What 12 owners told NHTSA about the 2015 Kia Optima Hybrid

I NOTICED THAT WHILE DRIVING PASS 35 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL GETS KINDA STUCK IN THE 12 O'CLOCK POSITION. IF I TRY TO STEER EITHER TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT IT GETS STUCK LITELY, NOW IT WILL NOT DO IT IF I'M MAKING A COMPLETE TURN! IT'S HARD DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY BECAUSE YOU CAN'T KEEP THE VEHICLE STRAIGHT IN THE LANE BECAUSE OF THE STEERING WHEEL STICKING. JUST WANTED TO NOTE THAT IT DOES IT NOT ONLY ON THE HIGHWAY BUT ALSO ON CITY STREETS. IT'S ONLY HAPPENING AFTER I GO OVER APPROXIMATELY AFTER 35 MPH.

NHTSA ODI 11091290

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A U-TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BACK HOME. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHEN SWITCHING BETWEEN FUEL AND ELECTRIC EVER SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED IN 2017. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER (RICK CASE KIA IN SUNRISE FLORIDA). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 12647572. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,096.

NHTSA ODI 11078279