8.8

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
28,050 miles
Total Complaints:
8 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (8 reports)
2015 Kia Optima steering problems

steering problem

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2015 Kia Optima Owner Comments

problem #8

May 062022

Optima EX 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 99,600 miles

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

Kia is replacing my 'Sticking' Steering Column; this will be my 3rd steering column for the same Sticking issue. The first one was replaced at 7,500 miles (under warranty), next one being the 3rd steering column (including the original) is being replaced at 99,600 miles at the same time my transmission is being replaced. Long story being short is, why should any car require 3 steering columns in its lifetime?

I've never replaced a steering column in a car my entire life. This is obviously a DEFECTIVE part and Kia will not stand behind it. Kia Consumer Affairs promised to have this latest steering column evaluated for 'Goodwill Warranty Assistance'. That is a big joke. It will cost me $1,700 for the Steering Column since they denied the 'Goodwill Warranty Assistance' based on the 60k warranty. WHAT, 3 STEERING COLUMNS? Kia said it was also based on 'DEALER LOYALTY' and that I didn't keep bringing my car to the Kia Dealer where I bought it. WHAT????

I was told by Kia Consumer Affairs to take it to another Kia Dealership because the place I bought it couldn't find the cars problems to fix. I bought 3 cars (SOUL, FORTE, OPTIMA) from the same Kia Dealer. One of the purchases was due to the Kia Dealership 'crashing my car (FORTE), so I had go buy a new one (OPTIMA). YES, the Kia Dealership driver crashed my car. What a load of garbage about Loyalty. I serviced the 2015 Optima 100% at the Dealership. Kia Consumer Affairs was impossible to work with; don't bother with them. Rude, obnoxious, heartless, ignorant, thoughtless, read from the book, repetitive, won’t give you a chance to speak, promises to follow-up but never does either one, makes up lies about calling the repairing Kia Dealer service department, more and more and more. Good luck to anyone who buys a Kia. I certainly WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER, EVER!!!

- Tom M., Crystal Lake, IL, US

problem #7

Mar 302017

Optima EX 4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 22,000 miles

I brought my car in to Kia dealer on May 25 2017 I told them the steering was sticking then said something with the spring. After couple hours I picked it up they said that's the way the steering is. I said no way, it wasn't like that a couple months ago.

I said I will be back. What a hassle, the car sticks at 12 o'clock you have to keep moving the steering back and forth. I had my daughters also drive they said exactly same thing - sticking at 12 o'clock. There is a problem with the steering. I also went and got front end alignment.

But it still sticks, some days are worse then others.

Now I am talking to service manager and will see what happens from there. Its only 2 years old and has 24,000 miles. Never had a car that does this. Its unacceptable and I can tell its going to be ongoing.

- Laura B., Oviedo, US

problem #6

Nov 172016

Optima SXT-GDI 4cy Turbo

  • Automatic transmission
  • 13,000 miles

At approx. 11,000-13,000 miles, the steering wheel starting getting real jerky. It will lock up while driving and I have to jerk it to release it, then it will go the other direction. It is unsafe to drive at highway speeds. I have to have both hands on the wheel at all times to control it and keep it on the road. On long trips, it really hurts my shoulders from the jerking and pressure trying to control it. It acts like there is an electrical disconnect that locks it up. We took it to the KIA shop in Corpus Christi, TX where we purchased the car new, and they took a short drive (about 1 mile) and said there was nothing wrong with it. This problem is not unique to our car. There are many more with the steering problem and it is a danger to us and others on the road that could be in the way of a bad accident. Who can I report this to that cares about our safety.

- Sami A., Waxahachie, TX, US

problem #5

Dec 202016

Optima

  • Automatic transmission
  • 20,000 miles

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

My steering would stick while driving at higher speeds (over 45 mph). I have to jerk on the steering wheel at high speeds and it feels very unsafe! I took my car to look at this problem I was encountering. I was told it was the alignment. An wheel alignment was done and I check the car immediately after and I noticed that the problem persisted so I came back with the car, a technician drove the car and said there is no problem and stated and there was nothing wrong and to continue driving like this. I fell unsafe if I continue driving my vehicle like.

- Ivon S., Miami, FL, US

problem #4

Jan 092017

Optima EX 2.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 23,500 miles

I bought my 2015 Optima brand new. Car was great when I first got it. I use this car to get to and from work. I drive about 2 hours round trips on the highway to get to and from. About a month and a half ago my steering wheel started sticking when I hit around 55mph. It seems to get worse the faster you go. I was constantly forcing the wheel out of the 12 o'clock position causing me to swerve all over the road.

Thinking I need a wheel alignment or my tires balanced I took my Kia to the dealership I purchased it at. Explained to them what was going on and left my car there to be checked. They called an hour later to tell me that my car was ready for pick up. When I got there I asked to speak to the mechanic and he basically tired to make me feel as if I was lying about the issue.

I drive the car for about another week before finally bringing it in again. Once again they found nothing wrong with the car. I asked to speak to the manager who told me this is just the way the Optima is designed. I had a few choice words for him in the middle of the showroom before leaving.

Feeling like I had no choice, in the interest of safety. I took my car to another dealership and traded it in. Rolling over inequity and having a much higher monthly payment. But hey, at least I don't have to worry about get into an accident.

Thank you Kia for not standing by your product & thank you for not caring about your customers. NEVER BUYING A Kia AGAIN!!!

- Joe S., Bethlehem, PA, US

problem #3

Nov 202015

Optima LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 8,960 miles

We have not had this car for a year and we purchased it brand new. When we first got the car it drove great and then just recently, almost overnight, the steering sticks at the 12:00 position and you have to really use force to get it out of the 12:00 position. This results in the car swerving all over the road when you are trying to stay in your lane. It's not safe and I don't feel comfortable allowing my wife to drive this car every day with our 2 year old son in the car with her. She only drives on the highways which is when this issue occurs. It only happens once the car reaches 45mph and continues to get worse the faster you go. I drove it the other night and almost had an accident myself.

I have taken it to the local KIA service center 2 times now and they are telling me that there is "No fix" for this and that KIA doesn't recognize this as an "Issue" at this time. They actually have told me that the car is acting the way it was intended to act. So, I guess that KIA doesn't care that this issue is potentially deadly.

I have also contacted corporate KIA and they have given me the same answer.

My last time at the dealership I asked for the general manager and told him that I was going to take it to the lemon law unless he would work with me. He actually had the balls to bring in one of his own staff members who own the same car we do to tell me that she was having the same issue and he wasn't going to help her either.

He told me that the best thing for me to do was to pursue the lemon law. Unbelievable!

- Shaun D., St, FL, US

problem #2

Dec 102015

Optima LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 14,321 miles

This problem could potentially be deadly. While driving the steering will stick in place. You then have to force it to steer. It makes driving it scary especially in the Indiana winter where ice is present.

- Stephen G., Alexandria, IN, US

problem #1

Nov 172015

Optima LX 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 23,000 miles

While driving my car on the highway I have to keep jerking my steering wheel almost like it gets stuck. Its really scary trying to keep my car in the lane. I hope this does not cause an accident because it is NOT my fault. Kia fix this asap.

- Kristi B., Baltimore, MD, US

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