 · 11,501 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Dealers will replace the ckp. Owner notification began March 28, 2003.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #04V180000 · 2004 · 25,803 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Fuel spillage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
The fix: Dealers will install an additional fuel tank assembly valve. Owner notification began June 25, 2004. Owners should contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542.
Suspension Vehicle recall #09V183000 · 2009 · 36,538 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Corrosion of the front subframe could lead to separation, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Kmc will notify owners and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on June 15, 2009.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 4 mention a fire, 11 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Body & structure (30): the most common themes are rust / corrosion (24), noise or vibration (4).
- Suspension (21): the most common themes are rust / corrosion (13), steering problems (3).
- Airbags (19): the most common themes are fails to deploy (7), warning light on (5).
- Electrical (14): the most common themes are electrical failure (8), stalls / loses power (5), fire / smoke (4).
The 2002 Kia Optima has 107 owner complaints, ranking #19 of 20 Optima model years for complaints (well below the 376 average). Complaints peaked in 2004 (14 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 7 years old, at a median of 85,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2001 (143 complaints, 3 recalls), 2003 (141 complaints, 2 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 26 | 21 | Regular |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 24 | 20 | Regular |
| 2.7 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 23 | 19 | Regular |
| 2.7 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 16 | 22 | 18 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2002 Kia Optima.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2002 Kia Optima have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 2002 Kia Optima. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2002 Kia Optima problems?
Owners have filed 107 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are body & structure (30), suspension (21), airbags (19).
What gas mileage does the 2002 Kia Optima get?
EPA ratings run up to 21 mpg combined (2.4 L, Manual 5-spd), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2002 Kia Optima repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.