2011 KIA Optima Steering Problems
Owners have filed 100 complaints with NHTSA about steering problems on the 2011 KIA Optima, 17% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 71,500 miles. The words owners use most often: “steering column” (28% of reports).
- 100steering complaints
- 71,500median miles at failure
- 0mention a crash
- 0mention an injury
- 0related recalls
- $520typical repair cost reported by owners
- 47%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Steering column: mentioned in 28 of 100 complaints (28%)
- Clicking noise: mentioned in 12 of 100 complaints (12%)
- Wheel makes: mentioned in 5 of 100 complaints (5%)
- You hit: mentioned in 5 of 100 complaints (5%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical steering repair on the 2011 KIA Optima at $520, and half of them between $450 and $940.
Based on 8 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2015–2020), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do steering problems happen?
Based on 82 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
None of the 100 complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
KIA Optima steering complaints by model year
| Model year | Steering complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Optima | 2 | 1% | — |
| 2019 Optima | 6 | 3% | 33,000 |
| 2018 Optima | 12 | 5% | 42,100 |
| 2017 Optima | 11 | 4% | — |
| 2016 Optima | 24 | 3% | 35,168 |
| 2015 Optima | 69 | 7% | 39,125 |
| 2014 Optima | 96 | 16% | 12,125 |
| 2013 Optima | 213 | 15% | 40,000 |
| 2012 Optima | 188 | 20% | 54,000 |
| 2011 Optima | 100 | 17% | 71,500 |
| 2010 Optima | 2 | 3% | 31,576 |
| 2009 Optima | 7 | 6% | 60,000 |
| 2008 Optima | 4 | 3% | 34,500 |
| 2007 Optima | 2 | 1% | 102,000 |
| 2006 Optima | 2 | 1% | 59,020 |
| 2005 Optima | 2 | 1% | 58,243 |
| 2004 Optima | 7 | 3% | 35,000 |
| 2003 Optima | 2 | 1% | 169,700 |
| 2002 Optima | 8 | 7% | 130,000 |
| 2001 Optima | 1 | 1% | 191,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (0)
No safety recall lists steering for the 2011 KIA Optima. A pattern of complaints does not always lead to a recall.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, there was a notchy feel in the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed, and the failure was linked to TSB Number: CHA060. The mechanic determined that the steering coupler…
1- Steering wheel. Yes 2- Not sure if something was going to happen while driving whether da or night or long distance traveling 3- I spoke with the service center a while back and didn't have a good time to bring it by. 4- No No just loud shaking from the steering wheel. It's been going on for at…
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima. The contact stated while reversing, the contact heard a popping sound, and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle was taken to an impendent mechanic, and he reinstalled the inner shaft. The dealer was contacted and stated that the vehicle needed…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2011 KIA Optimas have steering problems?
No. NHTSA has 100 owner complaints about steering for the 2011 KIA Optima (17% of the 594 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2011 KIA Optima steering?
No recall currently lists steering for this vehicle.
At what mileage do steering problems start?
The median reported mileage is 71,500 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
How much does it cost to fix steering problems on the 2011 KIA Optima?
Owners report a typical cost of $520 (half paid between $450 and $940), from 8 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about steering problems on the 2011 KIA Optima?
The most frequent phrase is “steering column”, in 28 of 100 complaints, followed by “clicking noise” (12).
Other 2011 KIA Optima problems
See all 2011 KIA Optima problems or steering problems across all Optima years.