7.2

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
74,750 miles
Total Complaints:
5 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (5 reports)
2012 Kia Optima steering problems

steering problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2012 Kia Optima:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2012 Kia Optima Owner Comments

problem #5

Aug 312019

Optima EX 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 89,200 miles

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

While parking, I noted a clicking sound coming from the steering column when I turned the steering wheel. Took into the dealership to advise and they said it was a known problem and Kia would fix it under an extended warranty.

I asked the service writer when they planned on letting me know because, I have not moved since I bought the car and last I checked, my mail person was still delivering mail. He just shrugged his shoulders and asked when I would like to bring it in. I guess that is how they save money. Let the customer drive the issue and address it when they bring it in. Incredible customer service program!

I told the service adviser: so now my AC blows hot air, there is a clicking sound coming from the dashboard and my steering column clicks when I make a turn. All this at less than 90K miles. He proceeded to give me their consumer affairs number, when is just another stall tactic to put you off so the miles add up and they can explain away that it is out of warranty.

I don't have these problems with my Toyota with 200K miles, and believe it it or not, my Chevy with 175K miles.

- Jose G., Elk Grove, US

problem #4

Nov 232018

Optima Limited 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 83,000 miles

I see there's been multiple complaints, why ain't there no recalls?

- William W., Campbellsville, US

problem #3

May 032016

Optima EX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 36,000 miles

My name is tammy short my boyfriend and myself and a very good friend of ours were on our way home from the casino and we had recently started hearing the clinking sound in the steering and it was getting worse. we had takeing the car back to the dealership but they said that it would take 450. To 600.00 to fix it, was not covered under warranty. we did not fix it when didnt have the money at the time anyway on our way home the steering became worse to hold in the road it would pull and grab itself and as we continued home the steering wheele its self stuck and the cupling inside the gear box broke and i know this because we were told that in rare but could happen when the steering froze it shot us into a gaurd rail then back agross the interstate and into a tree at 75 mph i myself and my boyfriend recieved critical injuries and were life flighted to south east alabama hospital where we under went several surgeries we were in a coma for over 30plus days and both had broke legs and i had a broken femar along the a brain injury and our friend lost his life if this is not enough for kia to recal and fix the problem then nothing will be.

- Tammy S., Lagrange, US

problem #2

Feb 182017

Optima SX 2.0t

  • Automatic transmission
  • 58,508 miles

2012 optima sx tgdi: clanking, clicking, knocking, shaking and vibrating like my steering column is having a seizure.

I'm terrified driving around like this. I hope it's the flex coupler like every other bit of research I've done seems to suggest that it is. I'm not happy that the "going rate" on replacing this $5 part seems to average in the ballpark of $500+ since there seems to be some magic loophole that makes the steering column NOT part of the car which is covered under warranty. Maybe all the, "Kia is just as good, if not better, than any other auto-maker," comments I've been making are crap. My repair experience will directly determine my loyalty to all KDM vehicles in the future. My fingers are crossed.

Update from Mar 28, 2017: Took my car to a Kia service center and they replaced the electronic steering flex coupler. Apparently it is now on recall (finally). Also on recall, that they fixed while I was there - was spraying an anti-corrosive agent to the underside of my car.

- Calvin S., Orlando, FL, US

problem #1

Aug 012016

Optima EX 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 107,000 miles

There's clicking in steering wheel when turning right or left. Aware from this website I am not only one with this problem and feel there should be recall on repairs. I have not had repaired or diagnosed by dealer yet. I bought the vehicle new, I'm only owner and have always stayed on top of service maintenance and never had any major problems with the vehicle. I love this car so definitely take care of it and travel in it a lot. This repair should be warranted recalled.

- Vivian T., Stone Mountain, GA, US

Not what you are looking for?