NHTSA Complaint #11203488 — 2012 KIA OPTIMA

STEERING issue reported to NHTSA

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Complaint Details

ODI Number	11203488
Vehicle	2012 KIA OPTIMA
Component	STEERING
Date of Incident	April 1, 2019
Date Filed	April 24, 2019
Mileage	N/A miles
Crash	No
Fire	No
Injuries	0
Deaths	0
Vehicle Towed	No
State	CA

Consumer Description

THE PROBLEM: IN AFFECTED KIA OPTIMA VEHICLES, A CONDITION MAY EXIST WHERE DRIVERS MAY FEEL A 'NOTCHY' OR "CLUNKY" SOUND OR 'SLIPPING' CONDITION WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT. IT IS BELIEVED BY OTHER KIA OPTIMA OWNERS AND OR MECHANICS WHO MAY BE FAMILIAR WITH THE ISSUE THAT THIS MAY BE DUE TO EITHER A SOFTWARE GLITCH IN THE OPTIMA'S ELECTRONIC STEERING SYSTEM OR A FAULTY POWER STEERING MOTOR ASSEMBLY, U-JOINT IN THE STEERING ASSEMBLY, OR THE STEERING COUPLER. OWNERS ARE UNABLE TO FIND ANY KNOWN RECALL ON THIS ISSUE, BUT MECHANICS BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON FAULT IN THE KIA OPTIMA YEARS 2011-2014.

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