Tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia optima. While driving various speeds, the steering column vibrated and a loud noise was heard. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the steering column would need to be removed in order to diagnose the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 52,827. The VIN was unavailable.
2012 Kia Optima steering complaints
Page 5 of 7: complaints 101 to 130 of 188, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia optima. While driving approximately 50 MPH, the steering wheel made a loud clunking noise and began to shake uncontrollably without warning. The vehicle was taken to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 98,696.
I have a 2012 kia optima and my steering wheel is making a loud clanking noise when I hit a bump in the road or slightly turn the wheel . I have searched on line and it's saying it is a cluster not sure wat that is I have been told it should be under recall because that can cause the steering wheel to loose it's directions and I could either cause and accident or be part of one
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia optima. The contact stated that there was an abnormal clicking sound in the steering column. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the lock in the steering wheel fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.
My 2012 kia optima sx t-gdi only has 70k miles and is giving me steering issues (loud popping/clicking noises, which you can feel as well). These issues are felt at all different speeds, and all different turning angles. I was informed, as many people have, that the flex coupling needs to be replaced ($4 part, but over $200 in labor). I am not willing to pay this due to a faulty part, so kia needs to step up and issue a recall before it's too late! In conducting my own research, I am one of hundreds that are having this same exact issue.
The steering column clunks when turning left or right, parked or when driving, it has a big gap (play) that makes a clunking noise when turning the wheel left or right. The gap and clunking noise is getting worse.
There an awful clicking/clunking sound coming from steering wheel when you turn or hit a bump/cross tracks..been told has something to do with flexible coupling inside steering wheel vehicle is always in motion when this happens car only has 100600. Miles it doesn't matter if in city or other highways
While driving vehicle and making a turns steering wheel began to make a loud thunk. When parking whether turning left or right car makes loud thunk. Called kia and they said they've been having problems with the flex coupling.
Gear or bearing defective in steering column .excessive motion , play and noise when operating vehicle . Contacted dealer but there has not been any recall regarding this problem . Dealer service dept. Quoted repair to be approximately 300 dollars . When is kia going to recall vehicles with this malfunction ?
I took my car to get a oil change and the guy that was moving the car was so worried about the steering. He stated that I needed to get it serviced at the kia dealership asap. The steering seems to be clicking and when I hit a small dip or pothole in the road it clicks and sounds like the whole front end is coming off. I was told that this is not covered by the warranty with the vehicle which I think is crazy. I could see if it was something that I did I would take care of that repair. However there are a lot of other people that are having this same problem. I'm really thinking about trading in this vehicle and moving on to someone who does take care of their cars and customers. I was told that this is a common problem with these cars.
Steering wheel shakes, rattles, and clicks when turning. It sounds like something is loose. Going over any thing that is not level (ex. Railroad tracks, speed bumps etc) causes the steering wheel to rattle and shake also even if you are not speeding. It will occur in motion and even if the vehicle is in park, and off. I am not really sure what this issue is or what really caused it.
When u driving it . U can here noise in the steering wheel. It had the oil light to pop on while driving on thr freeway put over. Put some oil in it. Then that night trying to crank it & it started to smoke & caught a fire.
Loud clicking noise in steering while driving, hard to turn at times and very loud rattling while driving on rough roads. My daughter uses this car due to better gas milage than hers to go to college sometimes and I also carry my 2 year old granddaughter in this car and have had no problems before now and thought I purchased a safe car all around but being that nothing is getting done about this possible safety issue I am concerned. I would have recommended a kia to anyone till now and now just not sure.
Steering wheel makes clicking/popping sound every time its moved in either direction. Also, when going over any speed bumps or holes, very loud clicking and tension felt in the steering wheel. I have been researching this issue and I have found that many customers have this issue and it seems like kia has not done anything about it. I drive on the highway everyday for about 65 miles both ways. I am very concerned for my safety and passengers.
At 60k miles, steering has become difficult to maintain, steering column is loud and makes a popping noise, and now there is some type of clunk in the front suspension that can be heard when steering angle is being altered while simultaneously bridging a bump. Steering wheel sticks at speeds above 55mph, and thus over-steering is necessary in order to maintain tracking. Dealer informs me that some $4 plastic gear needs replacing somewhere, but that it will be $400 in labor to replace, but they can't even guarantee replacing this part will fix the issue. What a joke- this is my first and last kia/hyundai product.
2012 kia optima lx ****(electronic power steering)****this is very unsafe and is an accident waiting to happen. What in the world is kia waiting for, does someone have to be killed or seriously hurt from their negligence to recall these problems!!!! The steering wheel started to make a loud popping/knocking noise, sticks, play/ very loose when turning left to right, while driving or parking the vehicle. Have taken it to a service center where it was diagnosed that the steering column, tie rod and flexible coupling needed to be repaired/ replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure and the vehicle has not been repaired as of yet. The failure mileage was approximately 242,000. However, I purchased the vehicle in 2014, the approximately mileage was 208,412. Just prior to that this vehicle was strickley used for fuel testing/studies only, in a climate control building, where it was on a dino machine. These problems need to have a resolution and be recalled asap.
