Known Recalls

Model year record

2002 Kia Optima

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 170 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 09V183000

Suspension: front

Component
Suspension: front
Manufacturer
KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
36,538
Reported to NHTSA
2009-05-27
Owners notified
2009-06-16

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

CORROSION OF THE FRONT SUBFRAME COULD LEAD TO SEPARATION, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V180000

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly
Manufacturer
KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
25,803
Reported to NHTSA
2004-04-12
Owners notified
2004-06-25

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

FUEL SPILLAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V067000

Electrical system: starter assembly

Component
Electrical system: starter assembly
Manufacturer
KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
11,501
Reported to NHTSA
2003-03-04
Owners notified
2003-03-28

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Suspension18130,000 mi
Air bags1350,000 mi
Structure: frame and members1391,400 mi
Structure: body11130,000 mi
Electrical system1070,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages985,000 mi
Steering6130,000 mi
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields6130,000 mi
Wheels5140,000 mi
Engine4100,000 mi
Structure4133,313 mi
Air bags: frontal33,600 mi
Engine and engine cooling359,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline386,020 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch316,169 mi
Power train: automatic transmission348,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor347,000 mi
Suspension: front3109,834 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module23,600 mi
Air bags: side/window248,000 mi
Electrical system: starter assembly272,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring252 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine236,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys251,720 mi
Fuel/propulsion system252,000 mi
Parking brake245,300 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic26,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip26,000 mi
Vehicle speed control229,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls260,233 mi
Back over prevention: warnings: external/pedestrian alert164,399 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery152 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood1220,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers140,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash152 mi
Equipment186,020 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1—
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.152 mi
Exterior lighting1100,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch152 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system118,500 mi
Power train1138,227 mi
Power train: driveline1—
Power train: manual transmission1—
Seat belts1121,000 mi
Seat belts: front: retractor18,000 mi
Seats: front assembly: recliner18,000 mi
Service brakes1137,858 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads147,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1129,000 mi
Steering: electric power assist system144,185 mi
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly1133,313 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint185,000 mi
Tires: tread/belt137,125 mi
Unknown or other1—

The 2001 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 2003 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.