Does the 2002 Kia Optima have any recalls?

3 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026, covering: suspension, fuel system, gasoline, electrical system. Recalls apply to the model and year; whether a particular vehicle is included, and whether it has been repaired, depends on its VIN.

How do I check if my 2002 Kia Optima recall has been fixed?

Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask a Kia dealer. Recall repairs are free. NHTSA's VIN search doesn't list recalls that were already repaired.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2002 Kia Optima?

107 complaints filed with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public that NHTSA uses to decide what to investigate.

2002 Kia Optima recalls

Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.

3 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026

For the 2002 Kia Optima. These apply to the model and year, not to one particular vehicle: check your VIN to see whether yours is included and whether it has been repaired.

Has your Kia been repaired?

Recalls here come from NHTSA’s records for the model and year. Not every vehicle of a model is included in every recall, and this site can’t see whether a repair has been done. Only a VIN lookup can tell you that.

Check your VIN with NHTSA

NHTSA’s VIN search doesn’t show recalls that were already repaired, recalls more than 15 years old, or some small manufacturers’ recalls. A Kia dealer can also check your VIN. Recall repairs are free.

2002 Kia Optima recalls, newest first

May 27, 2009NHTSA 09V18300036,538 vehicles potentially affected

Suspension › Front

Summary: 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: 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.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

April 12, 2004NHTSA 04V18000025,803 vehicles potentially affected

Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly

Summary: 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: 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.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

March 4, 2003NHTSA 03V06700011,501 vehicles potentially affected

Electrical system › Starter assembly

Summary: 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: 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.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

Owner complaints

Owners have filed 107 complaints about the 2002 Kia Optima with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public; NHTSA uses them to decide what to investigate.

Crashes reported: 15
Fires reported: 4
Injuries reported: 11
Deaths reported: 0

Most complained-about components

Suspension18
Air bags13
Structure › Frame and members13
Service brakes11
Structure › Body10

Other Kia Optima years

Other 2002 Kia models

Most recalled 2002 vehicles

2002 Honda Civic (24 recalls)
2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee (16 recalls)
2002 Honda Accord (16 recalls)
2002 Honda CR-V (16 recalls)
2002 Chevrolet Silverado (15 recalls)

All of 2002’s most recalled vehicles

Questions

Does the 2002 Kia Optima have any recalls?: 3 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026, covering: suspension, fuel system, gasoline, electrical system. Recalls apply to the model and year; whether a particular vehicle is included, and whether it has been repaired, depends on its VIN.
How do I check if my 2002 Kia Optima recall has been fixed?: Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask a Kia dealer. Recall repairs are free. NHTSA's VIN search doesn't list recalls that were already repaired.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2002 Kia Optima?: 107 complaints filed with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public that NHTSA uses to decide what to investigate.