2002 Kia Optima Suspension Problems
- Complaints
- 21about this part
- Share
- 20%of 107 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 126,513miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 21 complaints about the suspension of the 2002 Kia Optima, 20% of the 107 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 126,513 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10587615, filed 2014-05, 278,000 miles“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! …”
NHTSA complaint #11267968, filed 2019-10, 143,605 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10883976, filed 2016-07, 167,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10846221, filed 2016-03, 132,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10543790, filed 2013-09, 138,227 milesRelated recalls
- 09V183000May 27, 2009Kia motors corporation (kmc) is recalling 36,538 model year 2001-2004 optima vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of connecticut…Covers: Kia Optima 2001–2004
Suspension: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 | 0% |
| 2018 | 1 | 0% |
| 2017 | 3 | 1% |
| 2016 | 3 | 0% |
| 2015 | 6 | 1% |
| 2014 | 10 | 2% |
| 2013 | 26 | 2% |
| 2012 | 18 | 2% |
| 2011 | 18 | 3% |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% |
| 2009 | 4 | 3% |
| 2008 | 3 | 2% |
| 2007 | 3 | 2% |
| 2006 | 6 | 4% |
| 2005 | 1 | 1% |
| 2004 | 19 | 8% |
| 2003 | 9 | 6% |
| 2002 | 21 | 20% |
| 2001 | 28 | 20% |
Other parts of the 2002 Kia Optima
30 complaintsAir bags
19 complaintsElectrical system
14 complaintsBrakes
12 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
12 complaintsSteering
8 complaintsEngine cooling
7 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
6 complaintsWheels
5 complaintsEngine
4 complaintsEquipment
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Kia Optima
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology