Problems with 2012 Kia Optima STEERING

When i'm going around a curve my steering wheel sticks and stays in the turning position. i have to forcefully turn it back

Steering column coupler

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

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.

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.

Steering wheel shimmies violently at about 50 to 60 mph . this is not an alignment or wheel balance issue . i had a kia service person that works in another dealership and i was told this is a known problem that is not being dealt with by kia .

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.

Every time i turn my wheel left/right, or hit a bump it clicks loudly.

2012 kia optima with 43000 miles # airbag warning light stays on and checking different seating position/ restarting the ignition the warning light still stays on. # steering wheel feels sticky while driving straight, which needs immediate correction by moving left /right. if not it keeps going towards one direction constantly. dealership recommended to get the wheel alignment done, but no improvement as per steering wheel even after getting alignment done.

While driving on the highway i have noticed that the steering wheel sticks when i am trying to keep the car going straight in my lane. it's tricky to move the steering wheel while driving especially at high speed. the steering wheel doesn't move freely to perform short steering corrections. you don't noticed this in the turn but on straight road driving

Kia optima 2012 has very sticky steering wheel issues. it just drift left or right constantly on the straight drive . it happens on any speed limits and more noticeable on straight drives. it just stucks until you correct with extra force.this is very serious and scary . this model does have electric steering so i don't know if that is the problem. i have seen many owners have complained about the same issue and got it fixed after replacing coupling lower shaft steering shaft . this could cause serious accident.

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia optima. while driving approximately 60 mph over a bump in the road, a rattling noise was heard from the steering wheel. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who referred the contact to a dealer. the dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the failure mileage was approximately 143,000.

Steering is loose, clicks, wheel shakes while stationary or in motion

Steering is becoming more and more unresponsive, increasing rotational of play from the steering wheel. initially noticed july 2017 but has been steadily increasing. while driving on interstate the delayed response of the steering wheel made it difficult to avoid a vehicle swerving into my lane.

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia optima. while driving the vehicle, the steering wheel began to veer left and right without warning. the contact stated that while making turns, the steering wheel jerked and resisted, which made it difficult to control. the dealer (university kia, 6519 university dr nw, huntsville, al 35806) was contacted and advised the contact to bring the vehicle to them for diagnostic testing. the manufacturer was also contacted. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the failure mileage was 40,590. *tt*jb

When i turn my steering wheel it makes a clicking noise & vibrates at time. makes noises when ii ma driving on less that supremely smooth roads

When operating the vehicle the steering column gets stuck and clicks.it prevents you from turning the steering wheel and makes it unsafe when attempting to turn the wheel.it does this every time the vehicle is in operation.

Steering wheel would click when turning. the beginning of the turn was not smooth.now the steering column rattles whenever i hit a bump in the road

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia optima. the contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated while driving. the contact also stated that the buttons on the steering wheel failed to function. the vehicle was taken to kia of cerritos (located at 18201 studebaker rd, cerritos, ca 90703, (562) 860-2424) where it was diagnosed that the air bag switch needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the vin was included in nhtsa campaign number: 18v363000 (air bags). the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. the approximate failure mileage was 79,000.

Continuous clicking noise while steering at all speeds. sounds like something is loose in steering column. was told it could be steering coupler/

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia optima. while driving and making turns or just turning the steering wheel when the vehicle was parked, a knocking noise was heard from the steering wheel. there was no warning indicator illuminated. the vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. the approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

While driving, steering makes noise and rattle. contacted kia dealer in fremont and kia corporation about the issues. no response.

I have noticed that when the car is not moving and i move the steering wheel from side to side i can hear a light popping noise. also the steering wheel has excessive vibration and raddling when i am driving between 65-75 on the highway, it decreases at 80 mph. this also happens if i have to brake suddenly. it is not an issue with the tires or alignment.

As i drive the car, she has a tendency of going either to the left or the right. i have to forcefully rectify my steering wheel and someone behind me would see that i'm drivimg erratically. it is annoying while driving to have to give to the steering wheel a notch to the left or to the right when actually you want to go straight. is there a recall on the problem. i bought the car 2 years ago and they told me that was the only problem they had with it.they had to change the rack and pinion. and now she's doing it again. it does that on any street or highway.

My steering wheel shakes when i am coming to a stop at a high speed.

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia optima. while driving 35 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. the contact safely pulled over as the body of the vehicle veered from left to right due to the loss of power steering ability. in addition, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. the vehicle was taken to selma kia (2775 auto mall dr., selma, ca 93662, (559) 891-2300) where it was diagnosed that the rack and pinion needed replacement. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was notified and did not assist. the failure mileage was 155,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia optima. while driving unknown speeds, the steering wheel made an abnormal rattling noise. there were no warning indicators illuminated. the local dealer and the manufacturer were not contacted. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the failure mileage was 114,000. the vin was not available. **tr consumer steering wheel makes abnormal noises when driving over bumpy roads and turning even when car isn't moving it, makes a noise just by moving steering wheel. updated 10/26/18*jb

My 2012 optima pops and makes a clicking noise when turning and is harder to turn them normal and rattles over bumps. based off my research online it's a bad cheap plastic steering coupler. there are numerous complaints online as well as youtube videos addressing this safety issue. i believe it is the same problem that the soul got recalled for. here is just one link of many videos i found on google. https://youtu.be/bmmvjlf2zro please get this issue resolved for the people that can't afford the $600 the dealership charges to replace it when it shouldn't be an issue. this should not be a wear and tear piece of equipment. i hope kia can fix this in the future and fix the cars out there that have faulty steering with a cheap piece of plastic, it's to dangerous to cut corners when it comes to the steering of a motor vehicle and from what i've seen it's a big problem with a lot of there products. please recall so they can correct this to prevent future accidents and maybe so they change this for there future vehicles. it clicks while moving and stationary and sometimes is harder to turn then others which is not safe because you never know how hard you have to jerk the wheel or not.

