2014 Kia Sorento · symptom sheet
Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing
- 183owner reports
- 105,000median miles
- $700median quote
- 1involved a crash
Newest report Sep 26, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
403 of the 945 complaints on this car are about the engine. 183 of those describe engine failure, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2014 Sorento.
Narrower sheets: Engine knocking or ticking (70 reports) · Engine seized (42 reports)
Tick what matches of 183 reports
Engine failure on other Sorento years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025.
What this problem usually is
These are the reports nobody wants to file. The engine started knocking or ticking, the oil light came on, and then it seized or had to be replaced. Some owners had the replacement covered under warranty or an extension, and plenty were told they'd pay. Several narrower sheets split this group into knocking, seized engines and rod bearing failure.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the engine (172 reports) and the timing chain (5 reports).
Recalls and investigations
One recall on the engine covers the 2014 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine.
All 6 recalls on the 2014 Kia Sorento, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Sorento
Loss of motive power. Closed jul 23, 2024.
Loss of motive power. Closed dec 12, 2023.
Engine fires. Closed feb 5, 2024, led to recall 23V-877.
Engine oil pressure switch leak. Closed jun 26, 2023.
Scope and timeliness. Closed dec 22, 2021, led to recall 17V-224.
What owners paid
35 of the 183 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $300 to $7,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 78,000 and 126,000 miles, from the 112 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 23 service bulletins or notices for the 2014 Kia Sorento that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
ENGINE SUB ASSEMBLY INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT (WTY039 REVISION 7) - This bulletin provides information associated with the ‘Warranty Extension Program’ (WTY039) to diagnose a coolant leak from the cylinder head gasket area and, if necessary, replace the engine sub assembly on 2014-2015 MY Sorento, 2014-2017 MY ...
ENGINE SUB ASSEMBLY INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT (WTY039 REVISION 6) This bulletin provides information associated with the ‘Warranty Extension Program’ (WTY039) to diagnose a coolant leak from the cylinder head gasket area and, if necessary, replace the engine sub assembly on 2014-2015 MY Sorento, 2014-2017 MY Cadenza, and ...
WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN (WTY039) This bulletin provides information associated with the ‘Warranty Extension Program’ (WTY039) to diagnose a coolant leak from the cylinder head gasket area and, if necessary, replace the engine sub assembly on 2014-2015 MY Sorento, 2014-2017 MY Cadenza, and ...
ENGINE SUB ASSEMBLY: INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT (WTY039) This bulletin provides information associated with the ‘Warranty Extension Program’ (WTY039) to diagnose a coolant leak from the cylinder head gasket area and, if necessary, replace the engine sub assembly on 2014-2015 MY Sorento, 2014-2017 MY Cadenza, and ...
19 more on the 2014 Kia Sorento page.
What owners wrote
“Was driving on highway when suddenly the vehicle lost power and couldn't maintain speed. Once stopped smoke came out from under hood which turned out to be from coolant. Had car towed to independent shop where it was determined that the engine head gasket/s are bad and engine head bolts and block. Fix is it needs a new engine. Always had maintenance done at dealer and this happened just out of warranty 106k miles.”
Filed Feb 5, 2024 · 106,000 miles
“The shop I took it to tested the compression and 3 cylinders were out. They said I need A new engine at 120k miles on it.”
Filed Jan 11, 2024 · 120,000 miles
“I'm still having problems with the engine after replacing it. Have had 1 fender bender, which cost me a lot of money. When it was replaced, I don't believe Kia paid for towing or car rental nor fix the other recall with the brakes. I also get a shock nearly every time I get out of the vehicle. Now facing the problem again after the engine replaced will now be the 3rd time my car needs repair due to engine. HELP!!!”
Filed Feb 8, 2023 · 105,623 miles
“As I was driving vehicle suddenly started knocking and came to a hault. Battery was completely dead and I was no longer able to restart. Repair shop has confirmed engine is no good. My vehicle only has 81,000 miles no understanding how my engine has seized when I have had frequently oil changes. I'm am very frustated.”
Filed Jan 23, 2023 · 81,000 miles
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 1 of 183 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Paint peels or body rusts 147 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 138 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 91 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 82 reports
- Headlights too dim or fail 68 reports
- Windshield cracks or distorts 55 reports
- Airbag warning light or recall 49 reports
- Vehicle fire 43 reports
- Engine rattles or ticks 39 reports
- Engine overheats or leaks coolant 37 reports
- Burns oil or oil level rises 33 reports
- Battery dies or the car will not start 26 reports