TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: MDPS WARNING LAMP DIAGNOSTIC INSPECTION & SINGLE PARTS REPLACEMENT - This bulletin provides information regarding the diagnosis of Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS), also known as Electronic Power Steering (EPS), and parts replacement associated with the âÂÂWarranty Extension Programâ (WTY023) on 2016-2017MY Optima (JF/JFa), 2017MY Optima HEV/PHEV (JF P/HEV), 2016-2017MY Sorento (UMa) vehicles produced in the ranges listed below. The affected vehicles may exhibit the MDPS (also known as EPS) warning lamp âÂÂONâÂÂ. The warranty coverage for repairs related to the MDPS unit due to illumination of the MDPS warning lamp has been extended to 15 years/150
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2017 Kia Optima steering problems
severe Owners of the 2017 Kia Optima have filed 11 NHTSA complaints about the steering at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See steering across all vehicles →
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2013 Optima | 212 |
| 2014 Optima | 94 |
| 2015 Optima | 68 |
| 2016 Optima | 24 |
| 2017 Optima (this page) | 11 |
| 2018 Optima | 12 |
| 2019 Optima | 6 |
2crashes
2injuries
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.
WARRANTY EXTENSION: REIMBURSEMENT FORM - This document is a Reimbursement Request form that was mailed with the customer letter advising them to submit the form if they had paid for repairs for this same matter prior to the warranty extension program launch.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗WARRANTY EXTENSION: OWNER NOTIFICATION - This document is the notification to owners of the warranty extension program for WTY023. Kia is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage for repairs related to the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) unit, also known as Electronic Power Steering (EPS) unit, due to illumination of the EPS warning light for all 2016-2017 MY Optima vehicles from 5 years/60,000 miles to 15 years/150,000 miles, whichever comes first, starting from the date the vehicle was first put into service.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗WARRANTY EXTENSION: DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO - This document is the announcement to the dealer principals of the warranty extension program for WTY023. Kia America, Inc., is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage for the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) unit, also known as Electronic Power Steering (EPS) unit, from 5 years/60,000 miles to 15 years/150,000 miles, whichever comes first, starting from the date the vehicle was first put into service. The power steering uses a motor to assist in steering the vehicle. If the engine is off or if the power steering system becomes inoperative, the vehicle may be steered, but it will require increased steering effort by the driver. This wa
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗WARRANTY EXTENSION: DEALER PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGER MEMO - This document is the announcement to the dealer Parts and Service Managers of the warranty extension program for WTY023. Kia America, Inc., is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage for the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) unit, also known as Electronic Power Steering (EPS) unit, from 5 years/60,000 miles to 15 years/150,000 miles, whichever comes first, starting from the date the vehicle was first put into service. The power steering uses a motor to assist in steering the vehicle. If the engine is off or if the power steering system becomes inoperative, the vehicle may be steered, but it will require increased steeri
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Power steering failure on 2017 Kia Optimas strikes without warning during turns, making vehicles hard or impossible to steer. The MDPS warning light comes on when it happens, and drivers report having to kill the engine and restart to regain power steering—a temporary fix that does not solve the underlying problem. Some owners experience this several times per day, others once a month; it worsens in rain. A few owners report the steering wheel locking up completely mid-turn, even at highway speeds, creating immediate crash risk.
Owners also describe grinding and crunching sounds from the steering column while turning, with the column itself jolting erratically. One owner's flexible coupler—part of the Motor Driven Power Steering—visibly deteriorated after six months. EPS and antiskid warning lights sometimes illuminate together when power steering fails.
A critical safety issue emerged: one driver lost power steering and the ability to turn while on the highway with adaptive cruise enabled, reportedly resulting in a collision and hospitalization. Another incident involved nearly colliding with oncoming traffic during a loss-of-power event on a winding canyon road.
Kia dealerships have recommended steering column replacement, but that part is on extended back-order and owners question whether the replacement will actually solve the problem. Kia extended warranty to 150k miles on affected units but refuses warranty repairs when the failure cannot be replicated during service visits.
Same Kia Optima steering reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2018
Failure modes owners describe
Intermittent power steering loss
Power steering cuts out randomly during or shortly after steering wheel turns. Steering remains mechanically functional but requires heavy manual effort. MDPS warning light illuminates when loss occurs. Engine restart restores function temporarily.
When: Occurs randomly during turns, ranging from 3 times per day to once per month; worsens in rain; happens 1-2 times per week in some cases
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering cuts out mid-turn; MDPS warning light appears; Steering wheel becomes hard to turn; Loss of power steering is sudden with no warning; Function returns after engine restart
Codes mentioned: MDPS warning light
Repairs/costs cited: Kia dealership recommended replacing steering column assembly; owners declined without assurance of resolution. Replacement part on back-order for over a year at some dealers
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Kia extended warranty to 150k miles on some vehicles; dealership unable to replicate during service visits; declined warranty repair when unable to reproduce failure
Steering wheel lockup
Steering wheel becomes immobilized and unresponsive during driving at highway speeds and city speeds. Requires engine shutdown and restart to restore steering function.
When: Occurs at highway speeds (60 mph) and lower speeds (30 mph); happens multiple times to affected owners
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel locks up completely; Steering becomes unresponsive; Inability to steer vehicle while moving; Wheel must be turned fully left
Repairs/costs cited: Required replacement parts; parts on extended back-order (over one year wait time reported)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Kia stated issue is not significant; no recall issued; no warranty repair available according to some owners
Steering column grinding and erratic movement
Steering column produces grinding or crunching sounds during turns. Steering becomes erratic with jolting in opposite direction when turning. Condition persists despite alignment, tire, axle, and CV joint inspections.
When: Occurring for 6-8 months in one case; happens few times per week to once per week; worsens in rain
Symptoms owners cite: Grinding or crunching sounds when turning; Vibration felt in steering column; Steering jolts in opposite direction; Erratic steering response
Codes mentioned: Red power steering light
Repairs/costs cited: Mechanics suspect steering column issue with catching or binding during turns; temporary relief achieved by adjusting steering column position (tilt/telescopic); alignment performed without lasting resolution
Flexible steering coupler deterioration
Motor Driven Power Steering flexible coupler deteriorates over approximately 6 months, causing erratic steering and crunching sounds. Vehicle has no history of suspension or steering repairs prior to failure.
When: Deterioration occurred over 6 months; vehicle has 141,000 mostly highway miles at time of report
Symptoms owners cite: Crunching sounds when turning wheel; Erratic steering; Coupler visibly deteriorated
Repairs/costs cited: Failed flexible coupler is part of Motor Driven Power Steering system
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Kia advises no recall and no warranty repair available; original owner in good maintenance standing
EPS and antiskid system malfunction with power steering loss
EPS (Electronic Power Steering) and antiskid warning symbols illuminate simultaneously, resulting in loss of power steering. Issue resolves temporarily after engine restart but recurs shortly after.
When: Occurred multiple times within short driving period (3-5 blocks per occurrence)
Symptoms owners cite: EPS symbol illuminates; Antiskid symbol illuminates; Power steering stops working; Symbols and power steering loss repeat after restart within short distance
Codes mentioned: EPS warning symbol, Antiskid warning symbol
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
This has happened several times to me! While driving the steering wheel locks up and I have to coast to a stop to turn off the engine to reset the wheel. It has happened going 60mph down the hwy with my 3 young kids in the backseat. Going 30mph and I have almost hit two cars because of this. If I couldn't stop in time and time hwy wasn't a straight road we would've died. The part I need for the…
Had steering trouble with your 2017 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 2017 Kia Optima?
It's a meaningful issue. 11 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.
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/2017/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.