2002 Kia Optima body problems

Filed Nov 13, 2025 · Body, Electrical · AZ

locked the car as most people do, then went to unlock the car heard it unlock but the door would not open. I could hear the door sound like it was locking/unlocking like it was stuck. I tried to climb through the passenger side to open the door from the inside and it will not open. The door appears to be "unlocked" but it is not and will not open creating a hazard if in an accident there is no way to get to safety. In researching online this is a common problem and there is a part in the lock mechanism that gets stuck so the door does not unlock and cannot open. It appears it has been reported several times on the year of my car and other years but nothing has been done. There is no warning that this will happen, you just lock the doors and then it doesn't unlock.

Filed Nov 14, 2022 · Body, Suspension · 111,000 miles · OK

The contact owns a 2002 Kia Optima. The contact stated that after he replaced all four tires, the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for an alignment; however, the mechanic was unable to perform an alignment due to the subframe corrosion. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 09V183000 (Suspension) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 111,000.

Filed Jan 28, 2021 · Body · 160,000 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 kia optima. The contact stated that there were holes from corrosion due to sub-frame rust. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with needing the sub-frame to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired as of yet. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency campaign number: 09v183000 (suspension) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

Filed Oct 11, 2019 · Body, Suspension · 143,605 miles · AL

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! The fl and fr tires, that I had gotten brand new 5 months ago, were wore down to the wire!!! I'm surprised I had the chance to get it home and get it looked at before it rusted all the way through! I was so blessed I didnt have a horrible accident.

Filed Aug 29, 2016 · Body, Steering · 133,313 miles · IN

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 kia optima. While driving approximately 10 MPH and making a left turn, the front driver side control arm, tie rod, and cv axle fractured. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the subframe needed to be replaced along with the driver side control arm, tie rod, and cv axle. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 09v183000 (suspension). The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was approximately 133,313.

Filed May 12, 2016 · Body, Suspension · 180,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 kia optima. While driving 50 MPH, the front driver side lower subframe detached due to corrosion inside the subframe. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 09v183000 (suspension). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 180,000.

Filed Jan 22, 2016 · Body · 130,000 miles · WI

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 kia optima. While the vehicle was being serviced, the mechanic noticed that the subframe was rusted out and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.

Filed Feb 6, 2015 · Body, Suspension · 217,000 miles · MI

Driving down the road, stepped on brakes and front frame broke into two pieces, in the middle of the road, nearly caused a pile up on the road.

Filed Jul 24, 2014 · Body · 62,200 miles · TN · fire

A fire started inside the drivers side door panel filling the car with heavy black smoke my wife opened the drivers side electric window to ge rid of the smoke out of the car. She drove the car into her back yard and started screaming for help since the drivers side door would not open. Her husband ran to the back yard and was able to open the passenger side door and she had to climb over the gear shift and the emergency brake to get out of the car. She was on oxygen at the time. Her husband got a water hose and put out the fire. The investigation LED to the fire starting in a electrical actuator kia number act " r assy kmc 9530-3c000. The door had to be replaced. I notified kia corp headquarters at 1‑877‑220‑3189 and sent pictures my case # [xxx]. As of this date 07/24/2014 kia has not got back with me. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Jun 24, 2014 · Body, Steering · 130,000 miles · MN

Subframe is rusting out and my tires are getting abnormal wear and my front tires are angled in.