Kia Sorento: Theta II / Nu 2.4L Rod Bearing Oil Starvation Failure

The G4KE 2.4L Theta II petrol engine fitted to Sorento XM and UM is covered by Kia's global Theta II engine recall for connecting rod bearing failure. Manufacturing debris restricts oil delivery to rod bearings, causing rapid metal-on-metal wear, oil contamination with ferrous particles, and potential sudden engine seizure. The failure can occur without prior warning and has resulted in fires in some international incidents.

• Knocking or tapping noise from engine, increasing with RPM
• Oil pressure warning light activating at idle or low speed
• Oil analysis showing elevated iron and bearing material
• Engine stalling or seizing under load at highway speed

1. 1

   Run VIN through Kia recall verification tool against NHTSA 17V-224 and ACCC recall PRA 2020/17268 for remedy completion.

2. 2

   Inspect dipstick oil for metallic shimmer or particles.

3. 3

   Cold-start the engine and listen for rod knock from the lower block.

4. 4

   Request Kia dealer printout confirming the long-block replacement or short-block repair under the recall was performed, not just the VIN screening.

$5,000 to $14,000 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.

An estimate, in NZD, for the repair as normally carried out. What a specific car costs depends on which part has failed and what it damaged on the way — treat this as the floor for a negotiation, not a quote.

• “Has this vehicle received the full Theta II engine recall repair (not just inspection) at a Kia dealership?”
• “Is there a Kia service record showing the recall remedy work order number?”

The failure described above is documented in published sources — owner forums, technical service bulletins, recall notices and workshop write-ups — held in our fault database. The inspection instructions and the cost estimate are KickTyres’ own interpretation of them, and it is a starting point for an inspection rather than a manufacturer statement.