2002 Kia Optima vs 2002 Nissan Altima
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 8, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2002 Kia Optima | 2002 Nissan Altima |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 107 | 1,047 |
| Recall campaigns | 3 | 5 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 20 | 142 |
| Investigations | 0 | 1 |
| Crash reports | 15 | 29 |
| Fire reports | 4 | 28 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 18–21 | 19–23 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 85,152 mi | 90,000 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Kia Optima | Nissan Altima |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 7 | 594 |
| Structure | 30 | 128 |
| Engine | 4 | 92 |
| Electrical System | 14 | 77 |
| Air Bags | 19 | 34 |
| Power Train | 6 | 39 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 | 41 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 4 | 38 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Rust / corrosion | 28 | 107 |
| Stalling | 13 | 164 |
| Airbag warning light | 8 | 0 |
| Check engine light | 0 | 128 |
| Oil consumption | 0 | 126 |
| Overheating | 0 | 47 |
| Loss of power | 0 | 32 |
| Vibration / shaking | 0 | 30 |
2002 Kia Optima
2002 Nissan Altima
Compare all Kia Optima vs Nissan Altima years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.