2020 Kia Telluride · symptom sheet
Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing
- 57owner reports
- 60,000median miles
- $1,900median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Sep 24, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
152 of the 763 complaints on this car are about the engine. 57 of those describe engine failure.
Tick what matches of 57 reports
Engine failure on other Telluride years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2027.
What this problem usually is
These are the reports nobody wants to file. The engine started knocking or ticking, the oil light came on, and then it seized or had to be replaced. Some owners had the replacement covered under warranty or an extension, and plenty were told they'd pay. Several narrower sheets split this group into knocking, seized engines and rod bearing failure.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the engine (55 reports).
Recalls and investigations
No recall on the engine covers the 2020 model year as of Oct 2, 2026.
What owners paid
13 of the 57 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $1,200 to $10,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 3,000 and 91,000 miles, from the 30 reports that gave a mileage.
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 âlowâ mark. I hadnât 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
“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
“Kia replaced oil filter adapter and now it burns through excessive amounts of oil. 3qts over 1000 miles. KIA wanted to do an oil consumption test but by the end it would have been out of warranty. Engine replacement would then not be covered.”
Filed Oct 10, 2025 · 1,000 miles
“Oven taken my car to jiffy line for more than regular oil changes and they always end up kinda jokingly saying man heâs always low on oil. I just blew a rod thru my block due to lack of oil and how fast it was burning. I feel so cheated out of my money. Iâm stuck with a vehicle that I cannot drive and Kia refuses to replace it.”
Filed Oct 2, 2025
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 57 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. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Taking it to a shop? How to describe this problem so it gets found
Other problems on this car
- Headlights too dim or fail 160 reports
- Windshield cracks or distorts 149 reports
- Burns oil or oil level rises 76 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 61 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 37 reports
- Paint peels or body rusts 34 reports
- Suspension noise, struts or alignment 31 reports
- Engine leaks oil 25 reports