2021 Kia Telluride · symptom sheet
Engine stalls or loses power while driving
- 25owner reports
- 87,000median miles
- $3,300median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Aug 17, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026
113 of the 356 complaints on this car are about the engine. 25 of those describe stalling.
Tick what matches of 25 reports
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the battery (5 reports).
Recalls and investigations
One recall on the engine covers the 2021 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.
What owners paid
5 of the 25 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $350 to $12,700.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 20,000 and 111,000 miles, from the 11 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“Vehicle transmission has been slipping and Sutter since around 30k miles. Dealer has test vehicle and agrees but will not repair due to no codes in PCM or ECM. Vehicle stalled almost causing another vehicle to clip rear of vehicle. Issue is getting worst.”
Filed Aug 1, 2025 · 30,000 miles
“Excessive Oil usage to the point of no oil on dip stick yet engine doesnt alert to low oil or pressure. Engine started sputtering and stalling which is why we even checked. Oil changes are done on normal basis. This seems to be a common complaint on the Internet now that I am looking into this. This car is 4 years old and should not be having engine trouble.”
Filed Apr 18, 2025
“While driving under normal conditions the engine started making a weird sound. Shortly after the power steering wend out and the dash, lights and infotainment system went dark. The engine shut off completely and will not go back on. This is after bringing the car in for continuous issues and always being told they are resolved and the car is fine.”
Filed Feb 28, 2025
“My engine started jerking when stopped. Then the electrical started acting up, like the windows wouldn't roll back up. Then the engine just shut off while I was driving.”
Filed Dec 30, 2024
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 25 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
- Windshield cracks or distorts 73 reports
- Burns oil or oil level rises 26 reports
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 25 reports