2014 Kia Sorento · symptom sheet
Engine rattles or ticks
- 39owner reports
- 93,000median miles
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Sep 26, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
403 of the 945 complaints on this car are about the engine. 39 of those describe engine rattle.
Tick what matches of 39 reports
Engine rattle 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: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025.
What this problem usually is
Owners in this group hear something before anything breaks. Most describe a ticking or tapping at idle, a rattle that's worse on a cold start and fades as the engine warms, or a noise that comes and goes over weeks. Some report the check engine light following a while later. It's the early-warning end of the engine complaints, and the reports that end in a named part are useful to anyone hearing the same sound.
What got replaced
Few of these reports name the part that was replaced.
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.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 60,000 and 128,000 miles, from the 27 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 2 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.
TSB REV4: CHATTER/RATTLE NOISE FROM ENGINE AFTER COLD SOAK THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES INFORMATION ABOUT THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER REPLACEMENT ON SOME 2014~16MY CADENZA (VG), PRODUCED FROM FEBRUARY 1, 2013 THROUGH JANUARY 7, 2016, AND SOME 2014~2015MY SORENTO (XMA) VEHICLES, PRODUCED FROM DECEMBER 17, 2012 THROUGH ...
CHATTER/RATTLE NOISE FROM ENGINE AFTER COLD SOAK THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES INFORMATION ABOUT THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER REPLACEMENT ON SOME 2014~16MY CADENZA (VG), PRODUCED FROM FEBRUARY 1, 2013 THROUGH JANUARY 7, 2016, AND SOME 2014~2015MY SORENTO (XMA) VEHICLES, PRODUCED FROM DECEMBER 17, 2012 THROUGH ...
What owners wrote
“Whilst driving on the interstate,the vehicles engine shut off with no warning. Rpm and everything was as normal and the vehicle shut off with no gas power, nothing. Engine and oil lights started flashing heavily, engine started rattling. Upon checking battery all was normal, car started smelling of burning under the hood”
Filed Aug 26, 2024
“104K miles and motor seized up. Engine oil is fine, all fluids and proper maintenance done. Motor begins ticking as soon as the car is put in drive. Per mechanic the motor is getting ready to blow. I expected more from this vehicle as it has been very properly maintained. No fluids leaked, just lost power and started the moaning and clicking noise.”
Filed Apr 9, 2022 · 104,000 miles
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 39 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
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 183 reports
- 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 overheats or leaks coolant 37 reports
- Burns oil or oil level rises 33 reports
- Battery dies or the car will not start 26 reports