Kia OPTIMA HYBRID steering problems
23 complaint narratives mention steering terms.
Key facts
274 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
76,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2011 to 2020 model years. Data snapshot: . 238 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Steering behavior evidence
23 of 274 complaints match this topic (8.4%). The keyword filter can include complaints that mention a transmission without reporting its failure. View matching rules.
Owner report 11163367 · 2018-12-25 (December 25, 2018)
THERE'S A CLUNKING IN THE STEERING . FROM WHAT I'VE FOUND ON THE FORUMS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM . IT APPEARS TO BE A PLASTIC COUPLER IN THE STEERING MOTOR THAT DETERIORATES CAUSING A METAL ON METAL GRINDING. I NOTICED THIS WHILE TURNING AT AT STREET CORNERS OR CHANGING LANES ON HIGHWAY. NHTSA NUMBER: 10090941. THIS APPARENTLY HAS BEEN REPORTED BEFORE . WANTED TO MAKE SURE MY INFO WAS INCLUDED .
Owner-reported narrative. 120,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11163367 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11582463 · 2024-04-11 (April 11, 2024)
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, after starting the vehicle, the steering wheel became stiff. The “Steering Assist Fault” messages were displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the steering gear had failed. The dealer was contacted for a second opinion, but a diagnostic test was not performed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11582463 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10498354 · 2013-02-16 (February 16, 2013)
SINCE I BOUGHT THIS CAR, AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE DRIFTS LEFT AND RIGHT CONSTANTLY AND YOU HAVE TO USE TWO HANDS ON STEERING WHEEL JUST TO KEEP THE VEHICLE STRAIGHT AND FROM PULLING LEFT OR RIGHT. LESS NOTICEABLE IN CITY DRIVING BUT STILL DRIFTS. BROUGHT IT TWICE TO THE DEALER AND TECH DROVE IT AND TOLD ME ALIGNMENT IS WITHIN SPECS AND IT WAS FINE I JUST NEED TO GET USED TO IT. THIS IS VERY UNNERVING AND DANGEROUS. HOPE THE LEMON LAW WILL HELP ME. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 50 miles reported. Look up ODI 10498354 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10845692 · 2016-03-09 (March 9, 2016)
BOUGHT THE CAR NEW IN 2012 FROM FUCCILLO KIA IN CAPE CORAL, FLORIDA FOR MY WIFE. SHE NOTICED THE VERY SLIGHT "CLUNKING" NOISE IN 2014 WITH ABOUT 50K MILES ON IT AND DIDN'T THINK IT WAS MUCH OF A PROBLEM. IT GRADUALLY BECAME VERY, VERY LOUD AND SHE COULD NOW FEEL THE CONSTANT "CLUNKING" WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL OR HITTING SMALL IMPERFECTIONS IN THE ROAD. SHE BROUGHT IT TO MY ATTENTION AT ABOUT 65K MILES AND AFTER RESEARCHING THE NOISE ON THE INTERNET I FOUND THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN OCCURRING IN THOUSANDS OF KIA AND HYUNDAI VEHICLES FROM 201…
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10845692 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10891636 · 2016-07-29 (July 29, 2016)
THE STEERING COUPLER ON THE OPTIMA SHATTERS BECAUSE IT IS MADE OF PLASTIC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10891636 at NHTSA ↗