Steering Column problems of the 2016 Kia Motor Sorento

Steering sticks while driving. There is a tight spot in the steering that makes driving in a straight line difficult. The vehicle requires constant correction to continue driving in a straight line. This is not only unsafe it is exhausting to drive. The issue also causes premature tire wear. A set of 80000 mile michelin tires was worn out in under 20000 miles. This started at about 50000 miles in our vehicle,but was not diagnosed until today,75000 miles. Prior to the warranty expiring the dealer said they did not notice the problem. Today the dealer says steering column is defective. Kia forums are full of drivers with this same issue starting as early as 30000 miles.

I noticed around 48,000 miles that after driving for 30+ minutes or on and off driving for 45+ minutes, my steering becomes "sticky"/"notched" when it is centered and I am driving 35 mph or more. It becomes much more pronounced when on a flat, straight surface and I am driving 60+ mph. This makes minor corrections hard to do when driving to stay in my lane as the vehicle seems to require significant pressure to turn right or left. This ends up becoming a series of constant corrections from inadvertently oversteering. This is very fatigue inducing and can be frustrating, even when I am very well rested and alert. I'm concerned it'll affect other drivers as they may drive erratically when passing as they match my steering corrections. My local kia dealership has been very helpful and receieved permission to remedy it under warranty and will replace the entire steering column and associated parts. Currently the steering column is on backorder and has been for at least three weeks. I believe the steering column issue may be bigger than indicated via reports judging by the backorder issue. Date entered in the "event date" section is based on when I had an appointment for an initial diagnosis.

My kia was bought 1/2016 and since then my steering column has had to be replaced 3 times, Cadillac converter once, and my car is now ready after 23 days because of a motor leak that had cracked the block. Everyone of these have been defects that kia has covered and yet I can't seem to get anyone from the escalations department to talk to me about a buyback or getting me into another car. It had 5 miles on it when I bought it and now is around 80,000.

Steering sticks causes driver to jerk the wheel left or right while in motion happens all the time at any speed on any type of road and happens while turning or straight. . Dealer stated needs whole new mdps steering column assy. This is a significant safety issue. Multiple complaints under the kia forums. Recall needs to be done ASAP! has been happening for 3 + years now.