What 916 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Kia Optima

MY VIN IS [XXX] ITS A 2012 KIA OPITMA HYBRID 2.4L AND I SEE IT HAS THESE RECALLS ON IT NEEED TO KNOW WHAT I CAN DO ABOUT IT MY NUMBER IS [XXX]. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI 11423326

I WAS IN THE PARENT PICK UP LINE TO PICK UP MY DAUGHTER AND I PLACED MY SHIFT IN PARK HOWEVER MY CAR CONTINUED TO DRIVE FORWARD AND SHIFT GEAR WAS STUCK. STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF AND I KEPT FOOT ON BRAKE TO SLOWING MANEUVER CAR TO A PARKING SPOT. ONCE IN PARKING SPOT CAR WOULD NOT TURN OFF AND EVEN THOUGH CAR WAS IN PARK ON THE SHIFT GEAR THE DRIVE MODE WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CAR FINALLY TURNED OFF FOR A FEW SECONDS AND THAN RESTARTED BY ITSELF AND REPEATED TO DO SO. I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO MOVE GEAR SHIFT AFTER ACCESSING THE SHIFT GEAR RELEASE LOCK HOWEVER THE SHIFT GEAR REMAINED IN DRIVE MODE. THEN ENGINE JUST COMPLETELY STOPPED TURNING ON. CAR WOULD NOT TURN, NOT DRIVABLE AND HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED FOR REPAIR.

NHTSA ODI 11398744

IT OCCURS ONLY WHENEVER THE CAR IS IN MOTION. WHEN EVER I AM TURNING THE WHEEL IT CLICKS. WHENEVER I GO OVER A BUMP THE STEERING WHEEL CLICKS/KNOCKS AGGRESSIVELY.

NHTSA ODI 11365699

WHEN I MOVE MY STEERING WHEEL SIDE TO SIDE I HEAR A WEIRD CLUNKING LIKE NOISE. I FIRST NOTICED THIS WHILE PARKING IN MY DRIVEWAY. IT OCCURS WHILE THE CAR IS SITTING STILL, HOWEVER HAVE NOT TRIED IT WHILE CAR IS MOVING. ALSO WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY LAST WEEK (APPROX 60 MPH) MY STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO VIBRATE MODERATELY. I HAD NOT NOTICED THE VIBRATION PRIOR TO LAST WEEK OR THE CLUNKING NOISE BEFORE 9/26/20. I HAVE A VIDEO WITH CLUNKING NOISE OCCURRING IF NEEDED

NHTSA ODI 11361655

WHEN DRIVING SLOW AND TURNING A KNOCKING CLUNKING SOUND, OR SLIPPING CONDITION WHILE DRIVING IN HIGH SPEED ALSO MAKING WHEEL VIBRATE. WHEN IN STOP AND JUST TURNING WHEEL YOU HEAR THE LOAD CLUNKING. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE

NHTSA ODI 11354553

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING OR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THERE WAS A RATTLING SOUND COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,500.

NHTSA ODI 11354234

STEERING WHEEL MAKES A CLICKING NOISE . ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS

NHTSA ODI 11341603

MY VEHICLE STEERING MAKES A LOUD NOISE WHEN TURNING IT. IT HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING AND WHILE CAR IS IN PARK. I WAS TOLD THIS HAPPENS WITH KIA'S(STEERING COUPLING) AND SHOULD BE A RECALL. I NEED TO KNOW IF ESTABLISHED AS A RECALL SO I CAN TAKE TO A DEALER FOR REPAIR BECAUSE I DO NOT WANT TO CONTINUE DRIVING LIKE THIS. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11330907

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PULLING OUT OF HER DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE LOSS POWER STEERING ASSIST AND CEASED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DORSCHEL KIA (3817 W HENRIETTA RD, ROCHESTER, NY 14623) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH POWER STEERING FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ODI 11330322

MY STEERING WHEEL HAS A CLANKING SOUND EVERYTIME I TURN LEFT, RIGHT, OR EVEN GO OVER BUMPS. I HAVE READ MULTIPLE REVIEWS ON PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE SINCE THE CAR WAS RELEASED! THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THIS CAN CAUSE CAR ACCIDENTS. PEOPLE CAN LOSE LIVES OVER THIS. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL.

