Oil filter, housing leaks where it bolts to the motor this could become a fire hazard but the exhaust close to it
2020 Kia Telluride powertrain problems
critical 59 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
59
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
1crash
1fire
2injuries
1fatality
What stands out
Of the 6 model years of Kia Telluride we track for powertrain problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 59.
Owners have filed 59 powertrain 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.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: A 2020 Telluride owner needs to understand that this model carries documented powertrain problems: excessive oil consumption without warning lights can starve the engine (leading to stalling, fire, or complete failure), transmission slipping and shift issues are widespread, and AWD drivetrain vibration is common. Many owners report Kia refusing warranty coverage for known defects despite recalls being open.
The 2020 Kia Telluride has a persistent pattern of powertrain failures that Kia has struggled to address. The most serious and common issue is excessive engine oil consumption without any dashboard warning. Owners report burning through a quart of oil every 600–1,000 miles, with some adding 5 quarts in just 4,500 miles. The engine continues to run with dangerously low oil because no low-oil light appears until damage is done. The root cause is piston ring degradation; Kia's TSB ENG222 acknowledges consumption over 1 quart per 1,000 miles as abnormal, yet dealers often deny warranty claims. One vehicle caught fire; another lost power on the highway. Full engine replacement has been quoted in at least a dozen cases, with parts on back order.
Transmission problems are equally common. Owners report sudden loss of drive (transmission slipping into neutral), hard jerking, hesitation, and RPM surging without acceleration. Some vehicles require a shutdown and restart to regain propulsion. Torque converter failure around 100,000 miles is documented as a known issue among 2020 owners.
AWD models exhibit a distinct vibration and humming between 65–75 mph, traced to out-of-balance rear driveshafts and metal filings in the transfer case fluid. One owner waited four months for a replacement part.
Two fatal or near-fatal incidents involved vehicles rolling backward from parked positions when the recall (24V214000) parts were unavailable. Other failures include coolant system neglect after engine replacement, fuel system loss of acceleration, and intermittent electrical faults during cold, humid mornings.
Same Kia Telluride powertrain reports on nearby years: 2021 · 2022 · 2023
Failure modes owners describe
Excessive Oil Consumption / Piston Ring Failure
Engine consumes oil at abnormal rates (up to 1 quart per 600–1,000 miles, or 5 quarts in 4,500 miles) without warning lights, causing low oil levels that lead to misfires, stalling, vibration, and potential catastrophic engine failure. Dealers and Kia cite piston ring degradation; carbon buildup has been observed despite regular maintenance. TSB ENG222 defines consumption over 1 quart per 1,000 miles as abnormal.
When: Typically 40,000–100,000 miles; some issues reported as early as 4,000 miles after oil change
Symptoms owners cite: Oil level drops rapidly between oil changes; Smoke visible from oil filler cap; Check engine light illumination (P0300, P0301, P0303, P0304, P0305 for misfires); Engine stalling and difficulty accelerating; Engine vibration and shuddering; No external oil leaks; Carbon odor and hot oil smell
Codes mentioned: P0300, P0301, P0303, P0304, P0305
Repairs/costs cited: Full engine replacement quoted in multiple cases; plastic oil filter housing cracks under heat/pressure, requiring replacement ($580–$1,833 in diagnostics and parts cited). Over 100 engine parts on back order in one case.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB ENG222 acknowledges abnormal consumption; Kia has issued recalls for piston ring failure on 2021–2023 Seltos and Soul models. Warranty denial cited in multiple complaints; 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty claimed by owners but not honored for internal engine defects.
Drivetrain Vibration (AWD Models) – Driveshaft / Transfer Case
AWD models exhibit pronounced vibration and humming noise in a narrow highway speed range (typically 65–75 mph), felt in steering wheel, pedals, and seats. Root cause traced to out-of-balance or bent rear driveshaft and metal filings in transfer case fluid, suggesting internal wear or manufacturing defect.
When: Evident from new or very early in ownership; one case noted at 13,000 miles, others at delivery
Symptoms owners cite: Vibration starting ~65 mph, diminishing above 75 mph; Audible humming or grinding noise in cabin; Vibration felt in steering wheel, gas pedal, seat, and floor; Noise from transfer case region; Metal filings or gold-colored flakes in transfer case fluid
Repairs/costs cited: Rear driveshaft replacement required; one case involved bent passenger rear axle also replaced. Transfer case fluid contamination noted; one technician heard noise from transfer case after driveshaft removal. Parts availability delayed (4 months in one case); wheel balancing did not resolve issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Kia Techline initially closed case stating vibration must be normal; TSB TRA099 (power transfer unit inspection) mentioned but did not resolve issue in practice. Dealers reluctant to diagnose under warranty due to unpaid labor.
Transmission Slipping / Loss of Drive / Shift Hesitation
Transmission randomly slips into neutral or loses power, especially at low speeds after turning or during acceleration. In some cases, vehicle requires shutdown and restart to regain propulsion ('reboot' behavior). Other incidents include hard jerking, hesitation, and high RPM with minimal acceleration.
When: Varies from 2,200 miles to 95,000+ miles; some issues present from day one of purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission slips into neutral without driver input; Loss of motive power while accelerating or in traffic; No power to drivetrain; RPMs rev without forward motion; Transmission must be shut off and restarted to regain drive; Hard jerking or shaking during shifts; Hesitation and sluggish acceleration; Vehicle jerks and displays 'Consider Taking a Break' message
Codes mentioned: P07104, P0741
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission solenoid codes detected; TCM software updates attempted without resolution. Torque converter diagnosed as failing/slipping; transmission oil changes and software updates have not fixed the problem. Full transmission replacement quoted in multiple cases.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Kia offered data-logging equipment to capture intermittent issues; no resolution provided. Torque converter failure noted as 'known issue among other owners' of 2020 model year but not formally acknowledged by Kia.
