Kia Cadenza knocking problems

Filed Jun 8, 2026 · Engine, Tires · 74,000 miles · LA

The contact owns a 2019 Kia Cadenza. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated. Additionally, upon starting the vehicle later, the contact noticed that there was an abnormal ticking sound coming from under the hood. The vehicle was taken to AutoZone, where the contact was informed that the diagnostic trouble code was associated with a tire sensor failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 74,000.

Filed Nov 16, 2025 · Engine · WA

No prior issues/light on dashboard as the car was just serviced for coolant hose replacement. On my way home from work, the car stalled and loss power at the light. The signs were giving engine failure due to losing power then a clicking/ticking noise. After pulling over and giving the car a break I tried to restart it, at that point the noise had change from the clicking to a weird knocking noise. I had the car towed to my trusted mechanic shop. He advised me that the engine indeed did fail and that it would need to be replaced. Verbatim he said: “The diagnosis is that the noise is an internal engine failure, rod bearing and connecting rods.” This was a major safety concern because the engine could have caught fire during that short drive I had home risking my life and surrounding vehicles. Aware of the Kia engine recalls already, I called Kia just for them to tell me it’s not on their recall list so it’s going to be an out of pocket repair. I asked if there was a way for it to be included in the engine recall as an exception due to low mileage (technically early engine failure) and the customer service rep was rude and condescending about how it’s not Kia’s problem.

Filed Oct 14, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · TX

Multiple oil, engine/knocking issues. Drove the car unaware of loss of oil ( disguised as water from days rain) no oil light or engine light appeared. When I took to dealer the leak was fixed.Multiple times of loss of oil and only once did it show on dash.I kept taking to dealership for loud knocking and was told it wasn’t reproduced. But fixed a gasket/manifold more than once. overheating of engine when I was driving out driveway. I turned around parked and had it towed to dealership. Stated faulty sensor then was called back & told i needed to pay for the fan wires that kept the engine cool because they had melted in the process.i have had issues with right brake fluid and boot as well. Changed brakes.most of the time It has been loss of oil or engine knocking then needed to rebuild the engine which I had to pay $4000. Im sad and upset that most of the time I have had my car it has been in the shop or having to be parked for a length of time.( avg. 3-20 days) was called back to say it was another issue.Took to another dealer who repaired . had to take in for repeat engine issues and knocking sounds the wasn’t “reproduced” it was clearly heard when manager drove it but service provider said no. So frustrated that I have spend a lot of money for engine issues and haven’t had a chance to enjoy the vehicle, frustrated it is performed less than what I expected.have never taken my car to any other but dealership and kept up with maintenance. the rest was slow to accelerate(even after just picking up from dealership) a lot of knocking .Engine was “rebuilt” and It’s still in the shop today. Driving without oil loss notification.Now radiator hose is swollen/soft at top unsure if oil or water. And I need to pay for hose $400 now another $1000? braking feels unusual after they replaced. I notified KIA customer support/emailed all receipts and return call was told no recalls about a year ago and she would call dealership. Car was at dealership for a while at that time.

Filed Apr 16, 2025 · Engine · MO

The engine started smoking and knocking really bad. Took it to the kia dealership and was told a piston o ring and gasket went bad because of heavy oil consumption that caused antifreeze to leak inside the motor while sitting still and this was causing the burning smell because the cylinder had gone bad because of this. The dealership states this was a known issue with all kias from this year and should be under recall. So I called kia because the car only has 80k miles and they informed me it's not apart of the open recall because it's a cadenza. What if I hadn't went back outside and seen the smoke and the car caught fire and burned my home down. It seems like kia knows all of these motors are bad and trying to keep it secret

Filed Sep 24, 2024 · Engine · NY

At startup I experienced a knock in the engine which seemed to have gone away. I notified the KIA dealership of the issue. The service advisor told me to drive the vehicle in for service. While attempting to drive the vehicle in for service the vehicle TURNED OFF while going 55MPH without any warning at all. KIA diagnosed the vehicle with a failed crank bearing and that it can happen to high mileage vehicles despite imbecile maintenance records. I have read hundreds of complaints regarding the HYUNDAI/KIA 3.3L Lambda II class engines and faliures at various mileage. Prior to this vehicle i owned a 2012 Buick Regal CXL Turbo. When I decided I no longer wanted to invest any money into it it had over 280,000 miles on it. The engine and transmission were still running strong. I believe that the quality of the materials used and the workmanship is below what the standard should be. Also considering all of the problems that this corporation has had with other engines who is to say that these engines are not also defective?

