What 578 owners told NHTSA about the 2014 Kia Optima

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the steering wheel would jerk and shake. In addition, the steering wheel would vibrate whenever the contact would drive over rough roads. The vibration would omit a loud vibrating noise as well. The vehicle's driver seat would move out of position independently. The contact also mentioned that whenever they attempted to move the seat it failed to adjust accordingly. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who stated the steering column needed to be replaced along with other parts in connection to the steering. The contact stated that many bolts and screws had detached, as well, that needed to be replaced as well. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 126,170.

NHTSA ODI 11476899

WHILE DRIVING AND ROTATING THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT OT LRIGHT THERE IS A "CLUNKING" NOISE. THE SERVICE REP AT KIA STATED THAT THIS IS A STEERING COLUMN COUPLER. WHILE DRIVING THERE ARE CERTAIN POINTS WHERE THE STERING WHEEL SHAKES TURNING AND HITTING LITTLE DEVIATION ON THE HIGHWAY. ACCORDING TO BUYAUTOPARTS.COM :The Steering Coupler, which includes a cylindrical rubber bushing, ensures the transfer of movement from the steering wheel to the steering rack. The axis of the cylindrical bushing is almost perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the steering system. I DO NOT BELIEVE ANY SHAKING WHILE DRIVING ON THE STEERING WHEEL SHOULD NOT OCCUR. NO WARNING LIGHTS HAVE OCCURED SINCE THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN NOTICED.

NHTSA ODI 11465766

Power steering column is bad and comes on while driving and turning!

NHTSA ODI 11460293

While driving making an left or right turns steering wheel locks up and very hard to turn. The steering wheel light is on with the slippery light too! Trying to pull to the side of road., turn car off and waited to restart car

NHTSA ODI 11453152

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while turning the steering wheel left or right, there was an abnormal clicking sound coming from the steering wheel. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11451376

Steering column makes clicking noise and shakes violently when driving at 65 mph or more.

NHTSA ODI 11447969

Vehicle check engine light came on at 164000mi. Diagnostics confirmed trouble codes P2562 (Power train system) and C2130, C1611, C1612 (Anti-lock brake sytem). The begins to shake at 40mph and the turbo fails to run properly causing the car to accelerate poorly and make steering an issue.

NHTSA ODI 11438967

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, a clicking noise was heard when the steering wheel was turned. The contact's wife also informed the contact that the vehicle was shaking while she was driving. The dealer was made aware of the failure and scheduled an upcoming appointment for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.

NHTSA ODI 11431919

Attempted theft of vehicle on 04/09/21 by breaking in the rear window since it is not armed by the factory alarm. Then breaking the steering column and using a USB charging cable to start vehicle. Vehicle is still with the dealer Russ Darrow Kia, Wauwatosa, WI. awaiting parts (back logged) due to the epidemic of break-ins on Kia and Hyundai models. Police report # 21-099-0033 and Insurance claims adjuster have been notified and paid for repairs - $3,000; claim # A00003252795 Vehicle is available for view upon request. Kia or Hyundai has does nothing to mitigate the problem nor have they acknowledged the problem. I have made several attempts to reach out to Kia for assistance, but to no avail.

NHTSA ODI 11424036

I was getting into traffic and felt like power steering went on left turn Took to Kia repair shop on 5/26 RECEIVED call on 6/7 that repairs had been made costing $938.03 SAME PROBLEM NEXT DAY TOOK CAR BACK 6/11 RECEIVED message that car is repaired on 6/25 at NO Cost Picked up drove about 5 miles any took right turn to come home same it happened again They now have the car in the shop

NHTSA ODI 11422499

The electric power steering stopped working.

NHTSA ODI 11421570

A CLICKING NOISE IN THE FRONT END STARTED WHEN THE WHEEL WAS TURNED TO THE RIGHT. THIS WAS ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED A JOINT AND SAID IT WAS FIXED. A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER THE NOISE STARTED AGAIN, BECAME WORSE AND THE STEERING FELT LOOSER. THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL ALSO FELT LOOSE WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS. THEY REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN AND SOME OTHER RELATED PARTS. THIS TIME THE STEERING WAS LOOSER, THEY HAD TO REPLACE A BOLT AND SAID IT WAS FIXED. AS SOON AS I LEFT THE LOT I HEARD THE SAME NOISE BUT VERY FAINT. THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WASN'T AN ISSUE BUT IT GOT WORSE OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS. THE RIGHT WHEEL HAD THE LOOSE FEELING WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS AGAIN. BY THIS TIME THE NOISE HAPPENED WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE SAME PARTS AS BEFORE AGAIN. THAT SAME DAY I COULD HEAR THE FAINT NOISE AGAIN, DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS FINE AGAIN. THE CLICKING NOISE BECAME WORSE JUST AS BEFORE AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID THEY DIDN'T THINK IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE BUT THEY OBVIOUSLY DON'T REALLY KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS OR THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO REPAIR IT. IT HAS BEEN SEVERAL MONTHS SINCE THEIR LAST ATTEMPT AND IT KEEPS GETTING WORSE. WHEN GOING OVER THE SLIGHTEST BUMP THE FRONT WHEELS HAVE A LOOSE FEELING WHICH IS ALSO GETTING WORSE. THIS LOOSE FEELING IN THE FRONT WHEELS HAPPENS WHEN TURNING AND GOING STRAIGHT. SPEED DOESN'T SEEM TO BE A FACTOR IN ANY OF THE PROBLEMS.

