2002 Kia Optima Seat belts Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 2%of 107 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 64,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the seat belts of the 2002 Kia Optima, 2% of the 107 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 64,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
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.
“While at a complete stop because of road construction, the consumer's vehicle was rear ended by another vehicle at 40 MPH. Upon impact, none of the frontal air bags deployed, and the driver's side seat belt failed to retract. Also, driver's side seat back reclined backwards onto the rear seat. Driver sustained severe bruises to chest/breast bone/lungs/heart/lower abdominal, and left leg.”
NHTSA complaint #10075894, filed 2004-06, 8,000 miles“The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, the vehicle was filled with the smell of burning rubber. This was closely followed by an appearance of white smoke. The smoke was coming from the seat belt harness area on the passenger side of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a service dealer, where the dealer was unable to determine the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10161036, filed 2006-06, 121,000 milesSeat belts: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 4 | 3% |
| 2019 | 2 | 1% |
| 2018 | 5 | 2% |
| 2017 | 8 | 3% |
| 2016 | 3 | 0% |
| 2015 | 2 | 0% |
| 2014 | 1 | 0% |
| 2013 | 18 | 1% |
| 2012 | 5 | 1% |
| 2011 | 2 | 0% |
| 2010 | 2 | 3% |
| 2009 | 1 | 1% |
| 2008 | 2 | 1% |
| 2007 | 3 | 2% |
| 2006 | 1 | 1% |
| 2005 | 3 | 2% |
| 2004 | 6 | 3% |
| 2003 | 1 | 1% |
| 2002 | 2 | 2% |
| 2001 | 5 | 4% |
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 complaintsEngine cooling
7 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
6 complaintsWheels
5 complaintsEngine
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Kia Optima
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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