Frame Rust Problems of Kia Motor Optima

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.

See all problems of the 2002 Kia Motor Optima 🔎.

The frame is rusted through causing the vehicle to be unsafe, though it had a recall for this exact problem and it was only inspected and not replaced. The car was initially taken to a local auto repair shop for an alignment as it pulled to the right, the shop said the frame was rusted so badly that an alignment could not be done. It was determined that a recall had been made for this vehicle. Recall #09v183000. Gurley leep kia in mishawaka, indiana was contacted and an appointment was made. The technician said the frame was rusted but kia would not repair the vehicle as the recall had already been made.

See all problems of the 2003 Kia Motor Optima 🔎.

Tl the contact owns a 2001 kia Optima. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for scheduled maintenance, when the vehicle was placed on the lift, the mechanic noticed that the sub frame was severely rusted and the determined that the vehicle should not be driven. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for a diagnosis. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000. Bp.

See all problems of the 2001 Kia Motor Optima 🔎.

I took my car for a state safety inspection and was told the engine cradle was beginning to show rust. I took it to a second provider who confirmed that this was the case. After doing some research I found that rusting of the subframe had been recalled but not for the state I live in (virginia).

The contact owns a 2002 kia Optima. While the vehicle was being serviced, the mechanic noticed that the subframe was rusted out and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.

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.

The frame is extensive rusted to the point where the vehicle's structural integrity has likely been compromised. Nothing unusual has happened that would cause such rust, such as backing into salt water, etc. It has been driven on salted NY roads but still, the rust is extreme on this vehicle even with that taken into consideration. The body has rusted extensively as well, to the point where the rear quarter panels by the rear wheel arches have rusted completely through.

See all problems of the 2005 Kia Motor Optima 🔎.

Tl- the contact owns a 2002 kia Optima. The contact stated while driving she heard an unfamiliar sound coming from the under carriage. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where it was confirmed that the sub frame was severely rusted which caused it to fail. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the issue. The failure and current mileages were not available. Mh.

I have a 2002 kia Optima that the VIN is not one of the vehicles that is covered by your recall NHTSA campaign id number: 09v183000 which states "internal corrosion of the front subframe. Over time, such subframe corrosion near the connection to the lower control arm can lead to wheel misalignment and/or other noticeable stress in steering. . . ". You have it listed as states with difficult winters and the use of road salt. I live in louisville, ky. Not one of the named states. But. I guarantee you that this same corrosion can be caused by the water coming from the air conditioner running directly onto these parts. The back side of subframe has rust holes in it. This recall needs to be expanded to any and all kia Optimas that have the ac water running there due to manufacture design. I have pictures that I can send to you showing this corrosion. I tried to get it aligned at a kia store and they said "lower control arm bracket on pass side is rusted and broken. Pass side wheel is pushed back and tires on front are angled. " how was the 36,538 vehicles determined ? was it from the state that the car was sold in ?.

My son was driving our 2002 kia Optima and wheel assembly fell off. The whole frame rusted from inside out causing the lower control arm to fall off.

This is concerning my 2002 kia Optima, and the subframe recall that was issued on this car. . The sub frame was replaced due to corrosion but the garage has done something wrong because the grinding noise that is coming from under this car is just ridiculous! I took the car back to the kia dealer who removed the rusted sub frame and replaced it with the new, to find out why its making this horrid noise,OH yes they also forgot to put a bolt in. And still don't know why the part is grinding so. So then I called the kia corporation to let them know that my car is not right and something is wrong. And they did nothing but put it on the computer I was not satisfied. Now I have to take this car to a body shop and pay for this to be repaired out of my pocket. I know there was no problem with this before and no noise going into the shop, I don't expect this to be going on now. I have taken this to 2 body shops one body shop wont touch it because it is a recall, the other will take a look and see, he thinks they broke something removing the subframe. In either case the car needs fixing of a part that was supposed to be covered under a recall! what ever is wrong was cause by this subframe.

I noticed my 2001 kia Optima pulling to the left so I took my vehicle in for a wheel alignment. The technician stated he could not perform the alignment because the subframe was rusted and had a fist size hole in the passenger side of the subframe. The vehicle is currently at a kia dealership. The service manager said the subframe needs to be replace. He ordered the subframe, but a week later said he is unable to complete the job since my VIN number does not match one of the vehicles that have been part of the recall. I'm waiting to here from kia corp. To determine if the vehicle will be included in the recall. The car is said to be unsafe to drive because the right tire has buckled in.

Was driving into my driveway when the car pulled severely to the right. Upon inspection,the subframe was totally rusted on the passenger side . Below front wheel. Car is undriveable.

The contact owns a 2001 kia Optima. While performing an oil change on the vehicle, the mechanic noticed that the frame was rusting. The manufacturer advised the contact to take the vehicle to a dealer to see if they could repair it under warranty. The contact feels that it is unsafe for rust to form on a vehicle that was manufactured in 2001. The current and failure mileages were 83,000.

I have a 2001 kia Optima with only 62,000 miles. Car was pulling to right thought I needed an alignment. When car went up on lift mechanics were surprised that car was still drivable and that we were safe. Frame/subframe under pass. Seat was rusted through, about the size of softball. Makes me sick to think that I had my medically invalid daughter in this car. When doing research on car I see a lot of rust issues in frame, subframe or rocker arm area. There must be some thing done about this problem. Seems like there is a one problem (rust in frame area) but there are different outcomes in the frame /tire/under engine area. Still waiting to hear from dealer regarding repair cost-- I will fight not to pay. This is a safety issue there should be recalls.

