Kia Cerato Common Problems

The Kia Cerato is a small sedan and hatch, and one of the most common used small cars here. The LD (2004 to 2008) and TD (2009 to 2013) used 2.0-litre petrol engines, the TD's being a Theta II (G4KD) with a four-speed auto until 2011 and a six-speed auto after. The YD (2013 to 2018) had a 1.8 Nu MPi (G4NB) or 2.0 Nu GDI (G4NC) until 2016, then a 2.0 Nu MPi (G4NA). The BD (2018 to 2024) kept the 2.0 MPi with a six-speed manual or automatic, and from 2019 added the GT with a 1.6 T-GDi turbo (G4FJ) and seven-speed dual-clutch. Ceratos are generally durable and cheap to run, but several of these engines have oil-use or piston ring histories, so engine health is the first thing to check.

Piston ring defects and engine failure (2.0 MPi G4NA, BD, 2020 to 2022)

Some 2020 to 2022 Cerato and Seltos 2.0 engines were built with piston rings that may not meet specification. Kia recalled more than 9,000 of them in 2025, warning of engine damage, stalling, oil leaks and a raised fire risk. Some owners of BD 2.0 cars report a tapping or rattling noise when cold and metal particles in the oil, and one reported an engine failure with no warning light beforehand.

The remedy is a dealer inspection, an engine control software update that watches for early signs of failure, and a new engine if damage is found, all free. Without recall or warranty cover, a replacement engine could cost roughly $6,000 to $10,000.

Oil use and piston slap on older engines (2.0 Theta II and 2.0 Nu GDI, 2009 to 2016)

An Australian fault listing links the TD's 2.0 Theta II and the early YD's 2.0 GDI to heavy oil use and a knocking or tapping noise, loudest from cold. Scored cylinder bores are the usual cause given, and an engine run low on oil can lose oil pressure and seize. Separately, Kia recalled some 2013 to 2015 YD Ceratos in 2023, warning that the engine may make an abnormal noise and could seize if driven without inspection. Ask a dealer whether a given car was covered and whether the work was done.

Dealers confirm oil use with a measured test over 1,000 km. On a car this age, a rebuild or replacement engine is roughly $4,000 to $7,000, which can exceed the car's value. The YD 1.8 is not named in these reports.

Dual-clutch judder and jerky shifts (GT 1.6 T-GDi, seven-speed DCT, 2019 to 2024)

The Cerato GT uses a seven-speed dry dual-clutch. Some owners report shudder and jerky changes from rest, lag when pulling away or reversing, and clunks at low speed in traffic. Creeping in stop-start traffic slips the clutches and builds heat, which can glaze the plates or wear the actuator.

Software problems are fixed with a clutch relearn or transmission control update. Worn parts mean a new clutch pack or actuator, which could cost roughly $2,500 to $4,500 out of warranty. The 2.0 models use a conventional six-speed automatic and avoid this.

Touchscreen bubbling and ghost touches (BD, 2018 to 2024)

Some BD Cerato touchscreens bubble or peel as the adhesive breaks down in heat and humidity. The result is ghost touches, where the screen selects things on its own, or a screen that stops responding. Some owners also report wireless Apple CarPlay dropping out on 2021 cars. Under Kia's seven-year warranty a dealer can replace the screen or head unit. Out of warranty, some specialists replace only the adhesive layer for a few hundred dollars, while a new head unit could cost $1,000 or more.

Steering wheel clicking from the power steering coupling (TD and YD, 2012 to 2013)

Kia issued an overseas bulletin for TD and YD Ceratos built from early 2012 to late 2013, where the flexible coupling in the electric power steering wears early and causes a clicking noise when the wheel is turned with the car stopped. Kia said it was most common in humid coastal areas. The fix is a redesigned coupling, a cheap part, roughly $200 to $400 with labour. A clunk or play in the steering on an older Cerato can also be a worn rack, which needs proper inspection.

Recalls and safety

Cerato recall themes include the BD 2.0 piston rings (2020 to 2022), airbag control units on 2016 to 2018 YD cars that may stop the airbags deploying, the 2013 to 2015 YD engine noise and seizure campaign, and a TD (2009 to 2013) ABS control unit that can stay live when parked and short circuit, with a fire risk. Some 2010 TD automatics had a transmission cooler hose that could leak, and towbar-equipped 2018 to 2019 BD cars had a trailer wiring fault. Have a Kia dealer check the VIN for open recalls, and see our recalls page.

Buying a used Kia Cerato? What to check

• Engine recalls: On a 2020 to 2022 BD 2.0 or a 2013 to 2015 YD, ask for proof the engine inspection or replacement was done.
• Cold start: Start the engine from cold and listen for knocking, tapping or rattling that does not settle.
• Oil level: Check the dipstick. A low level soon after a service points to oil use.
• Airbag light: On a 2016 to 2018 YD, make sure the airbag warning light goes out after start-up and ask whether the airbag control unit recall was done.
• ABS recall: On a TD, confirm the ABS control unit recall was completed before you park it in a garage.
• Dual-clutch test: In a GT, creep in traffic, reverse up a slope and pull away gently. Judder or clunks mean clutch wear or missing updates.
• Touchscreen: Look for bubbles at the screen edges and check it responds accurately across the whole screen.
• Steering: Turn the wheel lock to lock while stopped and listen for clicking or clunks.
• Service record: Look for oil changes on time, which matters more on these engines than on most.

Before you buy, run a VIN check or a PPSR check, and work through our Kia Cerato buying checklist.

The verdict

The best used Cerato is a BD 2.0 with the six-speed automatic or manual: pick a 2018 to 2019 or 2023 to 2024 car, or a 2020 to 2022 car with proof the piston ring recall was done. A 2016 to 2018 YD 2.0 MPi is a good budget buy once its airbag recall is confirmed. Be wary of the YD 2.0 GDI and TD 2.0 unless oil use is low and the engine is quiet. The GT is quick, but test its dual-clutch in traffic first.