2017 Kia Sorento · symptom sheet
Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing
- 193owner reports
- 71,000median miles
- $6,000median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Sep 24, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
402 of the 804 complaints on this car are about the engine. 193 of those describe engine failure, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2017 Sorento.
Narrower sheets: Engine knocking or ticking (61 reports) · Engine seized (36 reports)
Tick what matches of 193 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 (188 reports).
Recalls and investigations
One recall on the engine covers the 2017 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The engine crankshaft may have been improperly heat treated and may fail.
All 4 recalls on the 2017 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
43 of the 193 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $900 to $10,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 30,000 and 108,000 miles, from the 107 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 21 service bulletins or notices for the 2017 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 (WTY035) This bulletin provides information associated with the ‘Warranty Extension Program’ (WTY035) to diagnose a coolant leak from the cylinder head gasket area and, if necessary, replace the engine sub assembly on 2016-2017MY Sorento (UMa) vehicles equipped with ...
WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: ENGINE SUB ASSEMBLY INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT (WTY035) This bulletin provides information associated with the ‘Warranty Extension Program’ (WTY035) to diagnose a coolant leak from the cylinder head gasket area and, if necessary, replace the engine sub-assembly on 2016-2017MY Sorento (UMa) vehicles equipped with ...
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.
PITSTOP: INJECTOR HARNESS ROUTING FOR PI1802Y/Z AND PI1803Y/Z ENGINE REPLACEMENTS This bulletin provides information to address a no-start or hard start with poor running condition after engine replacement under PI1802Y/Z or PI1803Y/Z. Some replacement long blocks may come with pre-installed fuel rail, injectors, and injector wiring ...
17 more on the 2017 Kia Sorento page.
What owners wrote
“Driving home from work car started making a slapping noise, no engine light on. I stopped and the motor shut off and spit out oil. Found out that a connecting rod had broke off and went through the oil pan. now the car needs a new engine with only 166,000 miles on a 2017 Kia Sorento. The car has had all maintenance done on it.”
Filed Jan 24, 2026 · 166,000 miles
“The engine locked up. The engine only had 80,000 miles. The car stopped in the middle of traffic. The dealership refused to take responsibility. KIA also declined warning coverage. I had to pay to replace the engine.”
Filed Aug 12, 2025 · 80,000 miles
“My car has less than 62,000 miles on it and is burning through all oil every 2000 miles. My engine is completely out of oil. I only know this because I checked it...no lights or any warning signs that it is out. I am worried my engine will seize at any given time.”
Filed Jan 17, 2024 · 62,000 miles
“Engine seized after driving under 2000 miles after oil change from Kia dealership”
Filed Jan 7, 2023 · 2,000 miles
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 193 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 stalls or loses power while driving 142 reports
- Burns oil or oil level rises 120 reports
- Headlights too dim or fail 101 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 99 reports
- Steering sticks, feels notchy or jerks 60 reports
- Engine rattles or ticks 43 reports
- Vehicle fire 31 reports
- Engine leaks oil 25 reports