My Kia Cadenza engine is ticking or knocking. Is it failing?

Short answer: A new ticking or knocking from a Cadenza's 3.3 V6 needs a proper diagnosis, not a guess. One owner was told worn lifters and camshafts would eventually stop the engine and was quoted $8,500 for a new one; another's knock ended in a hole in the block. Check the oil level now, record the sound, and get a second opinion. If it's a deep knock that rises with revs, stop driving it.

Symptom: A ticking that gets louder over months, or a deep knock that rises with engine speed, sometimes with a check engine light.

What to check first

1. Check the oil level and condition right away.
2. Record the noise at idle and when revving.
3. Ask Kia about any engine warranty extensions or campaigns for your VIN.
4. Get a second opinion if one shop calls it normal and the noise keeps changing.
5. Run your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Likely causes

1. Worn lifters or camshaft. Lifters are small parts that open the valves. One owner was told worn lifters and camshafts caused a ticking that would eventually stop the engine.
2. Rod bearing knock. A deeper knock that rises with revs usually means a connecting rod bearing is failing.
3. Harmless fuel injector or pump tick. Direct-injection engines tick normally. One dealer first blamed the fuel pump, so get a second opinion if the noise changes.
4. Sensor problems. Another owner's check engine light and rough running were fixed with an oxygen sensor and a camshaft position sensor.

What it usually costs

One owner was quoted $8,500 for a replacement engine at a Kia dealer and paid $200 for a full diagnostic.

Is it safe to keep driving?

A light tick can be normal, but a knock that's getting louder is not. Rod knock can end in a seized engine or a hole in the block. Stop and tow it if you hear a deep knock.

DIY or shop?

Checking oil and recording the sound is DIY. Engine diagnosis and replacement is shop work.

Recalls, bulletins and complaints in plain words

• Recalls: NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the Cadenza in 2014-2020, and none is about engine knock. They include 22V158000 (2014-2016 windshield may not be bonded properly) and 23V652000 (2014-2016 ABS control unit can short and cause a fire in the engine compartment). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If your car is part of a recall, the dealer fixes it for free.
• Plain words: The complaint count below shows how often owners reported problems that mention these words to NHTSA. A count is not proof of a defect.
• NHTSA complaints: 91 keyword-matched complaints for Kia Cadenza 2014–2020 (of 218 unique complaints queried, NHTSA complaints API by model year, queried 2026-10-31; keywords: engine, knock, oil, seiz, stall, bearing, loss of power). This counts complaints that mention these words. It is not a defect finding.

What owners report

• In Cadenza engine failure on Reddit r/kia, a 2015 Cadenza with 76,000 miles developed a ticking. A Kia dealer first called it a harmless fuel pump noise, but two independent mechanics and another Kia dealer (after a $200 diagnostic) said worn lifters and camshafts meant the engine was on its way out and quoted $8,500 for a replacement engine. In the comments, a 2014 owner said their engine failed at 151,000 miles, and another fixed their problem with an oxygen sensor and camshaft position sensor.
• In 2014 Kia Cadenza Limited with 156,000 miles. on Reddit r/kia, a 2014 Cadenza Limited with 156,000 miles started knocking after a recall visit, and a mechanic said it sounded like rod knock. The owner later said there was a hole in the engine block, oil had spilled and it wouldn't start, and they traded it in at the Kia dealer.

Quick tip

Don't wait on a knock. On a higher-mile car, find out what you're dealing with before it decides for you.

Vehicle focus: Kia Cadenza, 2014-2016, 3.3 V6 (NHTSA data covers 2014-2020).

Safety / mechanic note

An engine that seizes can cost you power in traffic. Verify with a mechanic.