2018 Kia Sorento: engine knocking or ticking

Filed May 5, 2026 · Engine · NC

2018 Kia Sorento, under 88,000 miles, with Theta II engine defect. KSDS update installed. Oil consumption issues requiring adding at least one liter of oil every 1,000 miles in between regular oil changes/ maintenance. Oil warning lamp does not illuminate at all or only blinks on for a second then stays off, even when oil is less than 1 liter. Noticed slight jerking/hesitation at acceleration for a few days, then experienced shaking and heard vibrations when breaking and idling. Within a few minutes, MIL appeared with audible warning, "Take this vehicle to a Kia dealership." Immediately parked car. Towed to Kia dealership. No record of DTC P1326 found, which would have qualified vehicle for new engine under PI1802 Y/Z Theta II Extended Warranty. Diagnostic found misfiring cylinder and fouled spark plug. Technician in the video stated "oil consumption." Due to absence of P1326 code, service manager suggests we replace fouled plug and return with the vehicle when the same issue happens again. This does not follow Kia's own guidelines in PI1802 Y/Z campaign for a couple of reasons. First, activation of the MIL in conjunction with the audio warning indicates the Knock Sensor P1326 code should have been generated and stored, but the warning system must have malfunctioned. Service dept. did not to inspect the knock sensor harness for damage or oil saturation which could have kept the code from registering. Second, Service dept. did not consider shaking and vibration as "engine noise," which would have required them to perform a BCT or test for connecting rod bearing noise, providing a pathway to request Techline PWA approve replacing the engine under warranty. Kia's Product Improvement Campaign for Theta II engines ought to prevent injury or death resulting from catastrophic engine failure. My vehicle presents clear evidence of engine failure progression at different stages. Rather than navigate the warranty via a Techline, Kia has advised me to continue driving.

Filed Jan 17, 2026 · Engine · TX

Noticed excessive oil consumption that turned into burning oil when the exhaust turned back of car black. Engine started knocking due to gummed up spark plugs. Replaced the spark plugs but within weeks the new plugs where gummed up as well. Took to Kia for diagnosis and potential repair for theta 2 class action. Mechanic confirmed damaged spark plugs, piston issues and needs for new engine.

Filed Nov 24, 2025 · Engine · GA

Started the car and heard a knocking sound. No check engine or low oil light on the dash. Dealership said the bearing clearance test was too great, causing the connecting rod to knock inside the engine. Dealership said I need an engine replacement. Engine is 3.3L Lambda II engine which has been reported to have this issue.

Filed Nov 6, 2025 · Engine · 178,000 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2018 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the engine was making an abnormal knocking sound. The contact stated that while slowing for a traffic sign or stop lights, the vehicle was shaking and vibrating abnormally. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle started making the knocking sound again. The check engine warning light illuminated and was now constantly illuminated. The contact stated that prior to the sounds and check engine warning light being illuminated, the contact was constantly adding engine oil, even after an oil change. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle and informed the contact that the engine was failing and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the engine was replaced in 2019 by the same dealer. The dealer requested that the engine be replaced; however, the manufacturer later informed the contact that the request was denied. The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact requested an escalation to review the engine replacement and was informed that the escalation had been denied. The failure mileage was approximately 178,000.

Filed Oct 17, 2025 · Engine · WA

Started with check engine light coming on then having problems with engine knocking last winter. During oil change and oil filter change there were gold "sparkles" throughout the old oil and the filter was completely covered. It appears some component of the engine is being "chewed" up and destroying our engine. It is now undrivable. I was told by our local mechanic shop to contact KIA or the federal safety agency regarding a special extended warranty from KIA specifically for engine issues. I am not finding anything specific online, so wanted to reach out. I am waiting to hear back from local KIA dealership service department as well.

Filed Aug 22, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · MD

My vehicle started with oil issues took to dealer and the attempted to perform an oil consumption test however the vehicle would not pass the test as the oil would not last long enough for next test. Was advised I needed an engine, Kia refused to replace since it wouldn’t pass consumption test. I paid for engine replacement 1month later engine light comes on, again I return to Kia dealer they say engine needs replacement they replace supposedly through warranty. Drive for about 30 days and engine light comes on again takes to dealer and they say it’s the knock sensors code which is the same code that came up prior to engine replacement. The knock sensor was a recalled part that they replaced by them but now are refusing to replace even though they replaced it less then 12 months ago.

Filed Aug 20, 2025 · Engine · 85,798 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2018 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle made an abnormal knocking sound. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving and depressing the accelerator pedal all the way to the floorboard, the vehicle failed to exceed 18 MPH. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed, and the failure was linked to the knock sensor detection system(KSDS). The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer was unreachable. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 85,798.

