2017 Kia Sportage Engine
Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.
Complaint Timeline
Chronological view of owner reports
On August 17, 2024, my 2017 Kia Sportage suddenly lost power on the highway. The check engine light came on seconds before the engine seized completely. I was able to pull into the breakdown lane because I was already in the exit lane. It was a very frightening moment and could have been dangerous if I had been in a different lane or in heavier traffic. Component that Failed: The engine seized. The dealership found burned holes in the valves of cylinders 2 and 4. The vehicle is still in my possession and available for inspection. Safety Risk: Sudden loss of power on a highway placed me and others at risk of a serious accident at high speeds. Confirmed by Dealer: The dealer confirmed valve damage and misfire codes. Root cause was not confirmed. Inspected: The vehicle was not fully inspected by an authorized Kia dealer. Kia observed burned valves and did not investigate further into the engine to identify the cause. Warnings Prior to Failure: The check engine light came on minutes before the failure. No prior symptoms. Assessment: Rod bearing failure is suspected due to the sudden engine seizure. During the first visit to the dealership, a diagnostic fee was paid, but Kia stopped investigating after discovering burned valves. On the second visit, the dealership attempted but did not complete the bearing clearance test. They also chose not to open a Techline case, which is required under Kia’s own NHTSA-documented bearing clearance test procedures (TSB SST067 Rev 2) when the test cannot be completed. Kia has provided incomplete diagnostics and avoided further investigation, leaving me without answers. I was told I need a new engine, but I have never been told what actually caused the failure.
Car starting shaking violently while on the highway. Daughter pulled over and parked car on side of road. Had to have car towed as it would not restart. Engine failure.
Kia when producing the engine left metal shavings that they didn't blow out. This lead them to put a KSDS sensor in. The sensor just let's you know of a catastrophic engine failure. It did not fix the problem. This is leading to engine failures and kia finding loop holes to not replace them. This is kia neglect not the consumer. They are finding ways to blame the consumer for maintenance records to deny an engine replacement.
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.
9 weeks ago, my daughter was driving my car with my [XXX] grandson. While she was driving it, it went into limp mode on her. She was close to home, thank goodness. There were no warning signs prior to the limp mode. We had it towed to Columbia Ford Kia in Columbia, CT. They found there was no compression and a burnt exhaust valve which these vehicles are notorious for. The 100,000 mile Kia warranty claims it won’t be covered due to normal wear and tear. When we purchased the car, we bought the extended warranty. Currently, the dealership is breaking down the engine to find the reason for the burnt exhaust valve. Then an inspector from the extended warranty will decide if it is covered. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
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excessive engine oil consumption, 2 quarts every 1,000 miles. which prompts me to change spark plugs every 10,000 miles because they get so fouled up. this has been going on since 55,000 miles and now have 80,000 miles, it started with .5 quart and now it is up to 2 quarts.
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact heard an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with failed rod bearings. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact was also informed that the engine was replaced with a used engine. The contact stated that the engine had previously been replaced three times by the dealer within three years. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed with a failed engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced another time. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 74,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving 70-75 MPH for two hours, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was vibrating and then failed to exceed 45 MPH. While starting the vehicle the following day, the check engine warning light was still illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the spark plugs needed to be replaced. The mechanic informed the contact that vehicle was driving on three spark plugs. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The manufacturer was not contacted or notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 126,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while attempting to stop at a red light, the vehicle lost motive power and shut off at the light. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact was informed by another motorist nearby that there was smoke coming from the engine compartment. The contact exited the vehicle, raised the hood, and became aware that the smoke was coming from the top of the engine. The contact stated that a motorist disconnected the battery to prevent a possible fire. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be repaired or replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving approximately 45-50 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and the engine stalled. The contact pulled over to the side of the road safely. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that there was a hole in a piston, and cylinder #3 had failed. The dealer determined the vehicle did not have the correct fault code or failed to cover the repair for a rod bearing failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about a settlement claim the contact had filed and informed the contact there was no warranty coverage or coverage under the settlement claim on the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 152,000.
High oil consumption and engine noise and metal residue with each engine oil change
Engine stalling and slowing when going over 35 mph. Noticed recalls for other Kia engines for the same thing why have the Turbo engines not been recalled?? Not safe when you are getting on an interstate and traffic is going 80 mph.
Engine seized on my way to work on July 26,2024. Oil consumption, riding rough.
