Kia Optima steering column price snapshot
- Low
- $45
- Average
- $179
- High
- $643
Vehicle-specific price guide
How much is a used Kia Optima steering column?
Asking prices from 555 salvage yards in 47 states, broken down by model year, condition grade, and fitment variant.
SKWritten bySaurabh Kumar · Co-Founder & CTO
SK
Saurabh Kumar
Co-Founder & CTO, Part Price Guide
Built the pricing pipeline that collects and normalizes used OEM part listings from salvage yards and online marketplaces across the US.
ASReviewed byAmbika Sharma · Co-Founder & COO
Last updatedOct 21, 2026AS
Ambika Sharma
Co-Founder & COO, Part Price Guide
12 years of project management and technical operations experience. Reviews price guides for sample size, fitment accuracy, and data freshness.
Part overview
About the Kia Optima steering column
What the steering column does, common failure signs, and prices across all vehicles: used steering column price guide →
Price summary
A used Kia Optima steering column costs $45 to $643, with a median asking price of $155. Based on 1,357 priced salvage yard listings across the US, compatible across 2014–2020 (7 model years), updated Oct 21, 2026. Prices exclude shipping, core charges, and installation.
Grade A (excellent)$155
Grade B (good)$170
Grade C (fair)$95
USD
Condition comparison
Price by part grade
Grade AClean / low wear$45–$6431,040 listings
Grade BStandard used$65–$450202 listings
Grade CVisible wear$65–$9910 listings
Grade XUngraded$50–$450105 listings
| Grade | Price range | Relative range | Listings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade AClean / low wear | $45–$643 | 1,040 | |
| Grade BStandard used | $65–$450 | 202 | |
| Grade CVisible wear | $65–$99 | 10 | |
| Grade XUngraded | $50–$450 | 105 |
Median by grade
Grade price comparison
Grade A$155
Grade B$170
Grade C$95
Ungraded$139
Median asking price by seller-reported condition grade · $45–$643 overall range
Regional supply
Where the Kia Optima steering column is listed
We found priced Kia Optima steering column listings at 555 salvage yards across 47 states. California supplies the most, with 224 listings (13% of the total) from 52 yards. Location matters: yards in Texas ask a median $136, while Michigan yards ask $245, 80% more for the same part. Shipping usually costs less than that gap for smaller parts, so it can pay to buy out of state.
| State | Listings | Yards | Median ask |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 224 | 52 | $141-9% |
| Texas | 224 | 53 | $136-12% |
| Michigan | 150 | 43 | $245+58% |
| Illinois | 131 | 28 | $194+25% |
| Wisconsin | 88 | 28 | $174+12% |
| Indiana | 83 | 28 | $137-12% |
| Missouri | 77 | 23 | $175+13% |
| Ohio | 67 | 31 | $157+1% |
States with at least 10 priced listings. % is versus the $155 national median.
Replacement cost
What is the Kia Optima steering column replacement cost?
- Used part
- $155
- Kia Optima median asking price
- Labor
- $190–$750
- 2–5 hours at $95–$150/hr
- Estimated total
- $345–$905
- median used part + labor
Labor is a typical independent-shop range for steering column replacement, not a quote for your vehicle; it does not include steering wheel and dashboard panel removal and reassembly. The part price is the live median from the salvage-yard listings on this page. Full steering column replacement cost breakdown
Sources
- Labor time estimates: Part Price Guide labor database
US built (VIN 5, 1st digit), (column mounted power steering), keyless ignition (Smart Key), (fog lamps), w/o rain sensor49 listingsInterchange 2019–2020$194$85 – $334
US built (VIN 5, 1st digit), (column mounted power steering), conventional ignition48 listingsInterchange 2019–2020$216$125 – $350
US built (VIN 5, 1st digit), (column mounted power steering), keyless ignition (Smart Key), (fog lamps), rain sensor35 listingsInterchange 2019–2020$200$75 – $408
Korea built (VIN K, 1st digit), (keyless ignition, Smart Key), fog lamps
3 listings$161$161 – $420Korea built (VIN K, 1st digit), (keyless ignition, Smart Key), w/o fog lamps; w/o rain sensor
3 listings$161$75 – $161Model-year comparison
What does a Kia Optima steering column cost by year?
Market analysis
How much does a used Kia Optima steering column cost?
Asking prices for a used Kia Optima steering column are unusually spread out: the top listing asks more than ten times what the cheapest does, so which unit you pick matters more than the median. Condition matters: grade-A units (lowest mileage, best condition) carry roughly a 63% premium over grade-C stock, with grade-A medians at $155.
Fitment variant moves the price more than most buyers expect. The most affordable variant we track, Korea built (VIN K, 1st digit), (keyless ignition, Smart Key), fog lamps, lists at a $161 median, while US built (VIN 5, 1st digit), (column mounted power steering), conventional ignition commands $216, a 34% gap inside the same part category. Confirm which variant your VIN requires before comparing quotes.
