Symptom explainer · every vehicle on the site
Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing
Most reported: 2017 Ford Escape with 622 reports. Across the 433 model years on this site with at least five, owners filed 18,758.
- 18,758owner reports
- 433model years affected
- 74,000median miles
- 102involved a crash
- 299involved a fire
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.
Which cars report it most · By model · When it happens · What it is and what to do
The 25 vehicles with the most reports
Each row is one model year. The bar is its count of engine failure reports; the share is how much of that car's complaint file this problem takes up. Bigger sellers draw more reports, so read the share alongside the count. Red dots mark crashes and fires in these reports; amber marks a recall on the same system.
- 12017 Ford Escaperecall62223% of its complaints72k mi
- 22018 Ford Escape2 firesrecall48827% of its complaints75k mi
- 32017 Hyundai Santa Fe4 firesrecall37739% of its complaints93k mi
- 42016 Kia Sorento1 crash7 fires35628% of its complaints86k mi
- 52016 Honda Pilot1 crash5 firesrecall35021% of its complaints103k mi
- 62015 Kia Optima4 crashes11 fires31932% of its complaints88k mi
- 731523% of its complaints68k mi
- 82015 Kia Soul2 crashes12 firesrecall26630% of its complaints89k mi
- 92017 Hyundai Tucson4 firesrecall26424% of its complaints70k mi
- 102014 Kia Soul2 crashes13 firesrecall24528% of its complaints102k mi
- 112015 Hyundai Sonata2 crashes8 fires22620% of its complaints83k mi
- 122016 Kia Soul2 crashes8 firesrecall22528% of its complaints88k mi
- 132015 Kia Sorento2 crashes1 fire20928% of its complaints88k mi
- 142018 Ford Edge1 fire20725% of its complaints70k mi
- 152016 Kia Optima1 crash2 fires20027% of its complaints80k mi
- 162017 Kia Sorento6 firesrecall19324% of its complaints71k mi
- 172018 Ford EcoSport1 crashrecall19226% of its complaints65k mi
- 182016 Hyundai Sonata5 fires19126% of its complaints97k mi
- 192014 Kia Sorento1 crash6 firesrecall18219% of its complaints105k mi
- 202021 Chevrolet Silverado 15002 crashes1 firerecall17521% of its complaints45k mi
- 212018 Honda Accord1 crash1679% of its complaints95k mi
- 222016 Hyundai Tucson1 crash4 fires16610% of its complaints92k mi
- 232014 Hyundai Santa Fe8 fires16034% of its complaints98k mi
- 242019 GMC Sierra 15001 crash15624% of its complaints81k mi
- 252017 Hyundai Sonata1 crash3 fires14719% of its complaints83k mi
Where it dominates the complaint file
Model years with at least 25 reports, ranked by the share of all their complaints that describe engine failure. That takes most of the sales-volume effect out (small sellers still swing more).
- 12681% of its complaints7k mi
- 22023 Cadillac Escaladerecall6951% of its complaints29k mi
- 32022 GMC Yukon XLrecall8048% of its complaints49k mi
- 42023 GMC Yukonrecall11548% of its complaints28k mi
- 52017 Kia Soul7 fires12044% of its complaints80k mi
- 62024 GMC Yukonrecall4543% of its complaints22k mi
- 72023 GMC Yukon XLrecall8941% of its complaints25k mi
- 84940% of its complaints5k mi
- 92015 Hyundai Santa Fe2 fires10039% of its complaints101k mi
- 102017 Hyundai Santa Fe4 firesrecall37739% of its complaints93k mi
By model, every year together
The 12 models with the most reports. Each chip is a model year; the darker chip is its worst year.
- Ford Escape1,476
- Kia Soul1,117
- Kia Sorento1,072
- Kia Optima848
- Ford Edge731
- Honda Pilot607
- Ford Fusion491
When it happens
9,917 of the 18,758 reports state a mileage. The middle half fall between 43,000 and 100,000 miles; the median is 74,000. Each column is a 20,000-mile band.
Reports by model year
Every report of engine failure, grouped by the model year of the car. 102 involved a crash and 299 a fire. 109 people were hurt.
What owners describe
Share of the 18,758 reports that use each phrase. One report can use several.
What got replaced
Reports that name the part, across every vehicle.
What it is and what to do
What is usually involved
Owners name the engine itself, a short or long block, the turbocharger and the timing chain. Oil is what keeps the moving parts off each other. A GM service bulletin on oil use spells out that all engines need oil to lubricate and protect their load-bearing and internal moving parts, and warns that running below the minimum mark on the dipstick can cause severe engine damage that the new vehicle warranty won't cover.
What a shop checks first
Ask the shop to start with the oil level and condition and any stored codes, and to tell you where the noise is coming from before it quotes a repair. On a seized engine the question becomes whether to replace or rebuild it; the Car Care Council notes that a rebuild can cost less than buying a different car.
When to stop driving
A new deep knock, a flashing oil light, or an oil pressure warning means stop as soon as it's safe and shut the engine off. An engine that locks up at speed also takes away power, which is a hazard of its own in traffic.
What to tell the mechanic
Say when the noise started, whether it changes with engine speed or road speed, and whether the oil light flickered in turns or under braking. Bring your oil change records. They matter twice here: once to help diagnose, and again if the repair turns into a warranty claim.
Recalls, bulletins and warranty
Engine failures do get recalled when a manufacturing defect is found, and some manufacturers extend coverage for a known engine problem instead. Both show up at NHTSA. Search your VIN for open recalls, then search your year, make and model to see manufacturer communications, since automakers must file their warranty extensions and dealer bulletins there. The FTC advises keeping records of oil changes and other maintenance because a warranty company may ask for them, and a claim can be denied without them. It also says using an independent shop for maintenance doesn't void the warranty.
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints on the 1,040 vehicle model years that have a page here, grouped by the word patterns described on the method page. A vehicle needs five matching reports to be counted in this ranking. Checked Sep 27, 2026. All problem explainers.