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while at a scheduled oil change, the contact was informed by the local mechanic that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil, causing damaged to the engine rods. The check oil warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed; however, the vehicle was not repaired due to the cost to replace the engine. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle was jerking while shifting between gear. The contact also stated that the vehicle lunged forward while accelerating and was vibrating while decelerating. The contact stated that there was a loud clicking sound coming from the dashboard. The contact stated there was a burning odor coming from the vents. The contact stated the vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the engine was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that several miles away after picking up the vehicle from the local dealer, the check engine warning light illuminated and the failures recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 113,598.
The car is consuming/leaking oil. The leak is from the oil pressure switch and traveling to the main engine harness which may cause a fire or engine to suddenly fail. Check engine light is on and the engine idles high due to Kia diagnosed Cam Phaser issue that had a TSB issued in 2016. This TSB was not completed during the warranty period, and Kia won't remedy this even though I owned the car when it was under warranty.
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle started losing motive power with the check engine warning light and several other unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was restarted but the failure persisted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for diagnosis. The contact was informed that the engine had seized and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 113,000.
I have the KSDS and the engine light came on right when my engine began shaking and knocking and died in the middle of downtown Chicago traffic while driving. I had it towed to the dealership and they stated that I had no compressions in a cylinder which is part of the engine and I needed a replacement engine. My vehicle had regular maintenance at Kia they change my oil, add coolant and anything that is needed and they never told me that it was burning oil and had any other issues nor did they at any time say the compression was low or going bad. If they didn’t notice how was I to know, it’s not tires where I can go put air in them. The incident was very frightening and sudden and could have cost bodily injury. The settlement states the rod bearing issue, however the compression cylinders are on the short block and I had the KSDS and whether or not it’s the rod bearing Kia needs to own the engine issues period because they know the compression cylinders issues were going to happen. The settlement was not written very exclusive to rod bearing with Kia updated warranty coverage letter dated April 2, 2021. This has and is happening to thousands of Kia owners and we honestly don’t know who to contact because Kia is not helping nor do they care. I promise you if you put out a notice or survey about this issue you will be shocked to learn how many people are actually affected by this issue with no known resources/resolution .
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, there was a knocking sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that while driving the vehicle to the independent mechanic at undisclosed speeds, the knocking sound increased in volume and the vehicle shut off. The vehicle was towed to the independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed with a lower engine knock failure. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with the same failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 143,000.
The engine consumes oil excessively, oil changes have been done at dealer well before service intervals since brand new and it consumes oil to the point we add oil within a week of oil change. Engine seals have very minor seepage but no active drips or leaks. The oil consumption has lead to weak engine internals were I am now experiencing a cylinder 2 misfire, burnt exhaust valve, among other issues and the dealership will not stand behind the class action lawsuit and extended warranty over this engine, quoting me over $7k for an engine that was defective and poorly built from factory.
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start on two occasions. The contact stated that on each occasion, the vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed with engine failure, and the engine was replaced twice. The contact stated that while the vehicle was being serviced at an independent mechanic, he was informed that there was an abnormal ticking sound coming from the engine. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was determined that the engine needed to be replaced a third time. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000.
I have taken my sportage to the service department multiple times due to having to add oil multiple times after an oil change. They told me that the engine needs to be fixed but won't fix it until the car stops working. Now they are telling us that it isn't going to matter because they aren't going to cover the engine.
I took my vehicle in three times for excessive oil consumption. It’s been going through three quarts every thousand miles. The first oil consumption test ran over by 100 miles and the dealer made me do another one. It was determined that 3 1/2 quarts of oil were burned in thousand miles . There was no other diagnostic done. The dealer told me that the warranty does not cover oil consumption when I advise them that oil consumption is a side effect of the real problem which is most likely the rod bearing issue and I did get the update so the engine is supposedly covered lifetime by Kia Dealer and Chia have been going back-and-forth to no resolution and today I was told that it’s a piston failure not rod failure, but neither of those things have been checked out. I was told I would have to pay for an engine breakdown and then Chia America told me to get another opinion from another Kia dealer , in the meantime, my car is burning like crazy. It’s pinging on acceleration, and occasionally when I start it shutters and cuts off.
After an oil change and driving the vehicle 375 miles the oil level is between full and low. This would be an excessive oil consumption issue.
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The 2017 Kia Sportage has 132 Engine complaints on file. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.