Model year matters too: 2015 units carry the lowest median at $116, while 2020 tops the table at $195. Parts from 2014–2016 are interchangeable, so if the 2015 fits your vehicle, it offers the best value across 3 compatible years.
Against comparable vehicles, the Kia Optima sits 7% above the Subaru Impreza ($145), 24% above the Subaru Outback ($125), and 7% above the Honda Civic ($145) for the same part. The “similar vehicles” cards below open each comparison guide.
Buying a used steering column: what to check
- Inspect intermediate shaft u-joint splines: Check lower universal joints for play, binding, or stripped pinch-bolt splines where the column meets the rack.
- Verify electric power steering motor inclusion: Ask if columns with integrated electric assist include the assist motor, reduction gear, and module assembly.
- Check tilt and telescoping locking lever: Test manual tilt and telescoping levers to ensure column lock shoes clamp tightly without slipping under load.
- Confirm ignition switch and clockspring wiring: Match multi-function switch stalk plugs, clockspring connectors, and key tumbler housings to your vehicle.
- Lock steering wheel straight before installation: Lock steering wheel alignment straight before installation to prevent over-rotating and snapping internal clockspring wires.
Keep browsing this vehicle
What other Kia Optima parts are priced?
01wide ±151%
Tail Light
$124median
$26$400
02wide ±228%
Side Mirror
$136median
$30$650
03wide ±242%
Wheels
$119median
$25$600
04wide ±217%
Grille
$140median
$30$638
05wide ±202%
Axle Shaft
$105median
$25$450
06wide ±173%
Headlight Assembly
$450median
$110$1,670
07wide ±280%
Transmission
$431median
$75$2,486
08wide ±93%
Engine
$3,000median
$450$6,017
09wide ±211%
Radiator
$110median
$35$500
10wide ±173%
AC Condenser
$110median
$40$420
11wide ±201%
Strut
$75median
$20$321
12wide ±148%
AC Compressor
$125median
$40$410
Price comparisons
Compare Kia Optima steering column prices
Steering Columncompare
SubaruImprezavsKiaOptima
Impreza$145
Optima$155
$10 diff6,814 listings
Steering ColumncompareHondaCivicvsKiaOptima
Civic$145
Optima$155
$10 diff6,207 listings
Steering ColumncompareToyotaPriusvsKiaOptima
Prius$111
Optima$155
$44 diff5,945 listings
Steering ColumncompareMercedesGLEClassvsKiaOptima
Class$210
Optima$155
$55 diff5,746 listings
Steering ColumncompareMercedesSClassvsKiaOptima
Class$225
Optima$155
$70 diff5,447 listings
Steering ColumncompareMercedesEClassvsKiaOptima
Class$200
Optima$155
$45 diff5,409 listings
Compare fitments
What do similar vehicles charge for this part?
Acurawide ±99%
Acura ILX
$106median
$55$265
Acurawide ±97%
Acura Integra
$188median
$85$449
Acurawide ±126%
Acura MDX
$151median
$75$455
Acurawide ±139%
Acura RDX
$156median
$60$493
Acurawide ±117%
Acura TLX
$150median
$40$391
Kiawide ±232%
Kia Forte
$155median
$40$760
Kiawide ±101%
Kia K5
$221median
$75$520
Kiawide ±97%
Kia Seltos
$193median
$75$450
Kiawide ±209%
Kia Sorento
$208median
$50$920
Kiawide ±154%
Kia Soul
$186median
$50$624
Kiawide ±162%
Kia Sportage
$242median
$60$845
Kiawide ±84%
Kia Telluride
$231median
$90$480
Common questions
Kia Optima steering column FAQ
How much is a used steering column for a Kia Optima?
The median asking price is $155 across 1,357 priced listings from 555 yards. Grade-A units, the cleanest stock, have a median of $155. 2015 is the cheapest model year we track, with a median of $116.
How much does it cost to replace a Kia Optima steering column?
Using a used part, a Kia Optima steering column replacement typically runs $345–$905 all-in: the median used steering column for this model lists at $155, and independent-shop labor for steering column replacement typically takes 2–5 hours at $95–$150/hr ($190–$750). The labor figure does not include steering wheel and dashboard panel removal and reassembly. Labor is a national part-level estimate, not a quote for your vehicle.
Which Kia Optima model years does this price guide cover?
This guide currently has year-level pricing for 2020, 2019, 2017, 2016, 2015. Other model years contribute to the overall range where sellers listed them without a year breakdown.
Which Kia Optima steering column years are interchangeable?
Salvage-yard interchange data links Kia Optima steering column fitments across 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020. Searching all 7 years widens the pool of units; confirm the part number against your VIN, since trim or drivetrain can split an interchange group.