NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
14 reportsClear category filter133,000 miles · May 2, 2020
Electrical SystemSteering
I GOT THIS VEHICLE BACK IN AUGUST 2019. FROM THE TIME I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE PASSANGER SIDE WINDOW WOULD ONLY ROLL UP FROM DRIVERS SIDE SWITCH, WOULDN'T ROLL ITS DOWN BUT WILL ROLL UP AND DOWN FROM ITS DOOR SWITCH AND THE BACK DRIVERS DOOR WINDOW WOULDN'T ROLL UP OR DOWN AT ALL FROM EITHER SWITCH. ALSO MY BACK HATCH HAS BEEN STUCK…
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I GOT THIS VEHICLE BACK IN AUGUST 2019. FROM THE TIME I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE PASSANGER SIDE WINDOW WOULD ONLY ROLL UP FROM DRIVERS SIDE SWITCH, WOULDN'T ROLL ITS DOWN BUT WILL ROLL UP AND DOWN FROM ITS DOOR SWITCH AND THE BACK DRIVERS DOOR WINDOW WOULDN'T ROLL UP OR DOWN AT ALL FROM EITHER SWITCH. ALSO MY BACK HATCH HAS BEEN STUCK IN UNLOCK, CAN HEAR IT WORKING LIKE ITS LOCKING IT BUT IT DOESNT ACTUALLY LOCK FROM THE DOOR OR THE GLASS. MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR ALSO HAS ISSUES WITH THE POWER LOCKS, IT WILL WORK FINE FOR A WEEK OR SO AND THEN STOP WORKING AND I HAVE TO MANUALLY LOCK AND UNLOCK FOR A FEW WEEKS, CAN HEAR IT LIKE IT'S WORKING ONLY IT DOESNT, JUST LIKE THE HATCH ONLY THE HATCH HAS NEVER WORKED. ALSO MY CIGARETTE LIGHTER AND FRONT 12V OUTLET DID NOT WORK. CHECKED ALL FUSES, EVEN CHANGED GOOD FUSES WITH BRAND NEW FUSES. DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM SO I HAVE JUST DEALT WITH IT. WELL THINGS HAVE ONLY GOTTEN WORSE. SHORTLY AFTER MY PURCHASE I STARTED HAVING ISSUES WITH SQUEALING SOUNDS COMING FROM UPFRONT AND MY POWER STEERING JUST GOING OUT WHEN FIRST STARTING THE VEHICLE, WHEN GOING SLOW TO SWITCH LANES, AND GOING INTO TURNS OR MAKING TURNS. WHEN THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT IT'S LIKE THE POWER TO THE ENGINE ALSO CUTS OUT AND WHEN THE SQUEALING STOP I FEEL THE POWER COME BACK. ALSO MY CRUISE CONTROL ONLY WORKS WHEN IT WANTS TO AND I AM CONSTANTLY HAVING MY LOW TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR GO OFF. I SOMEHOW FEE LIKE AS THOUGH THIS IS ALL RELATED? I HAVE READ MANY MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT MY VEHICLE. SHOULD'VE SEARCHED ALITTLE BETTER BEFORE PURCHASING. I SOMEWHAT FEEL LIKE I AM DRIVING A DEATH TRAP NOW. WOULD LOVE SOME GUIDANCE AND HELP WITH THIS SITUATION. ALL THESE CAR FIRES, ESPECIALLY AFTER BEING OFF FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME IS VERY SCARY. I HAVE HAD A FEW PEOPLE LOOK AT MY VEHICLE AND HAVE PRETTY MUCH ALL LEANED TOWARDS TENSIONER PULLEY AND SERPENTINE BELT NOW I WONDER
NHTSA ODI #11323010
122,000 miles · Mar 19, 2018
Air BagsSteering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000.
NHTSA ODI #11080259
125,000 miles · Jul 6, 2016
Steering
I HAVE BEEN HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS OTHERS. IT HAS BEEN A SPORADIC PROBLEM FOR ABOUT FOUR MONTHS. IT'S ALMOST LIKE THE POWER STEERING GOES COMPLETELY OUT AND YOU ARE ALMOST UNABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL. HOWEVER, WHEN YOU PUSH ON THE ACCELERATOR THE STEERING RELEASES. THIS MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT IF NOT IMPOSSIBLE TO KEEP THE VEHI…
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I HAVE BEEN HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS OTHERS. IT HAS BEEN A SPORADIC PROBLEM FOR ABOUT FOUR MONTHS. IT'S ALMOST LIKE THE POWER STEERING GOES COMPLETELY OUT AND YOU ARE ALMOST UNABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL. HOWEVER, WHEN YOU PUSH ON THE ACCELERATOR THE STEERING RELEASES. THIS MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT IF NOT IMPOSSIBLE TO KEEP THE VEHICLE IN THE PROPER LANE WHEN IT OCCURS. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD THAT NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED BEFORE IT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA ODI #10882938
80,000 miles · Mar 5, 2016
Steering
STEERING WHEEL LOCKS WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN AT SPEEDS UNDER 45MPH. DOES IT SPORADICALLY. STARTED AT AROUND 80000 MILES.
