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SteeringPart report

2019 Kia Optima Steering Problems

Complaints
6about this part
Share
3%of 212 total for the year
Median mileage
33,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the steering of the 2019 Kia Optima, 3% of the 212 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 33,000 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.

“Lane safety control system makes unusual turns while I'm driving resulting me having to correct. In some situations vehicle almost turned into cars in nearby lane. Incidents have happened both on surface streets at speeds less than 55 miles per hour and on the freeway at speeds exceeding 55 miles per hour”

NHTSA complaint #11280619, filed 2019-11, 33,000 miles

“I purchased on my 2019 Kia Optima on 6/19. And since then off and on the car has experience intermittent starting issues. Now I have taken the car to two different dealers and neither one can find the problem. When pressing the stop/start button the car would hesitate to start no lights or codes are stored in the computer. I have contacted Kia about the issue all I was ever told was take it to the dealer and let them inspect it. The dealer would reset and update firmware. That would last for a minute but eventually the car would go back into the same thing of hesitating. …”

NHTSA complaint #11377227, filed 2020-11, 100 miles

“Parked. Started car & all dash lights lit up. Tried restarting no change. When backing up there was no power steering. Turned off ignition, pumped gas pedal 3 times, restarted & it seemed to fix problem. Took car in for electrical recall 1 week later & was told this might fix the problem. 2 weeks later it occurred again. Same solution used with success.”

NHTSA complaint #11363214, filed 2020-10, 34,900 miles

“Two thefts of my 2019 Kia Optima in less than one year; 9/12/2021 and 7/30/2022 due to Kia's negligence in fixing a very obvious security flaw and lack of engine immobilizer. I have spent approximately $2,500 of my own money between insurance deductibles and replacing items that were stolen from my vehicle in addition to the actual vehicle theft. The thefts caused over $13,000 of damage between the two claims, and surely have depreciated the value of my car significantly. …”

NHTSA complaint #11485265, filed 2022-09

“Dear National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, I am writing to bring to your attention a grave safety concern regarding my 2019 Kia Optima SX. Despite diligent maintenance and care, my vehicle has experienced persistent alignment issues, particularly on the right side. Additionally, I have encountered premature axle shaft and axle boot failures, all of which have occurred well before reaching 60,000 miles. These issues have not only posed a significant financial burden but have also jeopardized the safety of myself and other road users. …”

NHTSA complaint #11574794, filed 2024-02

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 2019 Kia Optima

Engine
92 complaintsOther or unknown
43 complaintsForward collision avoidance
36 complaintsElectrical system
23 complaintsBrakes
19 complaintsFuel system
18 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
17 complaintsBody and structure
14 complaintsAir bags
12 complaintsVehicle speed control
10 complaintsLane departure
7 complaintsElectronic stability control
3 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2019 Kia Optima

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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