2016 Kia Sportage Engine Problems

Engine failure. The engine completely seized up

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several warning lights illuminated, and the engine seized. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 116,124.

2 problems occurred within 1 month from each other: - Kia Sportage engine started to randomly stall. I needed to do a full stop in the middle of the road and restart the car to continue driving. I had 3 stalls happen within 2 weeks before I had time to take it to the dealer. The Kia Dealer held it for over a week and drove it but could not find any issues. They mentioned low oil, which was strange considering I recently replaced it. I also forced the dealer to do ignition tuning which seemed to have resolved the issue. - In a month after the first problem with stalling I experienced issues with the engine of unknown origin (so far). This happened this week. While going downhill cruise control shut off. After that the engine started to decelerate and the amber blinking engine light came off. Transmission started to be jerky. Dropped it off at the dealer again. I was very luck to not get into any major car accidents so far, but I was very close! Smells, sounds, and looks like a potential recall that Kia does not want to recognize.

On Sunday, June 1, 2025, I was leaving work and was exiting I97 to enter on 695 and and I accelerated to proceed on 695 and my vehicle lost power, the engine light along with the oil indictor came on, and making a loud knocking sound. The vehicle was towed and taken to the mechanic and the code read, "Knock sensor." The knock sensor was replaced at $301.85. I was able to drive the vehicle without any problems until Wednesday, June 3, 2025, when going to a doctor's appointment the vehicle's engine came on along with the oil indicator and the power was reduced and I had to pull over again with the same experience. The vehicle was again tested for codes and it then read Camshaft Sensor. This vehicle did not have any ill-performance, bells, dings, whistles or indicator lights until it was actually happening. According to the certified mechanic, this is a defect in the vehicle and although the part may be warranted, it will happen again and buyers will still have to pay for the part and labor, again, to have it fixed. I do not have my invoice on hand, however, I can get another copy.

Have approx 101000 miles on car. It had 54202 when i bought it from A Kia dealer in Gastonia NC who was forced out of ownership because of fraud. The car has been serviced regularly and engine oil changed between 3-5ooo miles. I have put approximately 57000 miles since 2017. I have never had an issue with car until Christmas Eve 2024 when after leaving stop sigh and a turn around panel oil light came on and as i was looking for place to pull over all lights started Flashing and car completely went dead. Had to struggle to steer off road. Dead checked oil level good had it changed less than month temperature was normal Car dead and would not crank. Had to pay 200 on Christmas Eve to get towed to my son’s house which was approximately 15 miles. I had driven over 200+ miles averaging 60-70 mph. Diagnostic code P0014 - B camshaft position timing over - advanced or system performance bank 1. Troubling shooting told Me to replace sensor that might fix problem. I put the $89 sensor in and the car actually started but sounded like it was gonna blow up. Mechanic looked at it and said timing belt loose but he was afraid damage was done to engine and might need new one Am working on getting it towed over 200 miles away to a mechanic that i trust to look at timing system. I’m gonna have approximately $600 dollars spent and really nothing has been done but sensor replaced. After reading these complaints it seems around 100000 miles this has happened to quite a few 2016 Kia Sportages. It looks like people are having no luck with help from dealers. We need help on this. I was lucky it did not completely shut down when i was drivin 70 mph or i could have been killed. Please advise where to go from here

Vehicle went from operating fine to a flashing yellow engine light. Within minutes, the vehicle could not be safely driven. There was a knocking and vibration from the engine.

AS WE WERE DRIVING MY NIECE HOME FROM SCHOOL ABOUT A BLOCK FROM HER HOUSE, THE CAR STARTED LOOSING POWER AND WHEN WE PULLED OVER TO LET HER OUT, THE CAR SHUT OFF ON ITS OWN AND WOULD NOT START BACK ON. WE WAITED A WHILE AND TRIED TO TURN IT BACK ON, BUT IT DID NOT DO ANYTHING. THERE WERE NO MESSAGES OR ANYTHING SAYING SOMETHING WAS WRONG

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle suddenly lost motive power and stalled. During the failure, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer who diagnosed and determined that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 110,000.

The engine knocks took it to the auto mechanic and needs a new engine. Have to pay for this and reading on line it is a well known issue

I was driving down the road on 4/18/2024 and my engine locked up. I got it off the road as far as I could, but was very dangerous spot. All maintenance has been done on this SUV. I had it towed to a local independent shop where I was informed it was locked up. No warning light came on. I just lost all power and coasted to the side of the road. It is available for inspection at the shop it was towed to. No repairs have been done at this time.

