Kia Optima ball joint problems

Filed Feb 11, 2025 · Suspension · NY

Had some noise coming from the front of the car, had my mechanic look at it, he said we needed a control arm. When he took off the cover to replace the control arm, he found the sub frame had rotten and was cracking. As I looked online, I saw that KIA had a recall for this issue. When I contacted KIA, their response was "as my car is not under warranty, they are not required to repair the car" The car in question has 70, 558 miles on it. We are the 2nd owner.

Filed Feb 3, 2025 · Engine, Steering · MO

While driving on the roadway, I was almost to a four way intersection, as i was going to get into the left turn lane, I turned the steering wheel slightly to the left as the steering wheel turned but the car almost did little adjusting to turn into the left turn lane. As this occurred you could here a noise underneath the vehicle . As I wasn't sure exactly what had happened, I attempted to limp the vehicle down the road to a friend's. As I did the steering got worse and as I could nearly stear the vehicle something was in the road which because of the steering I couldn't avoid it as it was late at night and raining and I ran over something that gave me a flat on the passenger side front tire . I got to my friends drive a few feet away and almost didn't get it pulled in because of the steering. As I took a look at my car, I noticed that two bolts on the driver side on the rack and pinion were almost about to fall out, two ball joints were bent and one nut was completely missing from the lower ball joint, as well as the sway bar was out of place and If I would have been driving down the highway, I do belive I would have wrecked.

Filed Nov 12, 2023 · Steering, Suspension · UT

After 131,500 miles, struts, rotors and pads wore out. Lower ball joint and control arm also wore out, No injuries or accident.

Filed Nov 7, 2023 · Steering · CA

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and driving over a bump in the roadway, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from underneath the front end of the vehicle. Additionally, the front end of the vehicle and the steering column vibrated significantly, and the vehicle was pulling to the right. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that she was able to steer the vehicle back into the lane. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer several times, and unknown repairs were completed; however, the failure persisted. Additionally, the vehicle was taken to several independent mechanics who informed the contact that the failure could be related to the tie rod and to unknown bushings. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Apr 14, 2022 · Engine · MI

The motor is locked for a second time. The first time occurred in May of 2018, I had approximately 80,000 miles on the car. I was leaving from the gas station and as soon as I made it into the middle of the street, the car just cut off. I had a mechanic come look at it, and they told me that the motor was locked up. So I had it towed home, bought another motor and got it repaired. Now here it is 04/14/2022, and the motor is locked up again. This is ridiculous!!! I have had to replace multiple parts (the lower control arm for example) several times over 200 hundred dollars each time. I refuse to replace this motor for a second time and have never got reimbursed for nothing!! I used to love KIA but honestly, this is a crappy car and company.

Filed Mar 3, 2022 · Brakes, Electrical · 129,403 miles · TX · crash

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V331000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brakes failed to stop the vehicle immediately, causing the vehicle to crash into a curve that fractured the lower control arm and damaged the tire rims, fender, and bumper. Additionally, the vehicle later failed to start. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed that either the alternator or battery was faulty. The mechanic replaced the lower control arm. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 129,403. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed Nov 7, 2021 · Lights · CA

while driving, all lights (headlights, instrument, etc) would randomly go dark. Lighting usually restored after toggling the instrument control arm from on-to-off-on. Obviously super dangerous as driver can't see roadway and other drivers can't see the car.

Filed Jan 2, 2020 · Steering · 85,000 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia optima. When the contact turned the steering wheel, it would not turn smoothly and there was a delay in the vehicle responding when making turns. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The contact paid to have the front end replaced and believed that the rack and pinion, tie rod, and struts were the cause of the failure. When the contact retrieved the vehicle from the independent mechanic, the failure recurred. The contact researched online and discovered how to resolve the failure with a $2.00 part for the steering plastic coupler; however, the cost to repair the vehicle was over $1,000. The failure mileage was 85,000. The VIN was unknown.

Filed Oct 23, 2019 · Brakes, Suspension · 90,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 kia optima. While driving at approximately 30 MPH, a warning indicator illuminated, advising the contact to discontinue driving the vehicle. The check engine warning indicator also illuminated. The contact had to turn the vehicle off and on in order for the indicators to turn off. In addition, while attempting to come to a stop, the vehicle shook and hesitated to stop appropriately. The contact took the vehicle to archer kia (located at 11614 southwest fwy, houston, tx 77031, 888‑879‑5194) where repairs were made to the hydraulics. The specific parts were not identified; however, the failure continued. The contact took the vehicle to joe meyers kia (located at 16484 nw fwy, houston, tx 77040, 713‑587‑9940) where the upper and lower control arms and ball joints were replaced; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures and opened case number: 13386178. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.

Filed Oct 11, 2019 · Body, Suspension · 143,605 miles · AL

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.