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 the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 09V183000 (Suspension) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 111,000.
2002 Kia Optima suspension problems
21 complaints (20% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 126,513.
- owner complaints
- 21
- of this car's complaints
- 20%
- typical mileage
- 126,513
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Front3
- Front: control arm: lower ball joint1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Kia Optima suspension problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2002 Kia Optima suspension
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Suspension: front
- What is wrong
- 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, vermont, west virginia, wisconsin, and the district of columbia. Road salt applied in these states during the winter months may result in progressive, 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, or accelerated abnormal tire wear.
- Risk
- Corrosion of the front subframe could lead to separation, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
- 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.
Recall number 09V183000 · Recall details
What 2002 Kia Optima owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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 the federal safety agency campaign number: 09v183000 (suspension). The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was approximately 133,313.
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
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 the federal safety agency campaign number: 09v183000 (suspension). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 180,000.
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. I found out it had a recall back in 2009, so I called my local kia dealer and they said it was part of the recall but it has been fixed- I'm wondering how it was fixed if it is doing the same exact thing everyone's complaints I have seen is doing/ I am at a halt not knowing what to do with my car, I have small children and refuse to drive this car. Please help
Driving up the road ,put on brakes ,axle and subframe broke causing my car to slide and stop in middle of road.thank god no one hit us.
Driving down the road, stepped on brakes and front frame broke into two pieces, in the middle of the road, nearly caused a pile up on the road.
Subframe is rusting out and my tires are getting abnormal wear and my front tires are angled in.
My tire had started bending inward at the top, and outward at the bottom. My car started going out of alignment. I took it to a shop, and they found out my sub frame was rusted and worn out. They also found out that the sub frame had been recalled in 2009, but apparently not on my exact vehicle.
Questions about the 2002 Kia Optima suspension
Does the 2002 Kia Optima have suspension problems?
Owners have filed 21 complaints about the suspension of the 2002 Kia Optima, 20% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2002 Kia Optima suspension problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 126,513 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2002 Kia Optima suspension?
Yes, 1 recall: 09V183000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Kia Optima have bad suspension?
The Kia Optima model years with the most suspension complaints are 2001 (28 complaints), 2013 (26 complaints) and 2002 (21 complaints).
Other 2002 Kia Optima problems
Body 30Airbags 19Electrical 14Brakes 12Locks 12Engine 11Steering 8Fuel system 6Transmission 6Wheels 5Acceleration 2Lights 2Seat belts 2Visibility 2Driver assistance 1Seats 1Tires 1
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