19 problems related to steering column have been reported for the 2012 Kia Motor Optima. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2012 Kia Motor Optima based on all problems reported for the 2012 Optima.
Steering column coupler.
On feb18 2020 head lights again stopped working new bulbs were put in oem replacements light go off when ever they want this is extremely dangerous if your a rural roads interior light stay on or go off on there own but mostly it's the head light that work when they want to this issue happens when driving and when stationary kia has to do something to repair the problem this isn't a wear and tear people's this is subpar craftsmanship on a safety issue and I'm afraid someone will die. I have read other complaints where the car owners payed 400. 00 to replace the wiring and bulbs only to have it happen again. My other issue is that kia used a plastic star locking bearing in the steering column that broke and I had to fix at my expense mechanic said it's a problem with the cars. When driving the car making a turn you would feel the grinding in the steering wheel and hear clicking. This was on regular city paved streets.
When operating the vehicle the steering column gets stuck and clicks. It prevents you from turning the steering wheel and makes it unsafe when attempting to turn the wheel. It does this every time the vehicle is in operation.
Steering wheel would click when turning. The beginning of the turn was not smooth. Now the steering column rattles whenever I hit a bump in the road.
The steering column is making a clicking noise like something is loose inside it. I am afraid it will break completely and I'll lose all steering while I'm driving. It makes the noise when I hit a bump or veering left or right. It feels like it jerks. I travel quite a bit and have a one year old child. I've also read many complaints about this model having the same issue with other people. I am writing this complaint because I feel that this is not an isolated problem and am asking someone to look at this problem and address it. Thank you for your time.
Clicking in steering column while making turns. Getting worse each time. When in motion or not. Clicking is always there. Started a week ago.
When driving the steering wheel makes a loud clicking noise and if you hit a bumb its louder. If you barely turn the wheel while driving you can hear it make a clicking sound. When you hit a bumb it intensifies the sound and and makes you think something is loose in the steering column.
The steering column inside started making noises like something cracked inside nowthe sterling wheel make noises on every turn.
At 40,000 miles the steering began getting 'sticky' or 'stuck' at the 12 oclock position. It was particularly noticable when cruising down the highway. It got so bad that it was impossible not to overcorrect and veer left and right (mildly). The dealer replaced a part called the flex coupler and the problem vanished. One year later, at 51,000 miles the car is doing the exact same thing again. Now, however, the car is out of warranty (by a month). The dealer tells me that it needs a new steering column and that will cost me <> 1500 dollars. If my experiences are any indication, I will be replacing steering parts every 10,000 miles??? bad steering is very pretty unsafe guys. Think we can do something about this? I'm not the only person with this problem.
The contact owns a 2012 kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, a clicking noise could be heard coming from the steering column and it was also loose. The contact stated that no warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
The contact owns a 2012 kia Optima. While driving various speeds, the steering column vibrated and a loud noise was heard. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the steering column would need to be removed in order to diagnose the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 52,827. The VIN was unavailable.
The contact owns a 2012 kia Optima. The contact stated that there was an abnormal clicking sound in the steering column. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the lock in the steering wheel fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.
At 60k miles, steering has become difficult to maintain, steering column is loud and makes a popping noise, and now there is some type of clunk in the front suspension that can be heard when steering angle is being altered while simultaneously bridging a bump. Steering wheel sticks at speeds above 55mph, and thus over-steering is necessary in order to maintain tracking. Dealer informs me that some $4 plastic gear needs replacing somewhere, but that it will be $400 in labor to replace, but they can't even guarantee replacing this part will fix the issue. What a joke- this is my first and last kia/Hyundai product.
The contact owns a 2012 kia Optima. When turning the steering wheel in either direction, a clicking noise was present coming from the steering column. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that a coupling within the steering system was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 73,000.
Gear or bearing defective in steering column . Excessive motion , play and noise when operating vehicle . Contacted dealer but there has not been any recall regarding this problem . Dealer service dept. Quoted repair to be approximately 300 dollars . When is kia going to recall vehicles with this malfunction ?.
The contact owns a 2012 kia Optima. The contact stated that the steering wheel column was defective. The steering wheel emitted a loud clicking noise and vibrated while turning. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
Column shaked and rattled when I went over bumps or made turns, the dealer, classic kia in lewisville TX, charged me $689 to repair. Per my internet search this is a known problem and takes approximately 45 minutes to repair and the part cost a max of $15.
The steering column clunks when turning left or right, parked or when driving, it has a big gap (play) that makes a clunking noise when turning the wheel left or right. The gap and clunking noise is getting worse.
I have noticed a lot of play in the steering of my 2012 Optima in the last few months. I took the car into the dealer for new tires,alignment and balance while the mechanic was putting on the tires ,I asked him about the play in the steering wheel and he said it was because of a fiber gear in the steering motor that is on the steering column and that it was a warrenty problem and would be repaired free of charge there is a small fiber gear about the size of a quarter that the teeth break off of and will cause a clicking that I had herd and could cause the steering to lockup. When the unit was taken apart, the gear had a lot of teeth broken off and after it was replace the steering wheel was fine again with no play in the wheel I saw no recall or warnings but it seems that this happens at about 25000 mile give or take. Thought I would share this with other owners it can be repaired at no cost on a warrenty bases.