Suspension complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 | 0% | — |
| 2018 | 1 | 0% | — |
| 2017 | 3 | 1% | 45,000 miles |
| 2016 | 3 | 0% | 31,000 miles |
| 2015 | 6 | 1% | 58,000 miles |
| 2014 | 10 | 2% | 0 miles |
| 2013 | 26 | 2% | 30,000 miles |
| 2012 | 18 | 2% | 21,000 miles |
| 2011 | 18 | 3% | 69,000 miles |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% | 63,000 miles |
| 2009 | 4 | 3% | 23,000 miles |
| 2008 | 3 | 2% | — |
| 2007 | 3 | 2% | 167,000 miles |
| 2006 | 6 | 4% | 100,000 miles |
| 2005 | 1 | 1% | 98,000 miles |
| 2004 | 19 | 8% | 69,000 miles |
| 2003 | 9 | 6% | 133,000 miles |
| 2002 | 21 | 20% | 127,000 miles |
| 2001 | 28 | 20% | 122,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
My car is consuming major oil. I am having to put at minimum 3 to 4 quarts of oil every 3 days. I am having major loss of power. My car has oil fouled far too many spark plugs. In the last 3 months, I have had to replace the spark plugs three separate times. Within the last 3 weeks I have replaced the following: 1. Ignition Coils 2. Valve Cover Gasket 3. PCV Valve 4. 2 separate sets of spark plugs and 1 singular spark plug for Cylinder #4. My car is having a major oil consumption problem and the performance has been severely affected.
Power train; shift lock specifically: had to use the release control more than once. While driving when it happens, I feel a surge/ decline in acceleration(something I requested be checked a year and a half ago, but Kia said they could not recreate my description).continues to drive but sluggish to accelerate. Once I put into "park" I cannot get it out of park except to use release. It did reset(?) when I turned the car off. Suspension; first few months of owning the car I periodically heard a creak in rear suspension here and there when backing out of driveway/gutter slope. Have noticed an increased creaking and more bounce while driving over time but have not even owned car more than 2 years.
I rented a vehicle from fair/uber under a california promotion. In the understanding the vehicle was uber ready. Three weeks into using the car squeezing brakes let me to the authorised shop for maintanence. It was inspected and what was found made this vehicle unsafe. I could not use it for its purpose. To drive it for uber. I have snap shots of the condition of the brakes and rotors. The shocks or struts are also shot and the coolant resivior was close to empty. The two front tires also were recomended to be replaced as they were cupping. This vehicle had not been inspected prior to there releasing it to me for any safety issues prior and when the invoice was sent to donlen, 3 times, which took a whole day, was fully denied. Refusal to correct this safety issue. This car is still in this condition. It was removed from pep boys on mission george by myself. …
I'll start with the windows. Prior to covid my right rear passenger window motor and regulator went out. Citrus Kia fixed it. Right after covid was announced my front right passenger window went out and I couldnt get my car in. 2 weeks later my front left driver window went out. When I finally got my car in they told me I was 200 miles over on my warranty to fix it. I havent had the use of either of my front windows for months. They dropped randomly going down the road. If I dont leave something wedged in the window they drop so far I have to use duct tape to adhere to it and pull up enough to grab it. Its definitely a safety issue that I cannot use my windows. And I dont know what is going on with the drive train , axle and suspension but I am eating through brand new tires every couple months. The dealership blamed it on me and seriously asked me if I was jumping curbs. …
Trying to avoid another vehicle approaching me in a head on collision, my engine began to stall, brakes locked up which caused suspension issues of the vehicle. Due to this, the vehicle was completely totaled and global lending services is consistently reporting it as a repossession. Both vehicles were in motion and it was on a la hwy.
I was driving and out of nowhere the car started to bog down and the check engine light came on. It continued to do it every few seconds and was getting worse the whole way to the shop, which was the closest one I could find as soon as it started doing it. The shop ran the error code and got a knock sensor error. I had Kia come pick it up and take it to the shop. The shop performed a bearing clearance check and the vehicle did not pass so they replaced the engine and intake manifold due to "catastrophic failure". While replacing the engine they found the turbo had play and so they installed a new turbo assembly. After engine replacement they found the starter seized, they replaced the starter. After engine replacement they performed the ECU update and reset adaptive values, then performed wiring signal interference check which started OK. …
Complaint Summary: I am the current owner of a 2014 Kia Optima, which is affected by recall 23V652 related to the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU). The vehicle was imported to the UAE, and the recall was not addressed by the previous owner. As a result, I am now facing significant safety issues. Since taking ownership, I have encountered multiple engine problems, including sudden power loss, severe vibrations, and abnormal behavior from the throttle. These symptoms align with the issues outlined in the recall notice, indicating that the vehicle may pose a safety risk to me and other road users. Despite my efforts to diagnose the problems, I have already incurred costs exceeding 13 AED on various repairs and diagnostic services, all while being unaware of the existing recall. …
I noticed my oil was not staying in the engine. Oil has been changed but seems not to retain. The car stalled out on February 2nd and would not restart. I believe it is seized. Noticed a very new and recent shake during braking days before it stalled. The fuel seems to show like 42 miles to go until empty but run out , i guess fuel pump or fuel float. Also a fuel smell. Also the digital service option does not work never a check engine light or anything .I've read many things by others who own same vehicle and had same issues. I purchased this car in August/September. I feel the dealer may have known of these issues and still sold the car.Please help me figure out how to address these issues to get it fixed.
Related recalls (1)
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Kia Optima years have suspension problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2001 (28), 2013 (26), 2002 (21), 2004 (19) and 2011 (18) model years. Suspension complaints make up 20% of all complaints for the 2001.
Is there a recall for Kia Optima suspension problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 09V-183 (front, May 27, 2009). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Kia Optima suspension problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 77,000 miles; 34% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the front (33 mentions), followed by the front › control arm › lower ball joint (2).
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.