Check a VIN

2017 Kia Forte: engine knocking or ticking

30 of the 305 complaints about the 2017 Kia Forte describe engine knocking or ticking.

owner complaints
30
of this car's complaints
10%
typical mileage
83,200
recalls
1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 29 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below

Engine knocking or ticking by model year

What owners say

Filed Nov 17, 2025 · Engine · AR

Engine light came on around 81k miles and I've replaced several components and it fixed then light would come back on. I kept up on oil changes frequently. I had the spark plugs, o2 sensors replaced twice. It would idle low and or stall. The engine started knocking at 135k I still owe 9k on loan and it's the 2.0L NU MPI M/T ENGINE. PLEASE RECALL IT ALREADY SO MANY OWNERS ARE BEING SCREWED ON THIS VEHICLE.

Filed Oct 31, 2025 · Engine · GA

Overconsumption of oil, led to engine damage and stalling. Car struggles to start and there is an engine knock. Mechanic advised that the car is not drivable as it will stall while driving as it has done previously and there was a noticeable burning smell when the car was running. Car is under 100,000 miles

Filed Feb 17, 2025 · Engine · CA

Engine knocking due to engine recall

Filed Jun 26, 2024 · Engine · MN

I was driving on a road, then the car just died out of know where after driving for about a hour. I got the car to the side of the road to be somewhat more safe. I started the car back up then started hearing a knocking. then had it towed to the dealer. they said they cant do anything.

Filed Mar 19, 2024 · Engine · TX

I got a code P1326. I looked online and saw this was a common Kia issue. My engine light is flashing and car went into limp mode while driving. I can’t got more than 60 mph. There is occasional knocking as well.

Filed Nov 27, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · PA

1. The knock sensor failed. As a consequence the vehicle will not run properly. 2. The vehicle has been at Fred Beans KIA of Langhorne for several weeks. I assume that it is available for inspection. 3. The vehicle will not run properly. It will not accelerate when the gas pedal is pressed and the engine often stops running. Very dangerous on highways and heavily traveled roadways. 4. Yes the problem has been confirmed by Ciocca KIA of Trenton, NJ. Frank's Service Center 645 Knowles Ave., South Hampton, PA 18966 and Fred Beans KIA of Langhorne, PA 19047. 5. Yes. See attached report. 6. Yes there was an engine warning light and a message on the screen.

Filed Aug 8, 2023 · Engine · VA

It happened on July 29th 2023. Coming home from visiting my son my engine started to make a loud knocking noise. There have been no warnings, no light indicators came on, just nothing. Luckily made it home safely. Car has just a Lil over 97,000 miles on it. The coolant, oil,transmission fluid all are good. Took to a shop on August 2nd and said the motor is blown. With low miles and only 6years old the car should not have a blown motor already. I belive the recall should be extended to All 2017 KIA FORTES.

Filed Jul 29, 2023 · Engine · IN

My 2017 Kia Forte was stalling during driving with no warning. Engine light would come on periodically and then go off again. It stalled numerous times on busy roads and at busy intersections. I'm blessed I was never rear ended. It finally died after parking it one day and wouldn't start again. It is at the Kia dealership where they tell me... for lack of mechanical terms, it has jumped time and they need me to pay $2200 to have it fixed. My tech told me, "this may fix your problems but we will not know until that is fixed because we can not further diagnose it until that gets fixed". In my 47 years of life I've never had a mechanic tell me to pay that much but we aren't sure if this will fix it. Kia knows these engines are junk and are trying to get out of replacing/fixing what is wrong for so many! This is so wrong! These car/engines are dangerous and a ticking time bomb!

Filed Jun 12, 2023 · Engine · 120,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the contact heard an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle, but no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the engine oil level was low. The contact stated that the oil was topped off; however, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V260000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) and referred the contact to the local dealer. The dealer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 120,000.

Filed May 17, 2023 · Engine · NC · crash

Repeated engine failure. 10/1/2022 "internal problem required engine teardown found exhaust cvvt dowel pin had sheared off inside of exhaust camshaft causing excessive play. Replaced exhaust cvvt exhaust camshaft valve cover gasket rtv exhaust cvvt bolt timing chain tensioner timing chain and ocv. Replaced gaskets as needed." Paid $2877.01 to repair. Then on 5/15/2023, loud knocking in engine (sounds like a loose bolt knocking around). Took to dealer and got this quote. "•Exhaust system (Loose Parts, Visible Damage, Leaks) OBD 2 PERMANENT CODE FOR P0420- RECOMMEND CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACEMENT $10,106.27 •REPLACE ENGINE - NON ISG $4,232.81" Only has 127k miles and cannot pay this much... $14+k for a car that is worth $4k? Crazy! I question the work that was done in Oct 2022 and also question why it had to be done in the first place. Something is very wrong with this engine. It is available for inspections upon request. My daughter's safety was compromised as she commuted with a car that has a serious engine defects. Problem was diagnosed at dealership. It has been inspected by the Kia dealership. Engine light warning was on which is why my daughter took it to them in Oct. 2022. Came on again in May 2023 and she took it to dealership again as soon as she saw it which was when the knocking began. Link to outrageous quote on May 16, 2024. https://triage-america.superservice.com/home/en-us/customer-authorisation/#/A3zAAy&n2azet;VVM=&sms

Filed Mar 16, 2023 · Engine · OH

My vehicle has under 70,000 miles. A few weeks ago it keep stopping. This is what the Kia dealer is telling me : INTERNAL ROD BEARING FAILURE METAL IN OIL CAR IS KNOCKING AND WONT STAY RUNNING DUE TO OIL CONTROL VALVES BEING AFFECTED BY METAL IN OIL. I feel as a customer this is a bad engine and now I am being asked to pay about $5700 to replace an engine. I bought this car about almost two years ago; and I was assured by a car fax and Kia dealership this car was fine. I would like for Kia to look into this and reimburse me and other customers.

Filed Mar 2, 2023 · Engine · 83,200 miles · IN

Load engine "ticking/knocking" noise at 83,200 miles. Vehicle engine maintenance is up to date and serviced by Kia. Noise diagnosed as coming from valve train and/or pistons. Was informed engine replacement is necessary.

Service bulletins that may apply

Related recalls

Engine and engine cooling: engine: oil/lubrication: pumpReported April 13, 2021 · 4,069 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Forte vehicles equipped with a 2.0L Nu MPI engine. Foreign particles may stick inside the oil pump, which may cause an oil pump failure and engine damage.
Risk
A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the oil pan, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed August 16, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1‑800‑333‑4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC210.

Recall number 21V260000 · Recall details

Questions about the 2017 Kia Forte knocking

Is engine knocking or ticking a common problem on the 2017 Kia Forte?

30 of 305 owner complaints about the 2017 Kia Forte (10%) mention engine knocking or ticking. The model year with the most reports is 2014.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2017 Kia Forte?

There is 1 recall and 29 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2017 Kia Forte

Check engine light 51Stalling 46Engine failure 33Headlights 31Fire or smoke 14No deployment 13Misfire 13Loss of power 12Oil consumption 11Hesitation 9

All model years of the Kia Forte

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 2017 Kia Forte?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history