What causes the Kia Sorento's engine to make a knocking noise?

My Kia Sorento's engine has recently started making a knocking noise. It seems to happen when the car is idling or when I accelerate. What could be the cause of this and how can I fix it?

It is possible that the knocking noise is caused by low oil levels or dirty oil. Check your oil level and consider getting an oil change if it is dirty.

Another possibility is that the knocking noise is due to a problem with the timing belt. Have a mechanic inspect the timing belt and replace it if necessary.

If the knocking noise only happens when the engine is cold, it may be caused by piston slap. This is usually not a serious issue and can be ignored, but if it becomes too loud or consistent, have your mechanic take a look.