2017 Kia Sportage: engine knocking or ticking

Filed Jul 17, 2026 · Engine · NC

My car went into limp mode on the high way due to a faulty knock sensor. my car decelerated rapidly, which could have put me and others around me at risk. I had to repair this problem on my own even though other cars similar to my make and model have had the same issue.

Filed Jul 8, 2026 · Acceleration, Airbags · TX

One day as I was turning at a green light the car completely stopped on me. I had to turn it off and then restart it and it worked fine. About a week later I had to drive to my cousin's house 45 minutes away and the car would not go, it acted like it was stalling and It didn't want to go over 2000RPMs and it was really sluggish like it didn't want to shift into the next gear. I finally got on the highway and it would not go past 60 miles an hour and then also if you try to drive it, it will slow down like its shutting off on you. I've had a new battery replaced, 4 new tires a windshield, and wipers replaced. I took the car to AutoZone and also to another guy and both of them used their computers and said that it's the engine and they called it rod knocking. I called customer service and they said yes their is a recall and that they would replace the engine. I tried to call kia in mesquite Texas because that is the closest one to me and I left a voicemail they did not call me back I am carless I'm a single disabled mother I need a working car.

Filed Jun 16, 2026 · Acceleration, Engine · GA

While driving on the interstate at highway speed with cruise control engaged, the engine suffered sudden catastrophic failure with absolutely no prior warning, warning lights, knocking, stalling, or other symptoms. The vehicle became inoperable immediately. The repair estimate is $6,500 for engine replacement. The vehicle is a 2017 Kia Sportage equipped with a Theta II 2.4L GDI engine, confirmed by service campaign SC340 on file with the federal safety agency. Two safety recalls remain incomplete on this vehicle: 21V137 and 22V703. The Knock Sensor Detection System software update campaign SC340 was never completed prior to my purchase of the vehicle in February 2024 from a used car dealer, despite being issued in July 2018. Kia Consumer Affairs indicated the claim would likely be denied due to the incomplete KSDS update, despite that update predating my ownership entirely. A dealer appointment had been scheduled for June 26, 2024 to address outstanding recalls prior to this failure occurring.

Filed May 22, 2026 · Acceleration, Engine · HI

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Engine is malfunctioning, increase in oil consumption, MPG dropping, a ticking/knocking noise coming from the engine, and erratic engine behavior with random surges while driving to 6000+ RPM. Brought it into Kia 2x now for same issue and first time said nothing was wrong and second time I am now going through an oil consumption test. Vehicle is still unsafe to drive but they say this is the only option to do their test to move forward with my warranty with Kia. I am driving through mountain passes daily with this behavior and I worry if the engine blows I'll lose control of the vehicle and fall off the cliff. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? I am instructed to drive it still. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? The engine oil consumption test is happening now, I have driven 500 miles and the engine oil is low, pending to hear back from Kia on when they can get it in for next steps. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No, just a Kia dealership (if that is the manufacturer then yes) Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No. And there is no warning lights for low engine oil. I have driven many times without oil and no warning that the oil was even low. The vehicle burns up oil fast.

Filed May 7, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · CA

My safety is put at risk. My car has stalled two different times on the highway. I was able to get it off the road after restarting the vehicle and coasting out. The engine was worked out by Kia of Mission Viejo. They stated it was not due to Rod bearing, although I was told on a separate occasion that there was metal in my oil in the same scenario then when they submitted the video to Kia, they said they only saw the burnt valve my check engine light has went on a total of three times I’ve had the same exact work done three additional times as well as the knock sensor having to be replaced because it went off and burned out due to what happened on the highway. My car is part of the theta engine issue with Kia

Filed Apr 23, 2026 · Engine · 141,000 miles · NC

The contact’s mother owns a 2017 Kia Sportage. While the contact's mother was driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact's mother noticed an abnormal odor and an abnormal ticking sound coming from the vehicle. Additionally, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the Auto Zone and connected to a diagnostic machine, and DTC: P0128, P1326, and P0014 were retrieved. The contact's mother received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 22V703000 (Trailer Hitches). The contact was unsure if the failure was associated with the unrepaired recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 141,000.

