TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PARTIAL REPAIR OF C-MDPS MOTOR, ECU, WORM GEAR AND/OR STEERING COLUMN HOUSING - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information regarding the partial repair of the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) Motor, Electronic Control Unit (ECU), Steering Column Housing, or Worm Gear Assembly. When the steering wheel is rotated a scraping noise can be heard originating from the lower bearing on the Worm Gear Assembly on some 2010MY~ Kia models listed on page 8, equipped with a Column Motor Driven Power Steering (C-MDPS) unit. On some ve
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2015 Kia Optima steering problems
severe Owners of the 2015 Kia Optima have filed 68 NHTSA complaints about the steering, typically surfacing around 48,000 miles at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
68
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2011 Optima | 100 |
| 2012 Optima | 187 |
| 2013 Optima | 212 |
| 2014 Optima | 94 |
| 2015 Optima (this page) | 68 |
| 2016 Optima | 24 |
| 2017 Optima | 11 |
| 2018 Optima | 12 |
| 2019 Optima | 6 |
4crashes
2fires
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 68 steering complaints filed for the 2015 Kia Optima, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 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 68 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.
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 9 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PARTIAL REPAIR OF C-MDPS MOTOR, ECU, WORM GEAR AND/OR STEERING COLUMN HOUSING - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information regarding the partial repair of the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) Motor, Electronic Control Unit (ECU), Steering Column Housing, or Worm Gear Assembly. When the steering wheel is rotated a scraping noise can be heard originating from the lower bearing on the Worm Gear Assembly on some 2010MY~ Kia models listed on page 8, equipped with a Column Motor Driven Power Steering (C-MDPS) unit.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PARTIAL REPAIR OF C-MDPS MOTOR, ECU, WORM GEAR AND/OR STEERING COLUMN HOUSING - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information regarding the partial repair of the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) Motor, Electronic Control Unit (ECU), Worm Gear Assembly or Steering Column Housing on some 2010MY~ Kia models listed on page 8, equipped with a Column Motor Driven Power Steering (C-MDPS) unit.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PARTIAL REPAIR OF C-MDPS MOTOR, ECU, WORM GEAR AND/OR STEERING COLUMN HOUSING - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information regarding the partial repair of the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) Motor, Electronic Control Unit (ECU), Worm Gear Assembly or Steering Column Housing on some 2010MY~ Kia models listed on page 8, equipped with a Column Motor Driven Power Steering (C-MDPS) unit.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: STEERING GEAR YOKE PLUG AND ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. This bulletin provides the procedure to replace the steering gear box yoke plug and assembly on some models listed below, which may exhibit a ticking noise while turning the steering wheel with the vehicle stopped. This condition is caused by a worn lining on the steering gear box yoke assembly.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe a dominant pattern: steering column sticking or binding at the 12 o'clock center position, most dangerous at highway speeds above 45 mph. The wheel requires excessive force to turn, then releases suddenly, causing abrupt swerving and loss of lane control. Steering wheel replacement or column overhaul has been needed multiple times on the same vehicle, with one owner documenting three replacements and another paying $1,298 out-of-pocket after warranty denial.
A second major issue is side-to-side wander—the car drifts unpredictably left and right regardless of alignment service, forcing constant two-handed steering corrections from early ownership (900 miles) onward.
Power steering loss strikes without warning: traction control lights illuminate and steering goes rock-hard or disappears entirely. One owner at 80,000 miles lost power steering despite a prior steering column replacement. Manufacturer repeatedly states these cases fall outside recall coverage.
Less common but catastrophic failures include a fractured tie rod end that broke clean in half on an off-ramp, steering column fire while parked at 22,000 miles, and one instance where the steering wheel detached completely during highway driving. Dealers often claim these issues are normal Kia behavior or unable to reproduce problems during short test drives.
Same Kia Optima steering reports on nearby years: 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2016 · 2017
Failure modes owners describe
Steering column sticking/binding at center position
Steering wheel sticks or binds, particularly at the 12 o'clock center position, requiring excessive force to turn and causing jerky or difficult steering control. The resistance releases suddenly, causing oversteer and vehicle swerving. Most pronounced at highway speeds above 45 mph.
When: As early as 900 miles; recurring from 5,000 miles onward; continues throughout vehicle life
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel locks or sticks at 12 o'clock position; Excessive steering effort required to break free from center position; Jerky, non-responsive steering; Vehicle swerves abruptly when binding releases; Constant steering adjustments needed to keep vehicle in lane; Worse in cooler weather and at highway speeds (45+ mph)
Codes mentioned: TSB CHA 090, TSB CHA 060
Repairs/costs cited: Steering column replacement; repeated replacements required on same vehicle (up to 3 replacements documented). Owner cited $1,400 replacement cost with dealership declining warranty coverage; another owner paid $1,298 for column replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Service Action SA188 '15 QF Steering Feel Improvement performed on some vehicles July 2015; Kia Consumer Assistance Center initially claimed vehicle operating normally despite documented dealer inspection confirming issue; dealers often state this is normal Kia behavior
Steering wander/drift side-to-side without alignment issue
Vehicle pulls or veers unpredictably left and right without consistent single-direction pull, requiring constant steering corrections and both hands on wheel to maintain lane position. Not resolved by alignment service.
