Flex coupler went bad - $500 replacement. The Optima was already recalled for this same part. Please recall the Forte lines so that we can be reimbursed for this obvious Kia issue.
2014 Kia Forte steering problems
severe 62 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
62
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
4crashes
3injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 62 steering complaints filed for the 2014 Kia Forte, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 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 13 model years of Kia Forte we track for steering problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 62.
Owners have filed 62 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.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
Popping noise from steering and play in steering wheel. Was informed by a local mechanic that is was the steering coupler for the MDPS unit. Checked and saw a recall for the same issue with the Kia Soul but saw nothing for the Forte even though Hyundai had a recall for the Elantra and Sonata for the same issue. This is a vital part of the car and if it breaks as easy as it does it needs to be…
Clunking sound in steering column. Steering Coupler in Steering motor defect Has failed in my steering column. Dealer refuses to repair under other agreements.
We are a driving school with about 100 different cars from Kia, we have about 95 vehicles right now in use that are forte models between the years of 2010-2017. This is now the second vehicle this has happened to of ours over the past year. The last time was the Kia forte 2015, and now this time it is the Kia forte 2014. The steering wheel becomes misaligned with the wheels and eventually the…
My vehicles steering coupling pings and sounds like it's come loose or broken. Same issue happened to another Kia in the family a 2012 Kia soul my brother in law owns. That Kia had a recall for the steering coupling, the 2014 Kia forte does'nt have this for a recall yet by Kia. I contacted Kia complaint #13202206 for resolution but no resolution rec'd to date 12/13/2019.
Had steering trouble with your 2014 Kia Forte?
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 2014 Kia Forte?
It's a meaningful issue. 62 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 25 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 43,350 and 76,908 miles, with the median around 61,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 43,350; a quarter make it past 76,908. 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/2014/Kia/Forte.
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.