Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Kia Optima owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Kia Optima. While driving approximately 30 MPH in the rain, the vehicle swerved to the right. The failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the front end needed to be aligned. The vehicle was not repaired because the front subframe was corroded and needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was made aware of NHTSA campaign number: 09V183000 (suspension); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 190,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while the vehicle being inspected by an independent mechanic, the mechanic stated that the axle had fractured due to severe corrosion on the motor mount brackets. The contact was made aware of NHTSA campaign number: 09V183000 (suspension). The manufacturer was contact and informed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 236,000.
As I was leaving my neighborhood, my car drifted to the right and fell on top of the right front tire. After inspection of the car, we noticed that there was a hole in the subframe where the suspension broke apart. Insurance informed me of recall sc075 and not Kia. Insurance will not cover because of recall and Kia will not cover because they did not recall it, they say.
On November 3, 2007 my wife and daughter brought our 2001 Kia Optima to atlantic Kia in lindenhurst ny for an oil change and wheel alignment. After waiting several hours, my wife was told that the alignment could not be done on the car due to a problem with the tires, and to bring the car back to where the tires were purchased. The tires are 4 months old. She then brought the car to pep boys in patchogue, ny. They said they would inspect the tires and offered to do the alignment. After several more hours, a technician brought my wife to the lift where the car was and showed her why the car could not be aligned. The lower control arm assembly was separated from the frame of the car, because the frame was completely rusted through. The only thing holding the right side of the car up was the tire. …
On February 12, 2008 my car began to drive very erratically with snow on the road. It was difficult to keep the car from steering off the road. It wasn't just road conditions. I thought something was broke. I took the car to the shop the same day. Initially the technician stated I need and alignment. I had just got 4 new tires and alignment in December 2007. I stated this condition just started today. The technician when back and inspected the car in more detail. He returned an said that the alignment could not be done to get it within specifications. He took me to the lift where the car was and showed me why the car could not be aligned. The lower control arm assembly was separating from the sub frame or engine cradle of the car, because the frame was completely rusted through. He technician stated this wasn't in a very safe condition. …
My 2001 Kia Optima with 102,350 miles started to pull to the right about 2 weeks ago. I took the car to a mechanic to have a wheel alignment, but the mechanic discovered that the sub frame has rusted badly. The bolts connecting the passenger wheel mount to the sub frame was loose due to the rust in the sub frame. Mechanic told me that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. I researched the problem and found the NHTSA campaign # 09V183000. I called Kia and asked about the recall. Kia told me that my car did now qualify, because my VIN was not included in the recall database. Kia suggested that I take the car to the dealer to work some kind of repair agreement. I immediately took the car to the dealer and explained the situation. A day later, the dealer told me that they won't do anything for the obvious defect, because Kia won't do anything. …
While driving my 2001 Kia Optima on north interstate 65 to indiana, in four lane traffic my Kia right front wheel nearly came off due to corrosion of the sub-frame and lower wheel control arm causing separation. My husband and I could have both been kill along with many other people. I loved my car and I praise the Kia, now they don't care about me or other people in kentucky. They want fix my car but most of the states around my state is doing so, they are thousands of recalls on all other car's I am sending a letter to the president of the U.S.A. I will not stop until ky or Kia is not allowing vehicle in ky not be in the recalls. Tells me people in ky just don't matter to Kia or ky , we are people to, and this car would have last me a life time I am sure if this had not happen. Just because my VIN number. …
While driving my 2001 Kia Optima on north interstate 65 to indiana, in four lane traffic my Kia right front wheel nearly came off due to corrosion of the sub-frame and lower wheel control arm causing separation. My husband and I could have both been kill along with many other people. I loved my car and I praise the Kia, now they don't care about me or other people in kentucky. They want fix my car but most of the states around my state is doing so, they are thousands of recalls on all other car's I am sending a letter to the president of the U.S.A. I will not stop until ky or Kia is allowing vehicle in ky not be in the recalls. Tells me people in ky just don't matter to Kia or ky , we are people to, and this car would have last me a life time I am sure if this had not happen. …
Since purchasing my 2001 Kia Optima, I have had nothing but difficulty. I purchased an extended warranty at the dealership I purchased it from in case I needed repairs. I got my money's worth. But the problems I had are common problems with the vehicle, locks not working, windows not rolling up, paint peeling off, transmission problems, check engine light constantly on, decreased acceleration, heat surges when gas pedal released and pressed and the list goes on. It is not hard to find other Kia owners with the same problems. The repair that bothers me the most is the complete transmission it needs. There is 41,000 miles on the vehicle. Common problems that are widely known and should be repaired at an authorized dealer at Kia motor company's expense.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Kia Optima. The contact was driving approximately 30 MPH when the front passenger tire bent inward abnormally. The contact inspected the vehicle and found that the sub-frame had caved in. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where they advised the contact that the vehicle would be repaired under NHTSA campaign id number: 09V183000 (suspension:front). There was additional damage to the struts as a result of the failure but the dealer refused to perform any repairs outside of what was stated would be repaired in the recall. The manufacturer was contacted and offered no assistance. The failure and the current mileages were approximately 90,000. The VIN was unavailable. Updated 02/09/12
Related recalls
Suspension › Front
Kia motors corporation (kmc) is recalling 36,538 model year 2001-2004 optima vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island,…
Remedy: Kmc will notify owners and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on June 15, 2009. Owners May contact Kia's consumer assistance center at 1-800-333-4542.
Suspension complaints in other Optima years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2001 Kia Optima?
NHTSA has 28 complaints about the suspension of the 2001 Kia Optima, 20% of the model year's 143 complaints. The component named most often is front (17 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Kia Optima suspension problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 09V-183 (front, May 27, 2009). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2001 Kia Optima suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 122,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to suspension problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.