Steering is knocking and making loud noises while driving vehicle. Have not yet taken to dealership, but from reading other complaints kia has not acted on this problem for a resolution.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia optima. While driving approximately 5 MPH making a left or right turn, the steering wheel made an abnormal noise without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering column failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.
Play in steering column making a noise when turn steering wheel right and left defective flex coupler
While the vehicle is in motion, the steering has become very loose and making a clunking noise when turning the wheel or going over slight bumps, such as a reflector in the road, this is during any speeds.
While driving on the highway we started hearing a popping noise coming from the steering wheel and there also has bee some slack in the steering wheel.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia optima. The contact stated that while the driver was driving at 65 MPH, the steering wheel began to shake violently with a loud noise. The contact coasted over to the side of the road. The contact was able to resume driving. The failure recurred twice. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that there was wear and tear in the steering and needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 73,853.
Clicking noise and pulling when I turn or hit a bump in the road. Sounds like my steering would come apart. Lots of play in the steering wheel. Very unsafe. I drive the interstate to work everyday and I am normally traveling between 70 and 75. I fear my car is an accident waiting to happen with the defective steering.
I have had my (2012) kia optima since 2012. I have not had any horrible problems until now. The steering wheel clicks and you can hear and feel any bumps because when you even hit a small hole in the road the steering wheel will also click and make a loud noise. I have not had any work or repairs done to the car other than the normal oil changes, tire rotation, new tires and alignment, brake replacement. I have taken care of my vehicle and to be told that the steering wheel clicking is something that isn't covered or that no one is looking into for a recall is something I don't understand. I have always backed kia and even bought 2 for my kids, but now I am starting to wonder about the quality of the car. I have read 63 other complaints with the same problems and still nothing from the company with a recall. I guess it takes someone getting killed or seriously injured to get something done about the steering. I could see if it was a interior light but wake up people there is a steering problem. How would you feel if it was you or someone that's close to you in a vehicle that has faulty steering and something happened to them.
While steering at slow and high speeds the steering wheel makes a loud knocking noise that can be heard and felt. The steering wheel often gets stuck and requires additional force to get it to move. The steering wheels sometimes jerks itself and oversteers in the direction I'm turning it in. It started about a month ago and was happening intermittently but now it's happening all the time.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia optima. When turning the steering wheel in either direction, a clicking noise was present coming from the steering column. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that a coupling within the steering system was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 73,000.
The steering wheel makes a clicking sound and sticks every time I turn the steering wheel. While driving it can be a challenge to steer with the steering wheel as it will grab and make that clicking noise and you have to use some force to steer.
The first thing would have to be the steering wheel like it has been noted before when you sit still it has a clicking sound. And all driving the highway at 75 miles an hour it sticks and you have to jerk it back witch is no safe I have had it aligned many times but does not fix the problem. My car has 112,113 miles on I take care of replace thing that need to done and oil changes every 3,000 well after I hit the 100,000 mark my car sounds like it has no oil .. Are I have seen on the internet that it sounds like your rpms are really high but there not ... It starts when I'm going 20 MPH another thing that is weird when I'm turning left the noise goes away
As reported in many previous complaints, when I drive at highway speeds, the steering wheel gets "stuck" and stiffens and jerks, requiring me to turn the steering wheel back to center so that I can drive straight ahead. It's very dangerous and very tiring. The kia service manager said this is the way the electronic power steering is supposed to work and I have to "live with it". I have had this car for 4 years, have 33,000 miles, and this problem only just started. The kia USA consumer assistance agent said there's nothing kia can do, it operates as designed. He said many of their customers love the way the electronic steering handles. Really? What's to love about not being able to control the steering of your car on the highway at 65-75 MPH??? This is a travesty on kia's part. I notice that there are many complaints on this web site about this problem, and zero investigations. How many complaints does it take to initiate an investigation? Does there have to be a major auto accident to get anyone to acknowledge that there's a design problem?
When driving at highway speeds, the steering wheel feels like it sticks and it takes a bit of force to break it free. It is also nearly impossible to keep it going straight down the road. You must continuously keep adjusting the steering wheel to stay in your lane. I did some searching and there are a lot of complaints on this problem. I don't ink this is safe and should be fixed. I told the dealer about it, but they said they didn't find any mechanical issues and maybe it was the alignment. I had already had the alignment checked, which was ok. They said maybe it was the tires. I bought new tires which didn't help. I have had the car for about 1.5 years, but didn't really drive it a lot on the highway. This isn't nearly as noticeable when driving at in town speeds, just at normal highway speeds.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2012 Kia Optima?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history