# Kia Telluride check engine light: complaints, recalls and what to do **Verdict:** Drive to a shop this week - **Owner complaints:** 95 - **Most complaints:** 2020 (47) - **Related recalls:** 2 - **Verdict:** This week ## Quick answer NHTSA has 95 owner complaints about the check engine light on the Kia Telluride (2015-2026 models), most for the **2020** model year (47). There are **2 recalls** for related parts; check yours by VIN. Drive to a shop this week: With a steady light and a car that drives normally, yes, it is usually safe to keep driving for a few days while you get the code read. ## Kia Telluride check engine light complaints by model year | Model year | Complaints mentioning the check engine light | All complaints that year | Share | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2020 | 47 | 777 | 6% | | 2021 | 20 | 374 | 5% | | 2022 | 10 | 330 | 3% | | 2023 | 4 | 213 | 2% | | 2024 | 9 | 227 | 4% | | 2025 | 5 | 124 | 4% | Counts are complaints filed with NHTSA whose description mentions this light. They show where owners have had trouble, not a failure rate: popular years collect more complaints simply because more cars are on the road. ## Kia Telluride recalls related to the check engine light **[24V214000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=24V214000)** (2020-2024 models, reported 2024-03-21): A vehicle roll away increases the risk of a crash or injury. **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.... **[24V077000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=24V077000)** (2024 models, reported 2024-02-07): A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash. A hole in the engine block increases the risk of a fire. **Remedy:** Dealers will replace the engine sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 5, 2024. Recall repairs are free at any Kia dealer. Enter your 17-character VIN at [nhtsa.gov/recalls](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see whether yours is still open. ## What Kia Telluride owners report - "The immobilizer, oil, and check engine warning lights illuminated after the failure occurred on each occasion. The vehicle was taken to a dealer; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 14,000." -- owner of a 2025 Kia Telluride, complaint filed 2026 - "Check lane safety system Also, My engine light is on and it's not shifting right and I can't drive it now. There's also a burning rubber smell. The driving speed isn't working correctly and will say I'm going 0mph when I'm going 25. When driving, it sometimes jolts." -- owner of a 2024 Kia Telluride, complaint filed 2024 - "On June 15, 2026, my check engine light came on. On June 17, 2026, I took it to Auto Zone, they checked the code for the check engine light, and it indicated P0016 and P0017-crankshaft issues. On June 19, 2026, while driving down the highway, my vehicle failed to accelerate. I exited the highway, and my vehicle..." -- owner of a 2023 Kia Telluride, complaint filed 2026 Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly cleaned for reading. They are owners' own accounts and have not been verified. ## What the check engine light means The check engine light means the engine computer has stored a diagnostic trouble code for an emissions, engine or transmission fault. Common causes include a loose gas cap, a failing oxygen sensor, a worn catalytic converter, and misfires from plugs or coils. A steady light is usually not an emergency, but a flashing light means a severe misfire and you should reduce speed and get it checked right away. The most common causes, on any make: 1. **Loose gas cap or EVAP system leak** (common) 2. **Failing oxygen sensor** (common) 3. **Catalytic converter efficiency below threshold** (common) 4. **Misfire from worn spark plugs or ignition coils** (common) Full causes, what to do and how to reset it: [Check engine light](/warning-lights/check-engine). ## Frequently asked questions ### Is there a recall for the Kia Telluride check engine light? Yes. NHTSA lists 2 related recalls (24V214000, 24V077000) covering 2020-2024 models. Recall repairs are free; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is open. ### Which Kia Telluride years have the most check engine light complaints? In NHTSA's database the 2020, 2021 and 2022 Telluride model years have the most complaints mentioning the check engine light, with 47 for 2020. Complaint counts reflect how many cars were sold as well as how often problems happen. ### Is it safe to drive a Kia Telluride with the check engine light on? Drive to a shop this week. With a steady light and a car that drives normally, yes, it is usually safe to keep driving for a few days while you get the code read. If the light is flashing, the engine runs very rough, or the temperature or oil light also comes on, stop driving and have it checked. ### How do I check if my Kia Telluride has an open recall? Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask any Kia dealer. Open recalls are fixed free of charge, even if you are not the first owner. ## Sources - [NHTSA: Vehicle safety complaints and recalls (api.nhtsa.gov)](https://www.nhtsa.gov/nhtsa-datasets-and-apis) - [NHTSA: Check for recalls by VIN](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) ## Other Kia Telluride warning lights - [ABS warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/kia-telluride): 10 complaints - [Airbag (SRS) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/kia-telluride): 8 complaints - [Battery (charging system) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/battery/kia-telluride): 12 complaints - [Brake warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/kia-telluride): 25 complaints - [Coolant temperature warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/kia-telluride): 27 complaints - [Oil pressure warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/kia-telluride): 38 complaints - [Power steering warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/kia-telluride): 31 complaints - [Traction control light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/kia-telluride): 16 complaints ## Check engine light on other models - [Ford Escape](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/ford-escape): 2245 complaints - [Ford Edge](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/ford-edge): 1380 complaints - [Chevrolet Silverado](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/chevrolet-silverado): 911 complaints - [Kia Soul](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/kia-soul): 785 complaints - [Hyundai Sonata](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/hyundai-sonata): 731 complaints - [Hyundai Tucson](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/hyundai-tucson): 705 complaints - [Chevrolet Malibu](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/chevrolet-malibu): 666 complaints - [Chrysler Pacifica](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/chrysler-pacifica): 630 complaints - [Hyundai Santa Fe](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/hyundai-santa-fe): 602 complaints - [Jeep Cherokee](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/jeep-cherokee): 587 complaints ## Kia Telluride - [Kia Telluride specs and mpg by year](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/kia-telluride) --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/kia-telluride Updated: 2026-11-04 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.