Filed Feb 14, 2025 · Engine · 115,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2018 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact heard an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine before the vehicle lost motive power, with the check engine and oil warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

Filed Jan 3, 2025 · Engine · ME

I had an engine failure in my Kia. On [XXX], I was driving on [XXX] in Maine, and the "malfunction" light lit up, and I lost power in the vehicle. I was able to make it to the side of the highway and call a tow truck. Losing power on a busy interstate put myself and my partner at risk, as well as having to wait on the side of the interstate for a tow truck. I had the vehicle towed to a mechanic who said the engine needed to be replaced because a cylinder lost compression. Kia had me tow it to a Kia dealership, and they verified that the engine needed to be replaced. The matter is still open. My case with Kia is [XXX]. Kia has been completely unresponsive in the matter. They have told me repeatedly that the matter is being looked into by their tech team, but they have never reached out to the Kia dealership they told me to send it to. It could be related to a rod bearing issue, but they are not willing to follow up enough to even determine whether or not that is the issue. Prior to the engine failure, I had issues with oil loss. I replaced the PCV valve, but that did not turn out to be the problem. I had it inspected a few weeks before the engine failure, and they noted that the oil levels were low. I was not seeing warning lights for low oil, but I was maintaining oil levels while I waited for an appointment to look into that issue. I believe Kia knows this is an ongoing issue with their vehicles, and they are actively obstructing any inquiries as to why this engine problem persists. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Nov 7, 2024 · Engine · NY

Previous Complaint# 11618337. Additional Information: Engine is full of oil yet Oil Light comes on due excessive crankshaft & connecting rod bearing wear and knocking loud. Yet the recalibrated knock sensor will not pick up the issue and put the vehicle into derate with a code P1326 as it did before the Kia Dealership performed this recalibration. This is consumer fraud by purposely hiding a known defect and preventing the warranty from replacing the engine with a redesigned new engine that corrects the issue with larger oil ports. It is also a safety issue!! Now that the oil light is coming on and the engine has a bad knock, it can fail at anytime while driving causing lose of power steering, brakes and the ability to safely pull the car over to a safe location. The original P1326 code automatically determined the engine developed wear from lack of oil volume based on the known defect of too small oil ports. This recalibration doesn't address the wear the engine already has and based on what the dealer stated, they will not replace the engine until that code comes back. Which now can't happen due to this parameter change and elimination of the knock sensors ability to perform it's job correctly. Please investigate and resolve, Thank you!!

Filed Oct 6, 2024 · Transmission · NY

Vehicle engine set off a failure code P1326 and went into a full limp mode. This code is related to the knock sensor picking up the crankshaft pounding against the bearings. It is a known issue with the original engine small oil ports. Brought my vehicle to a Kia dealership and their diagnostic procedure was to replace the sensor and reflash the ECM. My problem is, ever since they did that, the knock sensor has not gone off and no codes are being generated. Engine is knocking worse than before. I believe they reset the parameters to a level that basically is making the knock sensor useless. They are buying time and mileage in hopes the engine out lasts the warranty. It is a manipulation of factory settings and fraud causing the consumer future issues.

Filed May 14, 2024 · Engine · TX

On May 1, 2024, I noticed my 2018 Kia Sorento making a knocking sound and smoking heavily from the back exhaust. I turned it off, thinking it might be overheating, and planned to check it the next day. On May 2, 2024, while taking my daughter to school, the vehicle was knocking but no indicator lights were displayed, the main display screen suddenly showed an engine control system issue, and the car spoke and said to take the vehicle to the closest service center I immediately headed to the Kia service center. About 2-3 miles into the drive, the car shut down completely on the interstate. I managed to coast to a stop on the access road but was still partially on the road, so I called for a tow. The police later helped me move the car further off the road because I was a hazard for Morning rush hour traffic. After waiting for three hours, the tow truck took me to the Kia dealership, where the mechanic found that the engine had seized. Kia refused to repair the damage, citing that I hadn't done a KSDS recall. The repairs are estimated to cost over $7000 needing long block replacement from hole in block (KSDS requirements not met). I was not aware of any issues with my car, as I had not been informed about a KSDS recall or any suggestions regarding it. I feel this situation put me in danger, first with the potential fire hazard and then being stranded on the highway and nearly struck in multiple occasions. . I currently have no working vehicle, and Kia is not taking responsibility for these engine issues but my make and model has no listed recall. I am not considered a part of the KSDS recall therefore I also get no claims to the millions awarded to others due to this recall.