2020 KIA Telluride engine problems

ENGINE

I have a Kia Telluride 2020 EX AWD automatic. I bought it used about 2.5 years ago. It’s been having some ongoing issues with oil consumption, which from what I have learned is pretty common in this car. Since I learned that I’ve been increasing the frequency of oil changes and topping off oil in between. It burns oil at an absurd rate, and gives no warning when oil is low. On the most recent change, ~a month ago, the mechanic recommended changing it after 3,000 miles. Yesterday the car completely shut down while driving on the highway, no warning or anything, just a noise, smoke and then the car died in a matter of seconds. I nearly got in an accident trying to drift to the side of the road with no power or anything. No control of the car. Ended up stuck in traffic going 70+ mph with a toddler. After it was towed, our mechanic found there was no oil left and we had two holes in the engine casing. He explained it looks like when the oil ran out completely, some part broke off in the engine and shot through the housing. So it’s looking like we need a new engine. We had NOT driven it 3000 miles since the last oil change just a month ago, and we have even topped off the oil since that change, most recently a week ago. This means the car burned through about 9 quarts of oil in <3000 miles. Multiple mechanics have told us this is a known issue with the car, and there is nothing to do to prevent it. When we called the dealership to inquire about getting a new engine, they told us we would need to do an oil consumption test. Obviously this is impossible on a car that does not drive and has two holes in the engine. So we are stuck paying out of pocket. Kia is well aware of this issue and is doing nothing.

NHTSA complaint #11763802 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Telluride. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 MPH, the vehicle hesitated to maintain automotive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was previously repaired at a local dealer for an unknown recall associated with an engine oil leak. The vehicle was towed back to the same local dealer where it was diagnosed and an engine flush was suggested, and the contact was informed that six fuel injectors needed to be replaced as a possible repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The approximate failure mileage was 109,000.

NHTSA complaint #11763566 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

My engine failed from burning oil, even though the car has been maintained its whole life, 14 documented oil changes, roughly every 5,000 miles. • Jiffy-lube shop found the crankcase completely bone dry, only 4,344 miles after the last oil change. No reading on the dipstick. They added 6 quarts. Engine was knocking before and after. • No oil warning light ever came on, and no low-oil warning, just a check engine light and the knocking. • Towed same day to an independent shop. They found code P0524 (engine oil pressure too low) and say the internal noise is probably a rod bearing. Engine needs to be replaced. • The car goes into limp mode while driving. On the highway it dropped from 60 mph to 20 mph in live traffic with no warning. I couldn't safely get to an exit. • That's about 1.4 quarts per 1,000 miles, Kia's own bulletin ENG222 calls 1 quart per 1,000 excessive. • The car is not drivable, hasn't been repaired. This happened around 3 months after purchasing it second hand. Lots of other 2020 Telluride owners are reporting the same oil consumption problem.

NHTSA complaint #11762488 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

The car has stalled numerous times on the roadway while driving. The issue has been identified as an oil consumption issue. There was no low pressure warning light or other warning indicating that there is an oil pressure issue or any other early warning of an engine stall. The dealer has indicated that a complete engine replacement is required to correct the problem. Based upon research, there has been a significant amount of complaints pertaining to this issue. This same oil consumption and engine stall issue was part of a Class Action settlement by KIA, however this particular KIA model was not covered in the litigation.

NHTSA complaint #11760354 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

Vehicle experienced significant drivability issues including shaking/clinking at speeds over 50 mph, check engine light, and reported two-cylinder misfires. Engine oil level was critically low, not registering on the dipstick, requiring approximately 2 quarts added to continue driving. An independent mechanic inspection found excessive oil in Cylinder 2 and assessed that oil was likely leaking past the piston rings and burning, recommending a bottom-end rebuild or engine replacement. Kia dealership (Sunset Kia) inspection subsequently found a score mark in Cylinder 6 and two external oil leaks (oil pan gasket and oil filter housing). Kia approved goodwill repair of the external leaks only, after which I was instructed to drive approximately 1,000 miles for a follow-up oil consumption test. After that period, the dealership confirmed the engine was still consuming oil beyond the external leaks. Kia Corporate took approximately three weeks to review a goodwill request for engine replacement, ultimately denying it. During this three-week period the vehicle remained at the dealership, and I incurred over a week of out-of-pocket rental car expenses due to no loaner vehicle being available and no transportation assistance offered. The vehicle has fewer than 100,000 miles. I am concerned this reflects an internal engine defect (oil consumption/piston ring or cylinder wall issue) affecting the vehicle’s safe operation, given the drivability symptoms (shaking, misfire, near-zero oil level) that initially prompted this investigation.