NHTSA ODI #10840048
55,000 miles · Nov 5, 2015
Steering
DRIVING ON MINIMALLY WET ROAD, WATER IS SPLASHING INTO ENGINE, LIGHT COMES ON ENGINE STALLS NO STEERING. THIS HAS OCCURRED ON RESIDENTIAL STREET, HIGHWAY STREET, DRIVING STRAIGHT, ACCELERATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP, TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT. CALLED DEALERSHIP FROM WHERE CAR WAS PURCHASED (FOUR MONTHS AGO) SERVICE MANAGER UNRESPONS…
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DRIVING ON MINIMALLY WET ROAD, WATER IS SPLASHING INTO ENGINE, LIGHT COMES ON ENGINE STALLS NO STEERING. THIS HAS OCCURRED ON RESIDENTIAL STREET, HIGHWAY STREET, DRIVING STRAIGHT, ACCELERATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP, TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT. CALLED DEALERSHIP FROM WHERE CAR WAS PURCHASED (FOUR MONTHS AGO) SERVICE MANAGER UNRESPONSIVE. HAVING A DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP LOOK AT CAR, WILL TRY TO RE-CREATE ISSUE.
NHTSA ODI #10788618
100,000 miles · Aug 26, 2014
Steering
THE STEERING WHEEL FREEZES/LOCKS UP WHEN DECELERATING IN A TURN. IT'S ALMOST LIKE THE POWER STEERING GOES COMPLETELY OUT AND YOU ARE UNABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL. HOWEVER, WHEN YOU PUSH ON THE ACCELERATOR THE STEERING RELEASES. THIS MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT IF NOT IMPOSSIBLE TO KEEP THE VEHICLE IN THE PROPER LANE WHEN IT OCCURS. …
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THE STEERING WHEEL FREEZES/LOCKS UP WHEN DECELERATING IN A TURN. IT'S ALMOST LIKE THE POWER STEERING GOES COMPLETELY OUT AND YOU ARE UNABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL. HOWEVER, WHEN YOU PUSH ON THE ACCELERATOR THE STEERING RELEASES. THIS MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT IF NOT IMPOSSIBLE TO KEEP THE VEHICLE IN THE PROPER LANE WHEN IT OCCURS. DEFINITELY A SAFETY HAZARD THAT NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED BEFORE IT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10628597
120,000 miles · Aug 11, 2014
Steering
THE SAME COMPLAINT OTHERS HAVE HAD, SLOW SPEED TURN AND YOU LOOSE THE ABILITY TO STEER. IT'S ALMOST LIKE THE CAR QUITS, BUT IT IS STILL RUNNING WHEN IT HAPPENS. THIS SITUATION HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A WHILE AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10621533
34,800 miles · Jul 3, 2014
Steering
WHILE OPERATING MY 2009 KIA SPORTAGE AND EXECUTING A SHARP RIGHT OR LEFT HAND TURN WHILE BRAKING, THE STEERING WILL SIEZE AND THE VEHICLE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO COMPLETE THE TURN WITHIN THE LANE OF TRAVEL. AFTER NUMEROUS OCCURRENCES I DISCOVERED THAT THE ONLY WAY TO GET THE STEERING TO GO BACK TO NORMAL IS TO REMOVE THE MY FOOT FR…
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WHILE OPERATING MY 2009 KIA SPORTAGE AND EXECUTING A SHARP RIGHT OR LEFT HAND TURN WHILE BRAKING, THE STEERING WILL SIEZE AND THE VEHICLE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO COMPLETE THE TURN WITHIN THE LANE OF TRAVEL. AFTER NUMEROUS OCCURRENCES I DISCOVERED THAT THE ONLY WAY TO GET THE STEERING TO GO BACK TO NORMAL IS TO REMOVE THE MY FOOT FROM THE BRAKE AND PUSH ON THE ACCELERATOR. BECAUSE OF THIS STEERING ISSUE, I HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED TO THE CLOSEST KIA DEALER WHICH IS ABOUT 250 MILES. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER FOR 3 WEEKS NOW, THEY SAY THEY CAN NOT DUPLICATE THE SITUATION SO THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10608121
144,546 miles · Oct 21, 2013
Steering
WHILE DRIVING THROUGH SOME CURVE ON HWY 50 INTO AUSTIN NV. THE POWER STEERING FAILED, ON A HARD RIGHT CURVE, NO ASSIST UNTIL I CAME INTO A STRAIGHT AWAY, POWER STEERING WORKED FINE, THEN AGAIN ON A RIGHT CURVE IT FAILED. NO POWER ASSIST WITH STEERING UNTIL I GOT BACK ONTO A STRAIGHT AWAY. STOPPED IN AUSTIN CHECK POWER STEERING…
