2012 Kia Optima steering problems
Owners reported steering problems in 188 complaints for the 2012 Kia Optima, 15% of the complaints on file. It is the 2nd most reported problem area for this model year.
At a glance
- Complaints
- 188 15% of this year's complaints
- Typical mileage
- 54,000 miles 131 complaints with mileage
- Crashes and fires
- 3 and 1
- Injuries and deaths
- 1 and 0
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
When steering problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 30 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 14 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 26 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 23 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 15 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 5 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 9 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 7 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 1 |
| 200k+ miles | 1 |
What the data shows
Of the 131 steering complaints that report mileage, the median is about 54,000 miles, and 53% were reported before 60,000 miles.
These complaints mention 3 crashes, 1 fire, 1 injury.
What owners wrote
While drive above 45MPH the car wonders left and right, making it very hard to keep the car on the road. It also feels like there is a catch in the steering making it very easy to over correct the car. I have had it into kia to have the car looked at twice now. They have checked the alignment, tire pressure... They drove a salesman's car and a car off there lot and they tell me this is the way they all drive. I find this very hard to believe, (its a workout to keep the car on the road).
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.
Other problems reported for the 2012 Kia Optima
- Engine 417 complaints
- Electrical system 123 complaints
- Brakes 88 complaints
- Fuel system 54 complaints
- Drivetrain & axles 53 complaints
- Air bags 48 complaints
- Cruise control 40 complaints
- Body & structure 39 complaints