2011 Kia Optima Steering Issue

Hello CarGurus,
My 2011 Kia optima had steering issue in 2017. Kia service guy told me that
was steering coupler issue and showed me toned out coupler. I asked them
to change only steering coupler. He said "no, Kia does not allow to change
only steering coupler and have to change entire wheel column". They
charged me a lot of money for that. A month ago, I found that Kia sent out a
letter for extended steering issue (10 years / unlimited mileage) in 2016 from
google search which I did not receive. I don't know why Kia service guy told
me "never heard of recalls or letter for steering issue" in 2017. So, I filed
documents to Kia Motor America Inc. to get my money back. They denied to
pay me. They asked me an additional evidence that explains steering
coupler issue. I asked Kia service manager in my town. He said "no, we had
to change entire wheel column at that time". Then why a mechanic showed
me toned out steering coupler and told me that was an issue in 2017. I think
that they cheated on me to make more money. Luckily, I got my old steering
column back at that time and saved in my basement. I took some pictures of
steering coupler that a mechanic showed me in 2017. Please let me know if
you can tell steering coupler was toned out from pictures and that was an
issue. I will file these pictures as well to Kia Motor America Inc.