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Common Problems, Issues, Recalls, and Reliability

  • Door Locks Malfunction Not Allowing Driver or Passanger to Open Their Doors

    A faulty door latch assembly may cause one or both front doors to be difficult to open. Replacing the worn latch will commonly correct this problem.

  • Faulty Throttle Position Switch

    Check Engine Light illumination—combined with a lack of power or a stumble on acceleration—may be caused by the throttle position switch (TPS). Kia released an improved part which should correct this concern.

  • Software Update Available to Correct Transmission Issues

    Reprogramming the transmission control module with the latest Kia transmission software may fix abnormalities in the automatic transmission and erroneous transmission-related Check Engine Light illumination. Software updates are commonly most effective on newer vehicles. Higher mileage vehicles may exhibit a similar symptom caused by a component failure. However, whenever major transmission repairs are performed the transmission software should be checked and updated as necessary.

  • Kia Issues New Alternator to Replace Weak One

    After the vehicle has been operated with electrical loads (lights, air conditioning), a weak alternator can cause starting difficulties. In some cases, the original alternator could not sufficiently charge the battery; Kia released a new alternator which can correct this concern.

  • Failure of AC Compressor Clutch

    A defective AC compressor clutch assembly can cause excessive noise or vibration when the air conditioning is on. Improved parts are available. Replacing the faulty clutch assembly does not necessitate replacement of the complete AC compressor or evacuation and recharging of the air conditioning system.

  • Crankshaft Position Sensor May be Damaged if Timing Belt Breaks

    Timing belts can break prematurely and cause serious engine damage. When replacing a broken timing belt, the crankshaft position sensor should also be replaced as it most likely has suffered damage as well.

  • Use Only Kia Approved Transmission Fluid

    Make sure the transmission is filled with Kia-approved transmission fluid and at the correct level. Our technicians tell using incorrect transmission fluid or operating the transmission when it is low on fluid can result in internal transmission damage.

2002 Questions and Answers

Related Questions

  • Kia Optima 2002 Kia Optima 120A Fuse

    2002 KIA OPTIMA, 110, 000 MILES

    related to general, fuse-test

    Replaced battery this morning and discovered an odd fuse next to the battery. It was out so I purchased a new one but am having trouble getting the old one out. Do I have to get the screws out? It d..

  • Kia Optima 2002 Kia Optima Acceleration

    2002 KIA OPTIMA, 1.6L, 4 CYL, FWD, AUTOMATIC, 190, 000 MILES

    related to fuel-system, fuel-filter

    When I accelerate, the car dies. Is there an in line fuel filter or just the filter in the tank? Thankyou @media(max-width: 960px) { .adt { display: none;padding:0; } } Saturday, F..

  • Kia Optima What Could Be The Problem

    2002 KIA OPTIMA, 13, 700 MILES

    related to tires, symptoms, wear

    I have a 2002 kia optima when I drive it sounds as if the wheels are skidding. Also its exsessive wear on the tires in front and in back. From about a one mile drive tires were shredded down to wire..

  • Kia Optima Squealing, Very Hard To Turn Steering Wheel, Shaking

    2002 KIA OPTIMA

    related to steering, steering-wheel, symptoms, shakes

    I was backing out of the drive way and it's like the steering wheel gets very hard to turn and I hear this squealing noise under the hood, and when I look there it's right around the belt area. ..

  • Kia Optima 2002 Kia Optima P0123 Code

    2002 KIA OPTIMA, 2.4L, 4 CYL, FWD, AUTOMATIC, 125, 000 MILES

    related to trouble-codes, p-codes-powertrain, p0100-p0199, p0123

    Tps reads 100% on scan tool. Tried substitute tps. No change. Rpm gauge does not read. Eng stumbles. @media(max-width: 960px) { .adt { display: none;padding:0; } } Wednesday, October ..

  • Kia Optima 2002 Kia Optima Windsheild Washers

    2002 KIA OPTIMA, 2.7L, 6 CYL, FWD, AUTOMATIC, 175, 000 MILES

    related to body, windshield, washer, switch

    No washer fluid whan button is depressed tank is full @media(max-width: 960px) { .adt { display: none;padding:0; } } Saturday, February 15th, 2014 AT 4:50 PM ..

  • Kia Optima 2002 Kia Optima

    2002 KIA OPTIMA, 4 CYL, FWD, AUTOMATIC, 145, 000 MILES

    related to suspension, spindle, nut

    How do you replace front cv boot, have boot kit already. Don't know how to separate axle to slide boot on. Already have pulled hub spindle nut. @media(max-width: 960px) { .adt { display: none;p..

  • Kia Optima 2002 Kia Optima Battery Light Comes On

    2002 KIA OPTIMA, 4 CYL, FWD, AUTOMATIC, 92, 000 MILES

    related to warning-lights, battery-light

    The light doesn't come on in reverse. The light comes on when I put it in drive. The light then stays solid. It starts with out any problem. It has never stalled. The radio, lights, ect work f..

  • Kia Optima Fuel Pump Relay Location

    2002 KIA OPTIMA

    related to fuel-system, fuel-pump, relay, location

    Four cylinder front wheel drive automatic 75,000 miles. I have taken out the fuel pump on the car and hooked it to the battery and works just fine but when I plug it back up will not start. I a..

  • Kia Optima 2002 Kia Optima P0123

    2002 KIA OPTIMA

    related to trouble-codes, p-codes-powertrain, p0100-p0199, p0123

    Engine Performance problem 2002 Kia Optima 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic i have problem vith p0123 nev TPS sencor, engine comp. And I have hig voltage on pinck vire 12v that vire comes ..

  • Kia Optima 2002 Kia Optima Popped-up Hood

    2002 KIA OPTIMA, 4 CYL, FWD, AUTOMATIC, 85, 000 MILES

    related to body, hood, open

    Hello, My car was recently in a fender-bender ... It's driveable, but the hood is popped up a bit on one side. However, it still latches and unlatches, and the headlight -- though it's pushed i..

  • Kia Optima 2002 Kia Optima Transmission Shifting And Engine Lite...

    2002 KIA OPTIMA, 6 CYL, FWD, AUTOMATIC, 96, 000 MILES

    related to warning-lights, check-engine-light

    While driving, occassinally the transmission will like shift to low gear and the check engine lite will come on. After shutting the motor off, then starting it back up, the check engine lit..

  • Kia Optima Radiator Fan Not Coming On, Car Overheating

    2002 KIA OPTIMA, 2.7L, 6 CYL, FWD, AUTOMATIC, 130, 000 MILES

    related to engine-cooling, cooling-fan, not-working

    Car has three TDCs. P1529, P0500, and P0501. Coolant fan is not coming on. I replaced the ECT. Fan is still not coming on. I can make the fan run by tapping into the ground wire from the four pin ..

2002 Maintenance and Repair