2021 Kia Telluride · symptom sheet
Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing
- 28owner reports
- 87,000median miles
- $11,000median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Sep 24, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
66 of the 365 complaints on this car are about the engine. 28 of those describe engine failure.
Tick what matches of 28 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 (28 reports).
Recalls and investigations
No recall on the engine covers the 2021 model year as of Oct 2, 2026.
What owners paid
7 of the 28 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $10,500 to $12,700.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 80,000 and 110,000 miles, from the 17 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“First there are holes in the block from a rod bearing coming off. It was leaking oil and started on fire. There are many recalls and law suits regarding this matter and we shouldnât be on the hook for putting a new engine in.”
Filed Dec 27, 2025
“Car was being driven when it began to slow down. Pulled over and smoke was coming from under the car. Car would not start again. Once at dealership, found there was catastrophic engine failure due to a rod that put 7 holes in the engine. Also, car was low on oil despite an oil change less than 60 days prior to this incident.”
Filed Aug 21, 2024
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 28 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
- Windshield cracks or distorts 74 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 28 reports
- Burns oil or oil level rises 28 reports