10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
6 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
6 / 0
Average Mileage:
39,631 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 1 of 10)

problem #185

Jul 152023

Optima

  • 50,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and driving a bump in the roadway, the steering wheel vibrated briefly before returning to normal functionality, which had since become a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related it to TSB: CHA-060, but the vehicle was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 50,000.

- Turtle Creek, PA, USA

problem #184

Aug 032013

Optima

  • miles
Every since I purchased this car in 2013 I have had nothing but trouble out of it I have called the Kia company numberous times and they never respond all I asked them to do is replace the car I trusted in Kia I love my car but it is severely dangerous please help me before it gets me and my family hurt

- Hi Hat , KY, USA

problem #183

Jul 242023

Optima

  • miles
MDPS FLEXIBLE COUPLING has failed. We hear a clunking sound whenever we turn the steering wheel. The wheel heavily vibrates while driving when hitting a slight bump, pothole, or when turning. Worried that this will affect the steering and won't be able to control the vehicle now that the coupling has failed. Dealership and a separate car repair place has confirmed and reproduced the issue. No warning messages or lights. Kia is refusing the replace this since it has been more than 10 years since the vehicle was first serviced. Was never notified about this issue when they first reported the TSB in mid-2016. https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2017/MC-10109834-9999.pdf

- Centreville, VA, USA

problem #182

Jul 012023

Optima

  • miles

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

Unknown

- Weldon , CA, USA

problem #181

Apr 012023

Optima

  • miles
2013 Kia Optima, 45K miles, owned in family since new and regularly maintained -- steering clunks, feels loose and "broken" when moved left and right, so driving may be unsafe. We believe this is due to the CS1604 Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) Flexible Coupling issue previously identified. However, the extension has just now expired and we can't get Kia dealership nor Kia itself to extend coverage further. No warning lamps or messages show, and yes, the vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Kia case number is available upon request.

- Sun Prairie, WI, USA

problem #180

Jun 212023

Optima

  • miles
The ESC kight keeps turning on. The brake lights wont turn off, it wont let me accelerate while im driving at different speeds or it will decelerate abruptly. Yes its available for inspection. My safety and the safety of my two young children were at risk multiple times. This is my daily driver. And i was driving them to school when the car would not let me accelerate and someone almost hit me from the back. Also it happened to us on the freeway a few times as we are driving 65 mph the car decelerates abruptly almost causing major accidents while my children are in the vehicle with me. Not yet, i called the nearest kia dealer and they didnt have appointment ls until july - august. There were no warning lights at all. At first we didnt know what was the problem. After the few times it happened then the ESC light turned on and it stays on. Also the brake light wont turn off even when the car is off.

- Corona , CA, USA

problem #179

Apr 052023

Optima

  • miles

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

Flexible coupler in the MDPS (p/n 56315) is failing and it is causing clicking and clunking when the steering wheel is turned to the left and right. The problem has been reproduced and confirmed by the dealer. No warning lamps or messages are visible indicating this failure.

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #178

Jan 202022

Optima

  • 95,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering column experienced excessive shaking and vibration making the vehicle difficult to steer. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure and a service appointment was scheduled. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #177

Apr 072023

Optima

  • miles
Steering coupler went bad. Steering wheel rattles, badly

- Louisville , KY, USA

problem #176

Jan 012022

Optima

  • miles
While driving my 2013 KIA Optima at 65+ mph steering wheel shakes & has a loud clicking noise. The problem has worsened. I have reported this prior. Now it has caused the need to have a frontend alignment.

- Kalamazoo, MI, USA

problem #175

Sep 092021

Optima

  • miles

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

2013 Kia Optima EX 2.4L, the problem started at 100,000 miles. The vehicle now has 150,000 miles and the steering has become increasingly more resistant (sticking/glitchy) on turns. Kia corporation is well aware of the problem, due to onboard computer issues.

- Silverdale, WA, USA

problem #174

Oct 202022

Optima

  • 72,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the steering wheel became stiff. The contact stated that while accelerating the steering wheel started to shake abnormally. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the power steering rack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that there was no recall for the failure. The failure mileage was 72,000.

- Easton, PA, USA

problem #173

Oct 212022

Optima

  • miles
1. The vehicle has been smoking and constantly burning all the oil. 2. Paint has been pealing all over the car. 3. Electronic parking brakes not working at all now and vehicle will not pass inspection. 4. Electronic steering assist not working tripping the warning light on the dash.

- Haverhill, MA, USA

problem #172

Sep 052022

Optima

  • miles
While driving there is a ticking noise in the steering column and it shakes badly. This make the vehicle a little less controllable. 2 Certified mechanics believes it is a coupling or possibly a U joint at the bottom of the steering column. No lights on the dash and no other symptoms prior to this issue. This problem started about on or about September 5th 2022. This occurs during low and higher speeds of travel.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #171

Sep 092022

Optima

  • miles
I have a clicking sound turning wheel left and to the right. When going over bumps on road. After going on line find other Kia also have this proble with the rubber coupler. And it still going on.

- Coraopolis, Pa, PA, USA

problem #170

Aug 152022

Optima

  • 160,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel was shaking and making a clicking sound. While attempting to turn, the steering column felt like it was slipping or felt loosened. The failure increase was more evident while driving 50 MPH or more. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000

- Helendale, CA, USA

problem #169

Jul 052022

Optima

  • miles
Steering wheel started clicking when turned right or left. When I drive over bumps or holes, steering column clanks and clunks loudly. Steering wheel vibrates at times and feels loose. Possible issue with steering coupler or steering column and I've read that this should be a recall.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #168

Dec 012021

Optima

  • 115,000 miles
The contact's son owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal clicking sound was coming from the steering wheel while steering the vehicle in either direction without warning. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who informed her that if the steering column was not replaced, the power steering would fail to operate as needed. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer had been notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

- Wichita, KS, USA

problem #167

Jan 102022

Optima

  • miles
Stirring wheel column is loose when turning left or right

- Lithonia, GA, USA

problem #166

Feb 222022

Optima

  • 20,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at 55 mph during rain, the windshield wiper where violently wiping and there was a burning odor coming from the steering wheel. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 200,000.

- Eyless, TX, USA

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