2003 Kia Optima Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 1%of 141 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 169,700miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the steering of the 2003 Kia Optima, 1% of the 141 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 169,700 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.
“I was leaving my driveway and drove approximately 2 car lengths, my car stopped and started shaking, it wouldn't go forward or backwards. Turned the emergency flashers on as I placed the car in park. I got out and went around to the passenger side of my car; the wheel was against the firewall. I found a recall 2-15-13, called Kia customer service, they sent a towing company; in which, towed my car to mike smith Kia in paducah, ky. They found that my lower control arm had separated from the sub-frame due massive corrosion. Replaced the sub-frame & drive axle,2 new tires. …”
NHTSA complaint #10522638, filed 2013-07, 169,700 miles“While driving on the roadway, I was almost to a four way intersection, as i was going to get into the left turn lane, I turned the steering wheel slightly to the left as the steering wheel turned but the car almost did little adjusting to turn into the left turn lane. As this occurred you could here a noise underneath the vehicle . As I wasn't sure exactly what had happened, I attempted to limp the vehicle down the road to a friend's. …”
NHTSA complaint #11640256, filed 2025-02Steering: 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 2003 Kia Optima
53 complaintsElectrical system
25 complaintsBody and structure
25 complaintsAir bags
17 complaintsFuel system
12 complaintsSuspension
9 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
8 complaintsEngine cooling
7 complaintsOther or unknown
7 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 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