NHTSA complaint #11760014 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

I bought my vehicle used around 62,000 miles, I was the second owner. Around 90,000 miles my vehicle suddenly stopped driving. There was absolutely no signs of issues prior to this event. I had it towed to the Kia dealership where they recommended an entire engine replacement, but assured me I was outside of warranty. I did not pay for extended warranty so I decided to take it to an independent mechanic who informed me there was a missing internal pin. This mechanic felt certain this was a manufacturing issue. He was able to repair multiple components without replacing the whole engine and the vehicle was drivable again. Now at 122,000 miles the vehicle had the same exact issue occur. I have owned this vehicle for less than three years and have had engine failure twice. After researching online there are many people who have experienced the same exact issues and probably thousands more who were not vocal about it. This is absolutely a manufacturing problem with this vehicle and it deserves to be addressed.

NHTSA complaint #11754612 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Telluride. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V430000 (Seats); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The contact needed to add a quart of oil per week. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the piston in the engine was damaged from oil consumption, ultimately causing the engine failure. The engine was replaced. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and denied covering the cost of the repair. The manufacturer was not contacted about the recall. The failure mileage was 60,000.

NHTSA complaint #11753074 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

Purchased this car used in July of 2025 with 77,000 miles. When we went in for the first complimentary oil change at ~5,000 miles, there was no noticeable oil on the dipstick. The dealership continued with the oil change and advised us to come back every 500miles for an oil consumption test. We did this three separate times and each time we were at least a full quart low each time. It was determined that the engine needed to be replaced. Luckily for us, it was covered under warranty. Our engine was replaced with a remanufactured engine from Kia. When we asked if this problem was going to happen again, we were told yes, but with no timeline. We now have no idea what to expect with this “new, but used” engine and why we were never alerted to the car being low on oil before the first complimentary oil change. Concerns for the purpose of this report are the reliability of these engines and the oil level/pressure sensing system.

NHTSA complaint #11753165 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

This 2020 Telluride, like others, burns excessively through oil. I had to add 2.5 quarts recently and I had not hit 3,000 miles since my last oil change. I have to check the oil level constantly because of how fast it burns through it. It does not meet the manufacturers guidelines nor does it give any warnings that the oil level low at all. Even being THAT low.

NHTSA complaint #11749508 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

After reading multiple forums, I've learned there's a known issue with the 2020 Tellurides burning excessive oil. We had noticed this before, but this time was worse. My wife drove the car to pick up my nephew from the airport without any problems, such as warning lights or engine noise. However, our kids later took the car to go to the store, and on the way, all of the warning lights lit up on the display, and the car shut off on the highway. When I checked the car, I found the oil level was completely gone from the dipstick, so I added about 2.5 quarts of oil. I reported this to the Kia dealership and customer service. The vehicle had just slightly exceeded the 100,000-mile warranty (109,805 miles). The service interval was set for 3400 miles, with 725 miles and 90 days remaining. The engine was dry because of the excessive oil consumption known to Kia. The diagnostic from the dealership indicated an oil pump failure, but they did not have information about the oil addition since it wasn't relayed to them by the phone staff. There were no warning lights or engine noise indicating a low oil level before the incident. Apparently, Kia repeatedly dismisses this known issue and blames the owners. The interval of 3400 miles with 725 miles remaining far exceeds the manufacturer's recommended 6000-7000 miles for regular oil changes.

NHTSA complaint #11748233 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

Oil burns too fast causing oil changes to be required by every 3000 miles

NHTSA complaint #11746940 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

I am filing this complaint regarding my 2020 Kia Telluride because of excessive oil consumption that Kia has refused to address. My vehicle currently has approximately 138,000 miles and consumes about one quart of engine oil every 500 miles. This level of oil consumption is excessive and creates an ongoing risk of engine damage if the oil level is not constantly monitored and replenished. After researching this issue, I discovered that many Kia owners have reported similar excessive oil consumption problems. Despite the large number of complaints, Kia has not issued a recall or provided assistance for owners whose vehicles experience this problem after the factory warranty expires. I sought assistance from my local Kia dealership. At one point, the service manager attempted to advocate for me and other customers by bringing these concerns to Kia corporate. I later learned that he was no longer employed there. They have completed oil consumption tests and agreed my car is consuming a significant amount of oil. They conducted a “band aid” fix that did not help. The last appointment when we brought it in, all they did was check oil levels again. Since then, my concerns have largely been ignored, and I have been offered no meaningful assistance. While I understand my vehicle is outside the warranty period, a vehicle should not consume one quart of oil every 500 miles under normal operation. This appears to be a widespread issue rather than normal wear and tear. I respectfully request that this complaint be investigated and added to the record of similar complaints involving Kia vehicles. I also ask that Kia be encouraged to provide assistance to affected owners whose vehicles suffer from excessive oil consumption caused by what appears to be a common defect. Thank you for your time and consideration.

