Symptom explainer · every vehicle on the site
Engine rattles or ticks
Most reported: 2018 Ford F-150 with 195 reports. Across the 240 model years on this site with at least five, owners filed 4,253.
- 4,253owner reports
- 240model years affected
- 61,650median miles
- 29involved a crash
- 46involved a fire
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.
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 rattle 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.
- 12018 Ford F-1501 crashrecall1958% of its complaints62k mi
- 22017 Honda CR-V1 crash1317% of its complaints13k mi
- 31266% of its complaints6k mi
- 42019 Ford F-150recall1229% of its complaints64k mi
- 52017 Ford F-150recall1208% of its complaints72k mi
- 62014 Kia Soul2 firesrecall759% of its complaints102k mi
- 76112% of its complaints80k mi
- 82017 Hyundai Santa Ferecall586% of its complaints85k mi
- 92017 Hyundai Tucsonrecall575% of its complaints67k mi
- 102015 Kia Soul3 firesrecall566% of its complaints90k mi
- 115511% of its complaints50k mi
- 122016 Kia Sorento2 fires554% of its complaints70k mi
- 132016 Honda Pilot1 crashrecall513% of its complaints92k mi
- 142015 Kia Optima1 fire495% of its complaints78k mi
- 152015 Hyundai Sonata1 fire484% of its complaints46k mi
- 162017 Kia Sorento1 crash2 firesrecall435% of its complaints37k mi
- 172014 Kia Sorento1 firerecall384% of its complaints93k mi
- 182016 Kia Soul1 firerecall385% of its complaints74k mi
- 192018 Ford Expedition1 fire3810% of its complaints70k mi
- 202016 Hyundai Sonata2 fires375% of its complaints70k mi
- 212017 Hyundai Sonata1 crash375% of its complaints65k mi
- 22365% of its complaints91k mi
- 232016 Kia Optima2 fires365% of its complaints64k mi
- 24353% of its complaints93k mi
- 252014 Hyundai Elantra1 crash329% of its complaints100k 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 rattle. That takes most of the sales-volume effect out (small sellers still swing more).
- 16112% of its complaints80k mi
- 25511% of its complaints50k mi
- 32018 Ford Expedition1 fire3810% of its complaints70k mi
- 42019 Ford F-150recall1229% of its complaints64k mi
- 52014 Hyundai Elantra1 crash329% of its complaints100k mi
- 62014 Kia Soul2 firesrecall759% of its complaints102k mi
- 72018 Ford F-1501 crashrecall1958% of its complaints62k mi
- 82017 Ford F-150recall1208% of its complaints72k mi
- 92017 Honda CR-V1 crash1317% of its complaints13k mi
- 102021 Kia Seltosrecall267% of its complaints35k 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 F-150501
- Honda CR-V341
- Kia Soul235
- Kia Sorento210
- Ram 1500173
- Kia Optima133
When it happens
2,743 of the 4,253 reports state a mileage. The middle half fall between 22,080 and 93,000 miles; the median is 61,650. Each column is a 20,000-mile band.
Reports by model year
Every report of engine rattle, grouped by the model year of the car. 29 involved a crash and 46 a fire. 21 people were hurt.
What owners describe
Share of the 4,253 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
The parts owners name here are the valve lifters, the cam phasers, the timing chain and, in the worst cases, the engine itself. The timing chain or belt has one job the Car Care Council describes simply: it keeps the crankshaft and camshaft mechanically in step so the engine's timing stays right. The timing chain comes up by name in a share of these reports, so if yours rattles on a cold start, ask about it specifically. The GM oil bulletin filed with NHTSA is a reminder that every moving part inside an engine depends on its oil film, and that running below the dipstick's minimum mark can cause severe engine damage.
What a shop checks first
Ask the shop to check the oil level and grade against the owner's manual first. After that, ask them to read any stored codes and tell you where the noise seems to come from. Get that in writing before agreeing to open the engine.
When to stop driving
A light tick that hasn't changed in months is something to book an appointment for. A noise that gets louder quickly, turns into a knock, or arrives with the oil light or a flashing check engine light is a reason to pull over and shut the engine off. EPA's fact sheet on the check engine light says a blinking light means a severe problem is happening now.
What to tell the mechanic
Record the sound on your phone, once cold and once warm, with the hood up. Say whether it follows engine speed when you rev it in park. Tell them when the oil was last changed, what grade went in, and how much you've had to add since.
Recalls, bulletins and warranty
Manufacturers sometimes address a known engine noise with a service bulletin or a warranty extension, and federal rules require them to file both with NHTSA. Search your year, make and model on NHTSA's recall page and read the manufacturer communications before the visit. The FTC's advice is to keep oil change receipts, since a warranty company can ask for maintenance records and a claim may be denied without them.
Sources
- Car Care Council: Vehicle Systems Overview (Belts and Hoses)
- GM service bulletin 01-06-01-011I, engine oil consumption guidelines (NHTSA)
- EPA: What To Do With the Check Engine Light (EPA420-F-00-041)
- NHTSA: Check for Recalls
- 49 CFR 579.5, manufacturer notices and bulletins (eCFR)
- FTC: Auto Warranties and Auto Service Contracts
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.