2017 Kia Optima Steering Problems

Since 4/1 my car has intermittently lost power steering. I received dashboard warning lights and the wheel was difficult to turn. When I shutoff the car and turned back on, the warning lights were gone and the steering returned. My mechanic did a diagnostic and found the following codes c1259, c1260, c1290 and c1688 each time the incident occurred. After research, we discovered these codes relate to TBS CHA114 and TSB CHA864 under extended warranty WTY023. I was unable to upload the TBS documents. The same thing happened on 6/18. I brought the car to a different dealer. The first time they supposedly did a diagnostic and said there were no codes. I have pictures of the codes. They said it did not matter because the codes need to be active and the lights need to be on the dashboard. The second time at a different dealer, they didn't do a diagnostic but said it did not matter because the codes need to be active. No where is any documentation does it say the codes need to be active. They are stored in history and Freeze frame data. It is impossible for me to get the car there with the illuminated dash and "active" codes because when it happens, I cannot steer the car and when I shut if off they go away. Plus when I get to the dealer, they will tell me they cannot take me and to make an appointment. I am now working with KIA escalation department but she informed me today that she did not have the authority to authorize a dealer to repair the car. When I asked who does she said I need a techline which is opened by the dealership. WHAT??? This all started with the dealer. The car is now having glitches with the steering while driving. IT IS DANGEROUS AND I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. I have no idea when the steering might go out. I need help in getting a Kia dealership to fix the issue under the extended warranty they sent me in 2022. I am so sick of the run around and brush off. How do I get this accomplished?

NHTSA ID

11747492

Incident

Apr 21, 2026

Oil is burning too fast... Car has had an issue like this in the past and the problem resulted in a blown engine... Re-call was found by dealer and honored and endinge re-placed.. Car is now expierenceing this problem again... Second, steering wheel is locking when turnning fully left... Third, car smells extremely strong like gasoline when car is warming up...

NHTSA ID

11690860

Incident

Jul 25, 2025

Randomly when turning, my steering will jolt in the opposite direction and lose power steering. The red power steering light does come on at this moment where I have to pull over, turn the car off, and restart and the symptoms clear itself up. In addition, there is there is, randomly, grinding noises (and I can feel it in the steering) when turning. When this occurs, relocating the steering column by changing the position (via tilt and telescopic) seems to help clear it up for awhile. I have almost jolted to oncoming traffic when turning and a few instances. I have had it serviced to check steering points at tires, axel, cv joints, and my mechanics can't seem to find the fault there. Even after doing alignments, it helped for a little bit but the same problems came back. They believe it to be a steering column issue. They believe that it is getting caught when turning and causing the issues. This has been occurring for about 6-8 months now. The power steering losing power happens maybe once or twice a week to once every two weeks. The grinding and vibration in the steering column while turning happens a few times a week to maybe just once a week. Its occurrence worsens when it rains. I am reporting this because I have read other reports of people have the same experience as myself.

NHTSA ID

11664504

Incident

Nov 13, 2024

The power steering stopped working and the car became hard to turn because of it. The power steering light (red color with steering wheel and exclamation point to the right of it) came on also.

NHTSA ID

11661833

Incident

May 16, 2025

Failure of Flexible Steering Coupler, part of the Motor Driven Power Steering. This flexible coupler deteriorated noticeably over about 6 months time. Currently steering is very erratic with crunching sounds when turning wheel. This is a serious safety concern. I had the steering and suspension inspected at an official PA state inspection station (annual requirement) and was assured that the mechanical under car parts are all good. HAs never needed any repairs in this area, not even a wheel alignment. I am the original owner and the vehicle has been well maintained. Vehicle currently has 141,000 miles, mostly highway driving. KIA advises that there is no recall and no warranty repair available. I believe this is a design defect and safety issue.

NHTSA ID

11656397

Incident

Oct 15, 2024

Car engine stuttered when turned on, then after a moment smoothed out . I noticed some looseness in response in the steering wheel while driving forward, after a short period of time driving the antiskid symbol and the EPS symbol came on and I lost power steering. I turned off the car and turned it back on . The emergency symbols were gone and the power steering was OK. I headed back home and the symbols came back on and lost power steering again after driving about 3 blocks. I repeated turning car off and on to get home.

