10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
6 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
6 / 0
Average Mileage:
39,622 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.

2013 Kia Optima steering problems

steering problem

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2013 Kia Optima Owner Comments (Page 5 of 10)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #114

Jan 122019

Optima

  • 60,000 miles

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

The steering wheel just started making a clicking sound and it shacks when I was driving

- Krum, TX, USA

problem #113

Mar 302019

Optima

  • miles
Was driving drown the road out of my subdivision. Engine just shut down and wouldn't start. The car was in motion and just shut off. I am blessed that it didn't happen on the highway.

- Baytown, TX, USA

problem #112

Mar 062019

Optima

  • 200,000 miles
My car have been reading mechanism error on the radio for 6 months. Recently my lightbulb went out then the other, , I didn't have 100 a piece so I used high beam now one of those out. My backseat interior light out which all is fine I'm assuming jus need replacement. I was driving down the highway when I saw smoke then a loud pop my steering wheel locked up, , brakes in all I barely made it off the road the wheel was so tight. I get out to a exploded tire tore up bumper and fender. Eps engine light along with a few others are on. I get my car towed get the cracked rimmed fixed and proceeding to fix bumper and fender because I naturally assumed bad tires. Today I'm driving again I suddenly see smoke then the entire car shuts down. I've tried a boost everything came on except the engine. I tried putting the key in the side compartment still nothing. All lights are on, , on the dashboard engine tire pressure etc. I really can't say what's the problem but this is the second time it has happened. I'm losing money and my car. I'm without a car as of now.!

- Jackson, MS, USA

problem #111

Mar 182019

Optima

  • miles

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

Took the car into the dealer (nov16 60523 miles) because the steering had a sticking issue while driving. A tsb was performed and it did not correct the issue. The upper steering column assembly was replaced to correct the issue. The dealer said it would be a 50/50 cost as it was just out of warranty. On 18 Mar 2019 we took the car back to the dealership and was told the upper steering column assembly needed to be replaced again due to sticking. It was just over 2 years and 13677 miles again they told us it was just out of warranty. This is a safety issue with these electronic systems going out as it controls the steering of the car and as we can tell you has caused some over steering when the steering wheel sticks and additional pressure is applied to get the vehicle to respond to the steering input

- Topeka, KS, USA

problem #110

Mar 062019

Optima

  • 77,000 miles
It is impossible to travel safely in a lane because the steering wheel constantly needs to be corrected it veers from left to right the steering feels like it has a flat spot in steering that won't stay straight

- Taylorsville, UT, USA

problem #109

Jan 022019

Optima

  • 120,000 miles
When turning left or right, the steering wheel makes a noise, seems to get stuck. " when stationary or in motion the horn does not work. When in motion the cruise control does not work. When stationary or in motion, the steering wheel heater does not work and the radio volume control does not work. Airbag light is on.

- Smithfield, NC, USA

problem #108

Jan 012019

Optima

  • 73,500 miles

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

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. While driving 60 mph, the contact heard an abnormal noise and was unable to turn the steering wheel to the left. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 73,500.

- Sylmar, CA, USA

problem #107

Dec 072018

Optima

  • 119,000 miles
I was driving the vehicle when the battery light came on and then the car started to overheat and then just cut off. I tried to start the vehicle but would not start. Had it towed to Kia wich told me it was the pulleys froze up and shredded the belt. Now Kia just replaced my engine from the recall. Now I always have the oil changed every 3,000 miles and I take it to the same place everytime now when they changed the engine they said I would need a new alternator but that was it. Not to mention I just had it at Kia for a oil change and a free inspection. Which the inspection stated nothing about the belts or pulleys which are supposed to be inspected. So that is twice they missed a worn out idler pulley. Now the mechanic I had looking at it told me it was so worn that it broke off and that there is no way they missed it.

- Keystone Heights, FL, USA

problem #106

Nov 192018

Optima

  • 72,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. While driving 40 mph, an abnormal noise was heard from the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the steering washer failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The dealer was not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.

- Monroeville, AL, USA

problem #105

Feb 102018

Optima

  • 80,000 miles
Steering wheel wobbling and causing slack for no reason. Bearing or bolt has gone out. Dollar part will cost 350 to fix has to be done by dealership unsafe and ridiculous.

