Steering complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 4% | — |
| 2025 | 4 | 7% | — |
| 2024 | 4 | 5% | — |
| 2023 | 5 | 3% | 59,000 miles |
| 2022 | 2 | 4% | — |
| 2020 | 8 | 5% | 0 miles |
| 2019 | 2 | 3% | 75,000 miles |
| 2018 | 9 | 5% | 40,000 miles |
| 2017 | 9 | 2% | 1,000 miles |
| 2016 | 4 | 3% | 29,000 miles |
| 2015 | 3 | 2% | 48,000 miles |
| 2013 | 2 | 1% | 100,000 miles |
| 2012 | 6 | 2% | 60,000 miles |
| 2011 | 9 | 5% | 22,000 miles |
| 2010 | 1 | 5% | 157,000 miles |
| 2009 | 14 | 18% | 80,000 miles |
| 2008 | 1 | 1% | 1,000 miles |
| 2007 | 10 | 13% | 78,000 miles |
| 2006 | 3 | 3% | 119,000 miles |
| 2005 | 5 | 7% | 89,000 miles |
| 2002 | 9 | 4% | 68,000 miles |
| 2001 | 5 | 2% | 122,000 miles |
| 2000 | 8 | 3% | 120,000 miles |
| 1999 | 10 | 4% | 63,000 miles |
| 1998 | 13 | 4% | 60,000 miles |
| 1997 | 6 | 3% | — |
| 1996 | 1 | 2% | — |
| 1995 | 5 | 9% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
After a hard crash from behind and then being pushed into another car, causing severe damage to the front and rear of the car (total loss), the airbags only deployed on the right (passenger) side. In addition, after the crash, the steering wheel was lying at the driver's feet, completely detached from its original position.
VEHICLE: 2025 Kia Sportage X-Line VIN: [VIN] APPROXIMATE MILEAGE: 34,000 miles DATE OF INCIDENT: September 3, 2026 LOCATION OF INCIDENT: 6140 University Drive, Huntsville, Alabama 35806 COMPONENT: Steering / Motor-Driven Power Steering (MDPS) / Steering Column / Steering Shaft SAFETY ISSUE: Sudden loss of steering control immediately preceding a collision COMPLAINT I am reporting a serious steering-related safety incident involving my 2025 Kia Sportage X-Line, VIN [VIN]. On September 3, 2026, at approximately 34,000 miles, I was operating my vehicle near 6140 University Drive, Huntsville, Alabama 35806, when the steering suddenly became locked/unresponsive immediately before a motor-vehicle collision. The steering malfunction occurred while the vehicle was being operated and immediately preceded the collision. I was unable to properly control the direction of the vehicle as intended. …
The car emergency brake component was faculty and kicked in at an inappropriate time. When the emergency brake occurs you are unable to move the car at all. Being unable to move put myself and my passenger seater at risk for bring hit to which we were. The vehicle was not inspected due to Kia Corporate office not answering the phone.
While driving the car on road, I suddenly started getting all types of warning regarding different safety system and power steering wheel. The steering wheel was stuck/frooze while I was at 40-50 mph and couldn't turn it at all. With lots of difficulty was able to pull the car and get it towed. This put us as serious risk of danger as if this was on freeway would have been dangerous to not have functioning steering wheel. Before this similar issue had occurred but while in a parking lot so was not serious but happening while on road is extremely dangerous. After the repair said it was fixed, the problem was experienced a 3rd time while driving again but since car was slow was able to pull it on side. There seems to be a serious defect in car but car manufacturer is not able to repair it and putting lives in danger
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 MPH, the Forward Collision Avoidance warning light illuminated. The contact stated that while driving, the Forward Collision Avoidance Safety System Disabled message was displayed. The contact stated that several other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel was shaking and there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the struts and spring were incorrectly installed. The dealer was unable to determine the causes of the other failures. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted and provided the contact case number. The failure mileage was approximately 13.
The contact's daughter owns a 2023 Kia Sportage. While the owner was reversing from the driveway, the driver's side wheel collapsed outside of the wheel well at a 90-degree angle. While inspecting the failure, the contact became aware that a bolt for the upper knuckle was missing from the strut bar used to connect the control arm to the wheel bearing, causing the wheel to collapse outwards. There was rust where the bolt was missing. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, and the missing bolt was confirmed; however, a cause for the failure was not provided. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 58,901.
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at slow speeds and turning, the steering wheel seized. The contact stated that after an hour, the steering wheel was unlocked. There were no warning lights illuminated. While taking the vehicle to the local dealer, the steering wheel seized, and the vehicle drove over the curb. The contact was unsure of the diagnostic result or the repair. Additionally, while driving, a passenger noticed wires hanging from the tow hitch. The manufacturer was contacted but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 400.
Vehicle has excessive wandering, that is intermittent, during traffic, surrounding traffic on freeways and on slight wind and rain. The vehicle exhibits behavior that is very very unstable.. I've had the vehicle for about three years and it's been doing this for about two years now intermittently I recently took it into the Kia dealership in Stocton to have it looked at nothing was determined other than the state of the problem.
Related recalls (1)
Steering › Electric power assist system
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2024 Kia Sportage vehicles. The circuit board in the motor-driven power steering assembly may short circuit, resulting in a loss of power steering assist.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the motor-driven power steering electric power pack, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 19, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542.
Frequently asked questions
Which Kia Sportage years have steering problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2009 (14), 1998 (13), 1999 (10), 2007 (10) and 2002 (9) model years. Steering complaints make up 18% of all complaints for the 2009.
Is there a recall for Kia Sportage steering problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 24V-422 (electric power assist system, Jun 7, 2024). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Kia Sportage steering problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 64,000 miles; 46% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the steering wheel/handle bar (12 mentions), followed by the hydraulic power assist system (6).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.