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SuspensionPart report

2013 Kia Optima Suspension Problems

Complaints
26about this part
Share
2%of 1,387 total for the year
Median mileage
26,000miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 26 complaints about the suspension of the 2013 Kia Optima, 2% of the 1,387 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 26,000 miles. 4 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.

“When I am driving more than 65 MPH, my steering wheel shakes for 3 seconds, stops, and then continues until I go under 65 MPH. When I drive over a bump or object, it shakes as well. There is a loud clicking when turn the wheel left or right.”

NHTSA complaint #11319782, filed 2020-03, 110,000 miles

“When I'm driving at any speed and on any surface driving over the slightest bump the steering wheel makes a clanking sound also the car is pulling to the right my front tires are wearing out on the upperoutside of the tire the part of tire that touches the road. I have looked on web to see if anyone else has had a issue with this what I found was that it may be the steering coupler. It's getting worse I'm afraid it's not going to turn one of these days because of what's going on.”

NHTSA complaint #11326583, filed 2020-05, 50,000 miles

“After having work done on the last recall, I noticed there is a rattling near the steering wheel on every bump in the road I hit. It doesn't matter how big or small. The steering wheel shakes and the rattling has since then gotten louder and worse. I fear there is something loose either within the steering wheel and components or the bars underneath. I cannot seem to find exactly what it is but its on the front driver side of the car. It is only happening while the vehicle is in motion.”

NHTSA complaint #11321896, filed 2020-04, 97,000 miles

“On august 17th , 2017 after making a broken u turn, I drove my 2013 Kia Optima onto a road at a high rate of speed, to flow into traffic, and hit a curb that I believed I was clear of. I suffered whiplash and severe pain from my accelerator foot up to my shoulders as both hands were on the steering wheel. I have had to take off many days to rest since then. After a visit to the dealer where I reported the accident, the rep suggested that the car should have a front camera. …”

NHTSA complaint #11074182, filed 2018-02, 30,000 miles

“When I first bought the car in july 2013, it was less then two weeks and I told them at century Kia something was wrong with the steering. I later took it and had the alignment looked at I was told it was off just a little bit on the passenger side. …”

NHTSA complaint #10660560, filed 2014-11, 38,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Suspension: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
201910%
201810%
201731%
201630%
201561%
2014102%
2013262%
2012182%
2011183%
201011%
200943%
200832%
200732%
200664%
200511%
2004198%
200396%
20022120%
20012820%

Other parts of the 2013 Kia Optima

Engine
614 complaints
Steering
213 complaints
Other or unknown
189 complaints
Electrical system
146 complaints
Body and structure
127 complaints
Fuel system
123 complaints
Brakes
114 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
64 complaints
Air bags
62 complaints
Engine cooling
42 complaints
Exterior lighting
40 complaints
Vehicle speed control
39 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2013 Kia Optima

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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