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 2002 Kia Optima owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2002 Kia Optima. The contact stated that after he replaced all four tires, the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for an alignment; however, the mechanic was unable to perform an alignment due to the subframe corrosion. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V183000 (Suspension) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 111,000.
I just got my 2002 Kia Optima and it just recently started having issues. I was driving down the road and my car started to slightly wander to the left, I thought OK.. It needs an alignment. So then it started jerking to the right, so bad I got pulled off to the side of the road and couldn't control it. I parked my car in a parking lot til my bf could come look at it, and I had him drive it home and the same thing happened to him. He looked at every possibility at what it could be as he is a mechanic and said lower control arm. It has been sitting in my yard for a week. It is not safe to drive. …
We own a 2002 Kia Optima- found out there was a recall- the recall was corrision to the subframe that could lead to problems with the control arm. I was told that the car was inspected in 2010 and the recall was taken care of at that time. We bought the car from a private owner in 2014. 2015 went to get new tires on the car and discount tire told us that they couldn't do an alignment because there is an issue with the control arm. We found out to repair the control are it would be over $500. When I called the Kia hotline to inquire about the recall, I was told that we would need to take the car to a Kia dealership to have the car reviewed by their service men to see if there is any issues with the subframe and control arm. I'm concerned my concern is not going to get adressed. 7/11/2016 jp
Over a weeks time,I noticed my steering wheel was turned like maybe I needed an alignment and it started pulling to the left so bad that I had to force the steering wheel to the right so I wouldn't wreck into the median on the interstate. I could only go about 45 or 50 MPH or it would start shaking the entire car and was absolutely impossible to control it on the road. Had it looked at and at the bottom control arm that bolts to the subframe had rusted out and the right side was on the verge of doing the same! The fl and fr tires, that I had gotten brand new 5 months ago, were wore down to the wire!!! I'm surprised I had the chance to get it home and get it looked at before it rusted all the way through! I was so blessed I didnt have a horrible accident.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Kia Optima. While driving approximately 10 MPH and making a left turn, the front driver side control arm, tie rod, and cv axle fractured. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the subframe needed to be replaced along with the driver side control arm, tie rod, and cv axle. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 09V183000 (suspension). The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was approximately 133,313.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Kia Optima. While driving 50 MPH, the front driver side lower subframe detached due to corrosion inside the subframe. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 09V183000 (suspension). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 180,000.
I have a 2002 Kia Optima that the VIN is not one of the vehicles that is covered by your recall NHTSA campaign id number: 09V183000 which states "internal corrosion of the front subframe. Over time, such subframe corrosion near the connection to the lower control arm can lead to wheel misalignment and/or other noticeable stress in steering...". You have it listed as states with difficult winters and the use of road salt. I live in louisville, ky. Not one of the named states. But. I guarantee you that this same corrosion can be caused by the water coming from the air conditioner running directly onto these parts. The back side of subframe has rust holes in it. This recall needs to be expanded to any and all Kia optimas that have the ac water running there due to manufacture design. I have pictures that I can send to you showing this corrosion. …
While I was driving I had noticed that the car was pulling to the right. I had new tires and an alignment done 5-6 weeks prior, so I returned to the shop and they looked at everything and the front end was out of alignment. The shop looked further to see what caused this and found that the right front frame area was rusted and cracked. They advised me that the car was not save and that I should contact Kia. I was driving the car home and the car pulled drastically to right and I heard a crushing noise from the right tire area. I pulled off the road and saw that the tire was not positioned properly. I had the car towed to my residence and am in the process of contacting Kia. I was lucking to not have caused an accident, after reading some of the other similar complaints it should have been a national recall on this situation. …
Car was making strange noise. Took to mechanic to have check. It was discovered that the subframe is completely rusted through on passenger side at frame mounts and almost rusted through on drivers side. Mechanic determined that due to the severity of problem vehicle is unsafe to drive and will not allow back on road until necessary repairs are made. I contacted Kia and was told that this particular year vehicle was in a recall due to this problem. However, this particular VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was originally purchased in the state of west va, as stated in the recall. Vehicle is still parked at mechanics garage and I would greatly appreciate communication regarding this matter. I was told by Kia representative that I would need to contact your organization.
We have had ongoing problems with a 2002 Kia Optima, including tire wear, brake problems, electrical issues, excessive battery wear. This week we were notified by our auto shop that there is excessive rust on the subframe and that a recall exists for this condition. When I contacted both our local dealer and Kia corporate, I was told that this particular VIN is not included in the recall, although the recall clearly states that it does meet the parameters. Upon further research, it appears that many others have experienced the same problems and been given the same information. Currently, we are left with a car that is a danger to drive and enormous personal expense to resolve.
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 2002 Kia Optima?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the suspension of the 2002 Kia Optima, 20% of the model year's 107 complaints. The component named most often is front (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Kia Optima suspension problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 09V-183 (front, May 27, 2009). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2002 Kia Optima suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 127,000 miles.
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.