10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
43,069 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 3 of 9)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #132

Dec 052018

Optima

  • 143,000 miles

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

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.

- Pottstown, PA, USA

problem #131

Mar 092019

Optima

  • 56,628 miles
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

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #130

Mar 102017

Optima

  • miles
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.

- Leland, MS, USA

problem #129

Jul 202018

Optima

  • 120,000 miles

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

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.

- Hesperia, CA, USA

problem #128

Feb 152019

Optima

  • 40,000 miles
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.

- Farmers Branch, TX, USA

problem #127

Oct 012018

Optima

  • 48,500 miles
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.

- Ronkonkoma, NY, USA

problem #126

Jun 072012

Optima 4-cyl

  • 500 miles

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

"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

- Fresno, CA, USA

problem #125

Nov 052018

Optima

  • 100,000 miles
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.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #124

Dec 052018

Optima

  • 95,000 miles
Steering is loose, clicks, wheel shakes while stationary or in motion

- Clay, NY, USA

problem #123

Apr 042018

Optima

  • 50,000 miles
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.

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #122

Oct 152018

Optima

  • 95,000 miles

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

When I turn my steering wheel it makes a clicking noise & vibrates at time. Makes noises when II MA driving on less that supremely smooth roads

- Dayton, OH, USA

problem #121

Nov 032018

Optima 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,590 miles
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.

- Grant, AL, USA

problem #120

Aug 312018

Optima

  • 79,000 miles
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.

- Long Beach, CA, USA

problem #119

Sep 032018

Optima

  • 157,000 miles
Steering wheel would click when turning. The beginning of the turn was not smooth.now the steering column rattles whenever I hit a bump in the road

- Bayonne, NJ, USA

problem #118

Jul 152018

Optima

  • 51,000 miles
While driving, steering makes noise and rattle. Contacted Kia dealer in fremont and Kia corporation about the issues. No response.

- Fremont, CA, USA

problem #117

May 012018

Optima 4-cyl

  • 114,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. While driving unknown speeds, the steering wheel made an abnormal rattling noise. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The local dealer and the manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 114,000. The VIN was not available. * consumer steering wheel makes abnormal noises when driving over bumpy roads and turning even when car isn't moving it, makes a noise just by moving steering wheel. Updated 10/26/18

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #116

Aug 032018

Optima

  • 67,000 miles
Continuous clicking noise while steering at all speeds. Sounds like something is loose in steering column. Was told it could be steering coupler/

- Lutz, FL, USA

problem #115

Jul 012018

Optima

  • 155,000 miles
I have noticed that when the car is not moving and I move the steering wheel from side to side I can hear a light popping noise. Also the steering wheel has excessive vibration and raddling when I am driving between 65-75 on the highway, it decreases at 80 mph. This also happens if I have to brake suddenly. It is not an issue with the tires or alignment.

- Cameron, MO, USA

problem #114

May 062017

Optima

  • 36,000 miles
The steering column inside started making noises like something cracked inside nowthe sterling wheel make noises on every turn.

- Jersey City, NJ, USA

problem #113

Jun 132012

Optima 4-cyl

  • miles
Problems start in 2012 engine recall in 2017 was replace, steering recall in 2018 steering coupling was replace how ever my rack and pinion was affected and needs to be replace. We call them in 2012 regarding the steering wheel witch they didn't fix at that time which caused rack and pinion to wear out. We went to three different dealer ships regarding this car and nothing was done. This car is still giving us problems and we want the manufacture to either give us our money back or fix this problem this car is a hazard to our family, if something ist done some one is going to get hurt in this car!!!. this car stop on us in traffic someone could of gotten hurt, aaa had to pull this car to the selma dealer ship at that time. On the freeway the steering wheel would pull side to side that's dangerous. From 2012 until now this car is still giving us problems. We have all the paper work that was done on this lemon.why don't someone help these consumers out here with these problem on the Kia. I need help as asap. Sincerely, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Fresno, CA, USA

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