Steering

Kia Optima Steering problems by year

759 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Kia Optima's steering. Loss of power steering, stiff or loose steering, wandering, column and rack problems.

Steering complaints by model year

'01 '02 '03 '04 '05 '06 '07 '08 '09 '10 '11 '12 213'13 '14 '15 '16 '17 '18 '19 '20

Year	Steering complaints	Crashes	Injuries
2020	2	0	0
2019	6	0	0
2018	12	0	0
2017	11	2	2
2016	24	2	0
2015	69	4	1
2014	97	1	1
2013	213	6	6
2012	188	3	1
2011	100	0	0
2010	2	1	1
2009	7	0	0
2008	4	0	0
2007	2	0	0
2006	2	0	0
2005	2	1	0
2004	7	1	1
2003	2	0	0
2002	8	2	1
2001	1	0	0

Latest Optima steering complaints

2014 Kia Optima Steering

1. Component or system that failed/malfunctioned & availability for inspection: The Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) system and the steering column assembly have failed. The vehicle and the defective steering column are fully available for inspection upon request. 2. How safety was put at risk: A known, dealer-diagnosed defective steering column compromises structural steering control. Operating a vehicle with an unresolved steering column defect creates an immediate risk of catastrophic steering failure,...

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locking, or sudden loss of control at high speeds, placing myself, my passengers, and other drivers in imminent danger. 3. Reproduction or confirmation by a dealer/independent center: The problem was explicitly confirmed by a certified Kia dealership. After a prior flex coupler repair, a severe whining noise immediately developed upon leaving the lot. I returned the car, and the dealership's secondary inspection confirmed that the entire steering column was defective and required complete replacement. They issued an official itemized cost invoice for the replacement work. 4. Inspection by manufacturer, police, insurance, or others: The component was formally inspected by the local authorized Kia dealership. However, the dealership subsequently misinformed Kia Corporate by falsely reporting that the vehicle was fully "resolved" to close the corporate case file, leaving the safety hazard unaddressed. 5. Warning lamps, messages, or prior symptoms: There were no warning lamps or dashboard messages. The primary symptom was a distinct, loud whining noise that developed immediately following the dealer's physical teardown and replacement of the steering flex coupler. The issue became persistent from that exact date forward.

2014 Kia Optima Steering

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact's son stated that while driving 30 MPH, the steering wheel became inoperable. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized, and significant effort was required to control or turn the steering wheel. The contact's son also became aware of an electrical burning odor during the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure by telephone. The failure mileage was approximately 153,000.

2014 Kia Optima Steering

Steering effort loss. Can't drive vehicle as steering wheel is hard to move. EPS and Traction light came on. Could cause accident as I was driving and with no warning could not make turns unless using excessive force.

2015 Kia Optima Steering Engine & cooling Fuel system

This is a formal vehicle safety complaint regarding a manufacturer's active refusal to remedy a known safety defect under an active recall campaign guidelines.My 2015 Kia Optima Turbo experienced an active internal mechanical engine knock, violent sputtering, and a complete engine seizure. The vehicle is currently sitting un-driveable at an authorized Kia dealership.The required Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software update was successfully completed on this vehicle prior to the incident, legally qualifying...

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it for a 100% free long-block engine replacement under the manufacturer's active Lifetime Warranty extension. However, the dealership service department is actively withholding the safety warranty paperwork and refusing to submit the diagnostic photos and engine seizure data to corporate for warranty approval unless I agree to pay an additional $800 out of pocket for an external throttle body and O2 sensor.I have explicitly declined the retail accessory charges five separate times. I only authorize the replacement of my front sway bar links. Instead of separating the ticket and processing the free engine block safety remedy, the dealer is holding my safety warranty hostage to force a retail sale. Furthermore, a manufacturer consumer care representative recently refused to listen to my request on this matter and dropped the call.The manufacturer is using internal technical advice to block a court-ordered safety remedy and is allowing a dealership to use unauthorized retail accessory charges to deny me a safe, operating vehicle. I request immediate federal intervention to force the manufacturer to release the free engine block safety replacement order to the dealer and halt these predatory dealer practices.

2013 Kia Optima Steering

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the steering wheel was difficult to turn. There was an abnormal clicking sound coming from the vehicle and the vehicle was uncontrollable. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the coupling in the steering wheel needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that there was no coverage under the warranty extension for the MDPS flexible coupling. The failure mileage was approximately 139,000.

2012 Kia Optima Steering

Steering flexible coupling was a recall over 10 years ago, it was replaced. The steering wheel "sticks" and it's catching again and they will not do anything. I'm not happy that this is an ongoing problem and can be dangerous if it sticks at the wrong time!

2013 Kia Optima Steering Transmission & drivetrain Engine & cooling

the engine revs high and transmission wont shift and when you turn the steering wheel ya get a loud click and the steering wheels jumps

2014 Kia Optima Steering

Steering coupler issue. When turning the steering wheel. It is making a clunking noise even when in park and making it feel not smooth to turn the wheel either way. Very distracting and awkward when driving. When speeding up you can feel the issue with the steering coupler more. You can feel the noise and clunk feel when driving over bumps and turns. There has been a campaign/recall for other makes and models. But this car hasn't been included.

2013 Kia Optima Steering

The steering column From the car has diminished causing dangerous shaking on highway at high speeds

2017 Kia Optima Steering

Since 4/1 my car has intermittently lost power steering. I received dashboard warning lights and the wheel was difficult to turn. When I shutoff the car and turned back on, the warning lights were gone and the steering returned. My mechanic did a diagnostic and found the following codes c1259, c1260, c1290 and c1688 each time the incident occurred. After research, we discovered these codes relate to TBS CHA114 and TSB CHA864 under extended warranty WTY023. I was unable to upload the TBS documents. The same...

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thing happened on 6/18. I brought the car to a different dealer. The first time they supposedly did a diagnostic and said there were no codes. I have pictures of the codes. They said it did not matter because the codes need to be active and the lights need to be on the dashboard. The second time at a different dealer, they didn't do a diagnostic but said it did not matter because the codes need to be active. No where is any documentation does it say the codes need to be active. They are stored in history and Freeze frame data. It is impossible for me to get the car there with the illuminated dash and "active" codes because when it happens, I cannot steer the car and when I shut if off they go away. Plus when I get to the dealer, they will tell me they cannot take me and to make an appointment. I am now working with KIA escalation department but she informed me today that she did not have the authority to authorize a dealer to repair the car. When I asked who does she said I need a techline which is opened by the dealership. WHAT??? This all started with the dealer. The car is now having glitches with the steering while driving. IT IS DANGEROUS AND I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. I have no idea when the steering might go out. I need help in getting a Kia dealership to fix the issue under the extended warranty they sent me in 2022. I am so sick of the run around and brush off. How do I get this accomplished?

2012 Kia Optima Steering Airbags

I had a engine replaced 1600 miles ago delarsship advised it was ok to drive gave me a vechicle back with abs light tracation control light on along with a exuast leak

2012 Kia Optima Steering Wheels & tires Brakes

I bought this car February 2026 when I drove it on the freeway they car felt wiggly not the axle is broke and the wheel bearings stop the car from going

2012 Kia Optima Steering Electrical system Airbags

The horn stops working, steering heat stop working, control functions and air bag warning. I changed the clock spring and it fixed all those issues the first time but within 6 months all those issues happened again. Is there something more wrong?

2014 Kia Optima Steering

Steering violently shakes at 65 mph. Steering wheel makes a clunking noise when moving side to side.

2013 Kia Optima Steering

Clanking noise is steering column and very loose steering.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data