2002 Kia Optima latches/locks/linkages problems
12 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the latches/locks/linkages on the 2002 Kia Optima — 11% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 kia optima. The contact stated that the actuator door locks for the front driver and passenger doors failed. The contact stated that the window was used in order to enter the vehicle. The failure occurred on numerous occasions. The the front passenger actuator was…”
filed Oct 27, 2014
“Front door fails to unlock after multiple attempts. Door must be unlocked with a key, using the power locks or manually flipping the door lock doesn't do it, and the key only unlocks it approximately 1 out of every 20 tries. There are multiple complaints about this online, see for instance…”
filed Mar 14, 2014
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related service bulletins
TSB: MANDATORY REPLACEMENT OF LOCKING/SECURITY HARDWARE - By design, certain fasteners utilized in various Kia models are strictly intended for ?one time use?. Though not limited to the following, some examples are…
TSB-GEN085 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 4, 2016
Latches/locks/linkages problems in other Optima years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 Optima | 2 | 1% |
| 2018 Optima | 1 | 0% |
| 2017 Optima | 1 | 0% |
| 2016 Optima | 3 | 0% |
| 2013 Optima | 2 | 0% |
| 2012 Optima | 2 | 0% |
| 2010 Optima | 3 | 4% |
| 2008 Optima | 1 | 1% |
| 2007 Optima | 2 | 1% |
| 2006 Optima | 27 | 17% |
| 2005 Optima | 66 | 46% |
| 2004 Optima | 81 | 36% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2002 Kia Optima
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.