NHTSA complaint #11746829 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Telluride. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that while driving at slower speeds, the vehicle lost automotive power. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed with oil consumption and a misfire in cylinder #3. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. Upon further inspection, the contact stated that as per the Kia App, the vehicle was diagnosed with error codes: P030300 and P030500. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

NHTSA complaint #11744675 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Telluride. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that while driving at slower speeds, the vehicle lost automotive power. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed with oil consumption and a misfire in cylinder #3. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. Upon further inspection, the contact stated that as per the Kia App, the vehicle was diagnosed with error codes: P030300 and P030500. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

NHTSA complaint #11744675 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

My 2020 Kia Telluride with the 3.8L V6 engine is experiencing excessive oil consumption between scheduled oil changes. The vehicle consumes a significant amount of engine oil without any visible external leaks. The oil level drops substantially between oil change intervals, requiring frequent monitoring and oil additions to prevent the engine from running low on oil. This condition creates a safety risk because the vehicle can operate with dangerously low oil levels without providing sufficient warning to the driver, increasing the risk of engine damage, engine failure, loss of power while driving, or a vehicle breakdown in traffic. A sudden loss of engine power could increase the risk of a crash. The condition has been observed repeatedly and is ongoing. No external oil leaks have been identified. The vehicle has been maintained according to manufacturer recommendations. The excessive oil consumption appears to be internal to the engine. The issue has been reported to and discussed with a Kia dealer. The problem is consistent and reproducible between oil changes. Prior to discovering the oil loss, there were no obvious symptoms other than the oil level decreasing significantly between service intervals. The issue was identified through routine oil level checks. I am concerned that this condition may affect a large number of vehicles equipped with the same engine and could result in engine failure or loss of power while driving.

NHTSA complaint #11742960 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

Vehicle experienced catastrophic engine failure while traveling approximately 70 mph on a highway. I heard a loud popping noise and immediately lost power. The vehicle would no longer accelerate normally and I was forced to pull over. White smoke was visible from the engine compartment, and a large amount of engine oil leaked from the vehicle. This failure created a safety risk because it occurred at highway speed, resulting in sudden loss of power while traveling with surrounding traffic. The vehicle required towing and could not be driven from the scene. Prior to the failure, the vehicle had exhibited symptoms beginning around May 11, 2026. A check engine light illuminated and an independent mechanic diagnosed a cylinder 3 misfire and replaced the ignition coil. Following that repair, the check engine light returned. Additional symptoms included stalling at idle, knocking noises from the engine, and intermittent oil pressure warning lights. The vehicle was subsequently inspected by an independent mechanic who diagnosed a thrown connecting rod with damage to the engine block, including a hole in the engine near the transmission area. The mechanic advised that the engine requires replacement. The damaged engine is currently available for inspection. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer. No injuries or crash occurred, but the sudden engine failure and loss of power at highway speed created a significant safety concern.

NHTSA complaint #11742832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

Component/System Failed: Engine — excessive oil consumption and oil leaks leading to complete engine failure requiring full engine replacement. Vehicle is currently at my home and available for inspection upon request. Safety Risk: My vehicle became completely inoperable while in use as my primary family transportation. As a parent of three children this has left my family without safe reliable transportation. An inoperable vehicle also creates safety risks related to emergency situations where transportation is critical. Confirmed by Dealer: Yes. An authorized Kia dealership confirmed the engine defect and approved a full engine replacement. The repair has not yet been performed. Inspections: Vehicle has been inspected exclusively at an authorized Kia dealership where all service and maintenance has been performed. Warning Symptoms: This is the third time this vehicle has become inoperable due to what was previously identified as an oil issue but is now confirmed to be an engine defect. Prior to complete failure the vehicle exhibited ongoing oil leaks and excessive oil consumption over an extended period. AAA roadside assistance was contacted and identified possible starter and battery failure believed to be connected to the engine condition. Additional Note: I have identified NHTSA complaints from other 2020 Kia Telluride owners reporting identical engine oil consumption and failure issues suggesting a pattern defect.

