2018 Kia Sportage: engine failure

Filed Sep 19, 2026 · Engine · VA

The vehicle suffered a primary connecting rod bearing failure covered under the Theta II class action warranty campaign. A brand-new warranty engine long-block was installed by an authorized dealership. Immediately upon vehicle pickup, the brand-new engine began exhibiting an un-metered acceleration defect. While stationary and idling in Park (P), the engine aggressively revs on its own without any operator input on the gas pedal. This malfunction caused the vehicle to violently surge and physically lurch forward several inches while in Park. This un-metered acceleration is an active, unpredictable driving hazard both in parking environments and in traffic, posing an immediate risk of a collision or pedestrian injury. The manufacturer has been notified but has failed to transmit a diagnostic pre-authorization to an alternative service center to safely inspect this powertrain hazard.

Filed Jul 17, 2026 · Engine · CT

The engine consumes excessive oil due to the known Theta II piston oil control ring defect that the manufacturer documents in its own Technical Service Bulletin ENG222, covering this engine family across model years 2011 to 2024. The vehicle loses over one quart of oil per 1,000 miles with no external leak and no oil pressure warning. The manufacturer's authorized dealer completed the entire TSB ENG222 diagnostic protocol, which is itself a controlled test designed to isolate cause. The engine was sealed, and after 1,080 miles it was 1.5 quarts low. The dealer then performed the TSB's combustion chamber cleaning. After that repair, over 1,149 miles, the engine was 1.4 quarts low. The cleaning had virtually no effect on the consumption rate. Because the protocol sealed the engine and cleaned the combustion chambers and the consumption rate remained unchanged, the protocol itself mechanically excludes maintenance as the cause and isolates the failure to the internal piston rings. This is the exact defect TSB ENG222 was created to diagnose and repair. The defect has been reproduced and confirmed by the manufacturer's own authorized dealer through this protocol, and the vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Under the TSB, these results qualify the engine for replacement. The manufacturer nonetheless denied the engine replacement, citing a lack of oil change receipts rather than any technical evidence of neglect, despite its own diagnostic protocol having already ruled out maintenance as the cause. Safety concern: an engine consuming oil at this rate risks sudden loss of oil pressure and engine failure while driving, which can cause a stall or loss of power in traffic.

Filed Jun 8, 2026 · Engine · 100,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2018 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the Check Engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing excessive oil consumption, which resulted in spark plug fouling, and the vehicle exhibited an audible engine noise consistent with a potential engine failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the spark plugs were serviced. The contact also reported multiple visits to the mechanic for oil additions. No further information was available. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

Filed Apr 7, 2026 · Engine · SC

My Kia Sportage has developed a loud engine knocking noise, which I understand is a known issue with Kia engines. I am concerned that this indicates internal engine failure and could lead to sudden engine seizure while driving, creating a serious safety hazard. The dealership denied repair assistance due to lack of oil change records, but the issue appears consistent with widespread engine defects reported in similar vehicles. I am requesting investigation into this issue due to the safety risk it poses.

Filed Mar 26, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · MO · fire

On 1/26/2024 approximately 9am, my husband had been driving on the highway for about 2 hours and pulled over to shut his eyes for a few minutes. He shut off the engine, closed his eyes and immediately smelled smoke. Black smoke began coming from under the hood and quickly got worse. He quickly got out of the car and walked away. He heard a loud pop sound and the engine area was engulfed in flames. He called 911. It took about 10 min for the fire dept to arrive and by then, the fire was being fed by the gas in the tank. They tried to put out the fire but the car burnt completely due to the gasoline. No one was hurt, thank goodness. There were no active lawsuits that I could find to get some compensation for this loss. We had to pay our high deductible and lost personal belongings in the car. This car did have an ongoing oil consumption issue. We had to replace the oil more frequently than normally required and it used much more oil than normal. We were told we had to wait for engine failure to get any kind of resolution.

Filed Mar 7, 2026 · Engine · OH

2018 kia sportage had oil consumption issue but did not notify car owners, lead to complete engine failure of my car at only 117,000 this car is part of a class action lawsuit due to bad engineering , kia would not replace the engine on this even though i submitted all maintenance records, they had terrible communication when i was calling for months to file a claim with corporate, wouldnt return phone calls, supervisors not doing their jobs, car was sitting on lot for almost three months, still have loan on it, was at loss of work income etc..they should be held liable for bad engineering of cars sportage only had 117,00 miles when engine went out and we had oil changes, maintance and kept it in great shape this was confirmed at montrosse kia complete engine failure

Filed Feb 28, 2026 · Engine · KS

At 113,000 my engine failed. It was determined that low compression occurred due to the first cylinder failing. I’ve been having excessive oil consumption since about 60k.