When: From early ownership (900 miles, 1,500 miles) and progressively worse; continues at all speeds but most dangerous at highway speeds
Symptoms owners cite: Continuous left-to-right drifting without alignment pull; Vehicle wanders across lane at highway speeds (50-75 mph); Requires constant two-handed steering wheel corrections; Cannot maintain straight course even on flat, straight roads; Unpredictable swerving—no middle ground or neutral steering feel; Loose steering feel combined with inability to center properly
Repairs/costs cited: Alignment checks performed but do not resolve issue; dealers unable or unwilling to diagnose root cause
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Kia Motor America offered district manager test drive to observe; Kia Consumer Assistance Center stated vehicle operating normally despite documented steering issues
Power steering loss/electrical steering failure
Complete or intermittent loss of power steering function, leaving driver with manual steering effort only. Associated with warning light illumination (steering warning, traction control light). Occurs without warning during driving.
When: Occurs at various mileages; one case documented at 80,000 miles after prior column replacement; intermittent and recurring
Symptoms owners cite: Steering becomes hard; manual steering effort required; Power steering warning light illuminates; Traction control light illuminates simultaneously; Loss of power steering without warning during highway driving; Anti-skid warning light may illuminate; Vehicle may veer uncontrollably during loss of power steering
Repairs/costs cited: Independent mechanic diagnosed steering angle pressure failure in electric power steering unit; steering column replacement recommended; one owner replaced steering column for $1,298; another owner paid for out-of-warranty repair
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Kia stated vehicle not covered under recall (when VIN not included in recall parameters); refused warranty coverage on some repairs
Steering column fracture/yoke failure
Structural failure of steering column components, including fractured yoke in steering box. Causes complete loss of steering control and loss of power steering functionality.
When: Documented at approximately 30,000 miles; can recur even after component replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of steering control at highway speeds; Steering wobbles and loses power without warning; Complete inability to steer vehicle; Loss of power steering accompanying steering loss
Repairs/costs cited: Yoke in steering box fractured and required replacement; part was back-ordered; owner told vehicle was safe to drive while waiting for part, but failure recurred
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer stated vehicle was not safe to drive and promised follow-up with dealer; no resolution documented
Intermittent power steering loss with warning lights
Traction control light illuminates causing temporary or persistent loss of power steering. Light may extinguish and steering restored briefly, then recurs. Not covered under active recalls per manufacturer.
When: Documented at multiple mileages; intermittent onset, sometimes recurring within same day
Symptoms owners cite: Traction control light illuminates; Power steering cuts out completely; Steering becomes extremely hard to turn; Light may briefly extinguish and power steering returns; Failure recurs after brief restoration
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer claims issue does not fall under any active recall and refuses to take responsibility; owners told to pay out-of-pocket for repairs
Steering wheel locks up/unable to steer
Complete steering lockup preventing vehicle control. Occurs without warning and can be sudden. Distinct from gradual binding.
When: Documented at 57,000 miles and other mileages; occurs while driving at highway speeds
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel locks completely; Vehicle cannot be steered; Sudden onset without warning; Occurs at highway speeds (65 mph documented)
Fire originating from steering column area
Vehicle fire starting under steering column while stationary. Smoke detected from cabin.
When: At 22,000 miles while vehicle was parked/stationary
Symptoms owners cite: Smoke from cabin; Fire under steering column; Fire department required to extinguish
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware of issue
Steering wheel separation/detachment
Steering wheel fell off or detached from column during driving, resulting in complete loss of steering control and inability to operate vehicle.
When: During highway driving; mileage not specified but owner had vehicle for some time prior
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel detaches/falls off during driving; Complete loss of vehicle control; Dashboard lights extinguished at time of failure; Airbag deployment failure during subsequent crash
Tie rod end breakage
Tie rod end fractured cleanly during normal driving on curved ramp, resulting in complete loss of steering capability and vehicle collision.
When: At undocumented mileage; occurred on off-ramp with no road hazards present
Symptoms owners cite: Cracking noise from under car; Sudden pulling to right; Loss of all steering capability; Vehicle drift despite steering wheel input to left
Repairs/costs cited: Tie rod end broken clean in half; required vehicle collision repair
Electronic power steering system fault with warning lights
Multiple warning lights illuminate (steering wheel light with exclamation mark, ABS, traction control, battery light) causing loss of steering control and electrical function. Steering locks up and becomes nearly impossible to turn.
When: Documented at various mileages; can occur sporadically
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel warning light illuminates sporadically; Steering locks up and becomes hard to turn; ABS light illuminates; Traction control light illuminates; Battery light illuminates; Headlights may cut off; Driving wheel locks prevent vehicle control
Synthesized from 68 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Vehicle veers both left and right. You have to constantly keep correcting the wheel. Made appointment with dealer and they made some adjustments but was no better. I took it back and they said that's all they can do.
Driving down the road the steering has a catch in it and you need to use force to turn the steering wheel
Had steering trouble with your 2015 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 2015 Kia Optima?
It's a meaningful issue. 68 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 42 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 26,000 and 80,000 miles, with the median around 48,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 26,000; a quarter make it past 80,000. 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/2015/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.