2013 Kia Sportage: engine knocking or ticking

Filed Apr 26, 2026 · Engine · GA

Claim #25921274 To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to formally dispute Kia’s denial of warranty coverage for the engine failure in my 2013 Kia Sportage. Per communication with customer care, Kia denied my claim on the basis of “excessive mileage between oil changes.” However, this conclusion is not supported by sufficient evidence and does not meet the legal standard required under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. My vehicle received regular oil changes at intervals ranging from approximately 5,000 to 13,000 miles using full synthetic oil designed for extended service intervals. While these intervals may exceed conservative manufacturer recommendations, they do not constitute neglect, nor do they establish that maintenance caused the engine failure. The engine failure occurred suddenly while driving at highway speed, resulting in a complete seizure and requiring an emergency stop. This type of abrupt failure is consistent with known defects in Kia’s engines, particularly rod bearing failure, and not indicative of progressive oil starvation or maintenance-related damage. Under federal warranty law, Kia bears the burden of demonstrating a causal connection between the alleged maintenance deficiency and the specific mechanical failure. A general assertion regarding oil change intervals is insufficient. To date, Kia has not provided evidence establishing that my maintenance practices caused or contributed to the engine seizure. Accordingly, I request the following: 1.All documentation supporting the denial of my claim, including: •Photographs of engine teardown •Inspection reports •Evidence of sludge, oil starvation, or restricted oil flow 2.A written explanation detailing how the oil change intervals directly caused the engine failure, rather than a known defect associated with this engine. Absent such evidence, the denial of coverage constitutes a breach of warranty under KIA’s engine settlement program and the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act.

Filed Dec 14, 2025 · Engine · AL

My engine failed due to the knock sensor recall a known issue on my 2013 Kia Sportage the recall is supposed to provide a lifetime warranty but I was denied coverage because the failure happened before I was able to perform the update as I was a new owner to the car and was unaware of the recall at the time I have been going back and forth with the kia dealership for almost 8 months now 4 of those the car was at the dealership because they said I had to pay a $170 the fee for them to inspect the car to see if kia would repair it or not it which I was told I would get a full report when I finally was able to pick my car up I was told the claim was denied "due to recall not being performed" and that's literally all the paper said no report no details nothing I do t understand why I had to pay $170 for something they could have just told me because they knew the recall hadn't been completed at the time of entry and why did it take 4months of my car being there just to tell me that just for them to tell me that furthermore the recall applies to the car not just the original owner and covers all known defects and considering the engine failure was because of the defect and not normal wear and tear I'm requesting that KIA replace the engine in my vehicle in a timely manner as this failure was of no fault of my own but something that came directly from the manufacturer at time of purchase and had there vehicle not had a recall that effects the engine and the notification of a possible problem with the engine then my vehicle would not require a engine at this time.

Filed Nov 21, 2025 · Transmission · NY

KIA America has rejected my appeal for an Engine replacement through the Recall , I had the KSDS, Knock Sensor Installed by North Town KIA 3900 Sheridan Drive Amherst NY , May 7 2021. The warranty I received mentioned to keep oil and filter changed every 7500 miles with 5 w 20 oil . The oil was changed by Myself and I have receipts every 5k miles or less. I was turned down for what KIA tech line said Insufficient maintenance . As in they are calling me a liar . I bought 5w 20 full Synthetic oil and filters on 12 occasions from Walmart that Fit my 2013 KIA Motor The weight was recommended by KIA and the Filters rated at 10K miles . Have worked on My cars since I was [XXX] old have thousands of dollars in tools. I do what ever maintenance that is still possible to do on newer cars . Brakes , Filters Fluid changes tire rotations Ect . If KIA would have mentioned in the Warrenty you need to take Videos I would have . Why are not receipts enough? Also the way the oil looks rite now ?? Clean on the dipstick. Have talked to 3 different car service technicians. And they said the same thing. If that motor was not maintained the oil would not look that good. I asked the dealer for the video that the technician does when they told me what I already knew. I paid 230 dollars for the diagnostic, They sent the video to KIA tech line. KIA told me I have to get a subpoena . To get a copy.. Does that tell you they may be hiding something?? So I have brought this to the attention of 3 different KIA dealers. They said hands are tied to to KIA tech line . My 2013 KIA Sportage looks as good if not better then some cars 3 years old .Everything works except The 2.4 liter motor with bad rod bearings. The car died while my Wife was driving it while at a stop light at a busy intersection. No light on dash no warning. What if it quit when she was at a high speed. No power steering, no power brakes??That is dangerous . This happened on September 4 2025, towed straight to the KIA Dealer . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF I

