First noticed abnormal tire ware on the outside edge of the front right tire, took to dealership. Was told that the vehicle was out of the adjustment period. So I had to pay for an alignment. Received the spec sheets after. The alignment was out .15 degrees rf, .01 degrees lf, .19 degrees lr, .13 degrees rr. Vehicle was set back to factory settings, and dealership blamed the mis alignment on michigan roads. Car was set to have the alignment checked 1500 miles later or 30 days. 2nd time in the shop for alignment check and was out . 09 degrees lf, .11 degrees rf, .02 degrees lr, .04 degrees rr. Dealership set the alignment back to factory specs. Car again was set 30 days later or 1500 miles for another alignment check and was out once again. .21 degrees lf, .13 degrees rf, .26 degrees lr, .02 degrees rr. At this time the mileage was 22300. After the 3rd time to the dealer and taking their advice to give them the chance to fix the problem. In the end , the dealer said that there was nothing wrong with the car, yet every time it was there the alignment had to be adjusted and put back to factory settings. As you can see by the number of degree changes, more than .05 degrees is astronomical when it comes to toe settings on any car. This car has a 100,000 mile warranty, yet kia, nor the dealership is standing behind the product, they manufacture or sell!
2011 Kia Optima suspension complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 18 of 18, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia optima. The contact stated that the vehicle would veer towards the left while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer on numerous occasions and a camber kit was installed on the suspension but the failure continued. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a complaint was filed. The failure mileage was 500.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia optima. The contact stated that the vehicle consistently pulled to the left. The contact had the dealer perform an alignment twice and both the struts and the bolts were replaced. The dealer insisted that there was nothing wrong with the vehicle, but the contact believed there was some type of defect. The failure mileage was 347 and the current mileage was 3,672. Updated 12/12/11*lj updated 01/23/12
I purchased my optima sx turbo with less than 50 miles on it. I got the turbo with 274 hp because it was the closest I could get to a hot rod with four doors. I have send this information to kia in hopes of resolution. The car's acceleration is fantastic, especially from 40-50 with gas peddle floored. Here is the problem. The front end rises and the weight shift makes the car feel like you are about to pull a wheelie. At this point I question the traction of the front tires. It cannot be the same as with no severe acceleration. This takes away the reason I bought the car with this specific engine. Also think about this scenario. A family is driving this car on the highway in the rain. They want to pass an 18 wheeler going up a grade. Acceleration is increased and with weight shifted back off the front wheels, they crash. The car needs either stiffer suspension or ability to change the suspension. When I floor it, the weight ratios over all wheels must not change.
2011 kia optima. Consumer states problems with vehicle steering *tgw the consumer stated the steering would often veer to the left and then to the right.
Purchased a 2011 kia optima lx on 5/18/11. Car constantly pulled left so bad that you would end up into oncoming traffic on a two lane road in you didn't continually correct to the right. Had the dealer align vehicle to factory specs with no change. Took car back to dealer who realigned to new specs received from kia tech support. Vehicle now only has a tendency to pull left but will drift left if you take your hands off of the steering wheel. Dealer test drove the car again and claims the vehicle drives better than a new one on the lot. Dealer said they couldn't do anything else for me and referred me to kia consumer relations.
I am also having the left pull issue with my 2011 kia optima. I alerted the dealer as soon as it left the lot and took the car in for service on 5/2/11. Spoke with the service tech today (5/4) and he said that all of the alignment specs were within factory standards but the car is still pulling left. Currently awaiting guidance from kia's corporate engineers. This presents a clear danger as the car will switch lanes unless constant pressure is put on the steering wheel.
Car pulls to left 100% of the time. Car has been inspected by kia service and meets all factory specs. This appears to be a design flaw. Kia requires all 2011 optima's to be realigned prior to being sold. Customer service rep. Said that one of her tec. Reps. Drives a 2011 optima and it also pulls left.
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