2004 Kia Optima Suspension Problems
- Complaints
- 19about this part
- Share
- 8%of 225 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 68,954miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 19 complaints about the suspension of the 2004 Kia Optima, 8% of the 225 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 68,954 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 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.
“The passenger wheel came off the car as my son was backing out of a parking space at a grocery store. I bought this car new. That part of the car had never been worked on. The car had to be towed to a garage for repair. Kia used glue on life a support nut on a ball joint, where they should have used a cotter pin. I have bought four (4) kias. These cars are still in the family. The Kia I drive daily is identical (except being automatic) to the one that the wheel came off.”
NHTSA complaint #10534657, filed 2013-08, 102,800 miles“I have been refused the repair on my 2004 Kia by no less than 3 dealerships about the rusting front end because of lack of rust proofing. It made the car undrivable 4 months ago and I have had no satisfaction. You are going after toyota with both barrels yet you are leaving Kia alone and I have had nothing but serious expenses and problems with this car since it was purchased brand new in 2004. I have made several attempts at contacting your office with negative replies. …”
NHTSA complaint #10311430, filed 2010-02, 30,000 miles“As described by others driver side lower ball joint on '04 Kia Optima broke with 1 sheared bolt and 1 bolt just falling out (rusted with no clean areas) the ball joint had 1 part of the sheared bolt remaining and 1 rusted threaded hole. Dealer offered no help other than to indicate that this was not related to the subframe recall of last august ('09).”
NHTSA complaint #10360722, filed 2010-10, 86,500 miles“Sub frame rot leading to poor handling , tire wear, bad engine performance. The rotted supframe is separating from body, causing poor performance. The car is performing poorly at all speeds. Not safe...”
NHTSA complaint #10785782, filed 2015-10, 124,000 miles“Wheel misalignment and other noticeable stress in steering, or accelerated abnormal tire wear. Rattling noise coming from left front end area, not cv axle or strut.”
NHTSA complaint #10286191, filed 2009-10, 89,250 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 2004 Kia Optima
81 complaintsElectrical system
45 complaintsBody and structure
42 complaintsAir bags
26 complaintsOther or unknown
12 complaintsEngine cooling
11 complaintsFuel system
10 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
8 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsSteering
7 complaintsSeat belts
6 complaintsEquipment
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Kia Optima
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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