2012 KIA Optima Steering Problems
Owners have filed 188 complaints with NHTSA about steering problems on the 2012 KIA Optima, 20% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 54,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “steering column” (16% of reports).
- 188steering complaints
- 54,000median miles at failure
- 3mention a crash
- 1mention an injury
- 0related recalls
- $790typical repair cost reported by owners
- 59%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 31 of 188 complaints (16%)
- Clicking noise: mentioned in 18 of 188 complaints (10%)
- Wheel makes: mentioned in 10 of 188 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 2012 KIA Optima at $790, and half of them between $420 and $930.
Based on 9 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2015–2022), 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 131 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 188 complaints, 3 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 1 an 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 2012 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.
Steering flexible coupling was a recall over 10 years ago, it was replaced. The steering wheel âsticksâ and itâs catching again and they will not do anything. Iâm not happy that this is an ongoing problem and can be dangerous if it sticks at the wrong time!
I had a engine replaced 1600 miles ago delarsship advised it was ok to drive gave me a vechicle back with abs light tracation control light on along with a exuast leak
I bought this car February 2026 when I drove it on the freeway they car felt wiggly not the axle is broke and the wheel bearings stop the car from going
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2012 KIA Optimas have steering problems?
No. NHTSA has 188 owner complaints about steering for the 2012 KIA Optima (20% of the 920 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 2012 KIA Optima steering?
No recall currently lists steering for this vehicle.
At what mileage do steering problems start?
The median reported mileage is 54,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
How much does it cost to fix steering problems on the 2012 KIA Optima?
Owners report a typical cost of $790 (half paid between $420 and $930), from 9 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about steering problems on the 2012 KIA Optima?
The most frequent phrase is “steering column”, in 31 of 188 complaints, followed by “clicking noise” (18).
Other 2012 KIA Optima problems
- Engine problems (398)
- Electrical System problems (122)
- Power Train problems (54)
- Service Brakes problems (52)
See all 2012 KIA Optima problems or steering problems across all Optima years.