NHTSA ODI 11415214

I LEFT THE DEALER LOT AT CLOSING TIME 2/5/2021 THE TRACTION LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHTS WARNINGS WERE ON THE ABS LIGHT THE CAR BRAKES SKIDDED UPON APPLYING BRAKES DRIVING AT A SLOW SPEED THE CAR SHOOK WHILE APPLYING BRAKES AND IT FELT AS THOUGH THE ENTIRE MOTOR WAS GOING TO FALL OUT . LATER MY 17 YEAR OLD WHOM HAS DRIVEN FOR 2 YEARS WAS DRIVING A FEW MILES FROM HOME SHE SAID THE STEERING WENT OUT THE BRAKES WENT OUT SHE SKID ACROSS TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD DID NOT HIT ANYTHING YET THE ENTIRE ENGINE AND ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE CAR CAME APART THE FRAME AND ALL . SHE COULD EASILY HAVE BEEN KILLED I WOULD LIKE THIS INVESTIGATED THOROUGHLY. I TOLD HER TO DRIVE SLOW AND SHE WAS ONLY GOING AROUND THE CORNER I HAD PLANNED TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALER THE FOLLOWING MONDAY BJUT WAS TOTALLED BEFORE I DID. SHE REPORTED GOING 45 MPH ON A ROAD WHEN I HAD THE ISSUES I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 35 TO 45 ON A REGULAR ROAD DID NOT DRIVE IT ON AN INTERSTATE YET DUE TO THE UNEASY WAYS IT WAS HANDELING AND I HAVE NEVER HAD A WRECK IN ALL MY YEARS OF DRIVING AND 1 AND A HALF HOUR DRIVE EACH WAY TO WORK FOR 40 YEARS . THE CAR ALSO FELT AS THOUGH IT WAS ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN ALSO'

NHTSA ODI 11396011

RECALL ON ENGINE WAS REPLACED 2 YEARS AGO FOR HAVING METAL SHAVINGS IN THE OIL. THE SECOND MOTOR HAS 15,000 MILES ON IT AND IT'S BURNING OIL AND SMOKING TO WHERE YOU CAN'T SEE ANYTHING. I WAS GETTING ON I 65 GOING NORTH AND SMOKE CAME OUT. IT HESITATES TO GO. CAN'T DRIVE IT OVER 45-50. STEERING HAS A RECALL FOR A PLASTIC CUFFLING BEHIND STEERING WHEEL. IT WAS REPLACED LAST YEAR ACCORDING TO RIVERCHASE KIA IN PELHAM ALABAMA. IT IS NOW MAKING A POPPING NOISE AGAIN. CONDENSATION IS GETTING IN TAIL LIGHTS CAUSING THE BULBS TO BLOW. THE HEADLIGHTS WHEN ON DIM YOU CAN BARELY SEE.

NHTSA ODI 11383573

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS CONTACTED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA FOR ASSISTANCE. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 154,000.

NHTSA ODI 11377728

A COUPLER ON THE STEERING COLUMN IS DEFECTIVE. IT IS CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO MAKE A CLICKING NOISE EVERY TIME THE WHEEL IS TURNED. IF IT IS NOW REPLACED IT CAN CAUSE THE STEERING TO MALFUNCTION WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI 11365207

WHEN DRIVING AT 60MPH MY STEERING WHEEL SHACKS AND IT DOES THE SAME EXACT THING WHEN I RIDE OVER A SPEED BUMP OR JUST HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD. THERE IS A LOT OF PLAY IN MY STEERING WHEEL AND I CAN HEAR A CLACKING AND CLICKING NOISE WHEN JUST TURNING THE WHEEL. ALSO I'M CONCERN ABOUT MY AIR BAGS COME OUT BECAUSE OF ALL THE SHACKING AND CLICKING THAT'S COMING FROM MY STEERING WHEEL.

