2016 Kia Sorento · symptom sheet
Engine knocking or ticking
- 111owner reports
- 85,500median miles
- $2,000median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Sep 20, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
111 of the 357 reports of engine failure on the 2016 Sorento describe engine knock.
Part of Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing (357 reports) · also: engine seized
Tick what matches of 111 reports
Engine knock 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 got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the knock sensor (29 reports), the engine (12 reports) and the rod bearing (10 reports).
Recalls and investigations
No recall on the engine covers the 2016 model year as of Oct 2, 2026.
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
26 of the 111 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $600 to $8,360.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 70,000 and 98,000 miles, from the 45 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 13 service bulletins or notices for the 2016 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.
PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: ENGINE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR DTC P1326 (PI1802Y/Z) This bulletin provides information related to the Technical Service Bulletin previously published PI1802 titled "Knock Sensor Detection System - ECU Logic Improvement"; equipped w/THETA II engine.
ENGINE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR DTC P1326 (PI1802Y/Z) This bulletin provides information related to the Technical Service Bulletin previously published PI1802 titled "Knock Sensor Detection System - ECU Logic Improvement" equipped w/THETA II engine.
PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT TSB_PI1802_R2 - Knock Sensor Detection System - ECU Logic Improvement - This bulletin provides information related to a software update to the Engine Control Unit (ECU) to install the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) in order to protect the engine from ...
PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN ENGINE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR DTC P1326 (PI1802Y/Z_Rev3) - - This bulletin provides information related to the Technical Service Bulletin previously published in July 2018 (PI1802 Rev 10, 03/16/2020) titled "Knock Sensor Detection System - ECU Logic ...
9 more on the 2016 Kia Sorento page.
What owners wrote
“Iâm driving down the road my engine started knocking like head gasket lifter and rod was knocking”
Filed Jul 3, 2025
“Engine started knocking after an oil change. Taken to a Kia dealership, where they are refusing to fix the car, even with the class action lawsuit with a lifetime warranty on the engine. Engine needs to be replaced. Kia will not fix with the recall completed. No recalls showing on NHTSA or Kia websites.”
Filed Feb 19, 2025
“It started making a knocking noise, checked the oil and there was none in it. No warning light came and I was not due for an oil change.”
Filed Mar 27, 2023 · 168,806 miles
“Engine failure without warning at 88,000 miles. Car has been driving fine got an oil change 4 days ago. Today was driving to work and started hearing a knocking noise and ended up having to have car towed.”
Filed Apr 20, 2022 · 88,000 miles
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 111 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 Taking it to a shop? How to describe this problem so it gets found
Other problems on this car
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 216 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 163 reports
- Burns oil or oil level rises 124 reports
- Engine overheats or leaks coolant 121 reports
- Paint peels or body rusts 70 reports
- Engine rattles or ticks 55 reports
- Vehicle fire 45 reports
- Headlights too dim or fail 44 reports
- Steering sticks, feels notchy or jerks 39 reports
- Engine leaks oil 38 reports
- Rolls away in Park or will not shift out of Park 27 reports