2021 Kia Telluride · symptom sheet
Engine stalls or loses power while driving
- 28owner reports
- 87,000median miles
- $3,300median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Sep 24, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
118 of the 365 complaints on this car are about the engine. 28 of those describe stalling. Only windshield is reported more often on this car.
Tick what matches of 28 reports
Stalling 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, 2027.
What this problem usually is
Stalling reports are some of the most alarming on the site. The engine quits while the car is moving, sometimes on a highway and sometimes at a stop. Many owners say it restarted right away and the dealer found no stored code, which is part of why these complaints pile up before anything gets fixed.
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.
The intermediate shaft and right front driveshaft may not be fully engaged, which can result in vehicle roll away while in PARK.
All 5 recalls on the 2021 Kia Telluride, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
What owners paid
5 of the 28 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 30,000 and 111,000 miles, from the 12 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 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 Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Windshield cracks or distorts 74 reports
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 28 reports
- Burns oil or oil level rises 28 reports