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Kia Optima repairs by problem area
Engine (24%)
Transmission and Drivetrain (7%)
Brakes and Traction Control (5%)
Suspension and Steering (12%)
Electrical and Air Conditioning (32%)
Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (13%)
Other (7%)
Select a problem area
Chart based on 577 repairs.
Kia Optima suspension repair cost distribution
$2500+ (2%)
$1000 - $2499 (3%)
$500 - $999 (12%)
$100 - $499 (23%)
< $100 (60%)
Chart based on 65 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.
2015 Kia Optima 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 274hp 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 38750 mi | Driver side axle needed to be replaced. Bearing failing |
2014 Kia Optima 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 274hp 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 6000 mi | Steering shaft. The steering shaft had a "catch" in it. Like a flat spot which caused the steering wheel to get stuck in one position and required a stronger than normal pressure to steer. |
2013 Kia Optima 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 274hp 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 25100 mi | Replaced inner tie rod |
| 48 mi C $125 |
Right outer tie rod replaced. Dlr noticed problem during oil change. repaired elsewhere $100.00 cheaper. |
2013 Kia Optima 4dr Sedan
200-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 2000 mi | Car wanders a little on highway. Checked alignment, dealer said fine. Found steering software on wrong setting. Changed it but I still think too much play, too little straight line stability at speed. |
| 52700 mi C $990 |
Re-calibrated power stearing |
| 78029 mi | Steering wheel had been shaking violently at highway speeds for about a week. Took it in for wheel balance at independent shop. On their recommendation we took it to the dealer for a steering column bushing. This was a know failure point and the dealer replaced it under extended warranty. Totally fixed the vibrations. |
| 73000 mi | Clicking in steering..a known issue with these cars..steering coupler replaced |
2013 Kia Optima 4dr Sedan
159-horsepower 2.4L I4 Hybrid 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 75000 mi | Wheel bearing in front, drivers side needed to be replaced. |
| 26660 mi | replaced right rear tie-rod end link under warranty. |
| 34720 mi | Slight knocking noise in drivers front side when turning or braking. They said it was strut bearing at first and replaced it. |
| 42160 mi C $100 |
Here an occasion ticking/clacking sound in the front end somewhere. Can't easily reproduce... Strut bearing was replaced under extended warranty, but sound is still there on occasion. |
| 99200 mi C $800 |
Replaced lower control arms including bearings on both sides of the front. |
2012 Kia Optima 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 274hp 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 13020 mi | Creaking noise in rear end of vehicle. Covered by service bulletin. |
| 18000 mi | Electronic Power Steering seems to "center" the steering too far to the left, requiring constant effort to keep the car moving straight. Adjusted EPS computer "center" setting back to former adjustment that I remembered from another dealer |
| 30700 mi | Steering column |
| Subframe had mold lines not properly removed by supplier (not sanded down) - alignment pins extra mold line length rubbed on main frame from below, creating unpleasant noise and wear on the mainframe. Pins were clipped off as directed by kia |
| 155000 mi US $450 |
Did not pass inspection because problem with suspension |
| 66000 mi US $6 |
Steering coupler replaced |
2012 Kia Optima 4dr Sedan
200-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 58000 mi | TSB for steering coupler. It was an attempt to repair/track down a clunk in the front suspension. It turns out the clunk was a brake pad shifting when going from forward to reverse. |
| 56420 mi | Right tie rod replaced in May and the right tie rod was replaced in July. |
| 136000 mi US $3000 |
steering column had to be replaced |
| 45000 mi | Steering compartment for which a recall was issued; dealer repaired for free. |
| 52200 mi | bad right front Ball Joint |
| 70000 mi | Left front wheel bearing |
| 18000 mi | Car has "wandered" at highway speeds, making it tedious to keep straight. There was a software update to the electronic steering. Drives much better now! |
| 24500 mi | right front wheel bearing and axle replaced (possibly from over-tightening when engine was replaced. |
2011 Kia Optima 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 274hp 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 79800 mi | The steering coupler had worn out and caused the wheel to shake. The coupler was replaced. |
| 54000 mi | Left front wheel bearing getting noisy. Confirmed by mechanic to be such, but no time avail yet to do a repair, and the $345 estimate ($128 bearing; $194 labor) will induce me to shop around. |
| 56000 mi | Left frt wheel bearing was getting noisy over a period of weeks. Was replaced under warranty. |
| 78000 mi | Right front wheel bearing was getting very noisy. Covered under warranty |
