Steering coupler issue. When turning the steering wheel. It is making a clunking noise even when in park and making it feel not smooth to turn the wheel either way. Very distracting and awkward when driving. When speeding up you can feel the issue with the steering coupler more. You can feel the noise and clunk feel when driving over bumps and turns. There has been a campaign/recall for other makes and models. But this car hasn’t been included.
Kia Optima steering noise problems
143 of the 7,544 owner complaints about the Kia Optima describe clunking or noise when steering, most of them for the 2012 model year.
- owner complaints
- 143
- worst model year
- 2012
- typical repair cost reported
- $600
- typical mileage
- 72,000
Is there a fix? No recall or service bulletin covers this area of the car yet.
By model year
Often reported together
Harsh shifting 21Knocking 15Pulling 5Jerking 5Slipping 4Headlights 3Grinding brakes 3Stalling 2
What owners say
Steering violently shakes at 65 mph. Steering wheel makes a clunking noise when moving side to side.
Steering flexible coupler worn in the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) syste causing clicking noise and jittery steering
Steering wheel very loose, crackling noise and shaking going over bumps or uneven roads.
The steering wheel has a noise when turn, actually the noise is so loud now that it shakes while I'm driving. I have a video of it. I also brought to the mechanic and he told me that this is from the manufacturer problem. The videos are not support to download here. Let me know if I can send it through another way. Thank you, I'm going to kia dealer on Sep. 2nd to fix another recall, if please, send me a recall for the steering wheel as well. Thank you, appreciate it.
Steering clunks left & right, feels like steering coupler or clock spring is broken or out of wack, steering column rattles on bumpy r thoughtoads
For years there has been a problem with my vehicle after it rains. On the drivers side when turning the steering wheel there is a scraping noise. The dealership service always said they can’t hear anything or duplicate the problem. Now the issue has extended to the passenger side. After a heavy rain or going through the car wash water get in under the glovebox. My sunroof is fine and not clogged, the problem is something else. Water no matter the source should not be getting inside the car causing odor issues, interfering with the operation of turning / steering gears. This needs to be a recall to force Kia to acknowledge this well known problem from hundreds of online complaints regarding leaks.
I believe the steering wheel coupler is bad on my 2013 Kia Optima. It is a known issue for this year/make/model. The steering wheel is slipping and makes a clicking noise occasionally when turning.
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact heard an abnormal clicking sound while the steering wheel was vibrating. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the abnormal clicking sound was heard while making right turns. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.
Steering is clicking when turned from side to side. Also steering wheel shakes when coming to a stop or going over bumps. Checked with several people, including a service manager at Roseville Kia. The MDPS Flexible coupler needs replacing. They confirm its an ongoing problem. See Kia Technical Service Bulletin: MDPS FLEXIBLE COUPLING REPLACEMENT CUTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM (CS 1604). I spoke with Kia customer service and they refused to repair under warranty.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the Kia Optima steering noise
Which Kia Optima years have clunking or noise when steering problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2012 (56 complaints), 2013 (43 complaints) and 2011 (27 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix clunking or noise when steering on the Kia Optima?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $600 (median of 12 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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