NHTSA ODI 11355087

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY BEGAN TO SHAKE, VIBRATE AND BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO NATIONWIDE KIA SERVICE CENTER LOCATED AT 20 WEST TIMONIUM RD, TOWSON, MD 21093, TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11353940

DRIVING DOWN IN MOTION ON A VILLAGE ROAD GOING 40 MPH, CAR COMPLETELY SHUT OFF, LOST POWER STEERING, I HAD TO PULL CAR OVER WITHOUT POWER STEERING TO SIDE OF BUSY ROAD, CAR WOULD NOT STOP RIGHT AWAY AND PARK WOULD NOT ENGAGED RIGHT AWAY INTO PARK, CAR THEN ROLLED FORWARD ABOUT 10 FEET AND SLAMMED INTO PARK. CAR WOULD NOT TURN OVER HOWEVER ALL POWER LIGHTS, AND BATTERY WERE WORKING WITHOUT ISSUE. CALLED A TOW TRUCK, COULD NOT GET AHOLD OF KIA FOR KIA 24 HOUR EMERGENCY ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE, DUE TO COVID-19, I HAD TO CALL A LOCAL BODY SHOP/USED CAR DEALER FOR A TOW.

NHTSA ODI 11321529

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA OPTIMA. WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED IN ANY DIRECTION, IT MADE A CLICKING NOISE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BILL BRYAN KIA (9039 US-441, LEESBURG, FL 34788) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COUPLER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND KIA ISSUED COVERAGE THROUGH EXTENDED WARRANTIES FOR CERTAIN VEHICLES BASED ON THEIR LOCATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY DUE TO ITS PRODUCTION DATE. THE MANUFACTURER REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,751. *CW*JB

NHTSA ODI 11267291

I'VE BEEN DRIVING LATELY AND THE STEERING WHEEL GETS PRETTY STIFF AND UNABLE TO TURN WITHOUT APPLYING FORCE. IT HAS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING IN THE CITY, TURNING AND ALSO IN THE FREEWAY.

NHTSA ODI 11267177

ON SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2019 DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 4 WEST BOUND EXITING ALTAMONTE SPRINGS FL, MY STEERING BEGAN MAKING A THUMBING SOUND ALONG WITH A VIBRATION. AS SOON AS I PARKED, I BEGAN LOOKING FOR THE CAUSE OF SOUND. IT COMING FROM A 12 INCH STEERING COLUMN. I CALL KIA ON OCTOBER 3RD ASKING ON ANY TSB OR RECALLS ON THIS DANGEROUS ISSUE. NONE FOUND. THIS OCCURRED WITH NO WARNING. PLEASE INITIATE A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. OTHER OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI 11265877

MY STEERING WHEEL STARTED MAKING CLICKING SOUND AFTER RESEARCHING I FOUND IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM IN 2014 KIA OPTIMA CAUSED BY PLASTIC STEERING COUPLER CONFIDENT THAT KIA WOULD COVER IT BECAUSE OF THE SERVICE BULLETIN PUT OUT FOR MY YEA RE AND BACK TO MY SURPRISE I HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET $340. GOD KNOW WHY A MANUFACTURE WOULD PUT PLASTIC IN MAJOR COMPONENT OF THE STEERING COLUMN. I CONTACTED THEIR CONSUMER AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT AND WAS TOLD MY VIN WAS NOT COVERED AND DESPITE IT BEING ISSUED FOR MY YEAR AND MAKE NO OTHER ASSISTANCE WOULD BE PROVIDED UNLESS A FUTURE RECALL WAS ISSUED. THIS IS HUGE SAFETY ISSUE WHICH I CAUGHT PRIOR TO A FATALITY

NHTSA ODI 11257334

MY 2014 KIA OPTIMA STARTED MAKING A CLICKING/RATTLING NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN DRIVING. THE NOISE IS WORSE WHEN YOU HIT A SMALL DIP IN THE ROAD. THE STEERING FEELS CATCHY AND UNSAFE. OVER THE PAST THE PAST 2 YEARS MY ALIGNMENT HAS BEEN OFF CAUSING ABNORMAL WEAR AND REPLACEMENT OF MY TIRES. I WILL BE TAKING IT TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP TODAY AND HOPEFULLY THEY CAN FIX THIS PROBLEM

NHTSA ODI 11256312

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH OVER BUMPS IN THE ROAD, THE STEERING MADE AN ABNORMAL TAPPING AND KNOCKING NOISE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WORLD CAR KIA SOUTH (7915 INTERSTATE 35 ACCESS RD, SAN ANTONIO, TX 78224, (210) 305-5658) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COUPLER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION WARRANTY EXTENSION PROGRAM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,389.

NHTSA ODI 11245253