KiaOptima2002Overview/kia/optima/2002/base/

2002 Kia Optima

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2002 Optima.

Body PASSENGER CAR

Classified as a passenger car, the 2002 Kia Optima utilizes 5.0 quarts of oil with a viscosity range of 20W-40, 20W-50, or 15W-50 API. Ownership records for this specific year indicate 110 total complaints focused primarily on air bags, along with three issued recalls. Positioned within the model's complaint history spanning 2001 to 2020, where volumes fluctuated from a low of 75 in 2010 to a high of 1371 in 2013, the 2002 variant sits near the lower end of the spectrum with its 110 reported issues.

Model year2020201920182017201620152002

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type20W-40 / 20W-50 / 15W-50 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque66-81 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 47 · 600 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 47 · 600 CCAOEM · verified

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Optima of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

8.3–9.0 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.30 sec — 2003 LX
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2001SE V6 2.5L V68.60 sec16.60 sec169 hpFWD
2001SE V6 2.5L V68.70 sec16.60 sec169 hpFWD
2001SE V6 2.5L V69.00 sec16.60 sec169 hpFWD
2003LX 2.4L I-48.30 sec16.60 sec138 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.0 qt of 20W-40 / 20W-50 / 15W-50 API engine oil, DOT 3 · DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 66-81 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3 · DOT 4
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine OilABOVE 14 degrees F
Engine Oil Capacity5.0 qt

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs14-15 ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs10-11 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts80-94 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts130-138 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts94-101 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts53-56 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts14-15 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts18-22 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts66-81 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub170 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub170 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)800 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.78 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance20,000 ohms

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.50 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity5.07 oz
Standard BCI Group Number47
Standard BCI Cranking Performance600 cca
Standard BCI Group Number124R

Service checks

Injector Primary Resistance13-16 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression178 minimum. 14 maximum variation PSI.
Engine Compression149-170 PSI. 14 maximum variation PSI.
Engine Oil Pressure11.4 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPMIdle rpm
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in
Exhaust Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC
Torque to Knuckle16-24 ft-lbs / 65-80 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket51-63 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness0.080 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.040 in
Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC
Rotor Runout Limit0.004 in / 0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.394 in / 0.964 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
113-16 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90-9413–16 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
112-14 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90-9412–14 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
118 ft. lbs.18 ft. lbs
2turn 58-62 degrees58–62 degrees
3turn 43-47
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90-9418 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; coolant every 24,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 24,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miBody Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Transmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 9,500 miCabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 miCV Joint Boot (inspect) · Clutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level)
Every 24,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Body Fasteners (inspect) · Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
At 60,000 miTiming Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miFuel Filter (replace)
At 62,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 105,000 miFuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (replace) · Timing Belt (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2002 Kia Optima represents a relatively stable midpoint in the first generation’s federal record, with 110 complaints—lower than the 143 in 2001 and the 144 in 2003, and significantly below the surge seen in later years (e.g., 225 in 2004). Recalls held steady at three, matching 2001 but exceeding the two in 2003, while investigations dropped to zero, a brief lull before rising again in 2005. Complaint trends for the 2002 model skew toward air bags (15 reports) and structural issues (12), though crash-related complaints (16) and fire reports (5) remain modest compared to later spikes. The data suggests Kia addressed early teething problems by 2002 without yet encountering the more severe reliability concerns that emerged mid-decade. This positions the 2002 Optima as one of the more predictable years in the generation, with fewer red flags than its successors. **Takeaway: The 2002 is a comparatively safe bet for a used Optima, provided air bag and structural components are verified as intact.**

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
20
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
110
Owner complaints
16 involved a crash · 5 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 110 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags15
Structure12
Latches/Locks/Linkages9
Electrical System8
Suspension,Structure7
Suspension7
Service Brakes, Hydraulic6
Engine & Engine Cooling6

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

04V180000Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank AssemblyReported 12/04/2004

SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY CONTAIN A FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE THAT MAY NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. IF A VEHICLE WITH A FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE THAT IS NOT PROPERLY CLOSED WERE TO ROLL OVER, FUEL SPILLAGE MAY OCCUR. Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 25, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.

03V067000Electrical System:Starter AssemblyReported 04/03/2003

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5 AND 2.7 LITER V6 ENGINES, THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR (CKP) CASES DID NOT MEET DIMENSIONAL SPECIFICATIONS. Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CKP. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 28, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 20 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TSB_BOD055_R12021-09-13StructureTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFORMATION FOR HEADLAMP CONDENSATION AND MOISTURE - This…
PS5392018-03-02Engine And Engine CoolingPITSTOP - ENGINE COMPONENT RE-USE GUIDELINES - In general, parts and components removed…
TSB-GEN085R12017-01-18EquipmentTSB: MANDATORY REPLACEMENT OF LOCKING/SECURITY HARDWARE - By design, certain fasteners…
TSB-GEN0852016-11-04Latches/Locks/LinkagesTSB: MANDATORY REPLACEMENT OF LOCKING/SECURITY HARDWARE - By design, certain fasteners…
PS4432016-04-04Electrical SystemTSB - USE OF AFTERMARKET USB CHARGING CABLES IN USB/12V PORTS - This article provides…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Optima. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2002 Optima take?

5.0 qt of ABOVE 14 degrees F: 20W-40 OR 20W-50 API SM, ABOVE 5 degrees F: 15W-50 OR 15W-40 API SM, ABOVE -13 degrees F,: 10W-40 OR 10W-50 API, -15 degrees F TO 104 degrees F: 10W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2002 Optima have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.