2020 Kia Telluride · symptom sheet
Engine stalls or loses power while driving
- 57owner reports
- 60,000median miles
- $5,000median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Aug 28, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026
239 of the 749 complaints on this car are about the engine. 57 of those describe stalling.
Tick what matches of 57 reports
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the engine (7 reports), the ignition coil or plugs (4 reports) and the battery (3 reports).
Recalls and investigations
2 recalls on the engine cover the 2020 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Telluride vehicles. The intermediate shaft and right front driveshaft may not be fully engaged, which can result in vehicle roll away while in PARK.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Owners are advised to manually engage the emergency parking brake prior to exiting the vehicle until the recall remedy is performed. Dealers will update the electronic parking brake software and replace any damaged intermediate shafts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 15, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC303.
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
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.
What owners paid
8 of the 57 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $350 to $12,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 3,000 and 85,808 miles, from the 32 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“i was driving home from work my 2020 Telluride shut off at stop light. I was able to turn the car back on and continue my drive after about 30 minutes into my continued drive i started hearing extreme banging noise coming from the front of the car. i then drove to kia dealership where they had inspected and diagnosed as the engine had failed and i would need a whole new engine.”
Filed May 10, 2026
“I was just driving down the block and stop at the stop light when I went to pull off and make a left turn the car completely shut off with no warning or anything. Just stopped completely went off in the middle of the road and all of the dash lights came on. It started right back up thankfully but it stopped and locked up”
Filed May 1, 2026
“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
“Car is burning over 2 quarts of oil every 1000 miles with no leaks, stalls at stop signs and lights. Engine needs to be recalled. No warning lights.”
Filed Feb 17, 2026 · 1,000 miles
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.
Other problems on this car
- Headlights too dim or fail 159 reports
- Windshield cracks or distorts 148 reports
- Burns oil or oil level rises 72 reports
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 54 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 36 reports
- Paint peels or body rusts 31 reports
- Suspension noise, struts or alignment 31 reports