This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
My transmission failed at 95k miles and was available for inspection at a fee. My safety was at risk since my car was jerking on the highway and I had to quickly pull over while the car slowed down in a fast and high trafficked area. The problem has been an ongoing issue especially in 2020 models from social media and the dealership. The vehicle was inspected by the Kia dealership. The engine light did not come on until the car showed immediate signs of issues.
Description of Defect: My 2020 Kia Telluride experienced catastrophic engine failure and excessive oil consumption, which is a known issue for this model year (to the point that I had to sell it just 1 year after I bought it). The vehicle consumes oil at an alarming rate without any dashboard warning lights, or low oil pressure indicators, leading to sudden loss of engine power and potential stalling while in motion. This failure occurred at 93,200 miles, well before the expected service life of the powertrain. Safety Risk: Sudden engine stalling or power loss while driving at highway speeds creates an immediate risk of rear-end collisions and leaves the driver without power steering or braking assistance. The lack of any 'Check Engine' or 'Low Oil' light prior to the mechanical crisis meant there was zero opportunity to safely maneuver off the road before the vehicle became disabled. Furthermore, excessive oil consumption in this engine type has been linked to potential fire risks under the hood. Failure/Incident Details: Despite following all manufacturer-recommended maintenance, the vehicle suffered a major [Engine/Transmission] failure. Kia America has acknowledged the failure but refuses to provide transparency or assistance, despite Technical Service Bulletins (TSB SA428 and TSB 089) existing for these exact powertrain issues. This represents a significant safety defect that puts my family and other drivers at risk.
The engine is stalling, knocking and the check engine light will occasionally come on. You can smell carbon monoxide and hot oil. We are having to add a quart of oil weekly.
My 2020 Kia Telluride EX experienced a sudden engine shutoff / loss of motive power while driving in traffic. The vehicle stopped in the roadway, would not immediately restart, and restarted later after sitting. This was not normal stop/start operation, the car shut down. No low-oil warning appeared before the event. I am also aware of multiple similar owner reports online describing high oil consumption, stalling, and lack of warning in 2020 Tellurides, but this complaint is based on my own direct experience and concern. It was scary and life threatening!
Engine oil is disappearing in my 2020 Kia Telluride. This has been occurring for an extended period of time ( Since 2020) Early on, I was not driving frequently and did not immediately recognize the severity of the issue. However, about a year ago, when my work required significantly more driving, I began noticing that a large amount of oil was missing between checks, at times approximately half of the engine-??s oil capacity. I initially suspected the plastic oil filter housing, which can crack or leak if it is over torqued during oil changes. To address that potential issue, I purchased an aluminum oil filter housing and had it installed. While that repair resolved one concern, it did not stop the ongoing oil loss. At times, when I check the dipstick, there is little to no oil registering, indicating the engine is operating on residual oil. When I remove the oil filler cap, smoke is visible coming from the opening. There are no signs of external leakage, no oil on the ground, and no oil leaking under the engine. This strongly suggests the engine is consuming oil internally. This is a serious safety concern. If the oil level drops unexpectedly while driving, the engine can suffer sudden damage, lose power, stall, or fail without warning. Because I regularly travel for work between Florida and Georgia, including highway driving, I now carry bottles of oil in the vehicle and feel compelled to monitor and top off oil frequently out of concern that the engine could fail or stall while driving, potentially leading to a crash, injury, or loss of life. Based on my research, I understand I am not the only Kia Telluride owner experiencing this type of abnormal oil consumption or unexplained oil loss.