| 65000 mi US $180 |
Rubber coupler is steering worn out causing vehicle to have slack in steering wheel. Replace coupler under warranty, |
| 69000 mi | Replaced worn out steering coupler bushing that caused clunk noise in steering wheel |
2011 Kia Optima 4dr Sedan
200-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 34000 mi | There was a TSB for steering wheel plastic bushing. Was replaced. |
| 62000 mi C $300 |
Coil spring on front driver side snapped, required replacement. Could not find parts from any 3rd party source (this is in Canada), was forced to get replacement spring from dealership. |
| 72000 mi US $105 |
Tie rod caused a failed yearly inspection--became loose at the knuckle due to an impact to road debris |
| 3000 mi | Steering will intermittently pull to the left. Appears to be electric power steering related. Chassis alignment and reset of "chip" in power steering did not fix problem.....still exists. new attempt to fix original problem was not successful. update: at time car sold considered this fix satisfactory. |
| 51700 mi | Left front wheel bearing noisy |
| 88600 mi US $150 |
Right front Hub Bearing Noisy |
| 27200 mi | Rear shock rattle |
2011 Kia Optima 4dr Sedan
166-horsepower 2.4L I4 Hybrid 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 105000 mi | Had an extended unlimited mileage warranty put out by Kia for the steering wheel coupler needing replacement. Noticed that my car was making a clunking noise inside the steering column every time I drove on a rough road. The dealership replaced the coupler and the clunking completely disappeared. The service manager said that my coupler was slightly worn and that the new coupler is made of a better material that lasts longer. |
| 81840 mi | Rear stabilizers .. KIA dealer found it was a covered repair. |
| 90360 mi C $520 |
Front control arms require replacement ... Had been in the shop before for the report of this clunk/noise but dealer could not duplicate. Took mechanic out and noise heard .. requires replacement but still dealing with the dealer over repair |
2010 Kia Optima 4dr Sedan
175-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 160000 mi US $1200 |
Replacement due to wear and tear |
2008 Kia Optima 4dr Sedan
185-horsepower 2.7L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| Steering and suspension, repair |
2008 Kia Optima 4dr Sedan
162-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 20000 mi US $650 |
All the factory tires wore out badly for no reason and cant keep the alignment from going out every month. |
2007 Kia Optima 4dr Sedan
161-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 67300 mi US $45 |
Sway bar links were worn and making noise. New ones were ordered on line and replaced by owner. |
| 93300 mi US $150 |
Replaced front struts, ball joints and sway bar links |
| 90500 mi US $900 |
Front struts had failed and were replaced. |
| 117000 mi US $100 |
Replaced worn tie rods. Took car to budget brakes for an alignment afterwards. |
2006.5 Kia Optima 4dr Sedan
185-horsepower 2.7L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 89000 mi US $75 |
Power steering pressure hose had a small leak and was replaced. |
| 129000 mi US $1000 |
Power steering pump replaced |
| 35000 mi | Control arm bushing noisy. Waiting for replacement control arm |
| 38000 mi | Cross arm bushings replaced, problem was noise when driving over uneven payment. Problem cured. Replaced control arm bushing under warrantee |
| 107000 mi US $650 |
replaced both front anti sway bars |
2006.5 Kia Optima 4dr Sedan
161-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 120441 mi US $309 |
New front tires, four wheel alignment. Vehicle out of alignment. |
| 131000 mi US $106 |
Both rear lower control arms replaced due to corrosion |
| 157000 mi US $415 |
Four wheel alignment, upper stabilizer link broken/replaced. [towed] |
2005 Kia Optima
Engine not specified
| 104000 mi | shocks soon to go |
2005 Kia Optima 4dr Sedan
138-horsepower 2.4L I4 4-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 102000 mi US $36 |
Lower right ball joint required replacement. Ball joint is integral to control arm so the control arm was replaced. It took removal of 2 bolts to remove old. Total repair took about an hour. |
| 59100 mi ¤600 |
Shock absorber |
| 62000 mi ¤400 |
Oil leak in rear suspension |
2004 Kia Optima 4dr Sedan
138-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| 42000 mi US $72 |
Slightly squeaking belt. High pressure power steering hose had begun leaking at the joint between the hose and the crimp connector at the PS pump end. The drips were falling on the PS serpentine belt. Took hose to A/C shop and had the end replaced. |
2004 Kia Optima 4dr Sedan
138-horsepower 2.4L I4 4-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 263000 mi US $150 |
Replaced Front Struts |
| 113000 mi US $198 |
broken power steering hose |
2003 Kia Optima 4dr Sedan
170-horsepower 2.7L V6 4-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 185000 mi US $60 |
Replaced all struts |
| 197000 mi US $100 |
Replaced upper control arms. |
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