2012 Kia Sorento: engine knocking or ticking

Filed Apr 27, 2026 · Airbags, Engine · FL

The clock spring needs fixed no features including the horn is working in my airbag light is staying on. Also I now have a loud knock in my motor I understand this should fall under the extended 15 yr 150k warranty; 2012 Kia vehicles (specifically the Sorento) with V6 engines are covered under major safety recalls for engine failure and fire risks. The primary issue involves metal debris from manufacturing that can cause premature engine bearing wear, stalling, and fire. You should check your VIN on the federal safety agency site or Kia's recall page to confirm, as these recalls are still active.

Filed Mar 26, 2026 · Engine · CT

Engine warning lamp illuminated as the engine lost some power. Code was diagnosed as the knock sensor issue. Unit taken to mechanic to evaluate and diagnose. Repair shop notified us that based on the sensor, the engine could succumb to a failure at any time. Engine oil was flushed, cleaned, and replaced. Code was addressed currently. This is similar to the failures observed by other engines in this class, however, it does not appear this engine is part of the lifetime warranty or recall.

Filed Mar 25, 2026 · Engine · TX

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving 75 MPH, the check engine warning light was flashing on the instrument panel. There was a misfire coming from the engine. The contact stated that the vehicle was sputtering while depressing the accelerator pedal and cautiously drove to the nearest independent mechanic. The mechanic used a code scanner and retrieved a fault code for an inoperable knock sensor and wiring harness. The vehicle was also taken to another independent mechanic who provided the same information. The dealer was notified of the failure, and the contact was informed that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Mar 9, 2026 · Engine · MD

Engine Knocking - Car enters limp mode and has a known recall. KSDS was updated in prior recall and engine has failed at 118k Miles. Car has been well maintained. Kia asks for maintenance records, records were provided and they will not take action. KIA avoided fixing the engine and just updated software to tell you when this happens and now that the engine is failing will not honor their warranty or do work on the car despite sending maintenance records of over 10 years

Filed Jan 8, 2026 · Brakes, Engine · 106,000 miles · AL

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the rod bearings were knocking, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Numbers: 15V626000 (Power Train), 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic), and 20V750000 (Engine). The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact called the warranty company which declined the repairs. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.

Filed Sep 19, 2024 · Engine · 193,999 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle was making an abnormal knocking sound. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was determined that the engine needed to be replaced, and the knock sensor software needed to be updated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 193,999.

Filed May 3, 2024 · Engine · MO

My 2012 Kia Sorento (138k mi.) has received all suggested maintenance religiously, including a routine oil change on April [XXX]. On April [XXX] while driving the vehicle, a loud sound came from the engine and it stalled in traffic. An initial inspection revealed that there was NO oil. I immediately put 5 qts. of oil in the vehicle, drove home, parked, and called the shop that had JUST changed my oil. They came to look at the vehicle the next morning and again had to put 3 qts. of oil. The vehicle has since been towed to the dealership which confirmed "excessive bearing wear" where the engine attaches to the transmission causing the oil to leak out and a knocking rod. The entire engine must be replaced at a price tag of $12,000. The dealership stated that there were NO dtc codes showing for the ENTIRE HISTORY FOR THE VEHICLE. Essentially, the vehicle is in pristine condition but has now suffered a complete engine seizure less than 20k miles outside of warranty. The technician also stated that since NO dtc codes were indicated, including the 1326 dtc, they could not request an extension of warranty from the manufacturer on my behalf. Upon researching this issue, I have found 800 complaints for this model year Sorento, ten (10) the federal safety agency Investigations, and five (5) recalls for this MY. Two recalls relate to excessive bearing wear causing engine seizure (the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 17V224000) and the installation of software related to the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) to detect the rod knocking. Being that Kia is obviously aware of these issues on this MY, I requested that the manufacturer extend my warranty to cover the repairs. KIA responded and said since the recalls weren't for my specific engine model, they would not consider extending the warranty. This is absurd. Furthermore, the current recall which was issued over 8 months ago (the federal safety agency Recall Number 23V652000) still has not been resolved by KIA. This is not something new. I need help. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U

Filed Jan 27, 2024 · Acceleration, Engine · CA

It won't catch up speed it slips on the freeway. Once I pass 60 miles per hour it excelerates very high and rpm get stuck after I hit 50 miles per hour. There's a knocking noise coming from the engine and burns oil fast.