NHTSA ODI 11322834

THE VEHICLE REQUIRES THAT YOU HOLD THE STEERING WHEEL TIGHTLY AT ALL TIMES TO PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM VEERING TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT. THIS IS NOT AN ALIGNMENT ISSUE, NO UNEVEN WEAR OF THE TIRES. IN ADDITION THE STEERING IS QUITE HARD REQUIRING UNUSUAL GRIP ON THE WHEEL. ALSO EVERY SLIGHT BUMP IS FELT THROUGHOUT THE CAR. THE FAILURE OF KIA TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM FOUND IN MANY OF THEIR PRODUCTS, MAKES THIS COMPANY/MNF OF QUESTIONABLE CHARACTER.

NHTSA ODI 11316832

SINCE ABOUT 40K MILES MY STEERING HAS CLICKED, LOCKED, AND MISSED AND HAS GOTTEN WORSE TO THE POINT THAT I HAVE ALMOST BEEN IN A FEW WRECKS FROM INABILITY TO CONTROL STEERING. A MECHANIC FRIEND OF MINE TOLD ME THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS AND TO CALL KIA OF CHATTANOOGA (WHO I PURCHASED FROM) TO LOOK INTO IT ALONG WITH OTHER RECALLS I MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT BEFORE TAKING A TRIP ACCROSS COUNTRY WITH MY SON. I HAVE TRIED CALLING AND THE DEALERSHIP HEARS RECALL AND HANGS UP ON ME. I WAS ABLE TO LEAVE ONE VOICEMAIL FOR THE MANAGER BUT WAS NEVER CONTACTED BACK AND CONTINUE TO BE HUNG UP ON. MY CONCERN IS MOSTLY WITH THE STEERING AND POSSIBLE BEARINGS WITH ENGINE. STEERING WILL CLICK EVEN AT A STAND STILL, LOCKS AND MISSES WHILE IN MOTION RATHER BADLY. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE AROUND 40K MILES. UNSURE OF ANY OTHER SAFETY RELATED RECALLS AS I HAD MOVED MULTIPLE TIMES AND BELIVE THAT IS WHY I DID NOT GET LETTERS.

NHTSA ODI 11315808

ON FEB18 2020 HEAD LIGHTS AGAIN STOPPED WORKING NEW BULBS WERE PUT IN OEM REPLACEMENTS LIGHT GO OFF WHEN EVER THEY WANT THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS IF YOUR A RURAL ROADS INTERIOR LIGHT STAY ON OR GO OFF ON THERE OWN BUT MOSTLY IT'S THE HEAD LIGHT THAT WORK WHEN THEY WANT TO THIS ISSUE HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING AND WHEN STATIONARY KIA HAS TO DO SOMETHING TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM THIS ISN'T A WEAR AND TEAR PEOPLE'S THIS IS SUBPAR CRAFTSMANSHIP ON A SAFETY ISSUE AND I'M AFRAID SOMEONE WILL DIE. I HAVE READ OTHER COMPLAINTS WHERE THE CAR OWNERS PAYED 400.00 TO REPLACE THE WIRING AND BULBS ONLY TO HAVE IT HAPPEN AGAIN. MY OTHER ISSUE IS THAT KIA USED A PLASTIC STAR LOCKING BEARING IN THE STEERING COLUMN THAT BROKE AND I HAD TO FIX AT MY EXPENSE MECHANIC SAID IT'S A PROBLEM WITH THE CARS. WHEN DRIVING THE CAR MAKING A TURN YOU WOULD FEEL THE GRINDING IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND HEAR CLICKING. THIS WAS ON REGULAR CITY PAVED STREETS.

