2011 Kia Optima Suspension Problems
- Complaints
- 18about this part
- Share
- 3%of 594 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 42,350miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 18 complaints about the suspension of the 2011 Kia Optima, 3% of the 594 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 42,350 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“18v363 17220 it has made a loud clanking/knocking noise. It stalled then completly died once I got off the main highway and wouldnt crank again. It uses an awful lot of oil. Upon first oil change it had shards of metal in it. The place I got the vehicle from says they put new motor in it among other things but I havent seen in change in things other than it doesnt smoke under the hood while idling.”
NHTSA complaint #11373251, filed 2020-11, 79,000 miles“We bought our car last year , 5 months after we got the car , when I was driving it the vehicle dynamic control (vdc) light turn on and the car shaking very bad and we can not handle the car right and the brake its not working well, its very very scary. The only thing that we can do we turn the vdc light off, its gonna be ok for couple days , and again it happens. …”
NHTSA complaint #10494746, filed 2013-01, 9,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10399118, filed 2011-05, 325 miles“I have had to change lower control arm inner and outer tie rod and cv axle 2 time because parts are cheap and slightest amount of force such as hitting a curb causes massive suspension damage. Both times car was running unber 20 miles an hour and hit a curb and it destroyed suspension. Second time tie rod broke while driving down the road and lost control and ended up hitting guard rail and same thing destroyed suspension.”
NHTSA complaint #11192681, filed 2019-03, 162,000 miles“When driving on the highway 55mph or higher steering wheel has a loud knock and pulls left. It is very dangerous to drive because the steering wheel is uncontrollable. When in park and turning the wheel it makes the knocking noise also. Updated 10/07/15 updated 12/11/2017”
NHTSA complaint #10743944, filed 2015-07, 108,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10116819Dec 16, 2016TSB: FRONT STABILIZER LINK REPLACEMENT - This bulletin provides the procedure to replace the front stabilizer links of some Optima (TF/QF), Optima Hybrid (TF HEV) and Rio (UB)…
- 10183608May 3, 2016TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: FRONT STABILIZER LINK REPLACEMENT - This bulletin provides the procedure to replace the front stabilizer links of some Optima (TF/QF), Optima Hybrid…
- 10089422May 3, 2016"front stabilizer link replacement - this bulletin provides the procedure to replace the front stabilizer links of some optima (tf/qf), optima hybrid (tf hev) and rio (ub)…
- 10092151Jun 19, 2015Pitstop: difficulty assembling strut bearing/insulator - on some optima vehicles, when replacing the strut insulator or strut bearing with new parts you may encounter difficulty…
- 10089763Jun 19, 2015Pitstop: difficulty assembling strut bearing/insulator - on some optima vehicles, when replacing the strut insulator or strut bearing with new parts you may encounter difficulty…
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 2011 Kia Optima
256 complaintsSteering
100 complaintsExterior lighting
88 complaintsElectrical system
63 complaintsBrakes
47 complaintsOther or unknown
41 complaintsAir bags
31 complaintsFuel system
26 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
25 complaintsBody and structure
21 complaintsVehicle speed control
19 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
11 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2011 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