2017 Kia Sportage · symptom sheet
Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing
- 87owner reports
- 78,000median miles
- $4,500median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Sep 25, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
228 of the 400 complaints on this car are about the engine. 87 of those describe engine failure, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2017 Sportage.
Tick what matches of 87 reports
Engine failure on other Sportage 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: 2023, 2026.
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 (84 reports) and the short block or long block (3 reports).
Recalls and investigations
No recall on the engine covers the 2017 model year as of Oct 2, 2026.
NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Sportage
Loss of motive power. Closed dec 12, 2023.
Engine fires. Closed feb 5, 2024, led to recall 23V-877.
Scope and timeliness. Closed dec 22, 2021, led to recall 17V-224.
Fan blade cracking/separation. Closed apr 16, 2007, led to recall 07V-161.
Fan blade cracking/separation. Closed jan 22, 2007.
What owners paid
13 of the 87 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $800 to $6,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 34,000 and 101,000 miles, from the 36 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 18 service bulletins or notices for the 2017 Kia Sportage 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.
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 ...
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 ...
14 more on the 2017 Kia Sportage page.
What owners wrote
“Car has 84000 miles on it for last 15-20 thousand miles there is a smell of gas in the oil. I took to dealership they charged me to replace a catalytic converter. Not even a year later the cars engine blew up. Now needs a whole new motor there is loud knocking and car will not accelerate.”
Filed Apr 2, 2026 · 84,000 miles
“My Kia engine is blown.Kia engine rod bearing failed due to metal shavings when they made the engine. They didn't blow the shavings out.They are stating it's my fault do to lack of maintenance records they will not replace my engine. This is there loophole in the lawsuit to deny people of there claims.”
Filed Feb 26, 2025
“This engine is consuming oil in excess of 1.5 quarts per 1000 miles. This could leave to engine failure, resulting in loss of control and propulsion leading to a possible collision.”
Filed Feb 23, 2024 · 1,000 miles
“Engine failed on the highway. Car is part of the class action lawsuit but dealer is refusing to replace engine for free. Asking me to pay $7k. Claiming that DTC is reading P0303.”
Filed Feb 17, 2024
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 87 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
- Check engine light or misfire 67 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 65 reports
- Burns oil or oil level rises 46 reports
- Vehicle fire 26 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 25 reports