Filed Oct 11, 2025 · Engine · GA

While driving in the carpool lane, the engine briefly cut-out and than a rattling sound was heard. We decided to immediately exist the free way at a left-side car pool exit as a precaution. Immediately after exiting, the car went into a complete stall. Had we remained on the freeway, we would have been stranded in the fastest lane with no shoulder and with traffic approaching from the rear at 70mph. Thus we likely avoided catastrophe. There was no warning light. The problems was later determined to be caused by a manufacturer defect resulting in a connecting rod bearing failure. Pursuant to a class action settlement the engine was replaced. I'm writing to let others know that this is a potentially life-threatening danger and that the knock sensor recall does not adequately address this. Also, the dealer mischaracterized the symptoms on the engine warranty invoice, misstating the narrative above, wrongly stating "customer states CEL started flashing when driving after light appeared vehicle would not accelerate properly or start." This quote is untrue. There was no warning, and the car stalled.

Filed Dec 4, 2024 · Engine · TX

My wife was driving and went around a semi and all ofthe sudden the engine stalled and she almost got hit by thesemi she had just passed. Next day towed it to kia and the said the engine had seized up but thatthe enginewas not warrenty because it had not thrown a knock senseor code. We have mainained this vehicle and gotten the update for the knock sensor and were about to give it to our son and get ourselves another kia. Dont think thats going to happen now thati know kia does not stand behinde their product or care about their customers.

Filed Apr 25, 2024 · Brakes, Engine · VA

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the vehicle made an abnormal ticking sound. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that he had parked the vehicle. The contact stated that upon attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start, and the vehicle became undrivable. 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 local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Mar 11, 2024 · Engine, Transmission · PA

I had my vehicle in for a recall from Kia PI2103 for Kia to update the software in my Kia Sportage. Which was to install software that could help my engine from failing. This was performed on January 19th 2024. Along with this recall they were supposed to extend my warranty to 15 yrs 150,000 miles. Shortly after aout 500 miles later and a few weeks my engine developed a knocking noise. I took back to the dealer that performed the recall to have it diagnosed. They advised that it needs and engine and is part of the campaign but they needed to get prior authorization. After a month went by Kia determined because I never took the key tag out of the car that I would not be getting a new engine for not meeting the requirements. How they determined this is when a service advisor is making a repair order they use window tags to locate cars. Well, the advisor rather than using a new window tag used the one that was sitting on my seat. I would like Kia to honor their extended coverage and replace my engine at no charge. Attached is proof I had KSDS and also a copy of the Kia techline that the service manager gave me to show the reason.

Filed Oct 7, 2023 · Engine · NJ

I was driving to my destination on the local highway when my car began to make a noise like a knocking sound, I kept driving so I can get over and get to a street where I can pull over safely. The car started smoking, I can see it through my rear view mirrors, I begin to panic because my car seem to be slowing down and cars are going around me. At this point I was able to pull over, as I was pulling over the car came to stop on its own and completely shutdown. I contacted my insurance and had it towed to my mechanic who determined the engine needed to be replaced. I take good care of my car, there were no warning signs, no lights on in my car indicating that the car was in distress. I contacted Kia and explained what happened, I had to pay out of pocket to have it towed to Kia. I’m currently waiting for them to inspect it.

Filed Aug 18, 2023 · Engine · 113,000 miles · AZ

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at 75 MPH, the vehicle lost significant motive power, and he heard an abnormal knock emanating from the engine compartment. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the rod bearings. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 113,000.

Filed Apr 8, 2023 · Engine · FL

On April 29,2023 I was driving my son's Kia Sportage on the interstate after dropping him off at the airport and the car started knocking as soon as I heard that I pulled over on the side of the road. I got out of the car opened the hood checked the oil and there wasn't a drop of oil on the dipstick. I put some oil and Lucas in and tried to start the car and the motor was seized. My son had just got the oil changed at a oil lube center and the car does not leak oil so where did all of the oil go to. There was no warning of anything no lights on the dash came on just less than 5min of knocking engine and then seized.

Filed Jan 13, 2023 · Engine · IL · fire

At first i heard a knocking noise as if something fell from under the hood then my car stopped accelerating then the engine light went off oil light as well. Mind you I'm in the car with my 9 month old baby in the middle of the highway i stop my car where it was smoking i lifted my hood and there was a fire i had to put out because if i didn't my car would have blew up then the car never turned back on other then the urgency of my situation i dropped my car off to a kia dealership completely rude and unsympathetic and still haven't heard a word back about my car or even trying to get me into a rental worse experience of my life I almost die and kia fails to act like they give a damn.

Filed Dec 29, 2022 · Engine · 130,000 miles · WI

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormally loud knocking sound. The contact stated that the vehicle previously had the brakes, four tires, fuel injectors, and spark plugs replaced; however, the failure recurred. Additionally, the vehicle experienced rough driving. The vehicle was taken to two independent mechanics, who diagnosed that the failure was related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, and the dealer informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.