Diagsheet

2020 Kia Telluride · symptom sheet

Check engine light or misfire

  • 36owner reports
  • 48,409median miles
  • 0involved a crash

Newest report Sep 6, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

199 of the 749 complaints on this car are about the engine. 36 of those describe misfire.

Tick what matches of 36 reports

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10

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the spark plugs (4 reports).

Recalls and investigations

One recall on the engine covers the 2020 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.

20V-436Jul 28, 2020
Electrical System:Wiring

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2020 Telluride vehicles equipped with Smart Cruise Control (SCC). When a trailer is connected to the vehicle, the trailer brake lights will not illuminate when the SCC applies the brakes. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Risk and remedy
Risk: Inoperative trailer brake lights can fail to warn other drivers that the vehicle is slowing, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional wire harness to the main fuse box to signal the trailer brake lights, free of charge. The recall began September 10, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC194.

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 5,000 and 95,335 miles, from the 24 reports that gave a mileage.

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1826

What owners wrote

“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.”

Filed May 9, 2026 · 1,000 miles

“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.”

Filed Mar 12, 2026

“Engine has a Pcv valve issue that causes oil to leak from seals and burnt through the pistons causing loss of oil, engine damage and possible engine failure while driving. This could cause vehicle to lock up and possible cause an accident especially at freeway speeds. There is no low oil indicator or check engine light that comes on to let driver know that the oil is low”

Filed Mar 3, 2026

“For the past year at least I've had check engine light come on and turn off before being able to get in for a diagnostic. Along with the entire engine shutting down while idling, parking, turning. Whole electrical system failure. Can't move the steering wheel. Have to restart the car and it takes a few tries. Sometimes the car will be off and will not start back up for a while.”

Filed Nov 1, 2024

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 0 of 36 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.

File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.

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