10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
41,617 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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.

2012 Kia Optima steering problems

steering problem

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2012 Kia Optima Owner Comments (Page 5 of 9)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #98

Aug 112017

Optima

  • 75,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Loud clicking noise when turning the steering wheel both ways making steering and driving very unstable.

- Naples, FL, USA

problem #97

Aug 022017

Optima

  • 20 miles
When driving the steering wheel makes a loud clicking noise and if you hit a bumb its louder. If you barely turn the wheel while driving you can hear it make a clicking sound. When you hit a bumb it intensifies the sound and and makes you think something is loose in the steering column.

- Oklahoma City, OK, USA

problem #96

Jan 012016

Optima

  • 90,000 miles
Airbag light is consistently on which means it won't deploy during an accident, buttons on steering wheel aren't working, and steering wheel heater isn't working. Dealership claims clockspring is worn out. Previous models of Optimas have had same problem and eventually a recall was made. Hopefully this gets resolves before a wreck happens and injury is caused by this airbag defect.

- Denton, TX, USA

problem #95

Jun 012017

Optima

  • 49,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

When streering the vehicle, in motion or still, the steering wheel makes a clicking sound. Going over any bump it rattles N shakes.

- Nacogdoches, TX, USA

problem #94

Apr 212017

Optima

  • 71,000 miles
Engine started making loud clicking noise lost power while driving home on busy highway took car to nearest auto shop owner states sounds like internal engine problem advised to have car towed to Kia dealership had car towed on 04/22/2017 to dealership. Have not received any notice of a recall.car has been sitting at dealership for over a month they called and stated that car had internal engine problems but still have not started on repairing the car has been at dealership for over a month.

- Macon, GA, USA

problem #93

Jan 312017

Optima

  • miles
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, a clicking noise could be heard coming from the steering column and it was also loose. The contact stated that no warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Winston-Salen, NC, USA

problem #92

Apr 052017

Optima

  • 110,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

On April 5th 2017, my Kia Optima started to make a horrible sound. I was on hwy 26 headed into portland or. Going through the tunnel, as I was going into the tunnel the horrible knocking noise started. There was cars in front of me and cars behind me. This was at 4:30 am.. all the lights on the dash came on, I had no brakes, no steering and no way to accelerate. Drifted to the side and had it towed.

- Hillsboro, OR, USA

problem #91

Apr 102017

Optima

  • 51,000 miles
At 40,000 miles the steering began getting 'sticky' or 'stuck' at the 12 oclock position. It was particularly noticable when cruising down the highway. It got so bad that it was impossible not to overcorrect and veer left and right (mildly). The dealer replaced a part called the flex coupler and the problem vanished. One year later, at 51,000 miles the car is doing the exact same thing again. Now, however, the car is out of warranty (by a month). The dealer tells me that it needs a new steering column and that will cost me <> 1500 dollars. If my experiences are any indication, I will be replacing steering parts every 10,000 miles"?? bad steering is very pretty unsafe guys. Think we can do something about this" I'm not the only person with this problem.

- Howe, TX, USA

problem #90

Feb 012016

Optima

  • miles
Column shaked and rattled when I went over bumps or made turns, the dealer, classic Kia in lewisville tx, charged me $689 to repair. Per my internet search this is a known problem and takes approximately 45 minutes to repair and the part cost a max of $15

- Carrollton, TX, USA

problem #89

Nov 212016

Optima

  • miles
I took car in for the clicking noise in steering wheel. While car was up inair on stands. The rep stated their was a small leak coming from the turbo oil feed line. However it was not cover under warranty because its not the turbo. I told the it is if its feeding the oil. I did some research on the problem and found that it is a common issue with all of their cars and they are refusing to fix the issue. I told the rep that if the oil causes a burning smell it can cause a fire. I was told the manager would call me but now they are not taking my calls about replacing the line to the turbo.

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #88

Nov 072016

Optima

  • 52,827 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. While driving various speeds, the steering column vibrated and a loud noise was heard. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the steering column would need to be removed in order to diagnose the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 52,827. The VIN was unavailable.

- League City, TX, USA

problem #87

Nov 012016

Optima

  • 98,696 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. While driving approximately 50 mph, the steering wheel made a loud clunking noise and began to shake uncontrollably without warning. The vehicle was taken to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 98,696.

- Preston, GA, USA

problem #86

Sep 012016

Optima

  • miles
I have a 2012 Kia Optima and my steering wheel is making a loud clanking noise when I hit a bump in the road or slightly turn the wheel. I have searched on line and it's saying it is a cluster not sure wat that is I have been told it should be under recall because that can cause the steering wheel to loose it's directions and I could either cause and accident or be part of one

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #85

Oct 312016

Optima

  • 85,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that there was an abnormal clicking sound in the steering column. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the lock in the steering wheel fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

- Desoto, TX, USA

problem #84

Nov 102016

Optima

  • 65,000 miles
My 2012 Kia Optima sx T-gdi only has 70K miles and is giving me steering issues (loud popping/clicking noises, which you can feel as well). These issues are felt at all different speeds, and all different turning angles. I was informed, as many people have, that the flex coupling needs to be replaced ($4 part, but over $200 in labor). I am not willing to pay this due to a faulty part, so Kia needs to step up and issue a recall before it's too late! in conducting my own research, I am one of hundreds that are having this same exact issue.

- Middleburg, FL, USA

problem #83

Jan 012016

Optima

  • 56,000 miles
The steering column clunks when turning left or right, parked or when driving, it has a big gap (play) that makes a clunking noise when turning the wheel left or right. The gap and clunking noise is getting worse.

- Kathleen, GA, USA

problem #82

Jan 172016

Optima

  • miles
There an awful clicking/clunking sound coming from steering wheel when you turn or hit a bump/cross tracks..been told has something to do with flexible coupling inside steering wheel vehicle is always in motion when this happens car only has 100600. Miles it doesn't matter if in city or other highways

- Douglasville, GA, USA

problem #81

Sep 272016

Optima

  • 44,000 miles
While driving vehicle and making a turns steering wheel began to make a loud thunk. When parking whether turning left or right car makes loud thunk. Called Kia and they said they've been having problems with the flex coupling.

- Plano, TX, USA

problem #80

Mar 012016

Optima

  • 60,000 miles
Gear or bearing defective in steering column.excessive motion, play and noise when operating vehicle. Contacted dealer but there has not been any recall regarding this problem. Dealer service dept. Quoted repair to be approximately 300 dollars. When is Kia going to recall vehicles with this malfunction ?

- Rome, GA, USA

problem #79

May 182016

Optima

  • miles
I took my car to get a oil change and the guy that was moving the car was so worried about the steering. He stated that I needed to get it serviced at the Kia dealership asap. The steering seems to be clicking and when I hit a small dip or pothole in the road it clicks and sounds like the whole front end is coming off. I was told that this is not covered by the warranty with the vehicle which I think is crazy. I could see if it was something that I did I would take care of that repair. However there are a lot of other people that are having this same problem. I'm really thinking about trading in this vehicle and moving on to someone who does take care of their cars and customers. I was told that this is a common problem with these cars.

- Jacksonville, NC, USA

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