2020 Kia Telluride Transmission Problems

Your transmission failed at 95,000 miles, causing your car to jerk violently on the highway and forcing you to pull over quickly in heavy traffic. The check engine light didn't come on until the problem became severe, leaving you without warning. This appears to be a known issue affecting 2020 models. Fixing this will likely require transmission repair or replacement by a dealership.

Your 2020 Kia Telluride may experience sudden engine failure due to excessive oil consumption, even without any warning lights appearing on your dashboard. This can cause a loss of engine power and stalling while driving, creating a serious safety risk—especially at highway speeds when you lose power steering and braking assistance. The engine may fail well before its expected lifespan, even if you follow all recommended maintenance. Addressing this issue typically involves engine inspection, oil system diagnostics, and potentially engine replacement or rebuild.

Engine oil is disappearing in my 2020 Kia Telluride. This has been occurring for an extended period of time ( Since 2020) Early on, I was not driving frequently and did not immediately recognize the severity of the issue.

I am the original owner of a 2020 Kia Telluride with 48,409 miles. My wife purchased it new. It has never been sold or transferred.

For the past year to year ½ I have brought my car in for concerns with idle, hesitation when accelerating, stalling out, etc. This has put me in compromised situations when in traffic, at stop lights and when trying to accelerate to get on the highway. I was told it was fine, until it was not.

I have a 2020 Kia Telluride that I bought brand new from Kia. I have performed regular maintenance on the vehicle and performed the repairs required by any recalls. When my vehicle surpassed 75k miles, the vehicle started having issues with excessive oil consumption.

Oil filter, housing leaks where it bolts to the motor this could become a fire hazard but the exhaust close to it

We contacted Kia US after taking the Kia Telluride to a Kia service station for an oil change.The service tech told us that they were not going to do an oil change because,”the Telluride was a ticking time bomb.” This was said in front of the Kia service Mgr.We were very nervous driving the vehicle because no one explained what that meant.Shortly after the service appointment, the Telluride’s engine caught on fire.We call Kia US that same day to open up a case.We explained all the issues we had with the Telluride (windshield issues, headlight issues, main display screen issues, luggage rack issues, sunroof, drive shaft, wiper fluid filter issues), to include the engine.

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Telluride. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V214000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted.

This started in July/August. I went in to get into my car and noticed that although my car was making the sound of unlocking, it wasn’t unlocking. Neither the key fob or pressing the button on the door handle would unlock my car.

While on a 1300 mile trip to branson mo, I was entering an interstate on ramp with my vehicle when the transmission slipped. My rpms revved up and no power on drivetrain. I coasted to should of interstate and put it in park, then shifted back to drive and still no go.

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.

My 2020 Kia Telluride EX experienced a sudden engine shutoff / loss of motive power while driving in traffic. The vehicle stopped in the roadway, would not immediately restart, and restarted later after sitting. This was not normal stop/start operation, the car shut down.

The check engine and oil pressure light will start to flash when starting to brake. While this is happening the car starts to shake, stall, and you struggle to accelerate. This has happened multiple times and the last time was in the middle of an intersection.

On [XXX], my Kia Telluride received a warranty engine replacement at Greenway Kia East in Orlando, FL. Just two days later, on [XXX], the engine overheated while I was driving with my young child. The temperature warning light came on.

The car is a 2020 Kia Telluride. It was purchased in August 2023 at the time it was leaking oil took it back to the dealer and they replaced the housing put in a new filter and said all was good .For a year. it constantly needed oil took it back to the dealer, said that everything was fine.

1st winter of owning vehicle. The engine started to Rev with high rmps about 8000, and no power / speed incrase would happen. This was looked at by dealer within first year.

Believed to be front power transfer unit was looked at by another dealer not kia. Found ptu leaking fluid and howling during testing. Not sure if in future the unit will lock up causing unsafe vehicle condition.

I reported a suspected defect on my vehicle 1/26/22. With 44,000 miles, the car began stalling and having difficulty accelerating from a stop at busy intersections.

The vehical will not accelerate at freeway speeds and the engine RPM increases up to 6000 RPM with no or little acceleration when the gas peddle is depressed.. This also occurs at lower speeds, no or little acceleration while the engine RPM increases to 5000 RPM visible on the tachometer and heard from the engine noise.

My transmission is randomly and frequently slipping into neutral, mostly at lower speeds while shifting after a turn and increasing speed. The result is that I have no power while navigating in traffic and must shut off the vehicle and restart to regain power to the transmission. Almost like a reboot of the system.

Purchased 2020 telluride sx AWD on june 8th in louisville. Upon driving it home to cincinnati, I noticed intense vibrations in the rear area when the speed was between 66mph and 72mph. Try one) took it to service in cincinnati and try one was to balance wheels ' did not help.

The check engine light is on and reading code P07104. The vehicle has been diagnosed and it was found the torque converter is slipping and the technician recommends replacing the transmission. The anti-freeze has been low over the past 30 days and must be leaking internally.

Oil filter housing assembly- Resulted in very low engine oil with no warning lights or engine lights potentially leading to engine damage. Yes the component was inspected and replaced by dealership. This was after getting the oil plan repaired for leaking oil as well

Kia equips their 2020 Tellurides with a plastic oil filter housing unit. Over time, the heat from metal and pressure causes the plastic component to crack, become warped and this leads to oil leaks.

