There are 5 owner-reported suspension complaints for the 2006 Kia Optimain NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
OH REAR LOWER SWING ARM SUPPORTING THE SPRING BROKE LETTING THE SPRING COME OUT OF POSITION AND LETTING THE WHEEL TILT AS IF FLAT. THE LOWER ARM HAD RUSTED IN TWO ALLOWING THIS TO HAPPEN.
REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM RUSTED THROUGH AND BROKE IN HALF CAUSING IT TO DRAG ON THE GROUND AND THE TIRE TO PUSH OUTWARD
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS DRAGGING ON THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE CONTROL ARM HAD FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000.
FRONT SUSPENSION RATTLES, BOUNCES NOT ABSORBING BUMPS AND ROAD WELL FOR A NEW CAR. TIRES SOUND HOLLOW OVER BUMPS, AND PING ALSO. TIRES HAVE BEEN REPLACED BY KUMHO TIRE MANUFACTURE, BUT STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. DEALER SAYS THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT END OF THE CAR. I HAVE BEEN REQUESTING HELP FROM DEALER SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM LIGHT IS ALWAYS GOING ON NO MATTER IF I HAVE LESS AIR OR MORE AIR IN THE TIRES, ITS BECOME A REAL PROBLEM. *TR
IMMEDIATELY AFTER PURCHASING MY 2006 KIA OPTIMA, I NOTICED A DISTINCT "CLUNKING" SOUND EMANATING FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION EVERY TIME I ENCOUNTERED A SHARP BUMP IN THE ROAD. I COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND WAS TOLD THAT "THEY ARE ALL LIKE THAT." I DO NOT CONSIDER THIS A SATISFACTORY RESPONSE. *TR
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 26, 2026