NHTSA ODI 11310012

STEERING STICKS AND YOU HAVE TO FORCEFULLY PULL THE STEERING WHEEL IN THE OTHER DIRECTION TO UNSTICK IT. OIL IS BURNING WITH NO OIL LEAKS, NO LEAKS IN OTHER FLUIDS, NO EXPLANATION AS TO WHERE IT IS GOING BUT IT IS BURNING THROUGH A QUART OF OIL EVERY 7 DAYS.

NHTSA ODI 11310190

STREERING GET HOT

NHTSA ODI 11308574

WHEN I'M GOING AROUND A CURVE MY STEERING WHEEL STICKS AND STAYS IN THE TURNING POSITION. I HAVE TO FORCEFULLY TURN IT BACK

NHTSA ODI 11307409

THE STEERING FEELS LIKE IT LOCKS AS YOUR DRIVING PULLING THE VEHICLE TO THE LEFT. I CAN JIGGLE THE STEERING WHEEL TO HELP CORRECT IT BACK TO STRAIGHTEN THE WHEELS.THE DEALERSHIP ALIGNED THE FRONT END BUT THIS DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THEY SAID THEY COULD POSSIBLY FIX IT IF I SPENT OVER A $1000 DOLLARS TO REPLACE PARTS ON THE RIGHT FRONT END. THEY WOULD NOT GUARANTEE THAT THIS WOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THAT IS A LOT OF MONEY TO "MAYBE" FIX IT.

NHTSA ODI 11299165

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED ABNORMALLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED OR INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11297876

STEERING COLUMN COUPLER

NHTSA ODI 11282827

THERE IS A CLICK OR CLUNK UPON TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION. THIS HAPPENS WHEN STILL OR TURNING ANYPLACE.

NHTSA ODI 11268365

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN TURNING LEFT AND RIGHT. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL RATTLING NOISE WHEN DRIVING OVER BUMPS IN THE ROAD. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ODI 11256495

NOISE IN THE STEEING WHEN I TURN THE WHEEL IN MOTION

NHTSA ODI 11233434

STEERING WHEEL SHIMMIES VIOLENTLY AT ABOUT 50 TO 60 MPH . THIS IS NOT AN ALIGNMENT OR WHEEL BALANCE ISSUE . I HAD A KIA SERVICE PERSON THAT WORKS IN ANOTHER DEALERSHIP AND I WAS TOLD THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT IS NOT BEING DEALT WITH BY KIA .

NHTSA ODI 11220958

WHILE PARKING MY CAR INTO THE GARAGE I NOTICE AS I WAS TURNING MY STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT TO STRAIGHTEN THE CAR I HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE. I ALSO NOTICE IT WHILE I MOVED THE STEERING WHEEL SIDE TO SIDE STATIONARY I WILL STILL HEAR THE NOISE ON THE RIGHT.. I'VE NEVER HEARD THIS NOISE UNTIL TODAY.

NHTSA ODI 11220508

AS I DRIVE THE CAR, SHE HAS A TENDENCY OF GOING EITHER TO THE LEFT OR THE RIGHT. I HAVE TO FORCEFULLY RECTIFY MY STEERING WHEEL AND SOMEONE BEHIND ME WOULD SEE THAT I'M DRIVIMG ERRATICALLY. IT IS ANNOYING WHILE DRIVING TO HAVE TO GIVE TO THE STEERING WHEEL A NOTCH TO THE LEFT OR TO THE RIGHT WHEN ACTUALLY YOU WANT TO GO STRAIGHT. IS THERE A RECALL ON THE PROBLEM. I BOUGHT THE CAR 2 YEARS AGO AND THEY TOLD ME THAT WAS THE ONLY PROBLEM THEY HAD WITH IT.THEY HAD TO CHANGE THE RACK AND PINION. AND NOW SHE'S DOING IT AGAIN. IT DOES THAT ON ANY STREET OR HIGHWAY.

NHTSA ODI 11208018