general problems of the 2012 Kia Motor Optima

Steering column coupler.

Making a nocking noise on the steering wheel.

The vehicle requires that you hold the steering wheel tightly at all times to prevent the vehicle from veering to the right or left. This is not an alignment issue, no uneven wear of the tires. In addition the steering is quite hard requiring unusual grip on the wheel. Also every slight bump is felt throughout the car. The failure of kia to address this problem found in many of their products, makes this company/mnf of questionable character.

Brakes squick even after repair and replacement and has a slower response time then usual and caused a rear end accident, cooling and heated seats stopped working on the driver side which I met owners of my exact car said the same thing has happened to them, and the passenger seat controllers doesn't work to operate adjustable seats! the suspensions has been bad every since the recall on the engine; for some reason it was giving back to me with that problem from kia dealership. Back-up camera is malfunctioning for years now and car doesn't even beep when getting too close to objects/other vehicles anymore either for years! I'm just finding out about the process, recall laws and right to an investigation.

Im having intermittent electrical and suspension problems along with sudden increases of power increase and decreases. I was driving to my local mall before my evening class and noticed my car radio and instrument cluster where not operating no lights but car was running fine. I hit the brakes while coming to a stop light in a busy intersection hit a small bump the car decided to accelerate and it felt as if the suspension was loose on the left front side I heard it rattle now this bump wasn't big by any means as I hit the break I could feel the brakes fight with the engine the brake pedal also shook at my feet. I quickly put the kia in neutral and shut the car off still at the light. Put it in park and restarted my car all light and instrument cluster came on along with radio. My Optima felt ok . But later I went to class got into my car and she wouldn't turn over I had to press on the gas to get it to start. I took it to the dealer they said they couldn't find anything besides my high temp fuel pump was giving low pressure codes. I only have 80k on this vehicle but kia said they will not cover it. This a serious safety issue why if my kids where in the car and I did get into a serious accident with them . This needs to be addressed. Something needs to be done before there is a death no after the fact.

Making a call with my bluetooth equipped in the vehicle, looked down to verify connection, by the time I looked up I was a foot away from a parked vehicle, I swerved as to the left as much as I could but it was too late, I slammed into the vehicle causing damage, my hood and engine were practically crushed in and along the passenger side of my vehicle, my car came to a hault before jumping over the median. None of airbags deployed. I was going speed of 50-60 miles per hour.

The contact owns a 2012 kia Optima. The contact stated that when making a turn the vehicle shook violently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 20,000 and the current mileage was 34,000. The VIN was not available.

While drive above 45mph the car wonders left and right, making it very hard to keep the car on the road. It also feels like there is a catch in the steering making it very easy to over correct the car. I have had it into kia to have the car looked at twice now. They have checked the alignment, tire pressure. . . They drove a salesman's car and a car off there lot and they tell me this is the way they all drive. I find this very hard to believe, (its a workout to keep the car on the road). I have been doing searches on the internet to try and find a solution for the problem, while doing this I have found a lot of other people that are having the same problem and are getting the same feedback from the dealers. From what I have found is its a known problem with the 2011, 2012, 2013 kia Optima's.

Problems start in 2012 engine recall in 2017 was replace,steering recall in 2018 steering coupling was replace how ever my rack and pinion was affected and needs to be replace. We call them in 2012 regarding the steering wheel witch they didn't fix at that time which caused rack and pinion to wear out. We went to three different dealer ships regarding this car and nothing was done. This car is still giving us problems and we want the manufacture to either give us our money back or fix this problem this car is a hazard to our family, if something is int down some one is going to get hurt in this car!!! . This car stop on us in traffic someone could of gotten hurt ,aaa had to pull this car to the selma dealer ship at that time. On the freeway the steering wheel would pull side to side that's dangerous. From 2012 until now this car is still giving us problems. We have all the paper work that was done on this lemon. Why don't someone help these consumers out here with these problem on the kia. I need help as ASAP. Sincerely, [xxxxx] parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

Vehicle hard to control and steer straight, especially at highway speeds. Severe pull to the left, though occasionally it drifts to the right. At city speeds, the steering problem is not as noticeable. I took the car to the dealer, and they checked the alignment. Minor adjustments, and tire inflation change, resulted in no significant change in the problem. . . It remains severe. If you let go of the steering wheel, then the car swiftly move across to the left lanes.

I bought this kia Optima sx in may 2012 because it's a beautiful car, basically with no hesitation. My first day driving it, I thought the steering felt a little different, tight, and pulled to the left and right and very hard to keep it going straight. I thought to myself, well it's a brand new car and has to be broken in a little maybe. About 500 miles in, problem didn't go away, took it to the dealer, they inspected the alignment, said alignment was ok, but the psi in tires was a little off and that it should fix the issue. Nothing has changed. Week later I took it in again. Was told everything is up to spec, and was told I am the first person to report this kind of issue with the car. I go home that night and google Optima steering problem. . . The search engine goes nuts!!! this is a issue with the Optima since 2011!!! I'm a truck driver and I can barely steer this car!!! how can this be safe on the roads??? there is thousands of complaints of this exact problem!! when my wife drives it she tells me she can't even take a drink of her soda because she has to pay so much attention to holding the wheel straight!! I feel the same way!! come on kia!!! come on d. O. T. It's only just a matter of time before this car causes a serious accident!! obviously the electronic power steering isn't safe!! so recall it!!.

Brand new vehicle pulled to right and also drifted left to right at 8 miles on highway with a speed of 55. I though all that it needed was a simple alignment I took it back to the dealer at just under 3000 miles and the tech drove it and told me it was fine I just need to get used to it. This car did not drive like the 2 that I had driven before I purchased it. The tech did an alignment and said the rear wheel was off from the factory . The car still did the same thing it felt loose and drifted on highway and straitways. I took it to another dealer that day and the tech drove it for 30 seconds and noticed the steering is was not right. He spent a great deal of time performing an alignment and once I drove it was fine. There was a slight pull to the right but most cars do have that. The tech gave me a print out of the alignment and the front camber was not to factory settings he told me that he could not adjust it. After driving 700 miles later the loose feeling and the drifting returned. I have contacted the original dealer again and I am hoping for a resolution soon.

The vehicle drifts left and right constantly and substantially, we have taken it to the dealer more times than I can count. Same conclusion every time. Adjusted, and vehicle is within specifications. They have not and refuse to acknowledge there is a serious issue. As of January 8th 2013, over one year since purchasing the problem, it still exists. We recently was in a minor accident because of this problem. On a tight road with little or no room for waiver, we struck another vehicles mirror with ours at 70mph. Luckily there was only superficial damage besides both of us deciding we are not driving this car again due to the safety of our children and ourselves. We are currently pursuing a lemon claim on the vehicle. Bale kia and crain kia both have told us the same thing, could not duplicate and vehicle is within specifications, TSB #032. According to them they are assuming we are making this up. Along with the 30+ other complaints found on here.