NHTSA ID

11611800

Incident

Aug 30, 2024

I am writing to bring a critical safety concern to your attention regarding my 2017 Kia Optima LX. The steering wheel of my vehicle frequently loses power, necessitating a restart of the engine for it to function properly again. This issue occurs randomly, but consistently takes place during steering wheel turns. On one alarming occasion while navigating a winding canyon road, the steering lost power, compelling me to slam on the brakes to prevent the car from falling off the cliff. Another incident occurred while making a right turn, resulting in me slamming on the brakes to avoid colliding with oncoming cars, narrowly escaping a potential rear-end accident. When the steering loses power, it remains functional but demands significant physical effort. Unfortunately, in attempting to steer during one episode, I strained a muscle, leading to a week of suffering. Despite the severity of this safety concern, Kia refuses to address the issue unless they can replicate it during a service visit. The problem occurs randomly, ranging from three times a day to once a month, with no warning signs prior to power loss. Kia has acknowledged this issue, evident in the warranty extension they provided up to 150k miles (attached). Regrettably, when I take the car to the dealership, they decline to address the problem due to an inability to replicate it. I believe this recurring steering malfunction poses a serious risk to my safety and the safety of others on the road. Your intervention in investigating this matter would be greatly appreciated to ensure the well-being of Kia Optima LX drivers. Attached, please find the mentioned warranty extension letter from Kia and an image displaying the MDPS warning light illuminated during instances when the steering lost power. Thank you for your prompt attention to this urgent matter. The contact stated Kia inspected the vehicle but was unable to replicate the issue during their inspection. However, they recommended replacing the assembly column as a potential solution, but the cont

NHTSA ID

11575001

Incident

Feb 25, 2024

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 car has been on a back order for over a year. Kia said its not that big of an issue but my life and my kids life is at risk every day!!! Please help!!! This can't only be happening to my car!!!

NHTSA ID

11554510

Incident

Sep 1, 2023

On 6 June 2022 I was driving Eastbound Interstate 80 passing Fairfield, CA. Traffic was moderate, average traffic speed 65. The Kia’s Adaptive Cruise was enabled and set to the maximum amount of safe distance. I recall the car directly in front of me changed lanes to pass a truck towing a trailer. I remember the Kia began to accelerate and I couldn’t turn the wheel. Next memory was opening my eyes to the dust smoke of deployed air bags. I lost consciousness likely due to the sudden impact and air bags deployed. I was taken to a Fairfield hospital by ambulance where I spent 4 days. A slurry of tests ruled out loss of consciousness as the cause. No stroke, heart attack or seizure occurred. I was treated for bruised ribs due to the airbag. No doubt to me that this collision could have been catastrophic to this driver and others driving nearby. Witness reported that I sped up and clipped the truck/trailer while attempting to pass. What I believe happened: 1) the Adaptive Cruise accelerated when it determined there was room but failed to see the trailer and 2) the steering was unresponsive when I attempted to avoid a collision. The reaction time between car accelerating and getting knocked out had to be a mere three or four seconds. The vehicle was totaled, The insurance company, Mercury Insurance, released the vehicle

NHTSA ID

11534208

Incident

Jun 7, 2022

There is a viral trend spreading throughout the country that shows how easy it is to steal a key-start Kia or Hyundai. The perpetrators bashed my back rear window, dislodged the undercarriage of the steering wheel, and used something as simple as a USB cable to turn a knob and start the ignition. My safety was put at risk as well as others because these people that stole my car clearly do not care about their own life or others. No one steals a car for a positive reason. They drove it recklessly and abandoned it without concern for anyone. Kia and Hyundai need to address this issue or more and more of them are going to continue to get stolen and people are going to continue to get hurt, both physically and financially.

NHTSA ID

11473635

Incident

Jul 10, 2022

I WAS DRIVING TODAY AND THE STEERING LOCKED UP WHILE I WAS MOVING.

NHTSA ID

11277726

Incident

Nov 2, 2019