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SteeringPart report

2015 Kia Optima Steering Problems

Complaints
69about this part
Share
7%of 1,010 total for the year
Median mileage
39,125miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 69 complaints about the steering of the 2015 Kia Optima, 7% of the 1,010 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 39,125 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

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

“About a month and a half ago my traction control light came on and I lost power steering. For a brief period of time that day the light went off and I regained power steering. Later that same day the traction control light reappeared and has been on since causing me to lose power steering. I have spoken with the manufacturer and they claim that this problem does not fall under any recall therefore they are not responsible for anything.”

NHTSA complaint #11373549, filed 2020-11, 86,000 miles

“Takata recall: the tire low light on he dash is always on no matter what I do. I have always had my tires changed from the dealer never from a third party. This is inconvenient for me because this is the identification for a low tire. So anytime I suspect a low tire I have to stop my vehicle where ever I may be get out and walk around the vehicle to manually test the pressure in my vehicles tires..”

NHTSA complaint #11032333, filed 2017-10, 45,000 miles

“While driving at speeds higher than 45 MPH, the steering wheel locks for a brief moment. This does not allow for a smooth way to keep the vehicle straight on the highway. Very scary. Antenna cover on top of car flew off on the highway. Read that it has happened to several other 2015 Optima models. Back up camera is foggy and I can no longer use it when reversing. Back taillights have condensation in them. I have already had one of them replaced early on.”

NHTSA complaint #11317571, filed 2020-03, 44,000 miles

“About a month ago my traction control light came on and I would lose power steering. For a brief period of time maybe a day or two the light went out and I regained steering. Since then it has come back on again and I have had no power steering since this period I know there is an active recall on certain aspects of this and believe this is part of it, however I am told that my problem is not part of the recall and that I need to pay to have the safety issue fixed on my own.”

NHTSA complaint #11373547, filed 2020-11, 86,234 miles

“Coming off an off ramp on greenbriar south in chesapeak virginia, I heard a cracking noise from under the car. There was nothing in the road nor was there any pot holes. The vehicle then started pulling to the right and when I started pulling the steering wheel to the left I continued to drift right. I then landed into a guard rail at approximately 15 to 20 miles per hour. There was a witness behind me that can attest to this incident. …”

NHTSA complaint #10928699, filed 2016-11, 56,100 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 2015 Kia Optima

Engine
623 complaintsOther or unknown
140 complaintsElectrical system
135 complaintsBrakes
90 complaintsBody and structure
76 complaintsFuel system
56 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
49 complaintsVehicle speed control
36 complaintsEngine cooling
31 complaintsAir bags
26 complaintsExterior lighting
23 complaintsElectronic stability control
10 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2015 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