5.5
fairly significant- Typical Repair Cost:
- $310
- Average Mileage:
- 73,950 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 8 complaints
Most common solutions:
- steering coupler (5 reports)
- not sure (3 reports)
My 2011 Kia Optima with 39,409 miles. I had a noise in the steering column and I checked online to see if someone was having this problem. I saw there was a problem with a plastic coupler or gear in the steering column. I reported it to the NHTSA and to Kia customer service about this cheap plastic part in the steering column. This defect may cause someone to be killed and should be repaired free of charge. I got a case number from Kia customer service and took my car to a Kia service center and the repair was done at no cost to me. Thank you Kia.
- jdintrono, Hicksville, US
Started having this problem with steering, so I googled it and find out that kia has a bad part in the steering column and that this is fairly common. There appears not to be any recalls, Last car we had was a Honda accord, and when the transmission went out at 54000 miles, Honda covered the parts and repairs without any problems. If Kia does not make this good, it will be the last one I own. I have not been able to get in touch with anyone at Kia yet. Will update when I do.
- Greg R., Alma, GA, US
It looks like it's a common issue with Kia Optima 2001 past 65,000 miles and there should be a recall for that. I was told by the dealer it could a safety hazard and it would cost around 404 to get it fixed. $$ for the part the rest for the labor. I have noticed it around 69,000 miles and I'm now on 78,000 and I have not fixed it yet.
- Makadi N., San Diego, CA, US
This problem started about 1 year age. It wasn't as loud at first. Took it by a Kia service shop to get an estimate and they told me the price would be over $900 to fix it.. really don't want to spend that type of money. I am 54 and have own several cars. Never have I had one with this type of issue. serching to see if there has been a recall on this car 2011 Kia SX AT
- Warren H., Street, SC, US
Kia Optima 2011 LX has a horrible clunk sound in the steering column. After searching the web, found it's because they used a plastic part for the steering coupler. The replacement part is about $3 USD plus labor, which is very involved and thus expensive. This needs to be recalled as it is a safety issue, affecting the steering and control the driver has over the car. Plus the sound is very distracting and worrisome. Further, some comments indicate a dealer fix is recommended due to the nature of re-assembling the steering column to ensure the steering and wheels are properly aligned for safety. A shop that offers a low price may be short changing you on safety, but spending $600 to get this fixed by the dealer (by some accounts) doesn't seem justifiable. KIA, FIX THIS.
- Joe C., Murfreesboro, TN, US
The clunking sound when steering is very annoying. You can't go over 65 or 70 mph on the express way without the wheel shaking with the clunking becoming a little more intense than being on the regular street. I was about 100 miles over the warranty coverage but who is suppose know what the warranty cover if the explanation is so general. These cars are to new to have these severe issues. Who in the hell really regulate these issues. I will never buy a Kia again. The warranty that we all think is so great is for a reason. I can't believe that regulators allow these issues to even be passed on to a customer. I have called the dealer. The result was I needed to pay for it. I am not paying for it. We spend all of this money on these vehicles and it isn't fair. Also, I had a transmission problem that thankfully my warranty covered it and I wasn't over the 60,000 miles. Who can help with the steering issue? It is all kind of videos on YouTube and forums with others with the same exact steering issue.
- a.san6560, Miami, FL, US
The part was $1.89 the remainder of the $389 was labor and shop parts. Seems like a faulty part since it's affecting Kia's and Hyundai's. When I originally brought the car in for the problem I was told it was a recall and they were out of the part. Well, I returned and had to pay for the repair.
- rpommier, Schertz, TX, US
A very small screw was rattling around INSIDE the center of the steering wheel for a day. Next day I turned the steering wheel all the way to the right and a very small screw fell out. Now the steering column rattles with every bump you hit and it is loose. I have found numerous complaints for the same problem online. I made a service appt. for next week but afraid that this tiny screw is going to cost me a bunch!
- Teri M., Front Royal, VA, US