2007 Kia Optima Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 1%of 167 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 102,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the steering of the 2007 Kia Optima, 1% of the 167 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 102,000 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.
“Ever since we got this car it has been in 2 accidents due to the rain, when I started to look into what was causing this problem I noticed there is a hole in the plastic right below the oil filter. This allows water to get on the engine causing it to short power for the car. This in return causes the power steering to cease up making it nearly impossible to control the car, hence why it has been in two accidents; one that put my mother in the hospital a few years back. The last time this happened was yesterday but enough is enough, this flaw is a deadly problem.”
NHTSA complaint #11047255, filed 2017-11, 122,000 miles“The contact owns a 2007 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the key would not turn when placed in the ignition switch and the steering wheel unexpectedly seized. After numerous attempts, the ignition key began to turn and the steering wheel unlocked. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 82,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10535335, filed 2013-08, 82,000 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 2007 Kia Optima
65 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
33 complaintsExterior lighting
27 complaintsEngine
16 complaintsElectrical system
14 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
13 complaintsBrakes
8 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaintsEquipment
4 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2007 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