2012 Kia Optima: harsh or hard shifting

Filed Feb 2, 2025 · Steering · AZ

MY VEHICLE HAS 75,583. I received a recall for 3 items and made an appointment and took the car in for the work. I noticed that their wasa slight dead spot in the centeing of the steering and asked if there was any adjustmen. I was told there wasn't but they would check it because there was a known problem thith the plastic gear in the electric motor's connection to the rack that wears out and can completely disintegrate. when I picked up the vehicle they had obviously checked it because the slight dead spot had turned into a clunk. As there was no recall they would nothing about it as the vehicle was out of warranty (10 years, 100,000 miles). Had it had a higher annual mileage it would have been replaced under warranty. My concern is that this fault may be hidden by the warranty coverage. If the plastic gear fails completely the steering could become locked or inoperable. This is clearly a well known problem as there is a youtube video showing the replacement process. This actual mechanism may be used on several other years and models. The video is here: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jan 7, 2025 · Engine · MD

While driving 2012 Kia Optima GDI home from work, the power suddenly stopped without warning with the engine, oil, and battery lights flashing on all at once. I was unable to accelerate whatsoever, so with the momentum of the vehicle I parked safely in a parking lot. There I discovered the car would not start and would give a loud clunking sound. A mobile mechanic confirmed that the engine was seized, and I had it towed to the nearest KIA service center. They were able to also confirm it was an engine seize, but insisted KIA would not replace the engine despite a recall notice of the motor of this vehicles make and model in 2017 (SC147).

Filed Nov 29, 2024 · Steering · NY

The steering is making a clunking noise when backing up and going forward at low speed. There is a TSB by Kia about the steering motor rubber gear spacer that simply disintegrates over time but Kia is only performing repairs on vehicles in warm humid areas up to South Carolina. Why up to South Carolina? Being we live on the Eastern End of Long Island in Southampton Town in New York : we are surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the South and Long Island Sound to the North. On Long Island, the temperature frequently approaches 100 degrees in the summer and is very humid also. I would say we qualify for a recall based on what the TSB says. There should be a recall for every Kia Optima along the Coastal United States that has this issue as it could become quite dangerous. From what I have heard and seen on line , it is a multi hour repair for several hundred dollars. The NTSB should get a recall done not a TSB.

Filed Dec 15, 2023 · Steering · NY

The MDPS steering motor flexible coupling on our 2012 Kia Optima has deteriorated and a metal to metal clunking noise is made when turning the steering wheel left or right. See Kia Technical Service Bulletin (XXX) dated August 2016. Stated in the Bulletin is warm ocean waters in high humidity areas from Texas to South Carolina causes the problem. Apparently, those warm ocean waters and humidity do not go further north carried by the Gulf Stream and the warmer spring ,summer and fall seasons ; up to Long Island in NY as well as up to Maine. Kia has extended the warranty from 5 years/ 60,000 miles to 10 years/unlimited mileage for vehicles in other states but not from the TSB year of 2016 when the issue was first documented. So our 2012 is not covered because 2022 is over. Please note , our car has 40,000 miles and has been garage kept. This mileage is 20,000 miles less than the 5 year warranty while the 10 year warranty mileage is unlimited. This steering part needs to be made into a mandatory recall by Kia. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Sep 29, 2020 · Steering · WI

When I move my steering wheel side to side I hear a weird clunking like noise. I first noticed this while parking in my driveway. It occurs while the car is sitting still, however have not tried it while car is moving. Also while driving on the highway last week (approx 60 MPH) my steering wheel began to vibrate moderately. I had not noticed the vibration prior to last week or the clunking noise before 9/26/20. I have a video with clunking noise occurring if needed

Filed Sep 12, 2020 · Steering · 7,000 miles · MO

When driving slow and turning a knocking clunking sound, or slipping condition while driving in high speed also making wheel vibrate. When in stop and just turning wheel you hear the load clunking. I feel this is a safety issue

Filed Jun 17, 2020 · Engine · 108,000 miles · IA

6/17/20 I was driving my 2012 kia optima ex (2.4l gas direct injection 4-cyl engine) and had just stopped at an intersection for a red light. Once the light turned green, I accelerated to continue driving to my destination. Shortly after leaving the intersection, my vehicle suddenly and without any warning made a clunk sound, the lights on the dash flashed and the engine died. I wasn't sure what happened so I quickly put the car in neutral and coasted until I reached a safe place to pull over and park the vehicle. I tried restarting it but it just made a click sound and would not start. After attempting to start the vehicle a couple more times there was a little smoke that came from under the hood / engine compartment. It kind of smelled like something was burning. I thought it might've been some sort of electrical problem so I called a tow truck and had the vehicle towed to an automotive electric shop for them to take a look at it the next day. They looked at the vehicle this morning and told me that the engine was seized up and that the engine was bone dry of oil. I don't understand how this is even possible when I never received any check engine light, check oil light, no oil leaks on the motor, no oil leaks in my driveway or anything. How does a vehicle that is serviced regularly all of a sudden seize up without any warning what so ever? I have done some research online that indicates kia has issued a recall for certain 2011-2014 kia optima vehicles. However, when I look up the specific VIN number for my vehicle it says I don't have any current recalls. I purchased this car brand new from a kia dealer and definitely would not have purchased it had I known that the motor would seize up only 8 years later. I expect an engine from kia to last longer than 8 years. I am thankful that I wasn't traveling at a higher rate of speed when this happened. Sad kia customer.

Filed Oct 14, 2019 · Steering · 69,149 miles · OH

There is a click or clunk upon turning the steering wheel in either direction. This happens when still or turning anyplace.

Filed Jun 17, 2019 · Steering · 93,867 miles · IL

While parking my car into the garage I notice as I was turning my steering wheel to the right to straighten the car I heard a clunking noise. I also notice it while I moved the steering wheel side to side stationary I will still hear the noise on the right.. I've never heard this noise until today.

Filed Jun 13, 2019 · Suspension · 63,000 miles · VA

Car drives with loose steering and clunking noise that fairfax kia refuses to test drive it long enough to hear. Jerks left suspension on rough pavement on left side only. There are lots of big bolts on the left strut and I believe these bolts are either dangerously loose or the strut itself is broken. Noise is suttle. Have complained 3 times to dealer.

Filed Apr 24, 2019 · Steering · CA

The problem: in affected kia optima vehicles, a condition may exist where drivers may feel a 'notchy' or "clunky" sound or 'slipping' condition when turning the steering wheel left or right. It is believed by other kia optima owners and or mechanics who may be familiar with the issue that this may be due to either a software glitch in the optima's electronic steering system or a faulty power steering motor assembly, u-joint in the steering assembly, or the steering coupler. Owners are unable to find any known recall on this issue, but mechanics believe that this is a very common fault in the kia optima years 2011-2014.

Filed Dec 16, 2017 · Steering · 120,000 miles · CA

When ever I turn the steering wheel right or left there is a clunking sound coming from the steering it seems like the steering coupler on this cars go bad within time. This happens all the time in motion or not.