Filed Feb 26, 2026 · Engine · IL

My vehicle broke down on my family 2 hours away. The suv started engine failure with the engine light coming on then the rpm’s reved up to 4000 and started chugging. We stoped at the gas station shut the vehicle off and got it towed home to a local shop. I have the 2.4 engine and less then 130,000 miles on it and the shop said my piston is gone and my engine is bad.

Filed Oct 29, 2025 · Engine · OR

The original factory engine is malfunctioning, causing excess oil consumption -- at or over one quart consumption per 1000 miles -- believed to be caused by fouled piston rings. It is a known defect for this and similar KIA engines. Issues and remedies outlined in KIA Technical Service Bulletin 222. The vehicle and engine are available for inspection upon request. Our safety and the safety of others is continuously at risk in the event of engine failure and/or vehicle breakdown in city or freeway traffic, and in our rural location. Safety is also a factor in the event of vehicle breakdown which would put vulnerable passengers (five year old granddaughter, etc.) in danger if such event occurred in traffic or during weather extremes. The oil consumption problem has been confirmed by Butler KIA. The engine was inspected by the manufacturer via Butler KIA only in the form of three 1000-mile oil consumption tests from May through October 2025. Dealership personnel began the first test with an oil change, and then inspected/verified excess oil consumption at each 1000 mile interval. An oil warning light illuminated between regular (4489 historical average interval vs 7500 manufacturer-specified intervals) oil change intervals, and immediate inspection revealed the engine oil was 2.5 quarts low. Oil was added and owner tracking was commenced, verifying excess oil consumption.

Filed Oct 8, 2025 · Acceleration, Electrical · OH

My 2018 Kia Sportage (VIN [XXX] ) experienced complete engine failure due to low compression/internal combustion chamber failure. The vehicle lost power while driving on Sept 30, 2025, and had to be towed to [XXX] Kia in Dayton, OH. This same dealership previously performed an oil retention test in Aug 2024 which failed, identifying a defective engine. Kia was aware of the issue but declined to replace the engine at that time. The failure pattern matches Kia’s known engine defect. Kia Consumer Affairs (Case #25572677) has denied goodwill assistance despite this safety-related engine failure and prior diagnostic documentation. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jul 21, 2025 · Engine · MO

The engine has been consuming oil. When I brought it to the attention of the dealership the recommendation was to oil consumption test and also to clean the combustion chamber. On this car they lost a class action lawsuit for these engines consuming oil. They are using their faulty manufacturing processes to get more money out of consumers. The only way they said they would approve an engine replacement is to have the engine seize up while driving. This is unsafe for the driver and also for the other motorists. This would put the driver and other motorists at risk because the car can become uncontrollable and could cause an accident. The car has been inspected by a dealer multiple times and they said they would not replace it until the engine seizes. Also Kia corporate said the same thing even though they lost a class action lawsuit. The warning lights come on when the oil is low. Also check engine lights have been coming on for the oil issue. Kia should be replacing these faulty engines and the consumer should not have to pay for tests to be able to get the engine replaced that is under warranty.

Filed Mar 6, 2025 · Engine · MO

I am writing regarding the KIA recall #SC336. About 6 months ago I noticed my 2018 KIA Sportage w 139,000 started using a lil oil. Then 3 days ago it starting cutting out & ck engine light came on. I called mechanic & took it into his shop. He put a coder reader on it and it said, misfire on #2. He did a compression test and there was 0 pressure on #2 cylinder. He then took a camera and went down and there is a hole in #2 piston. He recommends a new engine. He had me call the KIA Customer Care # however, they basically told me the deadline for class action suit expired and I had no remedy with them. My car was not acting up at the end of said deadline so, why would I have filed a claim?! I seen this info on recall #SC336 as to oil consumption & no compression in '20-'23 Souls and Seltos. I have also seen several mechanics forums speaking about my year of Sportage with compression issues. I am a poor lady on disability and still owe $11,000 on this car w no extended warranty coverage. Is there anything I can do in order to get KIA to include my vehicle in an engine recall ? I have now obtained a loan for the $4,800 rebuilt engine I just purchased from Auto Zone! Thank you in advance for your attention to this matter.