2015 KIA Optima Steering Problems
Owners have filed 69 complaints with NHTSA about steering problems on the 2015 KIA Optima, 7% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 39,125 miles. The words owners use most often: “steering column” (19% of reports).
- 69steering complaints
- 39,125median miles at failure
- 4mention a crash
- 1mention an injury
- 0related recalls
- 76%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 13 of 69 complaints (19%)
- Clock position: mentioned in 5 of 69 complaints (7%)
- Traction control: mentioned in 5 of 69 complaints (7%)
At what mileage do steering problems happen?
Based on 47 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 69 complaints, 4 mention a crash, 2 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 2015 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.
This is a formal vehicle safety complaint regarding a manufacturer's active refusal to remedy a known safety defect under an active recall campaign guidelines.My 2015 Kia Optima Turbo experienced an active internal mechanical engine knock, violent sputtering, and a complete engine seizure. The…
Driving down the road and my steering wheel light comes on sporadically and then I lose control of the steering wheel like it locks up and is almost impossible to turn or rotate and then other dashboard lights come on and I lose headlights. When that happens traction control light on dashboard, the…
Yesterday, [XXX], My 2015 kia optima engines reved up wothout me pushing the gas & within seconds later a loud noise and metal fell from under the hood. After pulling over, popping the hood on the passenger side and under the engine a fire had started. My daughter was seated in the back passenger…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2015 KIA Optimas have steering problems?
No. NHTSA has 69 owner complaints about steering for the 2015 KIA Optima (7% of the 1,009 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 2015 KIA Optima steering?
No recall currently lists steering for this vehicle.
At what mileage do steering problems start?
The median reported mileage is 39,125 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about steering problems on the 2015 KIA Optima?
The most frequent phrase is “steering column”, in 13 of 69 complaints, followed by “clock position” (5).
Other 2015 KIA Optima problems
- Engine problems (622)
- Electrical System problems (135)
- Structure problems (76)
See all 2015 KIA Optima problems or steering problems across all Optima years.