2014 Kia Forte · symptom sheet
Steering wheel clicks, clunks or grinds when I turn
- 27owner reports
- 60,000median miles
- 1involved a crash
Newest report Sep 24, 2026 · checked Sep 29, 2026
62 of the 418 complaints on this car are about the steering system. 27 of those describe steering noise.
Tick what matches of 27 reports
Steering noise on other Forte years
No other Forte model year has enough reports of steering noise for a sheet of its own. See every Forte year.
What this problem usually is
Owners in this group hear a click, pop, clunk, grind or squeal when they turn the steering wheel. Some say it started within weeks of buying the car. Others describe a knock that comes with a stiff or sticky wheel.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the column or coupler (13 reports).
Recalls and investigations
No recall on the steering system covers the 2014 model year as of Sep 29, 2026.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 49,000 and 76,908 miles, from the 12 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 4 service bulletins or notices for the 2014 Kia Forte that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
PARTIAL REPAIR OF C-MDPS MOTOR, ECU, WORM GEAR AND/OR STEERING COLUMN HOUSING This bulletin provides information regarding the partial repair of the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) Motor, Electronic Control Unit (ECU), Steering Column Housing, or Worm Gear Assembly.
TSB - STEERING GEAR YOKE PLUG AND ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT This bulletin provides the procedure to replace the steering gear box yoke plug and assembly on some 2014-2017MY Forte (YD), produced from February 18, 2013 through November 15, 2016, and some 2017MY Forte (YDm) vehicles, produced from May 15, 2016 through ...
MDPS FLEXIBLE COUPLING REPLACEMENT Rev 2 - This bulletin provides information related to the replacement of the flexible coupling in the MDPS motor of some of vehicles, which may experience a ?clicking? noise emanating from the MDPS when turning the steering wheel left or right, while stopped.
MDPS FLEXIBLE COUPLING REPLACEMENT This bulletin provides information related to the replacement of the flexible coupling in the MDPS motor of some of vehicles, which may experience a ?clicking? noise emanating from the MDPS when turning the steering wheel left or right, while stopped.
What owners wrote
“I was driving the Forte and my steering wheel started to feel loose. It would click when I turned it. When I would go over a speed bump or hit a pot hole, my steering would jolt and make a loud noise. While driving on the highway, steering seemed loose and wasn't stable. I drove slower because I was afraid the problem would become worse or I would lose control of the steering.b”
Filed Nov 8, 2024
“Steering is popping and clicking most of the time when I turn the steering wheel, mainly when I turn left but definitely seems to be a safety hazard. Not sure if itâs the steering coupler or what but I believe it should be under a recall. Thank you.”
Filed Jun 24, 2024
“While turning the steering wheel will pop or click loudly. The issue is hard to control completely as the steering column vibrates. I have been told that I need the steering column coupler replaced. Consulted shops and they want $480 to replace a $10 plastic piece. This is a safety issue as you could loose control of steering.”
Filed Feb 16, 2024
“Steering wheel is clicking or catching when initiating a turn. Problem is with the steering coupler.”
Filed Jan 30, 2024
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 1 of 27 reports involved a crash and 1 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Taking it to a shop? How to describe this problem so it gets found
Other problems on this car
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 101 reports
- Airbag warning light or recall 60 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 55 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 45 reports
- Vehicle fire 30 reports
- Engine rattles or ticks 28 reports