2020 Kia Telluride: hesitation when accelerating

Filed Sep 11, 2026 · Engine · 109,000 miles · MS

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Telluride. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 MPH, the vehicle hesitated to maintain automotive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was previously repaired at a local dealer for an unknown recall associated with an engine oil leak. The vehicle was towed back to the same local dealer where it was diagnosed and an engine flush was suggested, and the contact was informed that six fuel injectors needed to be replaced as a possible repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The approximate failure mileage was 109,000.

Filed May 22, 2026 · Transmission · NY

I own a 2020 Kia Telluride currently with approximately 91409 miles. The vehicle has a repeatable transmission issue during acceleration, most noticeable around 40 mph when the transmission shifts. The vehicle shudders/hesitates/jerks and does not accelerate smoothly. This creates a safety concern because the hesitation occurs during normal acceleration and could affect merging, passing, or maintaining speed in traffic. I brought the vehicle to Vision Kia of East Rochester, 201 East Linden Ave, East Rochester, NY 14445 on 2/4/26 at approximately 88067 miles. The Kia service manager/technician duplicated the concern during inspection/road test and stated that the issue is related to the torque converter damper clutch. However, I was told the dealer would not repair the vehicle unless a warning light/check-engine light comes on. No warning light is currently illuminated. I am reporting this because the transmission defect has been observed by the dealer while the vehicle is still under warranty, but no repair has been authorized. I am concerned that the condition may worsen and could cause delayed acceleration or unsafe drivability.

Filed May 5, 2026 · Engine · NY

Transmition- I started bringing it into the dealer around 80,000 miles because it was slipping and bucking (gears). Allegedly, they could provide warrenty coverage but could duplicate the problem. It is doing it more frequently and hesitates (drastically) which can cause an accident from behind. Yes, it was reproduced but as I stated, I was told, "They couldn't do 'anything about it'". It has been inspected multiple times at Kia prior to 100K warrenty At one point, my check engine light kept coming on, then it just went off. There seems to be some major faulty component with this make, model and year. I have read many very similiar complaints, online and there seems to be chronilogical issues/problems that arise at certain miles. Everything I have read, it the exact same situation I have been having which is just geting worse by the day. However, I was blatently informed by Kia, "They would not replace the transmition unless it went." I think that is totally ridiculous, you wait until it goes and can cause an accident before you will fix/replace the part. I also read and heard from multiple mechanics that it could be the "failed torque converter" which was never mentioned from the dealer. I have also had issues with the CV axle and oil plastic housing.

Filed Oct 8, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · MD

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. The sealed factory transmission had burn looking transmission fluid and after replacement the light continue to show and now the transmission is slipping and hesitating and we are being told it needs replaced.

Filed Sep 22, 2025 · Acceleration, Transmission · MN

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

Filed Sep 14, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · MN

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. Now my engine needs to be replaced. What I discovered in my car was their worksheet on issues that they never shared with me. Identified issues on this report: Fault Code 6, PO300400 - history, cylinder misfire, PO30500 - history, cylinder misfire PO34100 When going back for a 'simple' 1000 mile oil check, I was told there was not enough oil loss to identify concern. When I checked my own oil after another 1000 miles, KIA then pursued. In researching, there is a history of these engine problems and engines needing to be replaced with KIA. This is unacceptable and has compromised safety and any value I hoped to have with my car.

Filed Aug 27, 2025 · Engine · MN

History of engine randomly lurching/ hesitation when shifting. Have brought car in when it stalled out while driving, or at light. Largest problem now is oil leaking excessively. KIA has not been forthcoming on their history with this issue on 2020 Tellurides. Have been dealing with this the past couple of months and needed to bring it in for 'checks'. Service tech said that ½ Quart of low oil after 1000 miles was not enough for KIA to flag; told me to come in at oil change time. He said I did not need to worry as it was still covered under 100,000 warrantee. After checking it myself after driving another 1000 miles, I found that it was low. I brought this in for immediate concerns. I was told to 'wait' as my Service Tech was not there that day. He called me the next day to tell me I should bring in when I can so they can write up an 'approval ticket' for KIA. I brought in the following week. Again he was off. I spoke with another tech who told me it was low 2 ½ Q of oil - this was a week later. I now have to wait for KIA to 'approve'. I was told this could take a week or longer.. I need my car. I asked for a rental and was told I may have to pay for it. This is frustrating and disturbing. I am told by other tech that I will probably need a new engine and I should not drive my car until it is addressed. This car is 4 ½ years old and has less than 70k miles.

Filed Dec 5, 2024 · Engine · WI

Oil pressure light failed to engage even though engine started to tick.. resuling in Valves not lubricating effectively. It took until next day for Engine to hesitate. When the Auto start feature engaged( the battery light also showed) This left me at the Lights on green, and i had to put vehicle in park to start the vehicle again. The main issue here is that the low oil sensor isnt coming on fast enough for how low the oil is ( 4 quarts low)

Filed Jan 11, 2024 · Electrical · TX

I have a fairly brand new 2020 Kia Telluride with only about 50,000 miles on it and one day out of no where the car won't start and now I'm getting a check ESC message. Since it's fairly new I had it jump started and the car quickly turned on and ran fine for the rest of the day. The following day the car hesitated when turning on but it started. I was driving and when I got to a light and when the light turned green and went to take off the car wouldn't go. It turned off again and would start back up. I went into the KIA forum and noticed that a lot of Kia Telluride owners are experiencing this same issue but all seem to have different resolutions from needing a new battery, or a new starter or that the IBU system is blown. This is very frustrating because I don't necessarily know where I need to begin and I don't want to have waste my money with trying to figure out exactly what is going on with my car.