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KIA Optima left pull issue

10K views 3 replies 4 participants last post by  Jeff.G 
#1 · (Edited)
Dear optima owners

Does anyone have left pulling issue with your optima platinum? I have bought 2012 model optima platinum in January 2013. I felt the pulling issue as I was driving it home from dealership. I thought It would be a wheel alignment problem so I waited untill 3000km service. When It was due, I had the 3000km service and what I heard from service department was that there was no problem with my car. What they said was It is because of road crowning or the optima has very sensitivy handling. It pulls to the left slightly, It is not that bad but still bothers me when I drive, especially on the highway. It is quite fine to stand with that at low speed around 60km but when I go drive at between 80km and 100km, It pulls to the left more faster at high speed than at low speed. I think there is something wrong with the steering wheel or alignment or camber. The steering wheel is not centred and pulled to the left slightly at all times. I feel I put more strengh on the steering wheel when I do turn right than left. I have been researching on the pulling issue and seen that some optimas do have the pulling issue, some don't. Is that correct? I think It is a known problem? I am wondering if there is anyone who has the same or similar issue with me? are your cars fine at all?
I was going to get wheel alignment service again at 15000km service (the car is now around 10000km) but cannot wait to get it done on 15000km so I contacted my local service department to check it. I am going to see them this week and get some checks done. I hope It is only wheel alightment problem so they can fix it..if not I will be frustrated.
 
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#2 ·
This is probably too late to help, but here goes anyhow, I had the same problem with a kia rio bought new. Dealer told me they are made like that so you don't run into oncoming traffic! Must think we are all stupid. After they had a alignment done, still no change. I took it to a independent alignment shop and they fixed it ,no problems. Cost me $45 and embarrassed the dealer mechanic big time!
 
#3 ·
yep seems like a common issue, alot of the US guys had this issue which Kia released a TSB to fix the issue.
i took mine back to the dealer and they did a wheel alignment but problem is still there and steering wheel is off centered.
i will take it back with a copy of the TSB and get them to fix it properly.

https://www.automd.com/tsb/bulletin_b322968/
2011 Kia Optima Suspension Service Bulletin 322968
• Action Number: 10042592
Service Bulletin Number: 322968
Report Date: Oct 01, 2011
Component: Suspension
• Summary: Kia: on some vehicles that may be sensitive to road conditions and exhibit drifting from right to left, information has been provided for diagnosis and repair of condition. *pe


https://www.automd.com/tsb/bulletin_b303005/
2011 Kia Optima Steering Service Bulletin 303005
• Action Number: 10037660
Service Bulletin Number: 303005
Report Date: Dec 01, 2010
Component: Steering
• Summary: Kia: procedure to adjust the front toe settings on an off-center steering wheel. *rm
 
#4 ·
Hello Heith and welcome to the Kia forums.
If you put some of you details in your CP section they will be there for all your posts.
The answer is all the Kia models with the electric power steering and some earlier ones may have the problem.
It is NOT a car problem but a dealer problem.
When the cars are delivered the steering is not always centralised.
The PDI this is covered but garages do not follow procedures.
The Only variable tracking is the TOE IN or OUT
The modern power steering Must have a slight TOE IN or they will not centralise and you will be fighting the power steering all the time.
It is always best to do toe in with 1 or 2 people sat in car.
A front tyre check tells all .

Jeff
 
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