10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
40,407 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.

2014 Kia Optima steering problems

steering problem

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2014 Kia Optima Owner Comments (Page 1 of 4)

problem #71

Feb 062023

Optima

  • miles

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

It feels slipping, clunking and metal hitting metal while turning steering wheel either right or left 1 inch or 2 inches either way. Feels like its going break. I uploaded the issue that I'm pretty sure it is, I called kia and they didn't extend the warrant on my specific kia optima 2014 even though it was affect and in their letter it said 2014 kia optima have that defect of coupler. I will also upload the letter but mines doesn't qualify and they're not able to tell my why

- Tucson, AZ, USA

problem #70

Oct 312022

Optima 4-cyl

  • miles
Steering column making rubbing noise when turning. It felt like a notch was rubbing against something. The car was no reason for this part to deteriorate the way it did. It just all of a sudden started this notch rubbing feeling in steering. I took car to Calavan KIA in Lithia Springs, GA to have it examined. They said the MDPS flexible coupling needed to be replaced. There are other KIA's that had this same issue, but repair was covered in recall. My repair was not covered even though it has less than 110,000 miles and is less than 10 years old.

- Douglasville, GA, USA

problem #69

Aug 012022

Optima

  • 96,000 miles
The contact's daughter owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated that an abnormal clicking sound was coming from the steering wheel while turning in either direction. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that the steering wheel coupler was defective and needed to be replaced. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the issue and both informed the contact that there were no recalls on the VIN. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000.

- Danville, VA, USA

problem #68

Aug 012019

Optima

  • 126,170 miles

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

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the steering wheel would jerk and shake. In addition, the steering wheel would vibrate whenever the contact would drive over rough roads. The vibration would omit a loud vibrating noise as well. The vehicle's driver seat would move out of position independently. The contact also mentioned that whenever they attempted to move the seat it failed to adjust accordingly. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who stated the steering column needed to be replaced along with other parts in connection to the steering. The contact stated that many bolts and screws had detached, as well, that needed to be replaced as well. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 126,170.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #67

Apr 052022

Optima

  • miles
WHILE DRIVING AND ROTATING THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT OT LRIGHT THERE IS A "CLUNKING" NOISE. THE SERVICE REP AT KIA STATED THAT THIS IS A STEERING COLUMN COUPLER. WHILE DRIVING THERE ARE CERTAIN POINTS WHERE THE STERING WHEEL SHAKES TURNING AND HITTING LITTLE DEVIATION ON THE HIGHWAY. ACCORDING TO BUYAUTOPARTS.COM :The Steering Coupler, which includes a cylindrical rubber bushing, ensures the transfer of movement from the steering wheel to the steering rack. The axis of the cylindrical bushing is almost perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the steering system. I DO NOT BELIEVE ANY SHAKING WHILE DRIVING ON THE STEERING WHEEL SHOULD NOT OCCUR. NO WARNING LIGHTS HAVE OCCURED SINCE THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN NOTICED.

- Chula Vista, CA, USA

problem #66

Mar 022022

Optima

  • miles
Power steering column is bad and comes on while driving and turning!

- Holly Hill, SC, USA

problem #65

Feb 182022

Optima

  • miles

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

While driving making an left or right turns steering wheel locks up and very hard to turn. The steering wheel light is on with the slippery light too! Trying to pull to the side of road., turn car off and waited to restart car

- Holly Hill, SC, USA

problem #64

Jan 052022

Optima

  • miles
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while turning the steering wheel left or right, there was an abnormal clicking sound coming from the steering wheel. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #63

Jan 072022

Optima

  • miles
Steering column makes clicking noise and shakes violently when driving at 65 mph or more.

- Cortez, CO, USA

problem #62

Sep 232021

Optima

  • miles
Vehicle check engine light came on at 164000mi. Diagnostics confirmed trouble codes P2562 (Power train system) and C2130, C1611, C1612 (Anti-lock brake sytem). The begins to shake at 40mph and the turbo fails to run properly causing the car to accelerate poorly and make steering an issue.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #61

Aug 012021

Optima

  • 105,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, a clicking noise was heard when the steering wheel was turned. The contact's wife also informed the contact that the vehicle was shaking while she was driving. The dealer was made aware of the failure and scheduled an upcoming appointment for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.

