We all know about the rod issues with the GDI engines. Has anyone had to go through the engine replacement process more than once? If so, how long did your first replacement last and what was the experience like the second time around?
No way, that’s crazy!
Had mine replaced at 60k miles back in 2019.
Right now, it’s being replaced again at 120k miles. Same car, 2015 Kia Optima LX.
I’m guessing they used the same engine model because it lasted exactly the same—another 60k miles. The crazy part is, Kia seems annoyed with me like it’s my fault they have to replace it again 
.
I was planning to buy two Kia Stingers later this year, but I might need to rethink that after this mess.
@madisonwilson
My 2016 Kia Sorento had its engine replaced at 66k miles. Now at 140k, it’s burning a lot of oil, and I’m worried I’ll need another replacement. The dealership told me the lifetime warranty only covers rods and bearings, and they haven’t even looked at it yet. I’m thinking of paying for an oil consumption test, but what did you do when yours needed replacing again?
@EmmanuelBrown
There are so many recalls and lawsuits Kia lost. Mine was part of one. You should check to see if your car has a recall. If you’ve been doing regular oil changes and it still dies, it’s not your fault. These engines are notorious for lasting only about 60-70k miles.
If they give you trouble, don’t be afraid to talk to a lawyer. Let them know you’re serious.
Nope, if they replaced the whole engine, it should’ve fixed the issue. If they only replaced parts like the rods or pistons, then they probably messed up.
Kia replaced my engine in December, and now the new engine is starting to lose power just like it did before. I’m thinking this replacement is failing too. I’m going to take it back to Kia and see what’s going on.
@susanbauer
Did Kia give you any issues when you brought it back after the first replacement?
@susanbauer
What ended up happening with your car?
LebronJames said:
@susanbauer
What ended up happening with your car?
They reset the transmission electronics, and so far, so good. We’ll see how it goes.
Dropped off my 2013 Kia Sorento at a dealership in Florida back in December after the engine light started flashing and the engine was making a knocking sound. They told me I qualified for an engine replacement under the warranty. It took them until February to return my car. A few months later, I took it back for another recall, and the service department said I needed a fuel and emission system service, which confused me. Turns out, they didn’t replace the whole engine, just the engine block, and transferred all the old parts over.
When I got the car back after the engine block replacement, it started vibrating at idle, which never happened before. I took it back to the dealership, and they said it was the motor mounts, so I replaced those too. They also suggested a full fuel/emission system service, which I did. After a tire balance at Costco, I was ready for a road trip to my daughter’s USAFA Prep Graduation.
After driving about 18,000 miles to my destination, the engine light came back on. It was a Saturday, and the local Kia dealership couldn’t help me until Monday. I was shocked at how little empathy Kia had for me as a customer, especially after being without a car for almost 60 days while it was in the shop the first time.
I ended up going to Pep Boys, and they diagnosed the issue with code P2191. I went back to Kia, and they wanted to charge me over $500 just for diagnostics. It’s been a nightmare dealing with Kia, and I feel like I’ve been misled. This car is supposed to be an investment, but now I feel like it’s unreliable and not safe. Has anyone else dealt with something similar?
@LebronJames
Update?
I’m in the process of having my engine replaced for the first time due to the knock engine recall. My car failed while I was on vacation in another state. It was such a hassle, and I had to pay over $550 just to rent a car to get home. The lack of communication from Kia was shocking. I had to call customer care 17 times before finding out my car was ready. They finally told me it was finished on August 21st, but by then, I had been without it for nearly two months.
I filed a ticket to have my car moved closer to me, but they told me it would take 4-6 weeks just to review the request. They finally offered me a $650 flat reimbursement to go pick it up myself, but that didn’t even cover the rental car costs.
This whole experience has been a nightmare, and Kia is still giving me a hard time about paperwork. If you’re thinking about buying a Kia, be careful. I used to love my car, but now I’m fed up with how I’ve been treated.
Yep, my engine was replaced, and not even two weeks later, it started knocking and smoking again.
It’s crazy that so many people are having to replace their engines, especially with such low mileage. Says a lot about the brand.
I haven’t known anyone who needed an engine replacement until I found out I needed one. Is this common with other brands, or is it just a Kia thing?