This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
At 97, xxx miles, the connecting rod bearings failed and the engine seized. The failure ruptured the oil pan, spraying oil on the engine, exhaust headers, and the road. The engine lost power at highway speeds and the vehicle coasted to the side of the road. The failure was sudden without any warning lights, noise, or performance loss prior to the failure. This failure seems similar to other failures with Kia and Hyundai engines, however this specific engine was not listed in a NHTSA recall. Kia has refused to warranty the failure, stating it was not "due to a manufacturing defect". the engine model is a 2.4L DOHC mpi theta-II. Other theta-II engines have been recalled, just not this very specific type.
Driving on the highway, loud noise from engine loss of power and oil leaking from engine. The vehicle stopped in the middle of the highway, had to abandon the vehicle and run to the side of the highway. Vehicle was towed to the repair shop. The engine was destroyed, a rod pushed through the block. Very dangerous situation, was driving at highway speed when this happen, could have resulted in a bad collision. Contacted Kia, they were no help, the vehicle has les than 70K miles and I'm a second owner. Kia could not have cared less.
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving approximately 75 mph, a loud clicking noise was coming from the engine compartment prior to the vehicle stalling without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine ceased and needed to be repaired or replaced. Earnhardt Kia located at 2121 East bell rd, phoenix, AZ 85022, and the manufacturer were notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 86,969.
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 mph, there was a knocking sound coming from the engine which got progressively worse. A loud boom was heard and the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to royal Kia located at 4333 E. speedway blvd, tucson, AZ 85712, where it was diagnosed and the contact informed that the engine ceased. Metal shavings were found in the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 124,000.
- Tucson, AZ, USA
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I was driving home on the freeway when I began hearing a loud knocking noise coming from engine. I noticed that it became difficult for me to accelerate and felt as if the engine was going to break down on me right on the freeway. I drove it home but the noise got louder. No check engine light illuminated to signal a problem with the engine at all. I was able to research the problem and associated it with a recall #SC147 however our VIN was not under this recall however I believe that it definitely should be! we took it to the Kia dealership which found that the noise was coming from the lower end crankshaft bearing and would require a brand new engine and would cost $6000-$9000 to repair. This is exactly what was described in the recall that I mentioned but does not for some reason relate to this recall. We are the first owners, have had the car for 7 years, get regular service on the car and only have 129,000 miles on it. We will not be repairing this vehicle.
I was driving as normal, on my way home. The car started to make a fluttering noise so I thought it could be my rotors. However, the car began to make a squeaking noise in the form of chirps and got louder as I tried to accelerate. I came to a stop at construction and when I went to go forward the car would not go over 2000 RPM. I pulled over and turned the car off. When I started it, it made a horrible screeching noise. Sounded like a belt flapping around and something else made the noise. I took it to a mechanic and he identified metal flakes in the oil. The engine is confirmed to have failed. The breaking of the engine is not to user error as I have kept it very well maintained and had frequent oil change/ tune ups. The incident was out of the blue and would not have been able to identify the issue prior to the engine failing. Had I been on the highway this could have caused a serious accident, thankfully I was on a local mountain road.
Driving back from a short run to do a grocery pick a fire started in the engine compartment of the vehicle burning on the passenger side between the engine and the firewall.
While driving down the street, my husband and I noticed a loud knocking noise coming from our Kia that was exacerbated by him accelerating. We immediately stopped the car and noticed that hot oil was splashing up on the engine. This Kia Sportage is a 2013 and only has 90,000 miles. We towed the car to the Kia dealership and they said that we blew a rod. This is totally unacceptable considering how old the car is and less than 100,000 miles. Kia is known to have engine issues with the 2011-2014 Sportage engines. I believe this should be investigated and should be covered by Kia warranty.
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving 60 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact restarted the vehicle however, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine. The vehicle was towed to benny boyd lampasas Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram located at 601 N. key ave, lampasas, tx 76550, and the contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact linked the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 17V224000 (engine and engine cooling) however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 227,077.
After 118,000 miles on a well maintained vehicle the 2.4 liter engine in my 2013 Kia Sportage seized. I was traveling at approximately 25 mph on my way to my mechanic because my check engine light came on when my motor seized and I came to an abrupt stop.
Traveling on highway heard noise and engine died. Mechanic said engine threw a rod probably because of bad bearings. He said they've seen this same thing in other Kia Sportages..
My car stopped while driving on the freeway (very frightening). The battery and oil light came on, so I thought it was my battery. I requested a jump and the roadside service person told me that it was not my battery and that I should request a tow. Eventually my car was towed to a Kia dealership. The dealership told me that my engine seized but my engine type did not fall under the warranty or recall.
Approximately 2.5 hours into a long highway drive, the vehicle engine began to make additional, unusual noise when travelling up standard hill grades, as if it was having to work harder than normal for a hill of that size. Previous drives along this route, or on any other route, no additional noises were heard. Shortly after attempting to "take it easy" on a few more hills, the check engine light and other instrument panel lights came on. We immediately turned on the hazard lights and pulled over, and then turned off the engine. We opened the hood and checked the oil level, which was normal. We inspected for debris, loose connections, signs of distress, or other indications of a problem, and found none. We attempted to start the vehicle again, and it would start and then immediately die. Further attempts, even while pressing the gas pedal to try and keep the engine going, we're unsuccessful. Vehicle was towed to a Kia dealership, and after diagnosis, we were informed that the engine had seized. Vehicle was at approximately 110,000 miles, and had always been serviced at the same authorized Kia service center we purchased it from. There were no prior signs of issues, nor any indication that an engine failure was imminent prior to the event.
While driving on interstate car started to loose speed and slight jerking I pulled over to side of road. Car would not restart. Someone gave me a jump start I was able to drive about 1 mile than car stopped started to smoke than it had to be towed the car will not do anything just sitting in driveway
I was driving 65mph on the highway during rush hour traffic. My car seemed to be loosing speed. I noticed my dash board had all the warning lights on. I was able to get over three lanes of traffic by coasting my car off the road before it died. I had aaa tow my car to dobbs. They told me it was a bearing rod and I needed engine work. I had it towed to Kia where all the maintenance was done on the car. They told me it was the engine also.
Driving to work I heard a knocking in the engine. The car stalled all the lights on the dash came on. A rod had broken. Took to local Kia dealer and was told this is a common, frequent problem with this engine and while many other Kia engines were recalled for some reason mine was note. There are many other complaints of the exact same thing happening with this car. I feel this engine should be recalled also.
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was and abnormal rattling sound coming from the engine. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer however, a diagnostic test was not performed. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.
I was driving at about 40mph with my 16 month old in the car and heard a dull knocking noice. As I approached a stop light my car stalled and the engine light came on. I turned my engine over again and it started up with the same knocking noice that got louder as I accelerated. I made it up the road to advanced auto who told me I needed it towed as it was likely my engine seizing. Had it towed to my independent mechanic who confirmed a rod had come loose due to bad bearings and that I need a completely new engine. Kia has told me that as a 2nd owner on a non transferable 10yr 100K mike warranty I am not covered also that my VIN is not part of the SC147 recall although the same motor in other models of the same years had been recalled along with the other 300ish reports on here. 88K miles regular oil changes maintenance and inspections still owe on my loan and now have to come up with 7K to repair my now 7yr old car.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- North Liberty, IA, USA