- Bear Creek, NC, USA

problem #60

Apr 092021

Optima

  • miles
Attempted theft of vehicle on 04/09/21 by breaking in the rear window since it is not armed by the factory alarm. Then breaking the steering column and using a USB charging cable to start vehicle. Vehicle is still with the dealer Russ Darrow Kia, Wauwatosa, WI. awaiting parts (back logged) due to the epidemic of break-ins on Kia and Hyundai models. Police report # 21-099-0033 and Insurance claims adjuster have been notified and paid for repairs - $3,000; claim # A00003252795 Vehicle is available for view upon request. Kia or Hyundai has does nothing to mitigate the problem nor have they acknowledged the problem. I have made several attempts to reach out to Kia for assistance, but to no avail.

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

problem #59

May 262021

Optima

  • miles
I was getting into traffic and felt like power steering went on left turn Took to Kia repair shop on 5/26 RECEIVED call on 6/7 that repairs had been made costing $938.03 SAME PROBLEM NEXT DAY TOOK CAR BACK 6/11 RECEIVED message that car is repaired on 6/25 at NO Cost Picked up drove about 5 miles any took right turn to come home same it happened again They now have the car in the shop

- Little Rock, AR, USA

problem #58

Jun 062021

Optima

  • miles
The electric power steering stopped working.

- Houma, LA, USA

problem #57

Aug 012019

Optima

  • 50,000 miles
A clicking noise in the front end started when the wheel was turned to the right. This was about 2 years ago. The dealership replaced a joint and said it was fixed. A couple of weeks later the noise started again, became worse and the steering felt looser. The front left wheel also felt loose when going over bumps. They replaced the steering column and some other related parts. This time the steering was looser, they had to replace a bolt and said it was fixed. As soon as I left the lot I heard the same noise but very faint. The dealership said it wasn't an issue but it got worse over the next few weeks. The right wheel had the loose feeling when going over bumps again. By this time the noise happened when turning left or right. The dealership replaced the steering column and the same parts as before again. That same day I could hear the faint noise again, dealership said it was fine again. The clicking noise became worse just as before and nothing is being done. The service department said they didn't think it was a safety issue but they obviously don't really know what the problem is or they would have been able to repair it. It has been several months since their last attempt and it keeps getting worse. When going over the slightest bump the front wheels have a loose feeling which is also getting worse. This loose feeling in the front wheels happens when turning and going straight. Speed doesn't seem to be a factor in any of the problems.

- South Charleston, WV, USA

problem #56

Feb 052021

Optima

  • 210,000 miles
I left the dealer lot at closing time 2/5/2021 the traction light and brake lights warnings were on the ABS light the car brakes skidded upon applying brakes driving at a slow speed the car shook while applying brakes and it felt as though the entire motor was going to fall out. Later my 17 year old whom has driven for 2 years was driving a few miles from home she said the steering went out the brakes went out she skid across to the other side of the road did not hit anything yet the entire engine and entire front end of the car came apart the frame and all. She could easily have been killed I would like this investigated thoroughly. I told her to drive slow and she was only going around the corner I had planned to take it back to the dealer the following Monday bjut was totalled before I did. She reported going 45 mph on a road when I had the issues I was driving about 35 to 45 on a regular road did not drive it on an interstate yet due to the uneasy ways it was handeling and I have never had a wreck in all my years of driving and 1 and a half hour drive each way to work for 40 years. The car also felt as though it was accelerating on its own also'

- Carriere, MS, USA

problem #55

Nov 012020

Optima

  • 15,000 miles
Recall on engine was replaced 2 years ago for having metal shavings in the oil. The second motor has 15,000 miles on it and it's burning oil and smoking to where you can't see anything. I was getting on I 65 going North and smoke came out. It hesitates to go. Can't drive it over 45-50. Steering has a recall for a plastic cuffling behind steering wheel. It was replaced last year according to riverchase Kia in pelham Alabama. It is now making a popping noise again. Condensation is getting in tail lights causing the bulbs to blow. The headlights when on dim you can barely see.

- Alabaster, AL, USA

problem #54

Dec 012020

Optima

  • 154,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 65 mph, the traction control warning illuminated and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. An independent mechanic was contacted and referred the contact to NHTSA for assistance. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 154,000.

- Purcell, OK, USA

problem #53

Oct 162020

Optima

  • 988,000 miles
A coupler on the steering column is defective. It is causing the steering wheel to make a clicking noise every time the wheel is turned. If it is now replaced it can cause the steering to malfunction while driving.

- Ruskin, FL, USA

problem #52

Aug 282020

Optima

  • miles
When driving at 60mph my steering wheel shacks and it does the same exact thing when I ride over a speed bump or just hit a bump in the road. There is a lot of play in my steering wheel and I can hear a clacking and clicking noise when just turning the wheel. Also I'm concern about my air bags come out because of all the shacking and clicking that's coming from my steering wheel.

- Auburn, AL, USA

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