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WHILE DRIVING THROUGH SOME CURVE ON HWY 50 INTO AUSTIN NV. THE POWER STEERING FAILED, ON A HARD RIGHT CURVE, NO ASSIST UNTIL I CAME INTO A STRAIGHT AWAY, POWER STEERING WORKED FINE, THEN AGAIN ON A RIGHT CURVE IT FAILED. NO POWER ASSIST WITH STEERING UNTIL I GOT BACK ONTO A STRAIGHT AWAY. STOPPED IN AUSTIN CHECK POWER STEERING FLUID LEVEL, IT WAS WITHIN TOLERANCES. NOTE: EACH FAILURE LASTED APPROXIMATELY 1000 FEET. NO DASH WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. THIS HAS BEEN AN ON GOING ISSUE SINCE ABOUT 100K MILES. DEALER COULD NEVER DUPLICATE, AND NO OTHER ISSUES WITH POWER STEERING. WE HAVE HAD THE POWER STEERING PUMP FLUSHED, BUT NO CHANGE SINCE THIS LAST EPISODE MECHANIC COULD NOT LOCATE AN ISSUE, SUGGESTED PUTTING ON A NEW POWER STEERING PUMP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10548675
49,693 miles · Aug 7, 2013
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE COMPLETING A TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE STEERING RACK WAS LEAKING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,693 AND THE APPROX…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE COMPLETING A TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE STEERING RACK WAS LEAKING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,693 AND THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
NHTSA ODI #10534091
Official recalls
3Oct 24, 2022
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2008-2009 Sportage vehicles previously recalled under recall 16V-815. An engine compartment fire originating from around the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may occur while parked or driving.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A fire increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures and other vehicles until the recall repair has been performed. Dealers will inspect and replace the HECU, its wiring harness, and its fuses, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 22, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC253.
Nov 10, 2016
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2008-2009 Kia Sportage vehicles manufactured August 9, 2007, to May 13, 2009. The wire harness cover on the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may be improperly sealed allowing water to get onto the HECU circuit board. If the water is contaminated with salt, such as could occur from melted snow, the wire harness connector pins may corrode and the circuit board may short circuit.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the HECU short circuits, there is an increased risk of an engine compartment fire.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the connector pins for corrosion, if no corrosion is found, the connector cover will be replaced. If corrosion is present, the dealer will replace the HECU assembly and the connector cover, free of charge. The recall began on November 28, 2016. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC138.
Apr 1, 2013
Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo, model year 2007-2011 Sedona, Sorento and Sportage, model year 2010-2011 Soul, model year 2008-2011 Optima, model year 2010 Forte, model year 2007-2009 Amanti, and model year 2009 Borrego vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Kia recalled 623,658 model year 2007-2010 Rondo and Sportage, model year 2007-2011 Sorento, model year 2007 Sedona, model year 2010-2011 Soul, and model year 2011 Optima vehicles. In September 2013, Kia informed the agency that it was adding an additional 356,719 vehicles to this campaign. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 980,377. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of PARK without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Kia will send an interim notification to owners in May 2013. When parts are available, owners will receive a second notification and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall campaign number is SC098.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1AQ23002 · Hyundai And Kia Abs Module Fires
Opened Nov 17, 2023 · No close date supplied
Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V-520, 20V-543, 21V-161, 21V-160, 21V-303, 22V-056, 22V-810, and 23V-651. Kia recalls 16V-815, 20V-518, 20V-519, 21V-137, 21V-331, 22V-051, 22V-800, and 23V-652 The purpose of this AQ is to evaluate the timeliness and scoping of Hyundai and Kia’s defect decision making and adherence with reporting requirements; and understand the varying defect descriptions and remedies between these recalls.