Is steering a common complaint for the 2015 Kia Optima?

Yes. NHTSA lists 69 steering complaints for the 2015 Optima, which is 7% of the 1,008 total complaints filed for that model year.

Is there a steering recall for the 2015 Kia Optima?

Based on the data reviewed, no related recall is listed for this steering complaint category.

At what mileage do steering problems tend to show up?

The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this steering complaint group is 39,125 miles.

What kind of steering problems do owners describe?

Owners describe the car wandering or drifting on straight roads, pulling to one side, and in some cases the steering wheel swinging side to side even after the steering column was replaced.

Have steering complaints led to crashes or injuries?

NHTSA records 4 crashes, 2 fires, and 1 injury among the 69 steering complaints for the 2015 Kia Optima.

2015 Kia Optima Steering Problems

NHTSA lists 69 steering complaints for the 2015 Kia Optima, 7% of its 1,008 total complaints that year. Median mileage at failure was 39,125 miles. NHTSA shows no related recall tied to this steering complaint set.

Steering complaints: 69; 7% of 1,008
Crashes reported: 4
Fires reported: 2
Injuries reported: 1
Median mileage: 39,125 mi
Related recalls: 0

Typical steering symptoms owners report

Owners describe the vehicle wandering left and right on straight, flat roads, requiring constant small steering corrections to stay in the lane.
Several drivers report the car drifting or pulling to one side without warning, sometimes at highway speeds around 50 mph.
Some owners say the steering wheel swung side to side and that dealers replaced the steering column multiple times without fixing the issue.
One driver reported a cracking noise under the car followed by loss of steering control that led to a crash into a guard rail.
A few reports describe difficulty maintaining a straight course in wind or during lane changes, calling the condition unsafe at higher speeds.
One complaint mentions a fire starting under the steering column while the vehicle was stationary.

When 2015 Kia Optima steering complaints were filed

First complaint Oct 31, 2014, latest Aug 13, 2026.

69 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2014 Q4 to 2026 Q3; peak 2020 Q1 (6).

Steering recalls for the 2015 Kia Optima

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Steering complaints by Optima model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

20052 (1%)
20062 (1%)
20072 (1%)
20084 (3%)
20097 (6%)
20102 (3%)
2011100 (17%)
2012188 (20%)
2013213 (15%)
201494 (16%)
201569 (7%)
201624 (3%)
201711 (4%)
201812 (5%)
20196 (3%)
20202 (1%)

Frequently asked questions

Is steering a common complaint for the 2015 Kia Optima?: Yes. NHTSA lists 69 steering complaints for the 2015 Optima, which is 7% of the 1,008 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a steering recall for the 2015 Kia Optima?: Based on the data reviewed, no related recall is listed for this steering complaint category.
At what mileage do steering problems tend to show up?: The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this steering complaint group is 39,125 miles.
What kind of steering problems do owners describe?: Owners describe the car wandering or drifting on straight roads, pulling to one side, and in some cases the steering wheel swinging side to side even after the steering column was replaced.
Have steering complaints led to crashes or injuries?: NHTSA records 4 crashes, 2 fires, and 1 injury among the 69 steering complaints for the 2015 Kia Optima.