- Dayton, TX, USA

problem #104

Oct 102018

Optima

  • 71,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. While driving approximately 50 mph, the steering ability became difficult and the vehicle veered left and right. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 71,000.

- Boise, ID, USA

problem #103

Jun 012018

Optima

  • miles
There is a popping noise coming from steering column. Had tie rods inspected and are fine. Noise is coming from inside the steering column. It pops while moving or stationary.. it pops every time your change direction. Noise radiates from inside dashboard. Checked U joints and they are tight.

- Dickson, TN, USA

problem #102

May 302018

Optima

  • miles
The steering wheel is shaking making noises when operating.

- San Pablo, CA, USA

problem #101

Jan 012017

Optima

  • 50,000 miles
Takata recall there is a plastic part in the steering assist that is bad. Its all over youtube including mine. When the car is in motion you can hear the metal to metal clinking noise in the steering column. When you hit a bump it wants to jerk the steering wheel out of you hands. You can move the wheel from side to side and hear when in statioary as well.

- Nashville, TN, USA

problem #100

Apr 032018

Optima

  • 164,000 miles
My airbag light is on and my horn I blowing for up to 45 minutes randomly at anytime; driving or stationary. My car is unsafe. I had my car diagnose at cobb county Kia in kennesaw, ga 30144 and the service manager, joe told me that the issue was the clock spring which Kia has recalled on several other models. The car is unsafe; the airbag does not work at all. The dealership wants $600 for a safety issue.

- Kennesaw, GA, USA

problem #99

Aug 172017

Optima

  • 30,000 miles
On August 17th, 2017 after making a broken U turn, I drove my 2013 Kia Optima onto a road at a high rate of speed, to flow into traffic, and hit a curb that I believed I was clear of. I suffered whiplash and severe pain from my accelerator foot up to my shoulders as both hands were on the steering wheel. I have had to take off many days to rest since then. After a visit to the dealer where I reported the accident, the rep suggested that the car should have a front camera. After the accident I began to hear and feel noise and excessive play in the steering wheel, and took the car to my mechanic who discovered the faulty part, the flexible coupler and recommended I take it to the dealer to have the recalled part that caused accident replaced. I had had my suspicion's as to why the car had not been driven much by the previous owners, and that the inaccurate navigation may have caused them to have an accident, that was never reported. I believe I have case against the dealer and the manufacture, for my pain and suffering. As a tbi sufferer this last event is causing major complications; and now dizziness, depression, uncertainty and headaches have returned.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #98

May 152017

Optima

  • 90,600 miles
The issue we are having with our Kia is that when you turn the right 5-10 degrees and then go back to the left to straighten the car there is a notch that you would have to jerk the steering wheel to the left to get past it. This is the same bulletin that is posted on cars.com https://www.cars.com/articles/2011-14-Kia-Optima-steering-issue-1420684027147/ this is a huge safety issue that needs to be address and covered for all 2011-2014 Kia Optimas

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #97

Dec 062016

Optima

  • 63,419 miles
The steering is bad. It's been like that since I bought it. When it's windy my car is all over the place it's hard to steer. I have to align it every year. I took it for an alignment and they want to charge me $1220.50 to change the mdps steering wheel column. My steering wheel will not center right. I've already almost had a couple of accidents due to the steering when it's windy and also on the freeway. It's unsafe and I don't have the money to put out for a new mdps steering wheel column.. I love my car but it's unsafe. It's happens when it's windy or when I drive on the freeway. I seen online there is a lot of complaints about the same issue. I feel it should be recalled or someone's going to lose their life if they haven't already.

- Victorville, CA, USA

problem #96

Nov 272017

Optima

  • 72,000 miles
Steering wheel has a catch or notch sometimes in cold weather when trying to turn the wheel.

- Cuyahoga Falls, OH, USA

problem #95

Nov 252017

Optima

  • 68,000 miles
Steering has a dead spot near the center and it feels like it gets hung up when the wheel is turned either direction and it jumps when alternating left to right or right to left it feels unsafe and jumpy wheels will not ever stay in a straight centered position when you try to correct the jump in the steering over corrects causing a back and forth just to stay in one lane the noise it makes is a clunk and is most noticeable while sitting at idle turing the wheel back and forth even one inch

- Fresno, CA, USA

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