Filed Dec 1, 2023 · Brakes, Engine · 129,000 miles · AR

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) and the ABS warning lights were illuminated. The contact noticed a burning odor on the interior of the vehicle. The contact stated that there was a knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact drove the vehicle to her place of employment and turned off the vehicle. A coworker checked the engine oil level and discovered that there was no engine oil in the engine. The contact stated that the vehicle was not due to have an engine oil change for another month. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 129,000.

Filed Jul 7, 2023 · Acceleration, Engine · AZ

The vehicle slows unexpectedly while driving and will not go above 2 RPM causing me to slow to below 40 mph on the highway without any warning. I took the vehicle to Kia for an airbag recall and suddenly I started to have these engine problems. They never informed me there was a recall on my vehicle or that this issue could occur. I am not the original owner and acquired the vehicle from my dad, which he purchased from someone else. I had the vehicle checked out by AAA and the knock sensor was replaced, yet the issue continued to happen. I took the vehicle back to Kia because AAA could not figure out why the car continues to have this engine issue. Kia cannot seem to figure out the issue as well but stated the engine needs to be replaced. We asked them about the recall because I suddenly received notice about the class action lawsuit, but the vehicle has 185,472 miles on it and they refused to correct the issue and said the new engine will cost $7200. The issue has almost placed me in several accidents because the vehicle abruptly slows down and I have to pull to the side of the road use a code reader to clear the code in order to drive again but it continues to happen multiple times while driving and I need to get to work. The problem has been confirmed by Kia, but they won't replace it. We were encouraged to file a complaint and see if Kia will take responsibility for their engine since it has been recalled for this issue and a lawsuit ensued. The engine light appears when the car fails to drive properly.

Filed May 30, 2023 · Engine · SC

Recall I purchased my vehicle in a private sale sometime around 2018, I believe. I can get more specific date if you need me to. I have reached out to the Kia dealership multiple times since regarding the recall on my vehicle due to engine issues which have been known to cause vehicle fires and/or failure. I have been told each time that I was ineligible for the recall due to some failure to act prior to my purchase of the vehicle. I received a letter in the mail today from the US District Court for the Central District of California saying that I should get the KSDS (Knock Sensor Detection System) update done to my vehicle which is covered by recall and that as part of a class action, the vehicle warranty will be extended. Can you please explain to me whether I qualify for the recalls listed for my vehicle and what I can do if the dealership denies my request again? I do not want my family driving in a vehicle that could potentially endanger them, and I also have concerns that my vehicle is beginning to experience the issues the recall was intended to mitigate. Then when I found this website, it said that if we experienced issues with the recall fulfillment to submit a complaint. Please help.

Filed Mar 24, 2023 · Acceleration, Engine · KY

I was driving my car on the highway and entered a ramp to another highway and as I began to accelerate again it was like my engine shut down and there was no response to the gas pedal for throttle. I pulled my car over to the side, sat for a moment, and then turned the car back on. I was able to accelerate, but if I accelerate too fast the engine would shut back down. I contacted Kia and they said all recalls have been processed for my vehicle, but now out of nowhere it's hardly driveable. I am still forced to use this car for short distances under a couple miles for work, but the vehicle's engine will try to shut off over 2k rpms. I have maintenance records for every year with this vehicle and I don't get how this just happens. My mechanic says a Knock Sensor is telling the engine to turn off and my local kia store said there wouldn't be anything to do without a recall.