Plastic oil filter housing cracked after oil change around 100k miles.
2022 Kia Telluride engine problems
severe 14 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
14
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
1fire
What stands out
Among the 6 model years of Kia Telluride in our records for engine problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2022 Kia Telluride has multiple serious engine defects: serpentine belts shred as early as 3,600 miles, engines burn oil excessively without warning lights and seize up, and plastic oil filter housings fail and leak. Expect costly repairs and warranty denials even within coverage periods.
Owners describe engine problems starting almost immediately after delivery. The most widespread complaint is abnormal oil consumption: engines burn through a quart or more between the recommended 7,500-mile oil changes, with some losing all oil before 5,000 miles. No low-oil warning lights activate until damage is severe. One owner's transmission failed from low-oil damage; another's engine seized mid-traffic. Dealers have found no external leaks, and a Firestone mechanic confirmed this is a systemic defect specific to the model year.
Serpentine belt failures occur early: one at 3,600 miles, another at unspecified highway speed. Belts shred completely and wrap around pulleys, disabling the alternator and causing engine overheating that forces roadside shutdown. Replacement belts have been on backorder for weeks.
Oil filter housings made of plastic crack and leak, with owners forced to replace them out-of-pocket with aftermarket metal versions. One case shows catastrophic internal failure: a piston blew through the engine block, sending flames from the hood.
Warranty denials are common. Kia has refused coverage citing missing service records or mileage exceeding allowance, despite the Magnuson-Moss Act and despite owners keeping up with oil changes. One dealership blamed an owner for using non-Kia service centers.
Same Kia Telluride engine reports on nearby years: 2020 · 2021 · 2024
Failure modes owners describe
Serpentine Belt Shredding
Belt fails prematurely and shreds, wrapping around pulleys and causing loss of alternator function and engine overheating.
When: 3,600 miles; also reported at unspecified freeway driving
Symptoms owners cite: Engine temperature gauge pegged to maximum; Engine Overtemp warning message; Alternator warning symbol illuminated; Change in cabin humidity noticed before failure; Loss of power steering and A/C
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement belt KIA PN 25212 3LAC0; one owner experienced 34-day backorder delay with vehicle immobilized at dealership
Excessive Oil Consumption and Burning
Engine burns oil at abnormal rates between service intervals, causing low oil conditions and cascading failures. No warning alerts activate until damage is severe.
When: Begins well before 5,000 miles between changes; one owner reported issue starting at 20,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Oil level drops to near-empty or completely empty between 4,000–5,000 mile intervals despite 7,500-mile service recommendation; No low-oil warning light activation; Engine knocking or loud startup noise; Transmission jumping, gear slipping, and shuddering on acceleration; Vehicle stalling and shutting down mid-traffic; Smoke from engine compartment; Catastrophic engine seizure and complete failure requiring replacement
Codes mentioned: Check Engine light (one case)
Repairs/costs cited: One owner required complete engine replacement; another experienced transmission failure from low oil damage; third owner paid out-of-pocket for aftermarket metal oil filter housing to replace failed plastic OEM unit; dealers found no visible external leaks in multiple cases
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Kia denied warranty coverage citing missing service records despite Magnuson-Moss Act protections; one dealer blamed owner for using non-Kia service centers; another refused claim stating mileage exceeded warranty allowance
Oil Filter Housing Cracking (Plastic)
OEM plastic oil filter housing fails and cracks, causing oil leaks. Owners report this as a widespread known defect in the Telluride community.
When: One failure at approximately 100,000 miles; timing varies
Symptoms owners cite: Oil leak from filter housing
Repairs/costs cited: One owner replaced with aftermarket metal housing out-of-pocket to prevent recurrence
Engine Misfire and Internal Failure
Engine develops internal defects resulting in loss of power, violent internal damage (piston blowthrough), and complete engine shutdown.
When: One case with no mileage stated; one catastrophic failure with piston breach
Symptoms owners cite: Check Engine light illumination; Sudden loss of engine power and acceleration; Vehicle unable to restart; Smoke and flames from engine compartment; Audible knocking noise (24,000 miles in one case)
Codes mentioned: Check Engine
Repairs/costs cited: One engine replacement required after failed initial repair attempt; one case involved piston breach through block with fire hazard
Engine Overheating
Engine temperature rises to critical levels without obvious coolant loss or fan failure, causing warning alerts and forced shutdown.
When: Under 5,000 miles on new vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: Engine temperature gauge reading critically high; Engine Overtemp warning and audible beeping; Humidity change in cabin
Repairs/costs cited: Coolant level checked and found adequate; radiator fan verified working; cause undiagnosed
Synthesized from 14 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
This is a very well known issue among all model years of the Kia Telluride. The plastic filter housing is made out of plastic and over time it ends up failing causing an oil leak. I ended up having to pay out of pocket for a aftermarket housing that was metal and not plastic that won’t fail.
Had engine trouble with your 2022 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 2022 Kia Telluride?
It's a meaningful issue. 14 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
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/2022/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.