Our 2002 kia Optima experienced steering problems which I thought could be corrected with a basic front end alignment. Repair facility informed us that the vehicle could not be aligned because the sub-frame had rust damage. The sub-frame on the passenger side had a "golf size" hole in it and the welding joints were completely rotted through. The vehicle only had 70,000 miles and was always well maintained. Oil changes and inspections were performed at kia dealerships and the defect was either not detected or never reported to us prior to the expiration of the warranty. The dealer and Kia Motors were contacted about the issue; kia did replace the sub-frame unit (est cost $1,500) but would not cover the cost for labor ($655). I believe a bigger problem exist with this defect and a recall should be considered to prevent injury to drivers. Reviewing previous complaints, this same defect has been reported on three VIN #'s.

I purchased my vehicle on 10/20/08. Upon purchase, private dealer notified me of a recall on the vehicle. Vehicle was taken in to the local kia dealership on 10/24/08 and recall sc037 was performed. Upon pickup of vehicle, I was notified by kia dealership of recommendations listed on service invoice. On 11/06/08 vehicle was taken to my regular mechanic for inspection and service for items on the recommendation list from kia dealership. Upon lifting the vehicle up in the air to research one of the kia dealerships recommendations a softball size hole was found rusted in the sub frame where the lower control arm is to be attached. When kia dealership was notified about the hole and said they wouldn't have lifted car up. Kia motors America was phoned and told about situation and treatment by kia dealership. Kia motors America told me to take vehicle back in to dealership to have a diagnosis on vehicle and to call back and I was given a name, extension number and a case number. I had to tow the vehicle back in to the kia dealership and they looked at it and said they never saw the hole previously but here's an estimate for us to fix it. I contacted my mechanic and asked what his estimate would be to fix it and how much the part would be, and if this was something that could be gotten from a salvage yard. The local salvage yards were already phoned and the same thing was wrong with those parts and this is a common problem with kia vehicles. I ordered the part from the kia dealership, it is called a crossmember. I have had my mechanic replace it, I have had to get two new tires, a front end alignment and have asked Kia Motors America to reimburse me for this. They are now saying they have no record of my purchase of the part although I have given them my invoice number. I still have the old part and the originals of all my invoices.

I took my 2001 kia Optima, v6, 61,000 miles, to a quick lube place for an oil change. While attendant was changing the oil, he showed me several holes and cracks in the subframe where it had rusted through. Seems odd for a low-mileage, garage-kept, 7 year old car and, of course, it's not covered under warranty.

The contact owns a 2001 kia Optima. The contact stated that the brake line in his vehicle was leaking. He took the vehicle to a local mechanic and it was discovered that the k frame was severely rusted. The passenger side of the vehicle is much more damaged than the driver's side; however, both sides of the frame are rusting. The mechanic advised the contact to have the vehicle repaired. The manufacturer was unable to assist. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure mileage was 78,000 and current mileage was 78,500.

2002 kia Optima, we have only had the car less than 2 years and it has 2 fist size rust holes in frame one each side by a-arms, due to these defects tires wearing quickly and needs air continually to be put in them. Handling worsening and making thumping noise in front end, can not drive over 35-40 mph. Called kia and they said they would not do anything about this problem. Read where Hyundai and kia are made by same company and this has been a problem with the 1999 to 2002 models. Feel this is their responsibility to make right before something happens and there is an accident. Need information on who to contact and how to get this taken care of.

Subframe rust through. I discovered a fist sized hole during an oil change on the passenger side of our 2001 kia Optima. Frame has been replaced at our cost by dealer.

2002 kia Optima sub frame is all rusted out dealer says total suspension is about to fail need to be replaced this is the only thing on the car that is rusted out.

We have a 2001 kia Optima and our wheels caved in because the sub frame rusted out cost us 2,500. 00. They refused to warranty it. We submitted request for compensation feeling it should be covered especially on a car with only 49,000 miles. They refused. Now a recall has been issued and yet they are dragging there feet. It has been another 6 months now and still nothing. I feel we should all band together and file a class action suit against kia for issues and there poor handling of there car owners.

2002 kia Optima sub frame is rusting out. Customer states that the dealer told her there was a spot on the sub frame where the control arm mounts to the engine cradle had rusted out and it looked as if it had been in an accident, and would not help with the repairs. The mechanic concluded that due to the design of the vehicle, the condensation from the air condition running down the frame is what caused the rust to occur. The speed sensor for the automatic transmission was replaced.

The contact owns a 2001 kia Optima. While driving over a bump at an unknown speed or turning the steering wheel to the right, the contact heard a loud clunking noise. The vehicle was taken to the dealer six separate times. The rotors, brakes, bearings, bushings, and tires were replaced; however, the failure still persisted. Approximately one year later, the vehicle was taken in for an alignment. The tire separated from the frame and a pile of rust was found underneath the front passenger side tire. The vehicle had to be towed because the front passenger side engine cradle was completely rusted and the driver's side was barely hanging on to the vehicle. The failure mileage was 60,000.