2012 Kia Optima steering problems
The 2012 Kia Optima has 187 steering complaints filed with NHTSA — 15% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.
187
Steering complaints
15%
Share of year
3
Crash-involved
0
Related recalls
Steering complaints by year
What owners report
“WHEN U DRIVING IT . U CAN HERE NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEEL. IT HAD THE OIL LIGHT TO POP ON WHILE DRIVING ON THR FREEWAY PUT OVER. PUT SOME OIL IN IT. THEN THAT NIGHT TRYING TO CRANK IT & IT STARTED TO SMOKE & CAUGHT A FIRE.”
Common questions
How many steering complaints does the 2012 Kia Optima have?
NHTSA has 187 complaints about the 2012 Kia Optima steering — 15% of all complaints filed for that model year.
Related
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.