2012 Kia Optima Steering

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds on several occasions and making a turn, there was a loud popping sound coming from the steering column and the wheels. Additionally, while attempting to shift into reverse, there was a popping sound coming from the steering column and floorboard. A mobile mechanic went to the residence where the vehicle was parked and stated that the failure might be associated with the steering column. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to a parts store where a handheld diagnostic scanner retrieved a fault code for steering wheel angle sensor signal failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 202,000.

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.

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)

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.

steering wheel play, steering coupler wear

MDPS Flex Coupler worn out & caused play in steering wheel.

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)

The component that failed is the steering coupler. I believe this is a huge issue as it can affect the steering of the car, causing frequent vibrations and jittering of the steering wheel. No, it doesn't need to be inspected, it is obvious as this has been recalled in their vehicles and for some reason this model is not included while many have the same issue. Yes, clicking noises and vibrations at the steering wheel, many videos can be found online with the same issue and a repair for it. It is exactly the same as many others, this should've been recalled in more models. Problem appeared at around 100k miles and 10 years of use.

The steering wheel has a loud clicking sound when I drive on the highway as well as when I turn the wheel left or right. It is so loud that I have to turn my radio volume high to somewhat drown it out. The flex coupler is the issue. Apparently this was a recall in the past. Since mine just started acting up, I just found out there was even a recall on this part. Tried to get Kia to replace the part, but was denied. Currently escalating the issue as I do not agree with the decision, waiting on answer. I drive a total of 150 miles to and from work daily. When I hit normal bumps/dips in the road, the steering wheel shakes horribly. The sound is a major distraction to my abilities on the road. I don't think I should have to pay out of pocket for a part Kia knew was defective. It literally feels as though the steering column is going to fall off eventually.

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.

In November 2022, I noticed that my steering wheel would stick after reaching 35 mph. After an unrelated issue in January, a mechanic confirmed this issue. Went for a second option and they confirmed that same issue, stating it was the steering column insulator. After consulting with another mechanic that can fix the problem, he encouraged me to reach out to KIA for recalls, as that he has repaired 3 other vehicles in the past 12 months with the same issue and they all had recalls. KIA does not have any recalls for this, or anything related to steering. They said that a component in my steering was covered but the warranty expired 2 years ago. Still checking for recalls, as that I'm seeing a lot of reports online of the same issue with Optimas.

My Kia 2012 optima started having steering problems. The steering started sticking at higher speeds. When I tried to steer the steering wheel felt like it was stuck in the center position and I had to use extra force to steer it either left or right. It felt very unsafe while driving. I research this Kia problem and I found a kia TSB CHA 060 that addresses this same problem. So Kia is aware of this steering safety issue. I contacted my local Kia dealer and I was told that my vehicle was not covered under this. They told me that the safety TSB was only good for 10 years and my car is now 12 years old. I was told that there was another safety recall on my car about the headliner needing repairs and that was covered. So at this point Kia will repair my headliner for free, but not repair my steering safety problem under warranty.

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the steering wheel made clicking sounds whenever turned. The dealer was made aware of the failure and scheduled an upcoming appointment for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

MDPS Flex Coupling for steering needs replacement. Not covered by the 10 year warranty because it was 6 months late

The steering wheel flex coupler is defective. There is a loud clicking sound when turning the steering wheel. Kia currently does not offer free repair since out of warranty. I am hoping they will instead offer a recall. Thank you.

We noticed the steering seemed loose and at 80 MPH there was a serious vibration in the steering column. We noticed there was a service bulletin on the problem on the internet, but our car was 8 months past the 10 year limit on what KIA would cover. Our car has 123,000 miles on it. Our dealer, KIA of Billings Montana fixed the problem, but it cost us $610. I believe KIA should have notified us of the problem long ago and fixed it. The vibration has been happening for some time, but we thought it was just tires out of balance or an alignment problem. We had the tires aligned and tires rotated and balanced, but still had the problem. If the government or KIA knew about the problem, they should have warned us long ago, even if we had to pay for the repair.

sterring has become loose and makes noise when sterring wheel is moved back and forth

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving approximately 30-35 MPH, the power steering failed, and the steering wheel was stiff and making clicking sounds. The dealer was contacted, and the contact was waiting to speak to a representative. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to contact the local dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.

I purchased 2012 kia optima hybrid june 14, 2021. 1 week after I purchased vehicle i started to hear "clicking noise" & felt a "bump" each time I moved steering wheel slightly left or right. example moving steering wheel to change lanes, turning vehicle left or right, and moving steering wheel when straightening out car when parking. As of 7/6/2021 "clicking noise" in steering wheel/steering column is louder.

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

STREERING GET HOT

IT OCCURS ONLY WHENEVER THE CAR IS IN MOTION. WHEN EVER I AM TURNING THE WHEEL IT CLICKS. WHENEVER I GO OVER A BUMP THE STEERING WHEEL CLICKS/KNOCKS AGGRESSIVELY.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING OR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THERE WAS A RATTLING SOUND COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,500.

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED ABNORMALLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED OR INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.