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SteeringPart report

2012 Kia Optima Steering Problems

Complaints
188about this part
Share
20%of 920 total for the year
Median mileage
54,000miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 188 complaints about the steering of the 2012 Kia Optima, 20% of the 920 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 54,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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”

NHTSA complaint #11191131, filed 2019-03, 56,628 miles

“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.”

NHTSA complaint #11115518, filed 2018-08, 155,000 miles

“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.”

NHTSA complaint #11220508, filed 2019-06, 93,867 miles

“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.”

NHTSA complaint #11022844, filed 2017-09, 89,000 miles

“Takata recall while driving this car on the highway I notice noise coming from the front. I've had problem with this same thing since 2012, first the string it would pull left and right on its own while drive straight. Kia said they would fix it. There was a recall on this problem,now my rack and pinion is broken,and that's because Kia refuse to fix that problem back in 2012 with the string. …”

NHTSA complaint #11162273, filed 2018-12, 500 miles

Related service bulletins

Steering: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202021%
201963%
2018125%
2017114%
2016243%
2015697%
20149716%
201321315%
201218820%
201110017%
201023%
200976%
200843%
200721%
200621%
200521%
200473%
200321%
200287%
200111%

Other parts of the 2012 Kia Optima

Engine
398 complaintsElectrical system
122 complaintsBrakes
88 complaintsOther or unknown
88 complaintsFuel system
54 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
54 complaintsAir bags
48 complaintsVehicle speed control
40 complaintsBody and structure
39 complaintsExterior lighting
31 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
28 complaintsEngine cooling
20 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2012 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