2013 Kia Optima: pulls to one side

Filed Jul 24, 2025 · Steering · OH

I called Kia Consumer Assistance in reference the MDPS flexible coupling. I spoke with a Kia representative named Gina. I specifically asked if this item is covered under my vehicles warranty (i gave the vin number of the vehicle to her. She stated if it was diagnosed as the MDPS flexible coupling, it would be covered. I made an appointment (it took two weeks) with Spitzer Kia at 3414 Brookpark Rd, Cleveland, Ohio 44134. The service advisor, Belinda Frost, stated, yes the MDPS flexible coupling needs to be replaced. I gave the case number from Kia, #[XXX]. She looked and said it is not covered. I told her Gina from Kia consumer assistance stated it is covered. She called Kia, spoke with "Brad" who stated I would need to pay a $93.00 diagnostic charge (car was already diagnosed with the issue) and leave the car for 24 to 48 hours. During that time, they would make a determination if it is warrantied - I believe that other person's name was Robert - the regional manager. He would need to approve coverage for the MDPS flexible coupling. The diagnosis is to turn the steering wheel while the engine is off for play and a clunking sound, which takes 30 seconds and was already done. Also note this is a hazard as the car wanders due to additional play in the steering, sometimes has a notch, taking more effort to turn the wheel slightly plus makes a metal on metal sound when going over bumps. This $10.00 part, should be mandated to replace without a time limit. I was also told it was covered by warranty by Kia consumer after giving the serial number, and that was NOT honored by the dealership nor Kia consumer when the dealer ship called in my presents. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed May 30, 2020 · Steering, Suspension · 50,000 miles · IA

When I'm driving at any speed and on any surface driving over the slightest bump the steering wheel makes a clanking sound also the car is pulling to the right my front tires are wearing out on the upperoutside of the tire the part of tire that touches the road. I have looked on web to see if anyone else has had a issue with this what I found was that it may be the steering coupler. It's getting worse I'm afraid it's not going to turn one of these days because of what's going on.

Filed Mar 11, 2018 · Electrical, Engine · PA

Intermitenly .car won't start all electronic signals off ,nothing dead . Engine ticking after I stop & park it . I hear a loud ticking. Burning oil. At least 5 times ,while excelerating car takes off real fast . Hard to control ,keep it on the road. Pulls to the right. Had to replace tires only have 41k miles. Paint chips.fobs do not work. I have complained to dealers at least 6-7 times. Please note* I purchased vip premier ultimate protection plus & glass coat & teflon interior protection.$ 1850.00 estimate. Extra. Covers everything I reported.

Filed Oct 17, 2017 · Engine, Steering · GA

It stalls at low speed and stalls at high speed pulls hard to the right. And motor makes all kind of sounds like rattles when cold. And run poorly when cold. Had a total of 4 recalls and have not had it a year. Had it sent to kia of chattanooga when I first got it from edd kirby of dalton,ga and all they done was put 600 miles on it. And did nothing to it. Then it was taken to kia of dalton,ga for the rest of the recalls but nothing was fixed all they done was serviced the car. The car is unsafe to be on the road. It is going to end up getting someone killed or badly hurt. I am about ready to call a lawyer and channel 3 news of chattanooga, tenn. If you call for more information you may talk to my husband [xxx] at anytime. ('parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).')

Filed Jul 13, 2017 · Steering · 66,000 miles · NY

When driving the car, it's impossible to drive in a straight line - the car wants to wander - the steering requires constant correction. I contacted kia USA who told me that the car is not under recall. I just purchased the car used from a kia dealer two weeks ago - they have not called me back. The steering in the car feels very unsafe, as the car seems to want to wander, requiring constant steering corrections

Filed Dec 13, 2016 · Steering · CA

When driving the car from any speeds the car will drift. Wandering not stable goes in to other lanes without you doing it. Holding the steering wheel with both hands constantly resteering back an forth without trying not to over steer by staying in your lane an not steering in to another vehicle. . Not a safe vehicle to drive. Very unstable.

Filed Sep 10, 2016 · Electrical, Fuel system · TX

Difficult to keep car centered while driving. Steering wheel makes a clunking noise and has become jerry with small movements. Tendency to pull hard to the left or rights. Steering wheel jenks when traveling on error any size bump in road. Back up camera cuts in and out. Never obtain epaulets fuel milage estimates.

Filed Aug 3, 2016 · Engine, Seats · 33,600 miles · CA · crash · 5 injuries

My 2013 kia optima has had difficulty remaining in a sraight line on the freeway. Tends to pull left and right. The rate of travel is aprox. 45-65mph. There is also a problem with "oversteering" when I attempt to return to the center of the lane. I had been driving my other car for 29yrs, and I assumed that newer cars may have been differnt, such as being more sensitive with steering. I have almost had a collision on the freeway because there are also blind spots in several areas of the kia otima. This time I did end up in collision because of blindspots and oversteering in order to avoid hitting the car next to me, and instead hit the car next to me on the other lane when I attempted to move out of their way this occurred from sensetive oversteering. Our airbags did not deploy. Before this accident, I had received a letter from kia stating they wanted to know if I would like to trade up to the knew kia optima. The email stated they had new features; such as cameras for blind spots. This made me aware that kia knew there was a problem with these serious .blindspots. The car was also beginning to rumble, and I believed it was coming from the engine,in fact quite sure it was from the engine. I also had received a letter in the mail from kia, stating they were having problems with the engines from certain years of the kia optima my car was within the years stated. It stated they would honor this problem if you kept this letter in your car, when bringing it in for repairs. I was going to do this, but the car is now totaled after the accident.

Filed Jan 11, 2016 · Steering · 25 miles · GA

I purchased my 2013 kia optima on 9/29/2013. I drove it less than a month and the steering started sticking. I had to jerk the wheel to get it loose. Took car in for service and was told , " this is what it should do". I am not dumb. I knew their was something wrong. Took to another dealer and had to call kia consumer to get it diagnosed. Found out some type electric motor was gone. Got the car back and upon driving the steering started spining around like a merry go round. Took back to kia service per the consumer office. I have gotten car back and was told, "_it's better than it was by the service department"". Now the steering is very tight and stiff to drive. The car pulls to the left and right and I feel like I am fighting to keep it in a straight line. Very exhausting to drive. Now eben making turns I'm s curve to the left can sometimes hear a list clicking noise. These cars with steering problems need to be recalled and repaired. Something has to be done before s fatal accident. All these actions to place while driving the vehicle. It happens on streets and on the highway.

Filed Jul 31, 2015 · Steering · 33,333 miles · FL

Car started having a clicking noise when turning steering wheel to both right and left. Car has been pulling to the right on the highway, will even pull to the right at low speed rate. Car was bought brand new, should not be having steering issues.

Filed Apr 14, 2015 · Engine · 19,333 miles · MA · fire

Had oil change 5 days prior, and recall for acceleration. Called the,dealership because I heard a knocking noise in the front end. Was on my way to dealership on the,expressway, car lost power, put it in neutral and pulled to right side of xway..car filled with smoke and fully engulfed in flames. Waiting to hear if insurance is looking into faulty work with recall or oil change.

Filed Feb 17, 2015 · Steering · 27,565 miles · TN

Problem is ongoing. Vehicle wanders at highway speeds. Constant steering correction necessary. You cannot drive the car in a straight line. Slight corrections have to be constantly made to the steering wheel to keep the car going in a straight path. . I literally have to continuously micro-steer the car just to keep it within the lane it's supposed to be in. This drifting will happen no matter how much the wind is blowing or the type of road surface. I have installed new top quality tires and had an alignment scrupulously performed. No improvement.