2013 KIA Optima Steering Problems
Owners have filed 213 complaints with NHTSA about steering problems on the 2013 KIA Optima, 15% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 40,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “steering column” (9% of reports).
- 213steering complaints
- 40,000median miles at failure
- 6mention a crash
- 2mention an injury
- 0related recalls
- 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 20 of 213 complaints (9%)
- Clicking sound: mentioned in 14 of 213 complaints (7%)
- Straight line: mentioned in 13 of 213 complaints (6%)
At what mileage do steering problems happen?
Based on 144 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 213 complaints, 6 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 2 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 2013 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 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the steering wheel was difficult to turn. There was an abnormal clicking sound coming from the vehicle and the vehicle was uncontrollable. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and…
the engine revs high and transmission wont shift and when you turn the steering wheel ya get a loud click and the steering wheels jumps
The steering column From the car has diminished causing dangerous shaking on highway at high speeds
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2013 KIA Optimas have steering problems?
No. NHTSA has 213 owner complaints about steering for the 2013 KIA Optima (15% of the 1,386 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 2013 KIA Optima steering?
No recall currently lists steering for this vehicle.
At what mileage do steering problems start?
The median reported mileage is 40,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about steering problems on the 2013 KIA Optima?
The most frequent phrase is “steering column”, in 20 of 213 complaints, followed by “clicking sound” (14).
Other 2013 KIA Optima problems
See all 2013 KIA Optima problems or steering problems across all Optima years.