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Kia steering recalls: can you lose steering control without warning?
Every Kia steering recall here ends the same way — a loss of steering control — but the parts differ. Two involve the column physically coming apart: a badly welded cowl crossbar on the 2018 Sorento, and an unsecured lower u-joint retention bolt on 2021-2022 Rio and Forte models that can let the column detach from the rack. Two involve the Motor Driven Power Steering unit itself: a wrongly made component in the 2020 Stinger 2.0L Turbo-GDI rack-mounted MDPS that can make steering lock or go stiff, and a shorting circuit board in the 2024 Sportage that kills power assist. The fifth is mechanical — a cracking front left steering knuckle on the 2023 Forte. All five are treated as urgent, and none is fixed with software.
Warning signs to watch for
- Steering that locks up or becomes difficult to turn while driving (2020 Stinger)
- A sudden change in steering effort or loss of power steering assist (2024 Sportage)
- Steering that stops responding because the column has separated from the rack
- For the Sorento crossbar, Rio/Forte column bolt and Forte knuckle, the notices say steering can be lost suddenly and without warning
Is it safe to keep driving?
None of these five recalls carries a stop-driving or park-outside instruction — Kia has not issued a do-not-drive order for any of them. That is not the same as 'no hurry.' The 2018 Sorento crossbar, 2021-2022 Rio and Forte column bolt, and 2023 Forte steering knuckle can all take steering away suddenly and without warning, so these should be booked immediately rather than at the next service. The 2020 Stinger and 2024 Sportage power steering faults change steering effort while driving, which can cause a crash; drive only as far as you must until they are fixed.
What the free repair involves
All work is free, and none of it is a software or over-the-air update. Dealers replace the cowl crossbar on the 2018 Sorento, tighten the lower steering column u-joint retention bolt on 2021-2022 Rio and Forte, replace the whole MDPS assembly on the 2020 Stinger, replace the electric power pack on the 2024 Sportage, and inspect the 2023 Forte's front left steering knuckle, replacing it if necessary.
Severity at a glance
| Severity | Recalls |
|---|---|
| critical | 4 |
| high | 1 |
Models affected most
Every recall in this group
| Date | Recall | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-06-07 | Kia Sportage may lose power steering assist suddenly | high |
| 2022-12-08 | Kia Forte steering part may crack and fail | critical |
| 2022-05-05 | Kia Rio and Forte steering column bolt may loosen | critical |
| 2020-07-22 | Kia Stinger power steering may lock or stiffen while driving | critical |
| 2018-09-21 | Kia Sorento steering column may separate from the car | critical |
Common questions
Does a loose steering column bolt really mean the steering can come off?
Kia's notice says the bolt in the steering column may not be secured properly, letting the column detach from the steering rack and causing a loss of steering control. The fix is tightening the lower u-joint retention bolt on 2021-2022 Rio and Forte.
Is my Stinger affected if it has the 3.3L engine?
No. The 2020 Stinger steering recall covers cars with the 2.0L Turbo-GDI engine, where a component inside the rack-mounted MDPS assembly was made incorrectly. Kia replaces the MDPS assembly free; check your VIN with Kia or NHTSA to confirm yours.
Will I get a warning before the steering fails?
Not reliably. The Sorento crossbar, Rio/Forte column bolt and Forte knuckle recalls describe a sudden loss of steering with no warning. The Stinger and Sportage faults you may feel — steering that locks, stiffens, or abruptly loses assist.
A recall applies only to specific vehicles. Check your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.