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SteeringPart report

2011 Kia Sportage Steering Problems

Complaints
9about this part
Share
5%of 181 total for the year
Median mileage
17,600miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the steering of the 2011 Kia Sportage, 5% of the 181 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 17,600 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

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.

“This car is unable to maintain a straight trajectory under perfect road conditions or any other road conditions. It tends to go to the right, and I believe this is a significant safety hazard. I am also concerned about too much play in the steering. The play provides a significant angle of uncertainty in the trajectory.”

NHTSA complaint #10614515, filed 2014-07, 22,000 miles

“Recall no. 13v114 has still not been resolved. With no predicable frequency, my daughter's car will suddenly be difficult to shift out of park and the steering will become more difficult, the stability control light will illuminate, the cruise control will be inoperative, the anti-lock brakes will become inoperative, because the stop lamp switch connected to the brake pedal is malfunctioning. I believe this can be repaired by a replacement stop lamp switch, at least temporarily. I do not know if Kia has an alternate switch available to install. …”

NHTSA complaint #11390243, filed 2021-01, 122,500 miles

“When driving over a speed bump, dip or uneven road you feel a vibration in the steering wheel like a springy feeling and you feel like something is knocking against something underneath the car. I took the car to the dealing for inspection. The tech claimed he could not duplicate the problem. The tech and I took a road test together, with me in the car pointing out was I was feeling, it was then the tech could feel it understood what I was talking about. His first thought was a bolt came loose on the rack and pinion. …”

NHTSA complaint #10534637, filed 2013-08, 50,550 miles

“While driving at any speed on level roadway, vehicle veers slightly to left or right and takes constant corrections to keep it going straight. This causes problems because overcorrection becomes a problem. Alignment has been checked as well as tire rotation to no avail. Steering problems persist!”

NHTSA complaint #10452122, filed 2012-03, 13,200 miles

“2011 Kia Sportage sx all-wheel drive . . . The vehicle shows an inability to track straight while driving. Most notable on a straight highway. Vehicle requires constant correction and when corrected veers slowly back the other way. It is not uncontrollable, but does require constant correction and could lead to driver fatigue. Kia Sportage forums online has several owners with same issue. Has not resulted in accident.”

NHTSA complaint #10398322, filed 2011-04, 750 miles

Related service bulletins

Steering: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202614%
202547%
202445%
202353%
202224%
202095%
201923%
201895%
201792%
201643%
201532%
201321%
201262%
201195%
201015%
20091418%
200811%
20071013%
200633%
200557%
200294%
200152%
200083%
1999104%
1998134%
199763%
199612%
199559%

Other parts of the 2011 Kia Sportage

Engine
77 complaints
Electrical system
38 complaints
Brakes
25 complaints
Other or unknown
24 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
23 complaints
Exterior lighting
12 complaints
Fuel system
10 complaints
Vehicle speed control
10 complaints
Engine cooling
7 complaints
Electronic stability control
5 complaints
Body and structure
5 complaints
Suspension
5 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2011 Kia Sportage

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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