Engine Fire / Catastrophic Failure
Engine caught fire; separate case reported catastrophic engine failure. Service technician described vehicle as a 'ticking time bomb' before fire occurred. Root causes attributed to oil starvation and internal component failure.
When: In one case, in April after repeated oil consumption warnings; failure mileage not always specified
Symptoms owners cite: Engine fire under hood; Preceding oil consumption and stalling issues
Repairs/costs cited: 100+ engine parts required for repair; all on back order. Full engine replacement necessary.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Kia US opened case; initially refused to cover repairs under two applicable recalls. After 6 months and legal intervention, offered to pay only for driveshaft/engine fire parts, not full restoration. Vehicle remained inoperable for 6+ months.
Fuel System Failure – Loss of Acceleration
Vehicle suddenly lost acceleration on highway at 50 mph, unable to exceed 10–15 mph without warning. Diagnosed as purge valve vacuum leak and faulty high-pressure fuel system components. Check engine light illuminated.
When: Incident occurred at highway speed; prior refueling difficulty noted
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of acceleration; Vehicle unable to maintain highway speed; Check engine light illumination; Difficulty refueling when fuel tank near empty; Unsafe lane maneuvering required to reach safety
Codes mentioned: P0191, P2177, P2179
Repairs/costs cited: Purge valve and high-pressure fuel system components replaced.
Transmission Shift Quality / Engine Rev Issues
Engine revs to high RPM (5,000–8,000) without proportional acceleration; transmission appears to slip or downshift excessively. Vehicle struggles at freeway speeds and on hills; refuses to downshift for passing. Issue persistent since purchase.
When: Present from day one of vehicle purchase in some cases; recurs despite dealer service attempts
Symptoms owners cite: High engine RPM (5,000–8,000) with little or no acceleration; Transmission slipping or excessive downshifting; Difficulty maintaining freeway speeds; Labored acceleration up hills; Violent shaking while shifting at highway speeds; Transmission does not downshift when needed for passing
Repairs/costs cited: 3+ dealer service visits with no resolution after 3 months; TSB triggered but not resolved. Kia states no known fix available.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB triggered but issue remains unresolved; Kia has advised no fix is known.
Engine Coolant System Failure After Warranty Replacement
Immediately after warranty engine replacement (within 2 days), engine overheated while driving with child. Transfer of new engine left coolant system empty or severely low, creating immediate fire/safety hazard.
When: 2 days after warranty engine replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Temperature warning light illumination; Engine overheating while driving; No coolant in system; Stranded near daycare; unsafe situation with child
Repairs/costs cited: Service manager initially stated coolant top-off was not required; later reluctantly added coolant. Dealership invoiced owner $1,833.77 for damage despite their negligent installation. Owner had to arrange private towing due to long Kia roadside assistance wait (90–120 min).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Kia America initially denied warranty coverage for replacement; later claimed engine was not replaced under warranty (contradicting dealer's earlier confirmation). Case closed by Kia America without owner notification or response opportunity.
Electronic / Electrical Intermittent Faults – Condensation-Related
Vehicle exhibits intermittent electrical failures in cool, moist morning conditions: door locks fail, shift mechanism locks, check engine and rear collision warning lights illuminate. Symptoms correlate with heavy windshield condensation from temperature swings. Error codes disappear intermittently, making diagnosis difficult.
When: Early morning hours in cool/humid weather (fall/early winter; temperatures ~30°F warming with sun)
Symptoms owners cite: Door locks unresponsive to key fob and door button; Unable to shift from park (requires manual override); Check engine light and rear collision warning illumination; Dashboard lights dim or nearly out; Heavy condensation on interior windshield; Intermittent nature; error codes disappear before diagnostic completion
Repairs/costs cited: Mechanic unable to progress diagnostics due to code disappearance. Disconnecting and reconnecting battery cable temporarily resolves issues.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer unable to replicate in service; requested video documentation. Online forums confirm condensation issue but electronic failures not widely documented.
Unintended Vehicle Rollback – Parking Brake / Transmission Hold Failure
Vehicle rolled backward from driveway while parked and unoccupied or with occupants inside. In one fatal case, vehicle struck pedestrian exiting vehicle. In another, vehicle rolled onto highway when parked at rest, causing multi-vehicle collision. Issue linked to NHTSA Recall Campaign 24V214000 (Powertrain).
When: While parked; mileage ranges from 68,213 to 101,000
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle rolls backward from parked position on driveway; No warning lights illuminated; Grinding noise from gears reported in one case prior to incident
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicles not diagnosed or repaired; recall repair parts not available at time of incidents.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 24V214000 (Powertrain) issued; parts distribution disconnect noted. Recall repair parts unavailable; owners notified of recall but dealership unable to complete repairs.
CV Axle Boot Leaks
Passenger-side CV axle boots leak grease, causing damage and potential drivetrain failure. Issue appears widespread; parts reported on back order.
When: Varies; one case noted in normal driving conditions on Minnesota roads
Symptoms owners cite: Grease leaking from CV axle boots; Vibration (in some cases); Parts on back order
Repairs/costs cited: CV axle boot replacement required; estimated cost $1,000+ in one case. Parts availability severely limited.
Synthesized from 59 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Had powertrain 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 powertrain problem on the 2020 Kia Telluride?
It's a serious issue. 59 complaints have been filed, including 1 reports involving a crash and 1 fatality(ies). We've classified it as critical based on NHTSA's reported outcomes.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 9 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 2,200 and 12,000 miles, with the median around 9,500. A quarter of owners report trouble before 2,200; a quarter make it past 12,000. 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 $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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.