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.
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving, the steering wheel suddenly began to shake, vibrate and became very difficult to turn in either direction. The vehicle was towed to nationwide Kia service center located at 20 West timonium rd, towson, md 21093, to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the steering column was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 49,000. The VIN was not available.
Driving down in motion on a village road going 40 mph, car completely shut off, lost power steering, I had to pull car over without power steering to side of busy road, car would not stop right away and park would not engaged right away into park, car then rolled forward about 10 feet and slammed into park. Car would not turn over however all power lights, and battery were working without issue. Called a tow truck, could not get ahold of Kia for Kia 24 hour emergency roadside assistance, due to covid-19, I had to call a local body shop/used car dealer for a tow.
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. When the steering wheel was turned in any direction, it made a clicking noise. The contact took the vehicle to bill bryan Kia (9039 us-441, leesburg, fl 34788) where it was diagnosed that the steering coupler needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The dealer stated that they were aware of the failure and Kia issued coverage through extended warranties for certain vehicles based on their location. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the vehicle was not included in the extended warranty due to its production date. The manufacturer referred the contact to NHTSA to file a complaint. The approximate failure mileage was 55,751.
I've been driving lately and the steering wheel gets pretty stiff and unable to turn without applying force. It has happened while driving in the city, turning and also in the freeway.
On September 30th, 2019 driving on interstate 4 West bound exiting altamonte springs fl, my steering began making a thumbing sound along with a vibration. As soon as I parked, I began looking for the cause of sound. It coming from a 12 inch steering column. I call Kia on October 3rd asking on any tsb or recalls on this dangerous issue. None found. This occurred with no warning. Please initiate a recall on this issue. Other owners are experiencing the same issue.
- Deltona, FL, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
My steering wheel started making clicking sound after researching I found it was a common problem in 2014 Kia Optima caused by plastic steering coupler confident that Kia would cover it because of the service bulletin put out for my yea re and back to my surprise I had to pay out of pocket $340. God know why a manufacture would put plastic in major component of the steering column. I contacted their Consumer Affairs department and was told my VIN was not covered and despite it being issued for my year and make no other assistance would be provided unless a future recall was issued. This is huge safety issue which I caught prior to a fatality
My 2014 Kia Optima started making a clicking/rattling noise in the steering column when driving. The noise is worse when you hit a small dip in the road. The steering feels catchy and unsafe. Over the past the past 2 years my alignment has been off causing abnormal wear and replacement of my tires. I will be taking it to the Kia dealership today and hopefully they can fix this problem
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. While driving 35 mph over bumps in the road, the steering made an abnormal tapping and knocking noise. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to world car Kia South (7915 interstate 35 access rd, san antonio, tx 78224, (210) 305-5658) where it was diagnosed that the steering coupler needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to NHTSA. The contact stated that the failure should be covered under the customer satisfaction warranty extension program. The failure mileage was 30,389.
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. While driving 70 mph, the steering wheel felt loose and started to pull to the left. The vehicle was taken to pep boys where it was diagnosed that an alignment was needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 78,901.
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. When the vehicle was engaged in reverse, it became difficult to steer. Also, the electronic stability control and electric power steering warning indicators illuminated. The contact mentioned that the failure occurred twice. The contact called hendrick Kia of concord (7550 hendrick auto plaza nw, concord, nc 28027, (704) 467-8591) and was informed that the vehicle could not be diagnosed until March 18, 2019. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 96,338.
My 2014 Kia Optima is making the same klunk noise as my previous Kia Optima 2012, but the 2014 doesn't have a recall on the same issue as my previous Optima had. But it's the same noise when I turn the stearing wheel.
2014 Kia Optima hybrid completely shut down while decelerating for a traffic light. The car displayed a fault on the screen as a "possible battery management system failure." When the car shut down. Had loss of steering control (electrical/optical steering). Had to slow to stop, place transmission selector in park before the car would allow restart. Engine warning light stayed on for 3 hours then extinguished by itself. Bms was updated at cost to customer.
Takata recall'. when driving 70 miles the car gets uncontrollable at times so you have to lower your speed, when parked an I put my foot on brake there's a ticking noise an you can feel pressure. The engine has been ticking a lot more am hesitant I know a lot of complaints has been made on the steering an it's getting out of hand ! the car is not safe on the highway could result in crash
Driving on the interstate it pulls extremely bad almost can't control it, especially if there's any wind blowing. Very hard to drive it for a long time on the interstate
As many other drivers have stated, 2014 Kia Optima drifts at highway speeds. Takes constant correction to keep in lanes > 55 mph. Has happened since I owned car, but has worsened as of 2016. June 08, 2016 - complained to dealer that car drifts at highway speed. Reply was it is ok. April 4, 2017 - dealer test drove, said they could not duplicate. April 19, 2017 - contacted Kia usa and opened complaint. # K3421611 no help. Kia said as long as the tech felt it did not drift, then nothing they could do. May 3, 2017 - purchased 4 new Continental tires to see if that would correct problem to no avial. So it is my word against the tech and I and 35 other consumers have cars that drift at highway speeds.
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while the driver was driving at approximately 50 mph, the air bag warning light illuminated and the cruise control stop functioning. The contact coasted to the side of the road, after a few minutes, the contact was able to resume driving. In addition, the contact stated that while making a right turn into a parking lot there was a rattling noise coming from the interior of the steering wheel. The vehicle was towed to the resident of the contact. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer, located on delsea dr, vineland NJ, where it was diagnosed that the air bag clock spring cable detached and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist her with the failure and was to go through the vehicle warranty for the repair. The approximate failure mileage was 97,000.
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. While driving various highway speeds, the vehicle would sway from right to left and the steering was unstable. The contact indicated that the vehicle was difficult to drive in a straight line. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 10,000.
Driving at speeds between 60 - 85 mph on the highway, car begins to drift to the left causing driver to try to correct. This creates driver to over steer and making car take a hard swerve to the right. Constantly trying to steer and correct the car at high speeds. At these listed speeds car will not continue on a straight line. When hitting the brakes the car seems to want to go either left or right when braking at listed speeds above. Car is very dangerous driving at listed speeds, it is a constant battle to try and keep it in the designated lanes. When trying to correct the problem by adjusting left or right it the cars begins to want to lose control.
If I drive over 35-40 mph my car begins to swerve and I or my husband can't control the steering. I can't drive on the interstate because of my car swerving uncontrollably despite my constant corrections. I have almost hit countless cars because of this malfunction. Windy days are the worst, I can't drive my car over 20 mph. I've also been pulled over multiple times because of the car swerving. Mind you I just purchased my car in October 2015, I've only had this car a few months but I'm ready to get rid of it. I had the alignment checked and they said there's nothing wrong with it. I am scared for me and my family's safety. I've talked to multiple Optima owners and we all seem to have the same problem. Why is this not a recall"? how many accidents have to happen before this is a recall"
I took my car in for an oil change to the dealer and they said there was a recall on the steering panel. I asked why I did not get a notice and they said it was not their problem that I would need to call Kia motors. I called Kia and they said they do not send them out all at once...certain times. This did not make sense I asked if one had been out to me and they were very unhelpful. Shouldn't everyone recieve notice when there a problem?
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Baltimore, MD, USA