This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
While parking my car into the garage I notice as I was turning my steering wheel to the right to straighten the car I heard a clunking noise. I also notice it while I moved the steering wheel side to side stationary I will still hear the noise on the right.. I've never heard this noise until today.
As I drive the car, she has a tendency of going either to the left or the right. I have to forcefully rectify my steering wheel and someone behind me would see that I'm drivimg erratically. It is annoying while driving to have to give to the steering wheel a notch to the left or to the right when actually you want to go straight. Is there a recall on the problem. I bought the car 2 years ago and they told me that was the only problem they had with it.they had to change the rack and pinion. And now she's doing it again. It does that on any street or highway.
The steering column is making a clicking noise like something is loose inside it. I am afraid it will break completely and I'll lose all steering while I'm driving. It makes the noise when I hit a bump or veering left or right. It feels like it jerks. I travel quite a bit and have a one year old child. I've also read many complaints about this model having the same issue with other people. I am writing this complaint because I feel that this is not an isolated problem and am asking someone to look at this problem and address it. Thank you for your time.
The problem: In affected Kia Optima vehicles, a condition may exist where drivers may feel a 'notchy' or "clunky" sound or 'slipping' condition when turning the steering wheel left or right. It is believed by other Kia Optima owners and or mechanics who may be familiar with the issue that this may be due to either a software glitch in the Optima's electronic steering system or a faulty power steering motor assembly, U-joint in the steering assembly, or the steering coupler. Owners are unable to find any known recall on this issue, but mechanics believe that this is a very common fault in the Kia Optima years 2011-2014.
- Oakley, CA, USA
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2012 Kia Optima with 43000 miles # airbag warning light stays on and checking different seating position/ restarting the ignition the warning light still stays on. # steering wheel feels sticky while driving straight, which needs immediate correction by moving left /right. If not it keeps going towards one direction constantly. Dealership recommended to get the wheel alignment done, but no improvement as per steering wheel even after getting alignment done.
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. While driving approximately 60 mph over a bump in the road, a rattling noise was heard from the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who referred the contact to a dealer. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 143,000.
While driving on the highway I have noticed that the steering wheel sticks when I am trying to keep the car going straight in my lane. It's tricky to move the steering wheel while driving especially at high speed. The steering wheel doesn't move freely to perform short steering corrections. You don't noticed this in the turn but on straight road driving
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the headlights failed to illuminate and there was extremely poor visibility. Also, the oil light randomly illuminated several times. The dealer (ossett Kia South, 2680 mt moriah rd, memphis, tn 38115, (901) 328-8173) was unable to determine the cause of the failures. The contact replaced the headlight assemblies more than five times, but the visibility was still poor. The contact also noticed an abnormal odor in the vehicle. The dealer indicated that without the check engine indicator illuminated, they would not replace the catalytic converter. The contact stated that the warranty expired without the part being replaced. The fan also failed to function, but the failure was not remedied. The dealer also performed a repair per an unknown recall regarding the steering; however, the remedy failed to provide a solution for the steering coupler and the steering wheel was no longer straight. Also, the sun roof and moon roof glass had a crack going down to the driver's side of the vehicle where it met the windshield. There was also an abnormal noise progressing due to the failures. The manufacturer and dealer were notified of the steering failure, headlight failure, and moisture in the rear camera. The failure mileage was not available.
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. While driving and making turns or just turning the steering wheel when the vehicle was parked, a knocking noise was heard from the steering wheel. There was no warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
Kia Optima 2012 has very sticky steering wheel issues. It just drift left or right constantly on the straight drive. It happens on any speed limits and more noticeable on straight drives. It just stucks until you correct with extra force.this is very serious and scary. This model does have electric steering so I don't know if that is the problem. I have seen many owners have complained about the same issue and got it fixed after replacing coupling lower shaft steering shaft. This could cause serious accident.
When operating the vehicle the steering column gets stuck and clicks.it prevents you from turning the steering wheel and makes it unsafe when attempting to turn the wheel.it does this every time the vehicle is in operation.
"takata recall"while driving this car on the highway I notice noise coming from the front. I've had problem with this same thing since 2012, first the string it would pull left and right on its own while drive straight. Kia said they would fix it. There was a recall on this problem, now my rack and pinion is broken, and that's because Kia refuse to fix that problem back in 2012 with the string. Kia sent us a settlement letter, which states they will paid us $531.95 by means of a check, it states it is understood and agreed that this settlement is a compromise of disputed claims and does not constitute, an admission of liability on the part of Kia. We did not sing that letter because Kia cars are no good! and there has been recalls since that letter was sent. They tried to black mail us we didn't fall for the scam. The company know this car is no good. If you need that letter sent to you I can do that to. Someone could die because of this problem its dangerous, I work in the mountains this problem needs fixing now not later now!!!. sincerely, need this problem fix
Steering is becoming more and more unresponsive, increasing rotational of play from the steering wheel. Initially noticed July 2017 but has been steadily increasing. While driving on interstate the delayed response of the steering wheel made it difficult to avoid a vehicle swerving into my lane.
My 2012 Optima pops and makes a clicking noise when turning and is harder to turn them normal and rattles over bumps. Based off my research online it's a bad cheap plastic steering coupler. There are numerous complaints online as well as youtube videos addressing this safety issue. I believe it is the same problem that the soul got recalled for. Here is just one link of many videos I found on google. Https://youtu.be/bmmvjlf2zro please get this issue resolved for the people that can't afford the $600 the dealership charges to replace it when it shouldn't be an issue. This should not be a wear and tear piece of equipment. I hope Kia can fix this in the future and fix the cars out there that have faulty steering with a cheap piece of plastic, it's to dangerous to cut corners when it comes to the steering of a motor vehicle and from what I've seen it's a big problem with a lot of there products. Please recall so they can correct this to prevent future accidents and maybe so they change this for there future vehicles. It clicks while moving and stationary and sometimes is harder to turn then others which is not safe because you never know how hard you have to jerk the wheel or not.
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. While driving the vehicle, the steering wheel began to veer left and right without warning. The contact stated that while making turns, the steering wheel jerked and resisted, which made it difficult to control. The dealer (university Kia, 6519 university dr nw, huntsville, al 35806) was contacted and advised the contact to bring the vehicle to them for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was also contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 40,590.
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated while driving. The contact also stated that the buttons on the steering wheel failed to function. The vehicle was taken to Kia of cerritos (located at 18201 studebaker rd, cerritos, ca 90703, (562) 860-2424) where it was diagnosed that the air bag switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 18V363000 (air bags). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 79,000.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Romeoville, IL, USA