The first indication of a problem was overheating. A check of coolant levels indicated low levels. Check of oil indicated low level (quart down). I remediated fluid levels. Took it to Dealer along with recall notices. Dealer indicated engine lower head bolts were lifting (stretching) when engine heated up. Bolts holes were stripped such that head gasket then permitted leakage across the barrier. Loss of coolant, additional heating worsening problem until the engine hot signal came in. No oil level sensor came ever indicated a problem.
No one rebuilds engines anymore apparently. Replacement engine for $9 G. I consider this a design flaw that resulted from the fluid levels not being annunciated; related to sensor failures upstream from engine head bolt issue...
Update from Aug 14, 2022: KIA dealership (Juban Crossing) indicated the vehicle was out of warranty. However, the oil pressure sensor recall indicated the recall was good to 150K miles... So - it's sort of an issue. The oil pressure sensor switch should have provided some indication of a problem. Likewise, there should have been some indication of a pressure drop across the coolant fluid levels giving indication of a leak / loss of pressure if the head gasket was lifting when the engine head bolts heated up and underwent linear expansion...
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
The first indication of a problem was overheating. A check of coolant levels indicated low levels. Check of oil indicated low level (quart down). I remediated fluid levels. Took it to Dealer along with recall notices. Dealer indicated engine lower head bolts were lifting (stretching) when engine heated up. Bolts holes were stripped such that head gasket then permitted leakage across the barrier. Loss of coolant, additional heating worsening problem until the engine hot signal came in. No oil level sensor came ever indicated a problem.
No one rebuilds engines anymore apparently. Replacement engine for $9 G. I consider this a design flaw that resulted from the fluid levels not being annunciated; related to sensor failures upstream from engine head bolt issue...
Update from Aug 14, 2022: KIA dealership (Juban Crossing) indicated the vehicle was out of warranty. However, the oil pressure sensor recall indicated the recall was good to 150K miles... So - it's sort of an issue. The oil pressure sensor switch should have provided some indication of a problem. Likewise, there should have been some indication of a pressure drop across the coolant fluid levels giving indication of a leak / loss of pressure if the head gasket was lifting when the engine head bolts heated up and underwent linear expansion...
- Neil K., Denham Springs, LA, US