STEERING WHEEL SLIPS WHILE TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT
2013 kia Optima steering problems
severe 210 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700
Complaints
210
Recalls
0
Crashes
6
Avg fix
$700
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 INTO…
Steering has a notchy feel. Binds releases and binds
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?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
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.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. 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.
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