My 2016-2018 Kia Sorento engine is knocking. Will Kia cover it?

Short answer: Some 2016-2018 Sorento engines, both the 2.4 and the 3.3 V6, have failed from rod knock. Check your VIN for recalls and service campaigns, keep oil-change receipts, and get a knock checked right away. Coverage depends on the engine and campaign, and owners got different answers.

Symptom: A knocking or ticking that gets faster with RPM, the oil pressure light, the engine losing power or stalling, or a check engine light with a flashing warning.

What to check first

1. Run your VIN at the dealer and on NHTSA for open recalls and campaigns.
2. Ask whether the knock sensor software update applies to your engine.
3. Check the oil level now and keep every oil-change receipt.
4. If you hear a knock, stop driving and have it towed in.
5. Ask Kia corporate for a case number if the dealer denies coverage.

Likely causes

1. Connecting rod bearing failure. Rod bearings are thin metal shells that let the connecting rods spin on the crankshaft. When one wears out, you hear a deep knock that gets faster with engine speed, and the engine can seize.
2. Crankshaft heat-treat defect (some 2017 3.3L). NHTSA recall 17V586000 says some 2017 Sorento 3.3L crankshafts may not have been heat-treated properly and may fail.
3. Low oil or sludge. Running low on oil speeds up bearing wear. Keep oil-change receipts, because Kia may ask for them.

What it usually costs

Owners covered by a recall or warranty didn't pay. One 3.3 V6 owner was quoted just under $10,000 for a new engine without coverage.

Is it safe to keep driving?

No, if it's knocking. A failing bearing can seize the engine and shut it off at highway speed.

DIY or shop?

No. Checking oil is DIY. Diagnosis and engine work are dealer or shop jobs.

Recalls, bulletins and complaints in plain words

• Recall: NHTSA recall 17V586000 covers certain 2017 Sorento with 3.3L engines whose crankshaft may have been improperly heat-treated and may fail. If your car is part of this recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Recall 18V907000 covers a fuel line problem on certain 2012-2017 Sorentos that already got a replacement engine. 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: 978 keyword-matched complaints for Kia Sorento 2016–2018 (of 2326 unique complaints queried, NHTSA complaints API by model year, queried 2026-11-04; keywords: knock, engine (fail, seiz, stall, died), rod, bearing, head bolt, oil). This counts complaints that mention these words. It is not a defect finding.

What owners report

• In Rod Knock failure - V6 on Reddit r/KiaSorento, a 2017 Sorento owner lost the 3.3L V6 to rod knock and was told Kia only covered rod knock failures on the four-cylinders. Another owner was quoted just under $10,000 for a new motor and sold the car. A 2018 owner said the engine locked up on the interstate and Kia denied coverage, and a 2016 owner was still fighting Kia over it.
• In 2016 Sorento Engine Failure- question on Reddit r/KiaSorento, a 2016 Sorento at about 66k miles had engine failure that the family thought was recall-related, and they were waiting for the dealer to confirm Kia would pay. A reply said 2016-2017 engines had a manufacturing problem that can make head bolts strip and lead to engine failure, and that a repaired engine comes with its own warranty.

Quick tip

Knock means stop. Then push Kia for every recall, campaign and warranty option.

Vehicle focus: Kia Sorento 2.4L GDI and 3.3L V6, 2016-2018.

Safety / mechanic note

An engine that locks up while driving can cause a crash. Verify with a mechanic.