Steering wheel slips while turning left or right
2013 Kia Optima steering problems
severe 210 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
210
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
6crashes
1fire
6injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 210 steering complaints filed for the 2013 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
Of the 11 model years of Kia Optima we track for steering problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 210.
Owners have filed 210 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.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: If you're looking at a 2013 Kia Optima, the steering system carries real risk: the electronic power steering is known to drift constantly at highway speeds (owners say you can't look away without veering into another lane), the flexible coupling in the steering column fails and clunks loudly, and in at least one documented case the rear subframe rusted through and snapped despite Kia's corrosion campaign. Dealers often deny these are problems or say "nothing can be done," making fixes costly and uncertain.
The 2013 Kia Optima steering system produces multiple distinct failures that owners describe as dangerous and persistent. The most widespread complaint centers on excessive electronic power steering sensitivity combined with poor straight-line tracking at highway speeds—owners constantly correct the wheel just to keep the car centered in its lane, even on perfectly flat roads with no wind. This happens from day one on many units and gets worse over time.
A secondary pattern involves loose steering feel with play in the steering wheel, clicking or clunking sounds under turning or bumpy conditions, and sticking that requires jerking the wheel to release. The MDPS flexible coupling appears repeatedly in complaints as a source of vibration, noise, and loss of steering control.
A third failure mode involves the rear subframe rotting through and snapping—one owner documented the failure despite the vehicle having undergone Kia's corrosion mitigation campaign (SC141). When the subframe fails, the rear wheel tilts drastically and the car sways uncontrollably.
Owners also report steering locking up or becoming extremely hard to turn, sometimes tied to stalling events where the power steering loses assist mid-drive. Several complaints describe dealerships initially dismissing problems or charging diagnostic fees for issues later confirmed as defects, and some owners cite online forums claiming dealers can adjust steering sensitivity through the computer—yet many dealerships deny any adjustment is possible.
Same Kia Optima steering reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2012 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Electronic Power Steering Hypersensitivity with Poor Tracking
Steering is excessively sensitive to small inputs; vehicle drifts left and right constantly, requiring continuous micro-corrections to stay in lane. Owners report the car will veer into adjacent lanes if they glance at mirrors or touch climate controls. Problem manifests at highway speeds (45+ mph) and low speeds alike, on flat roads and in calm conditions.
When: From purchase or shortly after; ongoing throughout ownership. 45+ mph on highways; also at 35 mph and city speeds
Symptoms owners cite: Constant veering left and right despite straight steering wheel; Vehicle drifts into adjacent lanes with no driver input; Extreme sensitivity requiring sub-1-inch steering corrections; Vehicle wanders and cannot hold a straight line; Appears to others as drunk driving due to zig-zagging; Cannot glance at mirrors or adjust controls without vehicle drifting
Repairs/costs cited: Some online sources mention dealers can adjust steering sensitivity through computer programming, but most dealerships claim nothing can be done or vehicle is 'within specs.' Alignment adjustments have not resolved the issue for owners. One dealer reset between Sport and Standard steering modes without effect.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Kia claims vehicle is within specifications. Campaign SC141 (subframe corrosion mitigation via wax injection) was issued for rust-belt vehicles but did not prevent structural failures in at least one case. Technical bulletins mentioned but not detailed by owners.
MDPS Flexible Coupling Failure
The steering column flexible coupling develops play, clicking, clunking sounds, and vibration. Steering wheel feels loose over bumps and when turning. In at least one case, failure led to loss of steering control and accident. Owners report this is a known defect that dealerships initially told them was not covered, then later was recalled but owners were not notified.
When: Can appear early or develop over time. One owner first reported at 28,300 miles; failure recurred at 34,500 miles (6,000-mile intervals). Another at 60,523 miles then again at 73,200 miles (13,677 miles later).
Symptoms owners cite: Clunking or clicking sound from steering wheel during turns; Steering wheel plays or feels loose over bumpy roads; Excessive vibration in steering wheel when hitting bumps, potholes, or turning; Metal-on-metal sounds; Steering wheel may develop a notch; Loss of steering precision
Repairs/costs cited: Owners cite $10 part replacement cost for the coupling itself. Dealers charged $93–$500+ for diagnosis and repair, often initially denying warranty coverage or attempting to charge owner cost-sharing. One owner paid ~$80 for repair before learning it was recalled. Repair intervals short: one owner's repair lasted only ~6,000 miles before same symptom returned.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Kia warranty coverage contradicted between consumer assistance and dealership service. TSBs (Technical Service Bulletins) mentioned but not detailed. One TSB dated mid-2016 referenced in complaint but owner was not notified. At least one recall exists but not universally applied or communicated.