Engine started to knock started having power loss and is no longer able to drive

I brought my 2016 Kia Sportage into Spitzer Kia because when stopped and in drive with my foot on the brake the vehicle shakes/vibrates a little. I HAVE NO WARNING LIGHTS ON. I had a tune up approximately a month earlier. Advisor James Martin at Kia said it needed a tune up because the previous tune up wasn't official Kia parts. I told James I need the old parts back so I can bring them back to the previous mechanic for reimbursement, James said okay. They did the tune up and the issue was still present. James said Kia will have a master technician service the vehicle. James called me back late on a Monday night and told me the cylinder dry and wet readings and will call me back first thing Tuesday morning with an estimate, he was on speaker phone so me and my wife heard what he said but weren't able to write anything down at that time. I called several times on Tuesday to eventually find out James was off and Kim was supposed to call me back but never did. I called Wednesday morning and spoke with James and he advised me of only the dry reading and stated that there was no record of the wet but they did go up. I advised him he told me the wet readings and he claimed he didn't. WHICH IS A LIE. He eventually said that the engine needs to be replaced. This is a recalled engine with less than 100k miles on it. I have EVERY maintenance record on this vehicle and there is no reason the engine should need to be replaced. Kia needs to step up and take care of their issues with their engines. No reason at all an engine should last less than 100k with a vehicle extremely well maintained. If you need all vehicle maintenance records please contact me and I can scan the hundreds of paperwork for you.

My car shut off in the middle of getting off a highway ramp. Completely shut down, had to push it to the side of the road in the middle of an off ramp/intersection.

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle hesitated while accelerating. The contact stopped at a stop sign and the vehicle became inoperable. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, he heard an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine compartment, and the vehicle started losing motive power. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal; however, the vehicle was still losing motive power. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled off the road and the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that he was able to restart the vehicle and shift into drive; however, the vehicle would not accelerate above 20 MPH. The contact drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and found metal shavings in the oil pan. The contact was advised by the mechanic that the engine and the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 122,000.

I bought the car last year from Hardy Chevrolet in Dallas carfax report stated no open recalls in fact there was 3 the previous owner didn’t get repaired from 2018 and because of that one of the recalls the knock sensor is what seized up my motor and Kia has denied to fix it I’ve been without a car for 2 months neither Kia or hardy Chevrolet will help fix my vehicle if I had known about the recalls I would have had them fixed but Kia didn’t notify me of the recalls I was told by Kia the recalls got mailed to the previous Owner and it’s not there place to fix the problem and also hardy Chevrolet said it’s not there problem the carfax said no recalls but they sold me a car with 3 open recalls and now I’m out of a car also my car has been at Matthew Kia in cartersville since the end of may and now I owe them $170 for diagnostic that I can’t pay due to the fact I have to find me a way to work and back every day

While driving in highway we noticed a fuel smell. After a little came from front area (hood area) and heard a blast underneath. At the same time the car abruptly stopped in the highway (HOV lane). We also noticed fireballs shooting downward from underneath the car. We had no options but to call fire brigade to stop the fire. Later we had to tow the car to home. I called a mechanic to evaluate the situation and he informed us the engine of the vehicle has been ceased as a result. We have to bear a significant cost for the repairs. We are still suffering emotional stress as a result of this unexpected incident.

purchased the car 4 months ago & was given the car with a bad gas pressure relay . So the gas & oil was spilling on top of my motor cause inhalation gas fumes & car smoking . The car could have caught on fire at any given moment . The engine or motor was not checked properly before the car was ok’d for me to drive to & from work everyday . The entire motor was covered in gasoline .

Motor just stopped working - went into limp mode. I got it towed to a mechanic that said it’s got an engine knock and the whole motor needs replaced. It was just about to catch fire, luckily I did not drive the car and had it towed. It’s at 82,000 miles, so it should NOT be blowing up on me this young.

The Vehicle Stalled on Tuesday while turning on to incoming traffic no lights were on the dashboard no indication it just stalled then stopped I had to get towed to my house. Wednesday I took it to Kia dealership there are 2 other recalls that needed to be done the Canister and Software update for Ticking Noise. Which I started to experience on my way to the shop on Wednesday. They were suppose to do both recalls they only performed one stated that the problem is the Engine Long Block. I contacted Kia after to inform them of what the Kia dealership diagnosed the problem to be. They stated that they couldn't do anything because the software update wasn't done in 2018 and I didn't get the vehicle until 2020. In which I explained they said well the person who had the car didn't take care of it so it's nothing we can do. Reach out to who you purchased the car from. Not to mention there is a Class Action Settlement against them now for the Engine Long Block recall because they are denying claims when this is a lifetime warranty coverage. I reached out to claims for the Settlement and they basically told me that because the previous owner didn't get the software recall done in 2018 that there is nothing they can do which was also a Kia representative. I fear and this point that this vehicle could catch fire or may stall or stop which could cause a serious accident or death.