Two problems related to alternator/generator/regulator have been reported for the 2002 Kia Motor Optima. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2002 Kia Motor Optima based on all problems reported for the 2002 Optima.
2002 kia Optima lx. There is an electrical problem with the vehicle. The lights will start to flicker, and then the vehicle will lose power and shut everything down. When the temperature was around 80-90 degrees and at long distances this problem will happen. The dealership changed the battery twice, the alternator twice, the main wiring harness, and the main computer for the vehicle. This still did not fix the problem. Consumer took vehicle back to the dealership when the power wentout on 7-14-05. This caused consumer's vehicle to run a stop sign , and hit another vehicle, causing both vehicles to be totaled. The brakes went out as a result of the power outage, and could not stop the vehicle. Also, there was no steering. The vehicle was not overheating. The airbags did not deploy. Everything electrical failed with the vehicle. The fire department disconnected both batteries to prevent fire from happening. When they did this it deleted all the codes that would have told dealer what the problem was. The mechanic said that there was battery acid all over the computer, they still were unable to identify the problem. The electrical problems have been happening since purchase. Consumer has contacted the kia manufacturer at least ten times, complaint numbers for the first was 24306, on 7-18-03, and the last was on 9-13-04, complaint . 56482. When the consumer contacted the manufacture after the accident they said they wanted a copy of the police report and pictures of the vehicle after the accident.
While driving, a burning smell was detected, then the air bag light came on. After pulling into a service station the vehicle would not start. It was discovered the alternator, computer and air bag module was defective. After the repair the air bag light remained on.
| Electrical System problems | |
| Starter problems | |
| Wiring problems | |
| Alternator/generator/regulator problems | |
| Back Up Alarm problems | |
| Fuses And Circuit Breaker problems | |
| Battery problems | |
| Dash Wiring problems |