2001 Kia Optima Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 1about this part
- Share
- 1%of 143 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 191,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 1 complaints about the steering of the 2001 Kia Optima, 1% of the 143 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 191,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Got in car to go home noticed car steering was terrible as if I was on ice in the middle of sept. Got out to see if I was experiencing a flat tire noticed the two front tires weren't lined up correctly. After getting to a garage and having the two front tires removed it was found that the front subframe on passenger side of car had rusted and broken!!!! It needed replaced. I haven't been able to do so as of yet :( something needs to be done about all these 2001 optimas that are still on the street in desperate need of recall. I could of easily have wrecked and injured myself or someone else.”
NHTSA complaint #10778074, filed 2015-09, 191,000 milesSteering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2 | 1% |
| 2019 | 6 | 3% |
| 2018 | 12 | 5% |
| 2017 | 11 | 4% |
| 2016 | 24 | 3% |
| 2015 | 69 | 7% |
| 2014 | 97 | 16% |
| 2013 | 213 | 15% |
| 2012 | 188 | 20% |
| 2011 | 100 | 17% |
| 2010 | 2 | 3% |
| 2009 | 7 | 6% |
| 2008 | 4 | 3% |
| 2007 | 2 | 1% |
| 2006 | 2 | 1% |
| 2005 | 2 | 1% |
| 2004 | 7 | 3% |
| 2003 | 2 | 1% |
| 2002 | 8 | 7% |
| 2001 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2001 Kia Optima
35 complaintsSuspension
28 complaintsAir bags
27 complaintsEngine cooling
24 complaintsElectrical system
17 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
15 complaintsBrakes
14 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
12 complaintsEquipment
7 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaintsSeat belts
5 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 Kia Optima
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology