Steering column coupler went bad. Unable to swap out the coupler alone ($12 part) and had to get a whole new column (over $1200). Some of the Kia's around this one's make and model were recalled but not this one. Without this repair driving would have been dangerous.
2018 Kia Optima steering problems
moderate 12 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700
Complaints
12
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$700
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
We would like to know what Kia is planning to do to address the fact that Kia built a car without the basic immobilizer circuit making it very easy to steal. Over the last few months, local and national news reports, as well as many social media sites, have reported on this security flaw which likely emboldens others to attempt a theft of a Kia and/or Hyundai. As I do not live in Milwaulkee, I wo…
I HAVE 63,826 MILES ON MY 2018 KIA OPTIMA S AND I DROVE IT TO THE STORE AND ALL MY LIGHT ON THE DASH CAME ON WHEN I WOULD COME TO A STOP AND MY POWER STEERING WOULD GO OUT AND ABOUT CAUSE ME TO WRECK. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS MY ALTERNATOR BUT AFTER GETTING A NEW ALTERNATOR I THEN DROVE IT TO GET DINNER A FEW DAYS LATER WHEN THE SAME THING STARTED HAPPENING AGAIN AND MY POWER STEERING KEPT GOING OUT…
I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES WITH MY CAR, I GET MAINTENANCE AS SCHEDULED SO IT'S ODD THAT THIS IS EVEN HAPPENING. ON DECEMBER 6TH I WENT TO MOVE MY CAR. I CRANK THE CAR WITH NO PROBLEM. I NOTICED IT KIND OF HESISTATED SLIGHTLY, BUT CONTINUED ON WITH NO PROBLEM. WHEN I WENT TO PUT MY CAR IN REVERSE IN ORDER TO PARK IT STALLED AND ABOUT 5 OR 6 OF THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH CAME ON, THE STEERING WHEEL WEN…
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2018 Kia Optima?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 12 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
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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