NHTSA complaint #11739922 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

Following a recent $9,000 engine replacement performed by an authorized Kia dealership, my vehicle suffered a catastrophic, simultaneous mechanical and electronic systems failure while in operation. Without warning, the vehicle triggered the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) and entered "Limp Home Mode," severely restricting vehicle power. Immediately following this, the vehicle experienced a total loss of essential safety and driving controls: Steering Failure: The power steering completely locked up, creating an imminent crash hazard. Dashboard & Gauge Failure: All dashboard warning lights illuminated simultaneously, and the speedometer completely stopped functioning, leaving me unable to monitor vehicle speed. Powertrain & Shifting Malfunction: When brought to a stop and placed into "Park," the vehicle's electronic systems failed to recognize the gear change, indicating on the dashboard that the vehicle was still in "Drive." This created a severe vehicle roll-away risk. Ignition Failure: The vehicle completely refused to shut off or power down when the ignition button was pressed. This event represents an extreme safety hazard involving sudden loss of vehicle control, steering immobilization, roll-away risk, and primary electronic communication failure immediately following a major manufacturer warranty/recall repair. The vehicle is currently un-driveable.

NHTSA complaint #11739467 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

I was driving down the interstate when all of a sudden, I hear a bang, and my power went crazy, couldn't push the gas at all, my car was suddenly shut off. We coasted to the side of the interstate and got out to see a pile of oil underneath my car. Called a tow truck to help us and he found a massive hole in the engine block / oil pan - catastrophic engine failure. I have 117k miles on my car BUT I have kept up with maintenance on this vehicle. There should be no reason for this to happen. This put my family in immediate danger.

NHTSA complaint #11738539 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

i was driving home from work my 2020 Telluride shut off at stop light. I was able to turn the car back on and continue my drive after about 30 minutes into my continued drive i started hearing extreme banging noise coming from the front of the car. i then drove to kia dealership where they had inspected and diagnosed as the engine had failed and i would need a whole new engine.

NHTSA complaint #11736863 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

I had my most recent oil change on 2/20/26, and on 5/2/26 , the check engine light came on and I heard a knocking sound. I checked the dipstick and it was below the “low” mark. I hadn’t driven 3k miles yet!! I had to purchase 2 quarts of SAE 5w 30 oil to put into it. My vehicle is consuming more than 1 quart per 1000 miles.

NHTSA complaint #11736744 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

Transmition- I started bringing it into the dealer around 80,000 miles because it was slipping and bucking (gears). Allegedly, they could provide warrenty coverage but could duplicate the problem. It is doing it more frequently and hesitates (drastically) which can cause an accident from behind. Yes, it was reproduced but as I stated, I was told, "They couldn't do 'anything about it'". It has been inspected multiple times at Kia prior to 100K warrenty At one point, my check engine light kept coming on, then it just went off. There seems to be some major faulty component with this make, model and year. I have read many very similiar complaints, online and there seems to be chronilogical issues/problems that arise at certain miles. Everything I have read, it the exact same situation I have been having which is just geting worse by the day. However, I was blatently informed by Kia, "They would not replace the transmition unless it went." I think that is totally ridiculous, you wait until it goes and can cause an accident before you will fix/replace the part. I also read and heard from multiple mechanics that it could be the "failed torque converter" which was never mentioned from the dealer. I have also had issues with the CV axle and oil plastic housing.

NHTSA complaint #11735736 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

I was just driving down the block and stop at the stop light when I went to pull off and make a left turn the car completely shut off with no warning or anything. Just stopped completely went off in the middle of the road and all of the dash lights came on. It started right back up thankfully but it stopped and locked up

NHTSA complaint #11735220 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

I was driving, no warning lights came on, and the car just stopped. Had it towed to a local mechanic and was told the engine froze.

NHTSA complaint #11731741 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

Oil leak that I’ve put so much effort in getting fixed or replaced and nothing is working. The seat belts suck. The seats are ripped.

NHTSA complaint #11730781 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Telluride. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the vehicle stalled and lost automotive power. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was unable to restart and was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with battery and starter failure. The contact was informed that the starter and the battery needed to be replaced. After the replacement of the starter and the battery, the contact was informed by the dealer that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact stated that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The approximate failure mileage was 91,300.

NHTSA complaint #11730240 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Telluride. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost automotive power with the check engine and other unknown warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle stalled several times and with several unknown warnings illuminated. The contact stated that a friend had checked the vehicle and stated that there was no oil inside the engine. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started to lose automotive power with several unknown warning lights flashing on the instrument cluster. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed of repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 73,000.

NHTSA complaint #11729005 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Telluride. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost automotive power with the check engine and other unknown warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle stalled several times and with several unknown warnings illuminated. The contact stated that a friend had checked the vehicle and stated that there was no oil inside the engine. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started to lose automotive power with several unknown warning lights flashing on the instrument cluster. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed of repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 73,000.

NHTSA complaint #11729005 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.