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2002 Kia Optima engine problems

11 complaints (10% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 94,500.

owner complaints
11
of this car's complaints
10%
typical mileage
94,500
crashes
0
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys
    2
  • Engine
    2

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Kia Optima engine problems in other years

20012005201020152020

Specific symptoms reported on the 2002 Kia Optima engine

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Stalling 10

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 2002 Kia Optima owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Apr 6, 2015 · Acceleration, Engine · 136,098 miles · CA

I was driving on freeway engine light came on vehicle stopped engine shut off I had to coast to side of road. It quit shifting after it stalled. Had to be towed home. Kia dealer in ontario california can't find what is wrong they want me to pay 1600.00 to change battery cables, battery and fix shifter.

Filed Apr 2, 2015 · Electrical, Engine · 220,000 miles · TN · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 kia optima. After starting the vehicle, flames started to emit from underneath the hood due to the wiring near the starter. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 220,000.

Filed Feb 12, 2014 · Engine · 65,500 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 kia optima. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the check engine warning lamp illuminated as the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the crank shaft sensor was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileage was 65,500.

Filed Sep 28, 2013 · Electrical, Engine · 100,000 miles · IN

I have also been stated as "not included". 2002 kia optima v6 lx. The vehicle shakes my entire body upon braking. Radio turns on and off. Radio goes from cd1 error to fm. Lights flicker, air shuts off. Im almost not able to pump gas anymore. Pump handle continuously clicks off. Its pathetic that I am now afraid to drive to work!! I have actually called in for fear of it just deciding to completely stall.

Filed Sep 22, 2010 · Engine · MN

Tl* 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.

Filed Aug 12, 2008 · Engine · IL

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.

Filed Nov 25, 2006 · Engine · 51,720 miles · NY

2002 kia optima lx, VIN#: [xxx] w/ approximately 55,000 miles. My first warranty claim: the replacement of my timing belts. On 9/1/2006, my car stalled while driving. I had a tow truck my car to the service center where I bought my car, bronx automotive group inc. D/b/a, toyota of the bronx. The manager aggi saratis ended up in an dispute with the tow truck drivers regarding acknowledgment warranty and advised the tow truck driver to remove the vehicle from his premise. My car was towed to the nearest available service shop. The repair was a replacement of the timing belt. My vehicle had 51,720 miles at the time of repair. The timing belt is under warranty up to 60,000 miles. I paid the total invoice from bronxdale auto repair center in the amount of $603.40. I faxed a copy of the invoice to the service manager on 9/7/2006. I have two witnesses, tow truck drivers, who will confirm that the service team was unprofessional.a tech made a comment to me stating "I do not spend any money here" so why would I expect to claim any warranty. I disagree.I paid for this car! My second warranty claim is the replacement of my transmission.on 3/10/2006, I brought my car to service because my car could not maneuver in reverse.my vehicle at the time had 45,147 miles. On 3/13/2006, service advised me that the entire transmission needed replacement and since they have no service records, this would not be claimed as a warranty.I decided to go back to my mechanic and after further inspection, additional work needed to be done.the invoice total was $1,920.40. My mechanic further advised me that this vehicle has a product quality defect on the torque converter. In fact, there is over a page and a half of technical service bulletins items!I never received any notice of a recall. I have never had a warranty acknowledged and I feel that the service team is highly unprofessional and unskilled.considering that I have had these problems before 60,000 miles is suspicious. *nm

Filed May 11, 2006 · Engine · 59,000 miles · SC

Dt*: 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.

Filed Jan 9, 2006 · Engine · 94,500 miles · NC

Kia motors of america inc. Ref: VIN# knagd12693513835 complaint case number k1056698 formal complaint against kia motors of america inc. Not honoring parts and labor warranty & unscrupulous business practices. The timing belt for 2002 kia optimum serviced a year to the day it left me on the road side. It was new years eve the car broke down. New years holiday weekend service department folger kia of charlotte nc closed. Unable to reach them until tuesday january 3rd, 2006,returned holiday weekend. Told warranty expired december 31st, 2005. That my warranty for the parts & labor would not be guaranteed. Please see the original receipt dated december 31st, 2004 exactly 365 days from when the exact same problem occurred. Bank statement shows my check card cleared $601.87 on january 3rd 2005. I was instructed all parts & labor would be honored for one year. I returned the car to folger kia on february 22nd 2005 concerns the cars timing may have been improperly set. On the invoice that I was concerned that the RPM's were over their original settings by 1000 RPM. No mention of test drive to diagnose problem listed on invoice december 31st, 2004. Technician stated all readings were normal. This may have contributed to the premature wear & breaking of timing belt. I was instructed january 3rd, 2006 by jeffrey stephens to contact the kia corporate headquarters. Where I was told that gus the service manager folger kia's requested to honor my parts & labor was declined by a mr. Bob strickland. Kia motors of america inc., their customer note folger kia accepted my money on january 3rd 2005. The car was waiting at the dealership for them to service on monday 01-02-2006 with the same problem. Had my local folger kia been open for business on the evening of december 31st ,2005 my car would have been towed their. I would appreciate if you would look in to the matter. Susanne farrar 12016 alabaster court charlotte, nc 28269 704‑488‑8039.

Filed Mar 30, 2005 · Engine, Transmission · MD

2002 kia optima experiencing problems with transmission and timing belt.*mr the consumer stated even though the transmission and timing belt was replaced the vehicle still makes a noise.

Questions about the 2002 Kia Optima engine

Does the 2002 Kia Optima have engine problems?

Owners have filed 11 complaints about the engine of the 2002 Kia Optima, 10% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2002 Kia Optima engine problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 94,500 miles.

Is there a recall for the 2002 Kia Optima engine?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

Other 2002 Kia Optima problems

Body 30Suspension 21Airbags 19Electrical 14Brakes 12Locks 12Steering 8Fuel system 6Transmission 6Wheels 5Acceleration 2Lights 2Seat belts 2Visibility 2Driver assistance 1Seats 1Tires 1

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