Used Kia Sorento Engines
Used, remanufactured and rebuilt engines for the 2003-to-present Kia Sorento — tested before they ship and covered by warranty. Tell us your Sorento and we’ll match the exact engine.
- Tested & Guaranteed Fit
- Exclusive Warranty on All Parts
- Extended Warranty Available at Extra Cost
- 24/7 dedicated customer support
Get Your Free Quote
Tell us the vehicle and how to reach you.
Engine Options
Which engine does your Sorento have?
Four generations of Sorento have used five engine families: Sigma and Lambda V6s in the body-on-frame original, the 2.4L Theta II and Lambda II V6s in the 2011–2015 unibody, the 2.4L, a 2.0L turbo and the 3.3L V6 in the 2016–2020 car, and Smartstream 2.5L engines and a 1.6L turbo hybrid since 2021.
The table below lists what was offered when. The 2.4L came in port- and direct-injection forms with very different recall histories, and the hybrid engine is a unit of its own, so we confirm from your VIN before quoting.
| Engine | Code | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 3.5L Sigma V6 | Code: G6CU | 2003–2006. Timing belt. |
| 3.8L Lambda V6 | Code: G6DA | 2007–2009; every 2007 model, then the EX. |
| 3.3L Lambda V6 | Code: G6DB | Base and LX, from around 2008 to 2009. |
| Engine | Code | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2.4L Theta II MPI four-cylinder | Code: G4KE | Base and LX, 2011–2013. |
| 2.4L Theta II GDI four-cylinder | Code: G4KJ | EX from 2012; every 2.4L from 2014. |
| 3.5L Lambda II V6 | Code: G6DC | 2011–2013, EX V6 and SX. |
| 3.3L Lambda II GDI V6 | Code: G6DH | 2014–2015. |
| Engine | Code | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2.4L Theta II GDI four-cylinder | Code: G4KJ | L and LX, all years. |
| 2.0L Theta II turbo four-cylinder | Code: G4KH | EX and the 2016 SXL, 2016–2018 only. |
| 3.3L V6 | All years. Confirm the code from the engine label. |
| Engine | Code | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5L Smartstream four-cylinder | LX and S. | |
| 2.5L Smartstream turbo four-cylinder | Code: G4KP | EX, SX, X-Line and X-Pro. |
| 1.6L turbo hybrid four-cylinder | Code: G4FT | Sorento Hybrid from 2021 and Plug-In Hybrid 2022–2026. Paired with an electric motor; a different engine from the 2.5L. |
Not sure which one is yours? Request a quote and we’ll work it out from your VIN.
Before You Order
What to check before you order
Which 2.4L
The 2011–2013 2.4L MPI and the 2012–2020 2.4L GDI are both Theta IIs, but one is port-injected and one direct-injected, and a 2012 or 2013 Sorento could have either. Match the code on the engine label.
Which V6
The Sorento has had a 3.5L Sigma, 3.8L and 3.3L Lambdas, and 3.5L and 3.3L Lambda IIs. The size alone is not enough; the code and model year are.
Check the recall and warranty first
Many Sorento engines are replaced by Kia under recall or the Theta II settlements. Have your VIN checked before you order — see the problems below.
Hybrid or not
The 1.6L turbo in the Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid works with an electric motor and is not the same as the 2.5L engines. Tell us if your Sorento is a hybrid.
Have your VIN ready
With the VIN we can confirm the engine, model year and trim before we quote, which avoids ordering the wrong version.
Common Problems
Common Sorento engine problems
Rod-bearing failure — 2.4L GDI and 2.0L turbo, 2012–2019
Machining debris left in the engine blocks oil flow to the rod bearings, which wear, knock and seize. Recall 17V-224 covers 2012–2014 2.4L GDI Sorentos with an inspection and a new long block, and follow-on recall 18V-907 checks the high-pressure fuel pipe on 2012–2017 cars that already had an engine replaced. Under the Theta II class settlement, 2012–2019 Sorentos with the 2.4L GDI or 2.0L turbo have a lifetime warranty on short-block repairs for this failure, for any owner, provided the knock-sensor (KSDS) software update has been installed.
Rod-bearing failure — 2.4L MPI, 2011–2013
The port-injected 2.4L has the same bearing failure. Recall 20V-750 for 2012–2013 cars and recall 23V-877 for 2011 cars without the knock-sensor software inspect the engine, replace it if needed and install the software, and the Engine II settlement gives these cars a 15-year/150,000-mile warranty on rod-bearing short-block repairs.
Crankshaft fracture — 3.3L V6, 2017
A heat-treatment defect means the crankshaft can fracture, stalling the engine with a risk of fire. Recall 17V-586 inspects the crankshaft and replaces the engine sub-assembly if needed.
Fuel and oil pipes — 2.5L turbo, 2021–2022
Recall 21V-519 covers an under-torqued high-pressure fuel pipe on the 2021 2.5L turbo, and recall 22V-202 a cracked turbo oil-feed pipe on a few 2022 cars. Neither is an engine failure, but have them checked before suspecting the engine.
How It Works
Simple, Fast & Hassle-Free
- 01
Search Your Part
Enter your car make, model, year, and part.
- 02
Get a Quote / Callback
Our team connects you with the right fit and best price.
Call +1-888-819-5651 - 03
Nationwide Delivery
Parts shipped securely to your doorstep.
- 04
Guaranteed Fit & Warranty
Install with confidence — all parts are tested & covered.
FAQ
Sorento engine questions, answered
Which engine does my Sorento have?
By year and trim: V6s only to 2009, a 2.4L four-cylinder or a V6 from 2011 to 2020, a 2.0L turbo on 2016–2018 EX models, and 2.5L Smartstream engines or the 1.6L hybrid from 2021. The code — G4KJ, G6DH and so on — is on the engine label, and the eighth VIN character identifies the engine. Send us your VIN and we will confirm.
My Sorento’s engine knocks and has lost power. Do I need a used engine?
Not necessarily. On the 2012–2019 Theta II GDI, the knock-sensor software limits power when it detects bearing knock, and the engine is then replaced under the lifetime short-block warranty if the software had been installed. The 2011–2013 2.4L MPI has 15-year/150,000-mile cover under the Engine II settlement. Have a dealer check your VIN first; if the engine is outside the cover, we can quote.
Will a Hyundai Santa Fe engine fit my Sorento?
The Sorento’s Theta II and Smartstream engines are shared with Hyundai, and the 2.4L GDI recalled in the Sorento is the same family recalled in the Sonata and Santa Fe Sport. But MPI, GDI and turbo versions and model-year changes mean the code and the year must match. Send us your VIN.
Is the engine covered by a warranty?
Yes. Every engine we sell is covered by warranty, and extended cover is available at extra cost. The full terms are in our Warranty Policy.
Ready to replace your Sorento engine?
Tell us the year and have your VIN to hand — a specialist will confirm the right unit and send you a quote.
No payment details required to get a quote · Specialist replies within minutes