Engine knock on Kia: causes by model and engine

Documented faults, from most to least important

Severity × frequency. Below each one, the Kia models it appears in.

- Critical severityFrequency: Common1.6 CRDiMHSG belt tensioner and crankshaft pulley failure (48V mild hybrid)On the 48V mild hybrid version, the tensioner of the starter-generator (MHSG) belt can seize; the belt slips or breaks and the overload can shear the pin that secures the pulley to the crankshaft, putting the engine out of time and causing the pistons and valves to collide.
In Ceed III, Sportage V and XCeed
- Critical severityFrequency: Occasional1.6 GDI / T-GDILow-speed pre-ignition and connecting rod damage in the 1.6 T-GDI (documented in the US)In the US, Hyundai and Kia have recalled the 1.6 T-GDI (Veloster, Forte): an engine software fault can allow pre-ignition that damages connecting rods and pistons, with knocking complaints after the update. No equivalent pattern documented for the same engine in Europe.Appears at around 100,000 km
In Ceed II, Ceed III, ProCeed, Sportage IV and XCeed
- Critical severityFrequency: Occasional2.0 / 2.4 GDI and T-GDI (Theta II)Premature connecting rod bearing wearThe connecting rod bearings can wear prematurely and end up stopping the engine. It is the defect behind Hyundai and Kia's big US campaigns; in Europe, since 2023 Kia has been inspecting 2011-2015 Sorento XM 2.4 MPI (and other models) for this reason.
In Sorento II
- Critical severityFrequency: Rare1.6 GDI / T-GDIPiston and connecting rod damage from catalytic converter overheating in the naturally aspirated 1.6 GDIIn the US, Kia recalled the 2012-2016 Soul with the naturally aspirated 1.6 GDI: a catalytic converter that overheats can disturb combustion and damage pistons, with a risk of breaking a connecting rod and puncturing the block. We have not found an equivalent warning for this engine in European cars.
In Ceed II, Soul II and Sportage IV

By Kia model

Open yours to see only the faults that affect it, by engine and by year.

Engines and gearboxes involved

Frequently asked questions

Engine knock in a Kia: what could it be?

In 8 models from Kia there are 4 documented faults that cause this symptom (engine knock). The most important: MHSG belt tensioner and crankshaft pulley failure (48V mild hybrid), low-speed pre-ignition and connecting rod damage in the 1.6 T-GDI (documented in the US) and premature connecting rod bearing wear. Each fault has its own page with the affected years and versions, the cause and how to check for it.

Which Kia models have the most faults with this symptom?

Kia Ceed II (2 faults), Kia Sportage IV (2 faults), Kia Ceed III (2 faults) and Kia XCeed (2 faults).

Which Kia engines cause it?

1.6 GDI / T-GDI (2 faults), 1.6 CRDi (1 fault) and 2.0 / 2.4 GDI and T-GDI (Theta II) (1 fault).