The Lemon Index2002 Kia Optima.
The 2002 Kia Optima is about average by owner complaints: 28 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 102, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about airbags, it has 3 recalls, and it gets 18 to 21 mpg combined. The best Kia Optima year is 2017.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 107 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Kia Optima year. 2002 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 48K to 123K miles on the car (87 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- body structure complaints mostly came at 85K–140K miles
- suspension complaints mostly came at 106K–140K miles
Recalls 3
- suspension 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, MASSACHUS…
- fuel system, gasoline 2004
SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY CONTAIN A FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE THAT MAY NOT CLOSE PROPERLY.
- electrical 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.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Kia told dealers about
Kia sent dealers 20 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- TSB - USE OF AFTERMARKET USB CHARGING CABLES IN USB/12V PORTS - This article provides…
- A service campaign for possible o2 sensor malfunction indicator lamp (mil) illumination
- Owner notification regarding campaign sc037 to replace the engine control module (ecm) and…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front — · side — · rollover —
Fuel cost and engines
About $3050–3550 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.4L 4-cyl, 2.7L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
When braking vehicle vibrated severely. Vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed the consumer that the front brake rotors and pads needed to be replaced due to excessive wear.
2002 Kia Optima owner · NHTSA complaint 10109091
More owner reports
Problems with air bag equipment on 2002 Kia Optima.
NHTSA complaint 10048165
While driving an accident occurred. The vehicle flipped after hitting a pole. Upon impact, the frontal/side air bags did not deploy.
NHTSA complaint 10113241
Quick answers
Is the 2002 Kia Optima reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 102; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Kia Optima year by this measure is 2017.
What are the most common 2002 Kia Optima problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are airbags (36%), brakes (29%) and electrical (18%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2002 Kia Optima have?
3 safety recalls (latest: suspension). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2002 Kia Optima get?
18 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2002 Kia Optima problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 48,000 and 123,400 miles. The middle report was at 85,000 miles, from 87 complaints.
Does the 2002 Kia Optima have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2002 Kia Optima cost in fuel a year?
About $3050 to $3550 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2002 Kia Optima have?
2.4L 4-cyl, 2.7L 6-cyl.
What Kia Optima year is better than the 2002?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2017, 2019 and 2020.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works