Filed Apr 20, 2026 · Engine · CA

I own a 2017 Kia Sportage 2.4L (VIN: [XXX] ). In October of 2024 , the vehicle began making a loud engine knocking noise consistent with a known rod bearing failure. I immediately stopped driving and it has been in my garage to prevent further damage or safety risk. I contacted KIA America corporate twice 4/17/26 and was denied engine replacement twice. Kia stated I was not eligible for coverage under the engine defect settlement?KSDS update requirements. We are the second owner of the car having purchased it in 2020. I never received the letter about the knock sensor update. I did receive a recall in Dec 2026 a tow hitch harness and another in March 2026 for voluntary emissions campaign. I asked why I did not receive notification they said they most likely sent it to original owner they would not CK if received and then said the federal safety agency sends those out and to contact you which is not the case they send them out. I have a 2.4L engine consistent with the defect causing sudden engine failure, fires and hazardous driving conditions. I was denied being able to file a report for not having the software update for the engine knocking (I never received) and for not services it with a KIA dealship I maintained my vehicle and have my documents. Thank you for your time in this frustrating matter. [XXX] . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Apr 2, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · MI

Car has 84000 miles on it for last 15-20 thousand miles there is a smell of gas in the oil. I took to dealership they charged me to replace a catalytic converter. Not even a year later the cars engine blew up. Now needs a whole new motor there is loud knocking and car will not accelerate.

Filed Feb 1, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · ME

"I am reporting a catastrophic engine failure (rod knock/bearing failure) in my 2017 Kia Sportage, consistent with the Theta II GDI defect. The failure caused a sudden loss of motive power while in traffic, creating a significant safety risk. Furthermore, I am reporting Bill Dodge Kia (Westbrook, ME) for safety negligence. On September 26, 2023 (at 83,611 miles), this vehicle was in their service bay for brake work. Despite the vehicle being under an active HECU Fire Risk Recall (SC206) and requiring the KSDS Product Improvement Campaign, the dealership failed to perform these safety updates or disclose them to me. When confronted, dealership management (Alex Pinto, Bob Colton, and Patrick Demers) explicitly stated it was 'not their responsibility' to inform customers of known defects or active recalls. This practice left me driving a vehicle with a known fire risk and a documented engine defect for over two years without my knowledge, ultimately leading to the current engine failure."

Filed Nov 25, 2025 · Engine · KY

My wife was driving home from work on 10-15-2025 when the car started to lose power and started shaking, vibrating really bad. She got off the exit and at the red light and it died. She called me crying and scared. She started the car back up to try to get the car home and she said the car is vibrating and shaking really bad and I’m so scared and it died again in traffic. I told her to pull over and I would come get her and she did make it home. I look at the car and found it had a misfire on cylinder 2. Cylinder 2 had NO COMPRESSION. I did take it to Kia and they confirmed the diagnosis. Here is where the problem lies. The technician that scanned my car purposely miss diagnosed it. He wrote it only had burnt valves and cylinder. He never said anything about the hole in my piston. He took a picture of it and it has a hole on top. He said the car was drivable; are you kidding me. When you start the car the voice comes over the speakers and says the computer has detected a major engine problem. My cars vin # confirms that it qualifies for the class actions settlement because of the engine that is in the car. They are known to fail because of excessive oil use, starvation of oil, bad piston rings, bad rod bearings. We have been without her car since this happened. Kia said the car was drivable and I can promise you it is not. This car is not safe at all to drive. It loss all power in traffic and it kept dying.

Filed Nov 24, 2025 · Engine · NJ

My Kia engine has failed and Kia is refusing to submit or honor my engine replacement claim under the known engine defect class action/recall. The dealer told me that the claim cannot be submitted because a prior owner did not receive the KSDS (Knock Sensor Detection System) software update. Kia then changed their reasoning and stated the engine failure was “for another reason,” but still refuses to provide documentation or allow the claim to be processed. I was left without a vehicle, charged excessive diagnostic fees, and stranded in dangerous winter weather conditions (around -30°F wind chills). The dealership refuses to send the engine claim to Kia, stating the “missing KSDS update” as the justification, even though the engine failure was unrelated to that software and the recall states that Kia must prove the update’s absence caused the failure before denying coverage. Kia’s refusal has resulted in an unexpected repair estimate of approximately $6,000, no loaner vehicle, and severe hardship. Their actions appear to violate recall obligations and consumer safety protections, as I am being denied a known-defective engine replacement due to a prior owner’s failure to complete a software update. I am requesting investigation and intervention, as Kia is not honoring the recall process or the class action settlement requirements.

Filed Aug 23, 2025 · Engine · CA

Blown engine P1236 knock sensor circuit