NHTSA Complaint #11221321 — 2014 KIA FORTE

THE STEERING WHEEL MECHANISM WILL MAKE A KNOCKING NOISE THAT IS FELT MORE THAN HEARD. IT SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE, AND IS MORE NOTICEABLE WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL WHILE STOPPED AS OPPOSED TO TURNING WHILE IN MOTION. RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AMONG SEVERAL MODELS OF KIA, ESPECIALLY IN THE SOUTHEAST. I TOOK IT TO A DEALER TODAY TO HAVE CHECKED AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE FLEX COUPLER. THE RECEPTIONIST TOLD ME THEY GET A LOT OF THESE ALL THE TIME AND THAT THEY CAN BECOME VERY DANGEROUS IF NOT FIXED SOON. MY RESEARCH ALSO REVEALED THAT SOME MODELS HAVE BEEN AFFORDED EXTENDED WARRANTIES AND FREE REPLACEMENT, BUT OTHERS HAVE NOT EVEN THOUGH THE PROBLEM, SYMPTOM, AND SOLUTION ARE THE SAME. BTW, THE REPAIR BILL WAS OVER $400...ABOUT $2 FOR PART AND THE REST WAS LABOR, TAX AND MISC.