We have had multiple issues with this car. First the pearl white peeling off on hood and above the windshield. Second CV3 axles boots leaking on our vehicle and multiple others at the Kia dealership.

High oil consumption. Oil needs added frequently or it gets low and car doesn’t run correctly. Transmission slips daily at low speed first thing in the morning.

Right at 100k miles both our engine began burning oil at an extremely high rate with no clear resolution for the issue. We are adding 1-2 quarts ever week. Simultaneously, we received transmission solenoid codes from a check engine light.

I had the AWD coupler replaced at 66000 under warranty due to a TSB and hesitation when turning at slow speeds. I'm at 110000 and the AWD coupler is failing again and needs replacement but Kia warranty won't cover it again. Very frustrated

The contact's spouse owns a 2020 Kia Telluride. The contact's spouse stated that while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle inadvertently rolled backwards and struck the contact’s aunt as she was exiting the vehicle. The contact’s aunt was taken to the Emergency Room by ambulance/helicopter, where she later succumbed to the injuries and was pronounced dead.

This is a follow-up to Complaint #11666572 regarding my 2020 Kia Telluride (VIN: [XXX] ), with urgent concerns about ongoing safety violations and abusive conduct by Greenway Kia East and Kia America. On June 26, 2025, Kia America reversed its prior refusal and agreed to reimburse Uber, rental, and towing costs—but only after I filed multiple complaints.

The front axels are leaking and the transmission is lagging/jerking while accelerating.

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Power train, oil consumption, camshaft position , circuit sensors a x 4, headlamps high beams do not function.check engine light fails. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk?

My vehicle has been repaired multiple times for leaking oil in different areas.

CV axel vibration issues. Seems to be a common complaint on 2020 Telluride but no recall. Car is unsafe to drive.

Our vehicle is 4 years old and has been experiencing excessive oil consumption (a quart every ~600 miles) and extreme shaking at speeds between 20-50mph. After months of trying to diagnose the issue we have been quoted a total engine and transmission replacement.

While traveling at highway speeds between 65-75MPH the vehicle with violently shake while shifting and then lunge forward. However, during the shaking the vehicle is hard to control and feels like it is going to just shut off. This scenario primarily happens on flat roads at the above mentioned speed.

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Telluride. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle started jerking. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle displayed a message "Consider Taking a Break".

Passenger front CV axle boot leaking grease causing damage estimated $1000. Seems to be a huge issue for a lot of Kia owners (as parts seem to be on back order now). No rough terrain driving.

Started car in 70 degree weather, heard a ticking noise coming from the hood, put car in reverse then drive, engine light came on (solid, not flashing), took it to get a diagnostic test and results state “Torque converter malfunction”. The car is now shifting hard through gears and shaking while driving.

Vibration/humming noise at highway speeds (most noticeable btwn. 65-75 MPH). Confirmed by 2 different kia dealerships, suspected to be an issue with drive shaft or rear differential.

Vibration being felt in the steering wheel, gas pedal and in seat from the power train from highway speeds raging from 60mph to 80mph with a with a humming noise being heard from the interior at the same speeds. It has been getting progressively worse. We bought the vehicle in june of 2019 and it now has about 13000 miles on.

Since new, the vehicle has exhibited a vibration starting around 65 MPH up to around 75 MPH. It is mild in severity but annoying especially when frequently driving at highway speeds. The dealership noted it but has not been able to find a solution.

PASSENGER SIDE AXLE DEAL LEAKING FROM TRANSFER CASE. LEAKING FROM OUTSIDE SEAL. INNER SEAL SPRING WAS OFF AND NEEDED TO BE REINSTALLED.

Shortly after purchasing this AWD vehicle, there is a distinct vibration at highway speeds. The vibration starts at 67 MPH and is there until speeds exceed 75 MPH, where things start to smooth out once again. There is also an odd noise inside the vehicle while the vehicle is traveling in this speed range.

Experiencing vibration/pulsations while driving. Most noticeable starting around 65 MPH up to 73 MPH but seen to diminish or go away about 75 MPH. Vibration can be felt on the gas pedal, seat and floor board.

Purchased a brand-new 2020 kia telluride lx, all- wheel drive. On the test drive, I could not go above 50mph, due to the traffic in the area. The following day, the had it on an interstate.

P0741 Error Codes - Torque Converter issue around 100k miles. Shuttering at low RPM between 2nd and 3rd gears. This is a known issue for owners of the 2020 model year.

Oil consumption problem and oil filter housing needing replacement.

After 8 months of trips to the shop telling them the engine was bad, and spending thousands to do things it didn’t need trying to get warranty to cover engine, kia finally agreed it had issues. Tore it down and piston rings are bad. There was carbon build up despite regular maintenance and they are telling me warranty won’t replace

The engine is consuming oil

AWD Coupler locking and wobbling jerks vehicle

Windshield cracked from minor item being thrown up by car in front of me. Engine burns out no oil on dipstick with regular maintenance engine tick transmission slips axle boot ripped oil pan cracked due to it being faulty

My torque converter is failing on my 2020 Kia Telluride. This is a known issue among other owners of this model year, and I believe Kia knows about it and is refusing to acknowledge because of how expensive it is.

Car erratically shifts and provides more power to vehicle when it is not necessary. It often shakes in between shifting.