At the shop, Kia suspension issues have a recognizable signature. 479 documented complaints across 47 year-model entries from 2005 to 2024 is consistent with what we see come in. 2006 Kia Sedona tops the list, but the pattern repeats across years. Multiple generations are affected. 5 fire reports on the federal record — not common in this category but documented and worth weight. Across the 166 complaints reporting odometer mileage, the median failure lands at about 101,314 miles. Average shop fix runs about $900 — not catastrophic, but it adds up over time. A quick test drive over rough pavement reveals more than the carfax. Listen for clunks on bumps and watch the steering wheel for tramlining.
ProblemsByVin KIA / SUSPENSION
47 model-year entries · 2005–2024
Kia suspension problems
479 owner complaints filed with NHTSA against Kia vehicles for suspension issues. 3 active recall campaigns. See suspension across all makes →
Complaints
479
Recalls
3
Year-models
47
Avg fix
$900
23crashes
5fires
16injuries
Worst-affected Kia model-years for suspension Top 25 by complaint volume
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
2006 Kia Sedona
77 complaints · ~$900 moderate
2011 Kia Sorento
47 complaints · ~$900 severe
2020 Kia Telluride
27 complaints · ~$900 moderate
2005 Kia Sorento
24 complaints · ~$900 moderate
2012 Kia Sorento
19 complaints · ~$900 moderate
2007 Kia Sedona
17 complaints · ~$900 moderate
2024 Kia EV9
16 complaints · ~$900 severe
2008 Kia Sedona
14 complaints · ~$900 severe
2021 Kia Telluride
13 complaints · ~$900 moderate
2013 Kia Optima
12 complaints · ~$900 severe
2011 Kia Optima
12 complaints · ~$900 severe
2005 Kia Sedona
11 complaints · ~$900 severe
2016 Kia Sorento
10 complaints · 1 recall · ~$900 severe
2014 Kia Sorento
10 complaints · ~$900 moderate
2006 Kia Sorento
10 complaints · ~$900 moderate
2011 Kia Sedona
9 complaints · ~$900 moderate
2008 Kia Rondo
9 complaints · ~$900 moderate
2022 Kia Telluride
8 complaints · ~$900 moderate
2012 Kia Optima
8 complaints · ~$900 severe
2011 Kia Soul
8 complaints · ~$900 moderate
2013 Kia Sorento
7 complaints · ~$900 moderate
2023 Kia Telluride
6 complaints · ~$900 moderate
2016 Kia Soul
6 complaints · ~$900 severe
2015 Kia Optima
6 complaints · ~$900 severe
2008 Kia Sorento
6 complaints · ~$900 severe
Active recalls — Kia suspension 5 on file
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016 Sorento vehicles
The improper weld may break, affecting the rear suspension alignment, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the welds at the rear suspension cross-member, replacing the rear cross-member assembly, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 27, 2016. Owners may contact Kia Customer Service Department at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC137.
Kia America, Inc
Front lower control arm failure can cause a sudden loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Dealers will replace the right front lower control arm, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 27, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC283.
Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2006-2012 Kia Sedona vehicles manufactured from June 15, 2005, through August 14, 2012 originally sold in, or currently registered in Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Wisconsin, Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio, Rhode Island, West Virginia or the District of Columbia
A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Kia will notify owners and dealers will inspect the degree of corrosion of the front lower control arms, and will either rustproof or replace them, free of charge. The recall began on December 20, 2013. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall number is SC100.
Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2006-2012 Kia Sedona vehicles manufactured from June 15, 2005, through August 14, 2012 and originally sold in, or currently registered in Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia
A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Kia will notify owners and dealers will replace the front lower control arms on 2006-2007 models. 2008-2012 models will either have their front lower control arms replaced or additional anti-corrosion coating will be applied. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on July 27, 2016. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC133.
Kia America, Inc
Front lower control arm failure can cause a sudden loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Dealers will replace the right front lower control arm, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 17, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC306. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 23V-649.
Common questions
How many Kia suspension complaints are on file with NHTSA?
479 complaints across 47 model-year entries from 2005 to 2024. 3 active recall campaigns cover suspension issues across the Kia lineup.
Which Kia model has the most suspension complaints?
The 2006 Kia Sedona leads with 77 complaints in this category. Next: 2011 Sorento (47) and 2020 Telluride (27).
What does it cost to fix Kia suspension problems?
Independent shops average $900 for suspension repairs across the Kia lineup. Dealer pricing tends to run twenty to forty percent higher. Specific cost depends on the failure mode and parts availability.
Are there Kia suspension recalls?
Yes — 5 active recall campaigns cover suspension on Kia vehicles. Recall fixes are free regardless of mileage or warranty status. The list below shows current campaigns with their NHTSA numbers.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database.
Editorial commentary written by Shop Foreman, an independent contributor to ProblemsByVin
and not affiliated with Kia.
Severity ratings derive from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities on the NHTSA complaint and recall record.
Repair cost averages reflect independent-shop pricing and may differ in your area.