Filed Oct 8, 2023 · Engine · NC

I was driving my car at about 70 miles per hour then all of a sudden it went from 70 to like 40 and wouldn't pick up speed the engine light did come on I did get it to a mechanic to have my coils and spark plugs change but car was still knocking mechanic said it was the engine even before this it was always a knocking noise at start up even after oil changes everytime I call about this engine issue it's always cadenza not included but I see that most of the complaints is about the engine the same issues like the others my car is paid for but can't drive it if this problem was known we should be included for a new engine people like myself only work 32hrs cause my job like others are not doing good don't have the 5 to $10,000 kia dealership quoted me at to fix this car that was already known to be bad this is sad but im going to keep pushing until I get to the bottom including a lawsuit because this is not fair at all.

Filed May 20, 2023 · Engine · IL

After hearing a ticking sound in my engine, I had it diagnosed by a Kia service department. They said bad lifters and cam shafts had been installed at the factory, and that sometime soon my engine was going to fail and they could say if it would seize or blow up or what, or how this would play out if this happened when I was driving. My car only has 76k miles, and the ticking sound is fairly quiet. Kia refuses to take the safe route and replace my engine. I do not feel safe driving this car.

Filed Apr 14, 2023 · Engine · 98,625 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Cadenza. The contact stated that upon depressing the accelerator pedal, she heard a ticking sound coming from an unknown location on the vehicle. The contact stated that while she proceeded to drive, she noticed a gray cloud of smoke coming from under the hood of the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to coast the vehicle off the roadway. The vehicle was towed to the dealer three days later where it was diagnosed that the engine short block needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not covered under warranty and no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 98,625.

Filed Mar 24, 2023 · Engine, Fuel system · CA

I purchased a 2014 Kia Cadenza from San Leandro Kia on 05/16/17 As a Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle. On 02/16/23, my engine started knocking. I took to get an oil change, because I thought that was the problem but was told it was my engine. I couldn’t get an appt w/ Kia dealership where I purchased my car until Tue 03/21/23 Upon calling I was asked my vin# & asked the # of miles. I stated approx 98k. The service rep -[XXX] said oh, you’re right under the mark (100k). I did not drive the car after 02/16 & actually had it towed home from Pep Boys, who suggested I get it towed due to oil showing in the coolant reserve. I recv’d a call from Kia yesterday stating they had to contact corporate for instructions. Today, rep-[XXX] called to say corporate said my coverage ended in April 2019 @60k ml. I adv her that I have my original sales ppwk sticker that was on my vehicle and it states 10yr/100k ml. She stated what corporate says is usually the final answer. I advised I do not agree & how can I contact them? She said there is no way to contact them. I found the # online & cld. I was told the same thing BUT was adv it was denied because I didn’t purchase a CPO-Certified Pre Owned Vehicle! I replied that they then sold me a deceptive description cus my sticker States it’s include it also notes the 10yr/100k warranty which covers me as a 2nd owner & I also registered my vehicle with CarFax as suggested to do once car was purchased as CPO. After researching Kia, I see that there were recalls on three other Kia vehicles, but my model isn’t listed nor was it part of the Class Action Lawsuit, which many other owners of this model also had engine issues of knocking/ticking/ rattling at start-up. I was even more shocked to see that the same complaints I’d made to my Kia dealership when taking car in for service, that “that’s normal”. I just paid off my car, I am under 100kml and wont reach my 10th year until May 2023. This is not right & I want to file a lawsuit. Plz contact me! INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INF

Filed Mar 5, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · CA

2014 Kia Cadenza Continuous knocking and rattling sound since car purchase and now engine started smoking and from what mechanic states, the engine is now blown after just paying off vehicle. There was a Class Act settlement in other Kia models but not for the Cadenza. After researching & finding out this make of car has numerous engine issues, I contacted the Settlement Dept but was told my model car was not included. There are numerous car owners of this same make/model that had same complaint to dealership about the knocking/rattling sounds & from the post of complaints I’ve read, this statement to owners countywide was “ That’s Normal”. I was shocked to see that others complained of this same issue and also the engine smoking and now not functioning. I would like to file a complaint and/or generate a Class Action Lawsuit because Kia knows that most of their engines are no good, yet they only opted to cover those three cars who’s replacement engines were the cheapest. What about those of us with these Cadenzas who are now stuck with a non operating car, especially after working hard for over 6years to pay it off to have the engine blow or head gaskets, when this matter could have been taken care of years ago. My car stopped on February 16, yet I cannot even get a diagnostic appointment until March 21, 2023. I am the second owner of this vehicle purchased 2017, via a trade in of my paid off Kia Sorento so it makes me now wonder if the Kia dealership sold me a vehicle that they knew had a faulty engine and or had already replaced the engine with a remanufactured one? I, along with other Kia Cadenza owners who are or have had engine problems deserve too to have our engines replaced for free. I would like to be contacted to discuss further. If I cannot get assistance from you, then I will look for assistance from the news media in hopes of having them do a story and research on Kia Cadenza owners who too have had engine issues.