2002 Kia Optima Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 30about this part
- Share
- 28%of 107 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 124,933miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 30 complaints about the body and structure of the 2002 Kia Optima, 28% of the 107 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 124,933 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My tire had started bending inward at the top, and outward at the bottom. My car started going out of alignment. I took it to a shop, and they found out my sub frame was rusted and worn out. They also found out that the sub frame had been recalled in 2009, but apparently not on my exact vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10587615, filed 2014-05, 278,000 miles“Over a weeks time,I noticed my steering wheel was turned like maybe I needed an alignment and it started pulling to the left so bad that I had to force the steering wheel to the right so I wouldn't wreck into the median on the interstate. I could only go about 45 or 50 MPH or it would start shaking the entire car and was absolutely impossible to control it on the road. Had it looked at and at the bottom control arm that bolts to the subframe had rusted out and the right side was on the verge of doing the same! …”
NHTSA complaint #11267968, filed 2019-10, 143,605 miles“While I was driving I had noticed that the car was pulling to the right. I had new tires and an alignment done 5-6 weeks prior, so I returned to the shop and they looked at everything and the front end was out of alignment. The shop looked further to see what caused this and found that the right front frame area was rusted and cracked. They advised me that the car was not save and that I should contact Kia. I was driving the car home and the car pulled drastically to right and I heard a crushing noise from the right tire area. …”
NHTSA complaint #10543790, filed 2013-09, 138,227 miles“We have had ongoing problems with a 2002 Kia Optima, including tire wear, brake problems, electrical issues, excessive battery wear. This week we were notified by our auto shop that there is excessive rust on the subframe and that a recall exists for this condition. When I contacted both our local dealer and Kia corporate, I was told that this particular VIN is not included in the recall, although the recall clearly states that it does meet the parameters. Upon further research, it appears that many others have experienced the same problems and been given the same information. …”
NHTSA complaint #10553976, filed 2013-11, 137,858 miles“My 2002 Kia Optima, veered of the side of the interstate due to a flat tire. The tires had been replaced that morning and within 130 miles on the highway the right front tire popped. As I took a closer look I noticed my wheel was slanted in. I then had it towed to the nearest repair shop who informed me the engine cradle was rusted and corroded. When I contacted Kia about the issue they basically said sorry about your luck. There is a recall for this problem but my VIN is not included. No action has been taken by Kia in any of my attempts to have them resolve this problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #10450151, filed 2012-03, 140,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10201529Sep 13, 2021TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFORMATION FOR HEADLAMP CONDENSATION AND MOISTURE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this…
- 10031006Jun 1, 2009Kia: during a service procedure that requires the subframe to be removed from a 2001-2005 optima (ms) (v-6 or I-4), an improved service procedure has been developed to enhance…
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 1% |
| 2019 | 14 | 7% |
| 2018 | 7 | 3% |
| 2017 | 5 | 2% |
| 2016 | 41 | 5% |
| 2015 | 76 | 8% |
| 2014 | 48 | 8% |
| 2013 | 127 | 9% |
| 2012 | 39 | 4% |
| 2011 | 21 | 4% |
| 2010 | 2 | 3% |
| 2009 | 4 | 3% |
| 2008 | 5 | 3% |
| 2007 | 4 | 2% |
| 2006 | 12 | 8% |
| 2005 | 22 | 15% |
| 2004 | 42 | 19% |
| 2003 | 25 | 18% |
| 2002 | 30 | 28% |
| 2001 | 35 | 24% |
Other parts of the 2002 Kia Optima
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 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