Mom's Kia. Need advice.

[Jeff V.]

My mom has a 2015 Kia Sportage that she bought new. It currently has around 90k miles. 2.4L NA, AWD, base model. It's been good to her up until today. The super short version is, it sounds like it's got rod knock. She's 67 and was hoping this would be her last car.

KBB puts it around 9-10k in good condition. I'm guessing it's going to be at least 6-7k to drop a remanufactured engine in it. Normally that wouldn't make economic sense, but she can't afford a new car, and I don't know what she could get used that wouldn't also be a risk.

Let me know what you guys would do. I'm 800 miles away, so that factors into it too.

[tabasco122]

Zero help here, but a sorta friend is a tech at a Hyundai dealership, and last time I talked to him he said all he does is replace engines these days

[alienviking]

I think part of the problem right now is that new car prices are dropping hard while used car prices still are high, so finding something good used is still hard.

[Jeff V.]

Zero help here, but a sorta friend is a tech at a Hyundai dealership, and last time I talked to him he said all he does is replace engines these days

Doesn't surprise me. She had her last oil change done at a dealership back in mid April. When she had her car towed to an independent shop over this incident, they told her it was 2.5 quarts low.

Did it have another problem causing it to burn a whole lot of oil in the intervening weeks? Or did the dealer oil techs fuck up and underfill it, causing this? We'll never know.

I think part of the problem right now is that new car prices are dropping hard while used car prices still are high, so finding something good used is still hard.

Yep. My normal go-to would be a decent Carmax car with the longest MaxCare available, but strangely enough metro Detroit doesn't have any CarMax locations. The closest one is on the west side of the state. Normal used options are significantly less appealing.

I wish my Hummer wasn't such a POS. I'd go tow the Kia down here and fix it myself.

[Jeff V.]

It might still be under warranty....

[Chris GTO TT]

Yeah if it she got it new then it should still be covered under the 10yr 100k power train warranty.

[Jeff V.]

She's really good about keeping service receipts too. Fingers crossed...

[DCIV]

Put damn Lucas oil treatment in it….trade it in.


Coop

[ChargerX3]

I was going to say 10 years 100,000 mile warranty. Have you looked into that?

[vegasidol]

Did she do the rod knock sensor update?

This forum says the 2.4l engines aren't covered unless you did the sensor update within 60 days notice in 2020.

The Recall in 2020
Unfortuately, this was not the end of Kia’s engine problems. Claims regarding non-crash fires in various models equipped with 2.4-liter Theta II Multi Point Injection (MPI) and 2.0-liter Nu GDI engines kept rolling in, leading to a recall of 295,000 vehicles. The following models were included in the recall:

2012-2013 Sorento
2012-2015 Forte
2012-2015 Forte Koup
2011-2013 Optima Hybrid
2014-2015 Soul
2012 Sportage
This time, Kia offered an extended warranty of 15 years/150,000 miles. Once again, the warranty covered engine long block assembly repairs or replacements that had been caused by rod bearing damage.

Knock Sensor Detection System
During this time, the manufacturer started a product improvement campaign, which involves an update to the engine control unit software. The function of the new software, which is called the knock sensor detection system (KSDS), is to detect early signs of excessive main engine bearing and/or connecting rod bearing wear.

In the event that the system detects a knocking noise that is normally associated with engine bearing or connecting rod bearing wear, the dashboard warning lights go on and the vehicle goes into engine protection mode. If you own a Kia vehicle that has been recalled by Kia in the past, it’s important that you take your vehicle to your nearest Kia dealer to have this software installed. Besides keeping you safe, this software is also a compulsory first step before any extended warranty will kick in.

Class-Action Lawsuit: 2021
In 2021, the federal court finally approved a class action lawsuit that alleged that certain Kia models that are equipped with 2.0-liter turbocharged and 2.4-liter GDI engines had defects, which caused engine seizure, engine fire, engine failure, or stalling. The models in question are:

2011–2018, and certain 2019 Optima models
2012–2018, and certain 2019 Sorento models
2011–2019 Sportage models
Kia has offered a lifetime warranty for the engine short-block assembly. This includes the engine block, crankshaft, and bearings, connecting rods and bearings, and pistons. The lifetime warranty applies regardless of the vehicle’s mileage or prior warranty engine repairs/replacement. Also, owners of the listed vehicles who have not experienced any problems, are still eligible for a lifetime warranty.

The warranty covers all inspection and repair costs of the engine short block assembly, including parts, labor, and diagnosis. Engine replacement, when needed, is also covered. In addition, Kia states that dealerships will supply loan vehicles to affected owners while their vehicles are in for repairs. If no loan vehicle is available, Kia provides a reimbursement of $40 per day towards a rental.

So the first part calls out 2012 Sportage, the second part 2011-2019.

This guy at the first link says:

Please tell us about what Kia corp say about recall. They sent me the recall letter, but it was during covid-19 pandemic (worst part...) and they lied in the letter by saying there was no coverage after 200,000 km. So basically they offered to upgrade the software so my car would stop working if it wears out.

I figured out afterward in the settlement that if the car is beyond the km limits, they'd buy back the car instead of reparing the engine (which also makes sense), but only if you did the ECU update within 60 days (which was impossible).

[aaronatstate]

It might still be under warranty....

It's absolutely under warranty. 10yr/100k powertrain warranty for the original owners for Kia.

The 5yr/60k bumper to bumper is transferable, the powertrain warranty is not

There is also this...

https://www.thedrive.com/guides-and-gea ... ree-engine

https://www.fixdapp.com/auto-warranty/k ... -warranty/

[aaronatstate]

Also looks like they'll give up to $40/day for a rental as well...

[Jeff V.]

She just got off the phone with the dealer. Kia is covering everything.

[Chris GTO TT]

that's great news!

[Jeff V.]

I'll keep you guys posted. Thanks for all the suggestions and info.

[ChargerX3]

[alienviking]

Woah great news!

[Chris GTO TT]

all of our threads need this level of closure this quickly

[DCIV]

Wow. That almost makes me wanna buy a Kia.


Coop

[Duck Vader]

My subaru has a lifetime powertrain warranty as long as it gets serviced at dealerships. There are still a handful of dealerships out there offering them. Doesn't need to be a kia to get a long warranty.