Since I got the car in may of 2016, it has made a clicking sound when I turn the wheel. As time has gone on the sound is getting louder. I have seen a number of videos regarding this issue. I believe it is suggested for the part to be replaced. I believe this is a safety issue.
2012 Kia Optima steering problems
moderate 187 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
187
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
3crashes
1fire
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 187 steering complaints filed for the 2012 Kia Optima, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 187 steering complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 11 model years of Kia Optima in our records for steering problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
The steering wheel sticks, and it makes it hard to keep the car straight. There's no smoothness when turning the wheel. It's like the steering wheel turns in increments.
Had steering trouble with your 2012 Kia Optima?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2012 Kia Optima?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 187 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 113 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 40,000 and 93,000 miles, with the median around 61,018. A quarter of owners report trouble before 40,000; a quarter make it past 93,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Kia/Optima.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.