2002 Kia Optima Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 7%of 107 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 55,360miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2002 Kia Optima, 7% of the 107 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 55,360 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I always had my oil changed in this car and this past thursday I went to the doctor and was in there for about 20 minutes and went to leave and my car would not start. My motor is locked up. I also have had a popping noise in my gas pedal when it is first drove in the cold. I also have problems with my brakes like jumping when trying to slow down when going fast say 50 MPH.”
NHTSA complaint #10112561, filed 2005-03, 36,000 miles“I took my 2002 Kia Optima in for a tune up, they found a broken water pump, 5 cracks in the manifold. It took Kia 3 times to find the problem. After I picked up the car it still had a problem took it back twice before they found it was a sensor problem this car is not a safe vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10237913, filed 2008-08“The contact stated without warning, at various speeds, the vehicle stalls. The vehicle will not restart and must be towed to the dealership. The dealership has replaced multiple components, but these attempts have not resolved the problem. The components include; cluster panel, knuckle on steering wheel, key subset, box assembly panel junction, ignition switch, and etacs assembly.”
NHTSA complaint #10157253, filed 2006-05, 59,000 miles“2002 Kia Optima experiencing problems with transmission and timing belt. The consumer stated even though the transmission and timing belt was replaced the vehicle still makes a noise.”
NHTSA complaint #10117343, filed 2005-03“The contact owns a 2002 Kia Optima. While driving approximately 15 MPH, the check engine light illuminated on the dashboard and the vehicle stalled. This became a recurring failure so the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where it was repaired. The failure continued to recur intermittently and the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer on two more occasions where it was repaired. The failure continues. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 95,900.”
NHTSA complaint #10357031, filed 2010-09Related service bulletins
- 10133170Mar 2, 2018PITSTOP - ENGINE COMPONENT RE-USE GUIDELINES - In general, parts and components removed during engine repairs should be considered serviceable, and should be thoroughly cleaned…
- 10034246May 1, 2010Kia: intermittent mil on with no fault code stored; information about dtc p1330. Provides information relating to certain vehicles. In affected vehicles an intermittent short to…
- 10033464Nov 1, 2009Kia: ecm upgrade with tp sensor replacement-mil on with dtc p2135/p0638. Information related to ecm software and tp sensor upgrade on some vehicles with 2.7l engines which may…
- 10023626Nov 1, 2007This bulletin provides information relating to an engine hesitation or the illumination of the malfunction indicator lamp (mil) for p0123 (throttle position sensor / switch (a)…
- 10015272Jan 1, 2005Improved timing belts for the kia rio and optima.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 8 | 5% |
| 2019 | 3 | 1% |
| 2018 | 14 | 6% |
| 2017 | 8 | 3% |
| 2016 | 24 | 3% |
| 2015 | 31 | 3% |
| 2014 | 16 | 3% |
| 2013 | 42 | 3% |
| 2012 | 20 | 2% |
| 2011 | 8 | 1% |
| 2010 | 2 | 3% |
| 2009 | 2 | 2% |
| 2008 | 5 | 3% |
| 2007 | 4 | 2% |
| 2006 | 9 | 6% |
| 2005 | 6 | 4% |
| 2004 | 11 | 5% |
| 2003 | 7 | 5% |
| 2002 | 7 | 7% |
| 2001 | 24 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2002 Kia Optima
30 complaintsSuspension
21 complaintsAir bags
19 complaintsElectrical system
14 complaintsBrakes
12 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
12 complaintsSteering
8 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
6 complaintsWheels
5 complaintsEngine
4 complaintsEquipment
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Kia Optima
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology