TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: OIL FILTER HOUSING GASKET REPLACEMENT (WTY045) - This bulletin provides information regarding the ‘Warranty Extension Program (WTY045)’ for the inspection and, if necessary, replacement of the oil filter housing gasket on certain 2020–2025 MY Telluride (ON) vehicles produced from January 9, 2019, through June 12, 2025. Under this program, the New Vehicle Warranty coverage for this condition is extended from 5 years / 60,000 miles to 15 years / 180,000 miles, whichever occurs first, starting from the date the vehicle was first put into service. Affected vehicles may develop an engine oil leak from the oil filter housing gasket. During t
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2020 Kia Telluride engine problems
moderate Owners of the 2020 Kia Telluride have filed 98 NHTSA complaints about the engine, typically surfacing around 91,300 miles at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
98
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2020 Telluride (this page) | 98 |
| 2021 Telluride | 43 |
| 2022 Telluride | 15 |
| 2023 Telluride | 9 |
| 2024 Telluride | 14 |
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What stands out
Of the 6 model years of Kia Telluride we track for engine problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 98.
Owners have filed 98 engine complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (WTY045) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage, to all owners, for certain repairs related to an engine oil leak from the oil filter housing gasket in certain 2020-2025 MY Telluride vehicles from 5 years / 60,000 miles to 15 years / 180,000 miles, whichever comes first, starting from the date the vehicle was first put into service. This warranty extension is to address the oil filter housing gasket leaking condition at no cost to you during this extended warranty period.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: REIMBURSEMENT FORM (WTY045) - This document is a Reimbursement Request form that was mailed with the customer letter advising them to submit the form if they had paid for repairs for this same matter prior to the warranty extension campaign program launch.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: QUESTION AND ANSWER (WTY045) - This document is the Question and Answer Guide containing the most frequently asked questions regarding the Warranty Extension Campaign WTY045.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO (WTY045) - This document is the announcement to the dealer principals advising that Kia is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage to all owners for certain repairs related to an engine oil leak from the oil filter housing gasket in certain 2020-2025 MY Telluride vehicles manufactured from January 9, 2019 through June 12, 2025, from 5 years / 60,000 miles to 15 years / 180,000 miles, whichever comes first, starting from the date the vehicle was first put into service. This warranty extension is to address the oil filter housing gasket leaking condition.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2020 Kia Telluride engine is accumulating complaints of excessive oil consumption, internal damage, and sudden failures. Owners consistently report that oil levels plummet between scheduled changes—often 1+ quart per 1,000 miles—despite no visible external leaks. Engine teardowns reveal stuck oil control rings, heavy carbon buildup on pistons, and scoring on cylinder walls, pointing to a design or manufacturing flaw. The bigger problem: warning lights rarely illuminate until the engine is nearly bone dry, leaving drivers in dangerous situations.
Multiple owners describe engine stalling or loss of power while driving, particularly at highway speeds or during traffic maneuvers, with power steering and ABS dropping out when oil runs critically low. One driver reported losing steering and brake assist on a hill; another experienced a stall on an interstate with semi trucks. Several engines have seized or required replacement between 40,000 and 120,000 miles despite regular maintenance and complete service records.
Owners also report plastic oil filter housing cracks—especially in cold weather—with over 3,000 cases backordered for replacement parts. When Kia dealerships acknowledge the oil consumption issue through testing, they routinely deny warranty coverage if the vehicle exceeds 100,000 miles, cite insufficient service records, or suggest owners trade the vehicle in. Extended warranties typically exclude oil consumption. Dealership repair timelines are long; one owner waited three months with no parts availability or engine delivery date.
Same Kia Telluride engine reports on nearby years: 2021 · 2022
Failure modes owners describe
Excessive oil consumption
Engine burning or losing oil at rates far exceeding manufacturer specifications, often 1+ quart per 1,000 miles. Owners report no visible external leaks. Multiple owners cite Kia Technical Service Bulletin ENG222 (Rev 5) which defines >1 quart per 1,000 miles as excessive. Root causes alleged include stuck oil control rings, carbon buildup on piston rings, and internal seal failure. Owners report oil smell from exhaust and black/fouled spark plugs.
When: Typically 60,000–120,000 miles; some reports begin as early as 40,000–75,000 miles; consumption worsens over time
Symptoms owners cite: Oil dipstick reads low or empty despite recent oil changes; Burnt oil smell from exhaust; Engine rattling or knocking at startup or under load; Fouled or black spark plugs; Check engine light (when oil level drops far enough); Loss of engine power and hesitation during acceleration; Engine stalling while accelerating from stops or at traffic lights
Codes mentioned: P0300 (random/multiple cylinder misfire), P0303 (cylinder 3 misfire), P0305 (cylinder 5 misfire), O2 sensor fault codes
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report dealership oil consumption tests; Kia has declined engine replacement outside warranty. Repair costs for engine replacement cited as $10,000–$12,000+. Some owners add 2–4 quarts weekly to maintain operation. Carbon cleaning and spark plug/coil replacement reported ($2,000+). Parts on extended backorder (3,000+ cases cited).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Kia has run oil consumption tests at dealerships; multiple complaints cite Kia acknowledgment of excessive consumption but refusal to replace engines outside warranty period. Kia Technical Service Bulletin ENG222 (Rev 5) referenced by owners. Some owners report Kia suggesting vehicle trade-in rather than repair. Extended warranties typically do not cover oil consumption.
Oil filter housing leak (plastic housing failure)
Plastic oil filter housing cracks or fails to seal properly, causing oil leaks especially in cold weather. Owners report leaks appearing after dealership oil changes. Part is on extended backorder; over 3,000 cases reported to parts suppliers waiting for stock. Affects both 2020 Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade.
When: Can occur soon after purchase or following an oil change; cold-weather initiation common; mileage varies (some cases early, others at 100k+)
Symptoms owners cite: Oil puddle under vehicle after startup or short drive; Squealing noise during cold start that fades; Oil leak from plastic oil filter housing and engine connection point; Check engine light (thermostat code mentioned in one narrative); No visible warning lights before leak discovery
Codes mentioned: P0128 (coolant thermostat)
Repairs/costs cited: Plastic oil filter housing replacement required; part on backorder for months. Labor cost quoted as higher than part ($60 part + significant labor). One owner cited $1,900 repair for oil housing leak and subsequent fuel injector issue. Local lube shops report inability to perform oil changes due to defective drain plugs and oil pan seals; some require liability waivers.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Kia dealership parts department confirms 3,000+ cases on backorder. Some dealers offer 'goodwill' repairs on case-by-case basis after diagnostic fee ($180 cited). No recall issued despite widespread reports.
Complete or near-complete oil loss with no warning light
Engine oil level drops to zero or near-zero without illumination of oil pressure or low-oil warning lights. Owners discover empty or near-empty dipstick during routine checks or after engine failure/stalling. Dealerships and Kia indicate the warning light is designed to come on only when <0.5 quarts remain—too late to prevent engine damage.
When: Variable; some cases at 40k–110k miles; one case reported as 2,400 miles since last oil change; another after 9 months
Symptoms owners cite: Engine rattling or knocking, then seizure; No oil pressure warning light or check engine light until loss of power; Engine stalling while driving or at intersections; Temporary power loss or inability to accelerate (25 mph max reported); Engine shutdown without prior warning
Codes mentioned: P0128 (thermostat/coolant management), Multiple undefined warning codes that appear after stall
Repairs/costs cited: Owner adds oil manually when discovered (up to 6 quarts in one case). Engine replacement required in most cases where oil loss is critical; $10,000–$12,000+ cost. One owner reports dealership testing at customer cost while vehicle still under warranty.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Kia and dealerships state warning light threshold is <0.5 quarts remaining. Some owners report Kia refusal to cover under warranty, citing lack of complete service records or claiming owner negligence. One dealership stated new engines cannot be guaranteed to be free of the defect.
Internal engine failure (piston rings, cylinder walls, head gasket)
Engine teardowns and inspections reveal stuck oil control rings on pistons, excessive carbon buildup on piston crowns and rings, scoring of cylinder walls and piston skirts, and head gasket failure. Root cause alleged to be carbon/sludge preventing proper oil circulation, allowing oil to bypass rings into combustion chamber or leak into coolant. One case at 94,000 miles required full engine replacement. Multiple owners report symptoms of bearing failure or detonation.
When: Mileage range 40,000–169,000 miles; typically 60,000–120,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loud engine knocking or rattling under acceleration or at startup; Detonation (knock sensor detecting pre-ignition); Engine overheating with coolant loss (head gasket failure); Loss of engine power or stalling at low speeds; White or blue smoke from exhaust; Oil smell mixed with gasoline odor; Engine seizure or catastrophic failure; Coolant hose failure (burst or split) without prior warning
Codes mentioned: P0300 (random misfire), P0303, P0305 (cylinder 3, 5 misfire), P0456 (EVAP system leak - fuel vapors in oil)
Repairs/costs cited: Full engine replacement required; cost $10,000–$12,000+. One case required full engine teardown and inspection before replacement authorized. Some owners face months-long waits for replacement engine parts. Dealerships have confirmed multiple 2020 Telluride engine failures, one confirming another Telluride with engine failure in October 2023.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Most cases report Kia denial of warranty coverage citing mileage/time past warranty expiration or insufficient service records. One case reports Kia declining because warranty already expired. Multiple owners report Kia awareness of the defect based on lawsuits and TSBs but refusal to initiate recalls or broader remedies.
Engine stalling or loss of power while driving (safety-critical)
Vehicle experiences sudden loss of engine power or complete stall while driving at highway speeds, low speeds, or during traffic maneuvers. Most cases involve low oil levels or internal engine failure. No warning lights precede failure in majority of cases. Creates immediate collision risk and leaves driver/passengers stranded.
When: Variable; reported at 40k–120k miles; some cases after recent oil changes or within weeks of last service
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalling or shutdown while driving or at stops; Loss of steering assist and brake assist (ABS/power steering failure when oil runs dry); Engine will not restart or restarts intermittently; Loud knocking/rattling before failure; Check engine or oil pressure light comes on only after stall; No warning lights before failure
Codes mentioned: P0300 (misfire), Battery and starter codes (misdiagnosis in one case)
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report engine replacement or engine teardown diagnostics at dealership. Towing costs incurred. One case reports 5 months of dealership testing before authorization for engine replacement; vehicle sat in dealership lot exposed to weather for 3 months.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Kia has been contacted by multiple owners; responses range from denial (warranty expired or insufficient records) to authorization for engine replacement after extended testing. No proactive recalls issued despite repeated reports of this pattern.
Oil filter housing seal failure post-service
Following dealership oil changes, oil filter housing seals fail or housing is installed improperly, causing leaks. Dealership technicians report using faulty OEM oil filters with defective O-rings. In some cases, cracks develop in the plastic housing itself after multiple oil changes.
When: Occurs after oil change service; in one case, starting 1/14/23 and recurring 8 times in 10 months through 10/9/23
Symptoms owners cite: Oil leaking shortly after oil change; Intermittent leaking between service intervals; Dealership replaces filter multiple times (8 replacements in 10 months in one case); Plastic housing eventually cracks from repeated service stress; No warning lights
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership replaces faulty OEM filter, then housing itself. One owner reports 8 oil changes in 10 months due to repeated faulty filters, excessive wear-and-tear. Plastic housing replacement cost not covered after warranty expiration. Owner argues dealer-caused excessive service, not normal wear.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealerships blame faulty OEM filters initially, then housing crack as separate issue. Manufacturer does not address root cause of filter defect or housing weakness. Extended warranty typically does not cover leaks post-warranty.
Coolant hose failure (burst/split without warning)
Coolant hose bursts or splits under normal operating conditions without prior visible leaks or warning. Causes head gasket damage, cylinder misfires (coolant enters cylinders), and engine overheating. One case at 40,000 miles; hose failed without any prior warning signs.
When: 40,000 miles reported; occurred without warning during normal highway driving
Symptoms owners cite: Engine overheating (gauge shows normal before failure); Loss of power to 25 mph; White/blue smoke from engine bay; Coolant smell; Head gasket failure; Cylinder 3 and 5 misfire codes; No warning lights prior to hose failure
Codes mentioned: P0303 (cylinder 3 misfire), P0305 (cylinder 5 misfire)
Repairs/costs cited: Full engine replacement required due to head gasket damage and cylinder damage. One case approved for new engine after 2+ months in shop with no ETA on parts.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership confirmed hose failure and engine damage. No warning was designed into the system. Kia approved engine replacement in one case; case still pending parts availability after 2+ months.
Synthesized from 98 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Around Dec 13 the cooling fan started running by itself while the vehicle was in the garage for a few hours with the engine shut off, so, engine is cold.. What we do in this circumstance is starting and shutting the engine, that takes car of the situation until it happens again, sometimes right away or a few hours later or next day. I can't identify a relay that controls the fan. So, at this…
Had engine trouble with your 2020 Kia Telluride?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2020 Kia Telluride?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 98 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 11 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 76,500 and 104,271 miles, with the median around 91,300. A quarter of owners report trouble before 76,500; a quarter make it past 104,271. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2020/Kia/Telluride.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.