- Parrish, FL, USA
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I am the original owner of a 2020 Kia Telluride with 48,409 miles. My wife purchased it new. It has never been sold or transferred. It is fully covered under Kia's 10-year/100,000-mile Powertrain Warranty. What component failed and is it available for inspection" The engine is consuming excessive oil due to failed internal components-?"likely the piston rings. This has fouled the spark plugs and caused active misfires on cylinders 1,3,4,5. Codes: P0300, P0301, P0303, P0304, P0305. Kia acknowledges this defect in TSB ENG222, which defines consumption over 1 quart per 1,000 miles as abnormal. The failed components remain in the vehicle and are available for inspection. Has the problem been confirmed by a dealer? Yes. [Dealer Name] confirmed the misfire codes and excessive oil consumption. Despite being original owners with an active warranty, they refused to cover the repair. The advisor said they "only cover internal engine parts"-?"which is exactly what is broken. We were sent home with a flashing check engine light. Has it been inspected by manufacturer or others? No. Only the dealership. Kia Corporate has not inspected it. How was safety put at risk? A solid check engine light means active misfire and risk of sudden engine stall or seizure. Other Telluride owners report complete power loss on highways and intersections-?"no acceleration, no power steering, no power brakes. My wife and children drive this car. I fear for their safety every time they start the engine. Were there warning symptoms" Yes. Two weeks before the check engine light appeared, I noticed a slight shudder during acceleration that gradually worsened. The light came on solid, then began flashing within days. No oil light appeared. No other warnings. Kia advertised a 10-year/100,000-mile warranty. At 48,409 miles, they denied coverage for a known, documented defect. That is not a warranty. Not true. I request an investigation into the 2020 Telluride 3.8L engine. Thank you
The check engine light is on and reading code P07104. The vehicle has been diagnosed and it was found the torque converter is slipping and the technician recommends replacing the transmission. The anti-freeze has been low over the past 30 days and must be leaking internally. I have had to add anti-freeze twice during that time.
Oil filter housing assembly- Resulted in very low engine oil with no warning lights or engine lights potentially leading to engine damage. Yes the component was inspected and replaced by dealership. This was after getting the oil plan repaired for leaking oil as well
Kia equips their 2020 Tellurides with a plastic oil filter housing unit. Over time, the heat from metal and pressure causes the plastic component to crack, become warped and this leads to oil leaks.
We have had multiple issues with this car. First the pearl white peeling off on hood and above the windshield. Second CV3 axles boots leaking on our vehicle and multiple others at the Kia dealership. Third burnin oil even with good maintenance records. 3rd sunroof won-??t open or close now for no reason at all. 4th back seat now attempts to fold at random times. Even with our kids in the seat. 5th oil housing leak. 6th CEL comes on and off randomly causing it to run rough. 7th screen is now to have issues of not working right. We-??ve had to pay out of pocket for multiple things. Including the paint. We-??ve spoken to service department and common issue they don-??t see why it-??s not a recall by now. Dealership is no help. Beware
P0741 Error Codes - Torque Converter issue around 100k miles. Shuttering at low rpm between 2nd and 3rd gears. This is a known issue for owners of the 2020 model year. TCM software update and transmission oil change did not fix.
After 8 months of trips to the shop telling them the engine was bad, and spending thousands to do things it didn-??t need trying to get warranty to cover engine, kia finally agreed it had issues. Tore it down and piston rings are bad. There was carbon build up despite regular maintenance and they are telling me warranty won-??t replace
High oil consumption. Oil needs added frequently or it gets low and car doesn-??t run correctly. Transmission slips daily at low speed first thing in the morning. When making slow turns tires tires don-??t seem to remain steady/grip. The car is hoppy like there is a traction problem. Tires have been replaced and issue remains.
Right at 100k miles both our engine began burning oil at an extremely high rate with no clear resolution for the issue. We are adding 1-2 quarts ever week. Simultaneously, we received transmission solenoid codes from a check engine light. The sealed factory transmission had burn looking transmission fluid and after replacement the light continue to show and now the transmission is slipping and hesitating and we are being told it needs replaced.
Windshield cracked from minor item being thrown up by car in front of me. Engine burns out no oil on dipstick with regular maintenance engine tick transmission slips axle boot ripped oil pan cracked due to it being faulty
I had the AWD coupler replaced at 66000 under warranty due to a TSB and hesitation when turning at slow speeds. I'm at 110000 and the AWD coupler is failing again and needs replacement but Kia warranty won't cover it again. Very frustrated
For the past year to year ? I have brought my car in for concerns with idle, hesitation when accelerating, stalling out, etc. This has put me in compromised situations when in traffic, at stop lights and when trying to accelerate to get on the highway. I was told it was fine, until it was not. Now my engine needs to be replaced. What I discovered in my car was their worksheet on issues that they never shared with me. Identified issues on this report: Fault Code 6, PO300400 - history, cylinder misfire, PO30500 - history, cylinder misfire PO34100 When going back for a 'simple' 1000 mile oil check, I was told there was not enough oil loss to identify concern. When I checked my own oil after another 1000 miles, KIA then pursued. In researching, there is a history of these engine problems and engines needing to be replaced with KIA. This is unacceptable and has compromised safety and any value I hoped to have with my car.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Highlands Ranch, CO, USA