2012 Kia Optima: pulls to one side

Filed Nov 7, 2023 · Steering · CA

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and driving over a bump in the roadway, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from underneath the front end of the vehicle. Additionally, the front end of the vehicle and the steering column vibrated significantly, and the vehicle was pulling to the right. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that she was able to steer the vehicle back into the lane. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer several times, and unknown repairs were completed; however, the failure persisted. Additionally, the vehicle was taken to several independent mechanics who informed the contact that the failure could be related to the tie rod and to unknown bushings. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Dec 18, 2018 · Airbags, Engine · 500 miles · CA

"takata recall"while driving this car on the highway I notice noise coming from the front. I've had problem with this same thing since 2012, first the string it would pull left and right on its own while drive straight. Kia said they would fix it. There was a recall on this problem,now my rack and pinion is broken,and that's because kia refuse to fix that problem back in 2012 with the string. Kia sent us a settlement letter , which states they will paid us $531.95 by means of a check, it states it is understood and agreed that this settlement is a compromise of disputed claims and does not constitute, an admission of liability on the part of kia. We did not sing that letter because kia cars are no good! And there has been recalls since that letter was sent. They tried to black mail us we didn't fall for the scam. The company know this car is no good. If you need that letter sent to you I can do that to. Someone could die because of this problem its dangerous,I work in the mountains this problem needs fixing now not later now!!!. Sincerely, need this problem fix

Filed Nov 8, 2015 · Steering · FL

Unsafe loose steering. I first noticed this issue while driving on i75 shortly after purchasing my car in june of 2012. The car pulls to the left, when corrected, it then pulls to the right or viceversa. It's almost impossible to keep this car in a straight line. I reported this issue to my local kia dealer about 4 times (during ever service visit) their response is always the same: "the car is performing according to manufacturer's specifications, we couldn't find anything wrong with it" I disagree but couldn't do anything about it. Today, 3 years later, it's worse, I hear a loud clicking noise coming from the steering column when I turn the wheel. This situation has escalated to severe. I fear for my life when driving this car. Please help!

Filed Oct 19, 2015 · Steering · 44,000 miles · MO

Wanders off center, either right or left. Will not stay straight. Wears you out continually correcting the drift or wandering.

Filed Mar 20, 2013 · Electrical, Steering · 150 miles · LA

Steering is very unstable. Extremely afraid of this car - I feel like I am not in control when driving, I constantly have to fight to stay straight. Veers/pulls left and right as if im bouncing in between the lines on the interstate. My stomach stays in knots in fear I will hit another vehicle, or worse a concrete barrier in the construction on the interstate. It feels as if 3-5 seconds I am not in control, my arms are exhausted by the time I arrive to my work, home, or elsewhere. Have complained several times to kia dealer when having oil changed & I am always told nothing is wrong or cannot duplicate problem. Four mechanics have driven my car elsewhere and agree there is a safety issue and kia should recall and fix before it cost someone/a family their lives. My dash lights also surge to maximum brightness at any random moment while driving - all on their own. I recently started having issues with starting my car, I bought my car in march 2012 and currently have 14k miles (highway for work). Recently, twice my car felt as if it was not going to start, sputtering, smell of exhaust inside car. I also have issues if I am at a red light/stopped and when I accelerate sometimes the car feels as if it dies out for a second - misfiring. I can not pass in traffic out of fear my car will not respond when I try to accelerate. My car constantly will not connect to my phone, or keeps a call display on the radio after the call has ended (freezes) until I restart my car. I feel there is something terribly wrong with the wiring/electrical/steering with my car and several others according to other complaints on here! Toyota recalled only after a death, hyundai/nissan/dodge all just recalled immediately - what about us kia? I have a family in this sedan that is going to end up costing my life or worse, my entire family's lives! Please address this problem!!!!! Steering is not normal or safe!!!

Filed Mar 7, 2013 · Steering · 27,000 miles · AL

I am a new owner of a 2012 lx kia optima with 27k miles. My concern is when driving at highway speeds greater than 65 MPH you have to use two hands on steering wheel just to keep the vehicle straight and from pulling left or right. It feel as if the steering wheel slips and is quite alarming. I have to work harder to keep it in the lanes making me more tired.

