Are engine problems common on the 2020 Kia Telluride?

Yes. Engine complaints account for 160 of 761 total complaints filed for the 2020 model year, or 21% of all complaints, the highest share among the model years shown.

Is there a recall for the 2020 Kia Telluride engine?

NHTSA data provided here lists no related recalls for the engine problem area on the 2020 Telluride.

At what mileage do engine problems typically show up?

The median mileage at failure for engine-related complaints on the 2020 Telluride is 76,500 miles.

Have engine issues caused fires or crashes?

NHTSA data lists 5 fires, 2 crashes, and 1 injury among the 2020 Telluride engine complaints.

How does the 2020 Telluride compare to other model years for engine complaints?

The 2020 model year's 21% share of complaints tied to the engine is higher than 2021 (19%), 2022 (11%), 2023 (17%), and 2024 (16%), but lower than 2025 (42%).

2020 Kia Telluride Engine Problems

Engine complaints make up 160 of 761 total complaints (21%) for the 2020 Kia Telluride, the highest share of any model year in this range. Owners reported fires, stalling, and unintended acceleration, with median mileage at failure of 76,500 miles. No related recall is listed in NHTSA data.

Engine complaints: 160; 21% of 761
Crashes reported: 2
Fires reported: 5
Injuries reported: 1
Median mileage: 76,500 mi
Related recalls: 0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

Owners report sudden unintended acceleration, including while idling with the brake pressed or while using adaptive cruise control, sometimes leading to a crash.
Some owners describe engine fires, including one case where a connecting rod reportedly punctured the engine block and ignited a fire under the vehicle.
Several owners report the engine revving to high RPM (5,000 to 7,000 RPM) with little or no acceleration, describing it as the transmission slipping or disengaging into neutral.
Owners report a high-pitched whistle noise from the engine bay during cold starts in freezing temperatures that dealerships could not diagnose.
One owner reported an overheating warning with the temperature gauge reading hot shortly after purchase.
Some owners describe a check engine light tied to a timing issue that required engine parts replacement and later a new wiring harness.

When 2020 Kia Telluride engine complaints were filed

First complaint Nov 1, 2019, latest Sep 24, 2026.

160 complaints filed with NHTSA from Nov 2019 to Sep 2026; peak Oct 2025 (17).

Engine recalls for the 2020 Kia Telluride

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Telluride model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

2020160 (21%)
202170 (19%)
202237 (11%)
202336 (17%)
202434 (16%)
202547 (42%)

Frequently asked questions

Are engine problems common on the 2020 Kia Telluride?: Yes. Engine complaints account for 160 of 761 total complaints filed for the 2020 model year, or 21% of all complaints, the highest share among the model years shown.
Is there a recall for the 2020 Kia Telluride engine?: NHTSA data provided here lists no related recalls for the engine problem area on the 2020 Telluride.
At what mileage do engine problems typically show up?: The median mileage at failure for engine-related complaints on the 2020 Telluride is 76,500 miles.
Have engine issues caused fires or crashes?: NHTSA data lists 5 fires, 2 crashes, and 1 injury among the 2020 Telluride engine complaints.
How does the 2020 Telluride compare to other model years for engine complaints?: The 2020 model year's 21% share of complaints tied to the engine is higher than 2021 (19%), 2022 (11%), 2023 (17%), and 2024 (16%), but lower than 2025 (42%).