Rear Subframe Structural Failure (Corrosion)
Rear subframe rusts through and snaps structurally while driving, despite vehicle having undergone Kia's SC141 corrosion mitigation campaign. When subframe fails, rear wheel alignment becomes severely compromised, rear end sways uncontrollably, and vehicle becomes very difficult to control.
When: Failure occurred after SC141 campaign performed in April 2017. No specific mileage provided, but vehicle was in service for several years post-campaign before failure.
Symptoms owners cite: Catastrophic structural break in rear subframe; Rear passenger-side wheel tilting (bottom out, top in); Rear of vehicle swaying side to side; Difficult to maintain straight path; Steering wheel alignment affected
Repairs/costs cited: Owner has physical evidence (Repair Order #92144) and photographic/video evidence of structural break. Kia denied assistance, claiming failure unrelated to corrosion campaign despite being the exact part covered by campaign. Campaign consisted of wax injection into subframe metal components.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Campaign SC141 (internal subframe corrosion mitigation) was issued for rust-belt vehicles. Campaign involved wax injection. Kia claimed the subsequent failure was 'unrelated' to the corrosion despite part being exact component covered by campaign. Kia refused good-will repair. Service employees allegedly acknowledged corrosion and said they had lists of rusted parts needing replacement.
Steering Sticking and Loss of Assist
Steering wheel becomes difficult or stuck to turn; requires jerking or significant force to release. In at least one case, steering became extremely tight after service attempt. Some cases involve complete loss of steering assist during driving (power steering failure), making the wheel very hard to turn and creating dangerous driving conditions.
When: Can occur early after purchase (within 1 month in one case) or develop later. One case at ~1,200 miles; another at undisclosed mileage but 'no previous problems' in prior year of ownership.
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel sticks and requires jerking to loosen; Very tight or stiff steering after repair attempt; Steering becomes extremely hard to turn; Loss of power steering assist while driving; Steering spins around uncontrollably (one case); Oversteering when attempting to recover control
Repairs/costs cited: Repairs have included replacement of electric motor in steering system, upper steering column assembly replacement (performed twice on one vehicle in 2 years, both just out of warranty), suspension redos, and multiple alignments. One owner paid out-of-pocket initially, then learned it was recalled and attempted reimbursement. Repairs not always durable: upper column assembly failed again 2 years and ~13,677 miles after first replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Kia initially told some owners the sticking behavior 'is what it should do' or was 'normal.' Technical bulletins exist. At least one owner was directed to consumer office to get proper diagnosis. Warranty coverage disputes are common; dealers claiming vehicle 'out of warranty' even when failures are imminent.
Steering Column Misalignment and Twisting
Steering column is physically off-center or twisted from the factory. When adjusted, the steering wheel is straight but the car pulls left or right, or adjustment corrects one problem but creates another (e.g., wheel straight but vehicle still veers).
When: Apparent immediately or very early in ownership. One case within first day of purchase (~1,200 miles). Another noted after engine replacement work.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle veers to left from day one after purchase; Steering wheel off-center when driving straight; Steering wheel angled left while vehicle pulls right; Significant pulling to one side; Steering wheel twisted or tilted
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers typically attempt alignment adjustments and steering column adjustments. Multiple service visits often required before identifying root cause. One owner had steering column adjusted, then wheel twisted adjusted, then suspension redone over weeks of service visits. Repairs do not always resolve problem on first attempt.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One dealer confirmed a 'batch' of vehicles with this issue and referenced a Technical Bulletin. However, the dealer initially required multiple visits to 'rule out certain issues' before offering suspension work. Some dealers provide alignment 'fixes' that do not actually resolve the underlying steering problem.
Synthesized from 210 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
Every time hi turn the car left or right it makes a severe clunking sound now vibrates going down the road my mother's car same type does the same thing.
Having purchased the car on 12/11/14 my daughter did not have much experience driving the car.... On december 27 she "lost control" of the car, and ran into the wall on a busy highway in chicago. The accident occurred on a dry evening, and she emphatically states that she does not know how she lost control of the car, and that it was pulling to the left. The only rationale conclusion was that she…
My steering has been loose since 65k miles and continued to drift. However this bieng my 4th car I let it slide and was waiting for time to do a wheel alignment. However at 73k miles the eps sensor went off and now is hard to drive. The eps on all my vehicles never had issues up till its death way over 250k miles. The eps sensor came on after a stop sign. Then I heard a snap then the car went…
Steering has a notchy feel. Binds releases and binds
Had steering trouble with your 2013 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 2013 Kia Optima?
It's a meaningful issue. 210 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 119 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 27,565 and 95,000 miles, with the median around 55,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 27,565; a quarter make it past 95,000. 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/2013/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.