Filed Jan 29, 2013 · Steering · 14,000 miles · AZ

The owner of a 2012 lx kia optima with 14k mi but very concern after discovering that at highway speeds greater than 65-75 MPH you have to use two hands on steering wheel just to keep the vehicle straight and from pulling left or right. I'm not a tech but, if I had to guess, my money is on the electronic/power steering device. I love everything about this car and if kia/hyundai motors wants to keep their sells, then they better "own it!" this is definitely a recall/ the federal safety agency safety matter that should be taken seriously. Electronic/power steering is an area that should be looked at and resolved immediately for the safety of the public.

Filed Nov 11, 2012 · Electrical, Steering · 120 miles · WI

I bought this kia optima sx in may 2012 because it's a beautiful car, basically with no hesitation. My first day driving it, I thought the steering felt a little different, tight, and pulled to the left and right and very hard to keep it going straight. I thought to myself, well it's a brand new car and has to be broken in a little maybe. About 500 miles in, problem didn't go away, took it to the dealer, they inspected the alignment, said alignment was ok, but the psi in tires was a little off and that it should fix the issue. Nothing has changed. Week later I took it in again. Was told everything is up to spec, and was told I am the first person to report this kind of issue with the car. I go home that night and google optima steering problem...the search engine goes nuts!!! This is a issue with the optima since 2011!!! I'm a truck driver and I can barely steer this car!!! How can this be safe on the roads??? There is thousands of complaints of this exact problem!! When my wife drives it she tells me she can't even take a drink of her soda because she has to pay so much attention to holding the wheel straight!! I feel the same way!! Come on kia!!! Come on d.o.t. It's only just a matter of time before this car causes a serious accident!! Obviously the electronic power steering isn't safe!! So recall it!!

Filed Jun 13, 2012 · Steering, Suspension · 50 miles · CA

Vehicle hard to control and steer straight, especially at highway speeds. Severe pull to the left, though occasionally it drifts to the right. At city speeds, the steering problem is not as noticeable. I took the car to the dealer, and they checked the alignment. Minor adjustments, and tire inflation change, resulted in no significant change in the problem...it remains severe. If you let go of the steering wheel, then the car swiftly move across to the left lanes.

Filed Jun 3, 2012 · Steering, Suspension · 8 miles · MA

Brand new vehicle pulled to right and also drifted left to right at 8 miles on highway with a speed of 55. I though all that it needed was a simple alignment I took it back to the dealer at just under 3000 miles and the tech drove it and told me it was fine I just need to get used to it. This car did not drive like the 2 that I had driven before I purchased it. The tech did an alignment and said the rear wheel was off from the factory . The car still did the same thing it felt loose and drifted on highway and straitways. I took it to another dealer that day and the tech drove it for 30 seconds and noticed the steering is was not right.he spent a great deal of time performing an alignment and once I drove it was fine. There was a slight pull to the right but most cars do have that. The tech gave me a print out of the alignment and the front camber was not to factory settings he told me that he could not adjust it. After driving 700 miles later the loose feeling and the drifting returned. I have contacted the original dealer again and I am hoping for a resolution soon.

Filed Apr 23, 2012 · Steering · 150 miles · PA

Car is very hard to keep control on the road. Kia dealership says it is the way the new electronic control works. On acceleration , car steers to left into oncoming traffic, and it takes much effort to keep it going straight on road. *tr on the highway it feels as if the wind is blowing it around on the road. It also makes a pull to the left or right on its own.

Filed Mar 21, 2012 · Electrical, Steering · 200 miles · WV

Upon the purchase of my 2012 kia optima sx I noticed a pull to the left in the steering wheel. The dealership is approx. 80 miles from my home, driving home I noticed the tug and the car's inclination to veer left. I felt a constant pressure on the wheel to veer. I took the car back within a week or two and had the service dept. Check the veer. Of course, I was told there is no veer. The car continues to stray, now at 3500 miles. The car will be going in for service next week for the same problem and for maintenance. I have spoken to another dealership's salesman who has confirmed for me there is a definite issue with the optima's steering and to date, they don't know what to do with it. I love this car, I absolutely love it, but the pull is a problem. By the time I drive the car at cruise speed on the highway and get back with it, I literally feel tired in the arm and shoulder from the pressure to keep it straight in the lanes. Also, lately at approx. 3000 miles, I've noticed that in reverse, the backup camera doesn't always come on when shifting gears. It has a hesitation that has lasted as long as 30 - 40 seconds before I can see behind the car. Anyone who has driven the optima knows, you can't see anything behind you in that car due to the low sitting seats and higher trunk - it has to be tall to see it behind you. I'm taking the car to a different dealership for service next time, from there, I'll decide as to what happens next as far as keeping this car.