We have classified the 144 complaints from 2012 Kia Optima about STEERING into the following categories.
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