There is a loud clanking sound coming from the steering wheel whenever it is moved, shaken or turned. it makes the sound when the car is both moving and stationary and it occurs while on all road types, at all speeds.

Steering wheel shakes while in motion ( 60-80 mph ). ride is smooth until tires roll over imperfection in road. steering wheel and front-end begins to shake violently. shaking stops when turning right or left and begins again once vehicle has straightened out.

At highway speeds, intermittently , the steering will get stuck in the 12 o'clock position for approximately 1 second, repeatably happens once it starts happening, until off highway. steering can be fine for months, and then issue can come back. then when dealer inspects it, issue is gone. this is a very unsafe and serious issue, even a split second of reduced response time can mean the difference between life and death. dealer said they performed the steering logic improvement update, but issue still happens on occasion.

The steering column is making a clicking noise like something is loose inside it. i am afraid it will break completely and i'll lose all steering while i'm driving. it makes the noise when i hit a bump or veering left or right. it feels like it jerks. i travel quite a bit and have a one year old child. i've also read many complaints about this model having the same issue with other people. i am writing this complaint because i feel that this is not an isolated problem and am asking someone to look at this problem and address it. thank you for your time.

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia optima. while driving 65 mph, the contact heard a clicking sound and the steering wheel began slipping. the contact drove home and called geweke kia (1234 sunsweet blvd, yuba city, ca 95991). the dealer stated that there were no recalls on the vehicle. the manufacturer was not aware of the issue. the failure mileage was 142,000. *tt *tr

Since i got the car in may of 2016, it has made a clicking sound when i turn the wheel. as time has gone on the sound is getting louder. i have seen a number of videos regarding this issue. i believe it is suggested for the part to be replaced. i believe this is a safety issue.

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.

There is a knocking noise coming from my steering wheel for about 7 months

While driving on the highway(60mph and above) steering wheel appears to stick around 12 o'clock position. have had the flex coupler repaired under the recall. i started to notice this shortly after it was replaced. seems to be increasing in frequency.

Clicking in steering column while making turns.getting worse each time. when in motion or not.clicking is always there. started a week ago.

Electrical rack and pinions recall. steering wheel feels loose. steering wheel starts shaking at approximately 65-70 mph

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia optima. while driving various speeds, a loud noise was coming from the steering wheel without warning. the vehicle was not taken to the dealer. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was not contacted. the approximate failure mileage was 90,000.

I have just recently started having a problem when i hit bumps in the road or a rough road. the steering wheel makes a noise and i can feel a shaking sort of. i clicked on suspension because of how rough it feels riding right now and i dont know if im just feeling the steering or if its affecting the whole ride. it has been very comfortbale since bought new in 2012.

Loud clicking noise when turning the steering wheel both ways making steering and driving very unstable.

When turning the steering wheel just slightly and going either way it makes this small slipping or clunking noise and i am concerned about safety of the steering. happens in motion when turning even slightly and either direction and when it is stationary. city street, highway, freeway, backing up, going forward and turning. and it has happened now for approximately 2 - 3 months. i am told by internet that it may be flex coupling in steering. i am not mechanic. still happening. on-going.

When driving the steering wheel makes a loud clicking noise and if you hit a bumb its louder. if you barely turn the wheel while driving you can hear it make a clicking sound. when you hit a bumb it intensifies the sound and and makes you think something is loose in the steering column.

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia optima. while driving, the contact stated that there was play in the steering wheel when turning left and right. also, while driving various speeds, there was an abnormal rattling noise when driving over bumps in the road. there were no warning indicators illuminated. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer and dealer were not contacted. the failure mileage was 80,000.

When streering the vehicle, in motion or still, the steering wheel makes a clicking sound. going over any bump it rattles n shakes.

The steering column inside started making noises like something cracked inside nowthe sterling wheel make noises on every turn.

Engine started making loud clicking noise lost power while driving home on busy highway took car to nearest auto shop owner states sounds like internal engine problem advised to have car towed to kia dealership had car towed on 04/22/2017 to dealership. have not received any notice of a recall .car has been sitting at dealership for over a month they called and stated that car had internal engine problems but still have not started on repairing the car has been at dealership for over a month.

At 40,000 miles the steering began getting 'sticky' or 'stuck' at the 12 oclock position. it was particularly noticable when cruising down the highway. it got so bad that it was impossible not to overcorrect and veer left and right (mildly). the dealer replaced a part called the flex coupler and the problem vanished. one year later, at 51,000 miles the car is doing the exact same thing again. now, however, the car is out of warranty (by a month). the dealer tells me that it needs a new steering column and that will cost me <> 1500 dollars. if my experiences are any indication, i will be replacing steering parts every 10,000 miles??? bad steering is very pretty unsafe guys. think we can do something about this? i'm not the only person with this problem.

On april 5th 2017, my kia optima started to make a horrible sound. i was on hwy 26 headed into portland or. going through the tunnel, as i was going into the tunnel the horrible knocking noise started. there was cars in front of me and cars behind me. this was at 4:30 am.. all the lights on the dash came on, i had no brakes, no steering and no way to accelerate. drifted to the side and had it towed.