# Kia Telluride oil pressure warning light: complaints, recalls and what to do

**Verdict:** Stop driving

- **Owner complaints:** 38
- **Most complaints:** 2020 (23)
- **Related recalls:** 0
- **Verdict:** Stop now

## Quick answer

NHTSA has 38 owner complaints about the oil pressure warning light on the Kia Telluride (2015-2026 models), most for the **2020** model year (23). No recall covers the parts behind this light, so a repair is usually at the owner's cost. Stop driving: No.

## Kia Telluride oil pressure warning light complaints by model year

| Model year | Complaints mentioning the oil pressure light | All complaints that year | Share |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2020 | 23 | 777 | 3% |
| 2021 | 12 | 374 | 3% |
| 2022 | 2 | 330 | 1% |
| 2025 | 1 | 124 | 1% |

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.

## Is there a recall for the Kia Telluride oil pressure warning light?

Not for the parts behind this light, as of 2026-11-04. The Kia Telluride has 17 recalls for other parts in 2015-2026; see the [Kia Telluride page](/vehicles/kia-telluride) or check your VIN at [nhtsa.gov/recalls](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls).

## What Kia Telluride owners report

- "We pressed the gas pedal and the dash turned red, beeping, with the engine light, oil light, and battery light illuminated with a message reading "ENGINE OFF. Shift to P or N then start engine". This happened multiple times after. The dealership had the vehicle for 1 week and couldn't reproduce the issue and the car..." -- owner of a 2025 Kia Telluride, complaint filed 2026
- "Multiple warning lights reportedly illuminated during the event, including the battery light, oil light, and check engine light. The incident created a serious safety concern due to inability to properly control vehicle speed and operation. The vehicle was taken to an authorized Kia dealership for inspection...." -- owner of a 2022 Kia Telluride, complaint filed 2026
- "Again no low oil light? It holds 7qts...9,000$ later out of my pocket after being denied a goodwill engine replacement from kia to put a new motor in. I have found many others on on-line forums who have experienced this. Please help" -- owner of a 2021 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 oil pressure warning light means

The red oil pressure light means oil pressure has dropped too low to protect the engine. The most common cause is a low oil level, but a failing pressure sensor, a worn oil pump, or a clogged pickup can also do it. Pull over and shut the engine off as soon as it is safe; running without oil pressure can destroy the engine in minutes. The most common causes, on any make:

1. **Low oil level** (most common)
2. **Failing oil pressure sensor or switch** (common)
3. **Wrong or very old oil** (less common)
4. **Clogged oil pickup or failing oil pump** (less common)

Full causes, what to do and how to reset it: [Oil pressure warning light](/warning-lights/oil-pressure).

## Frequently asked questions

### Is there a recall for the Kia Telluride oil pressure light?

Not for the parts behind this light, as of 2026-11-04. A repair is usually at the owner's cost unless the car is under warranty. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, since new recalls are added often.

### Which Kia Telluride years have the most oil pressure light complaints?

In NHTSA's database the 2020, 2021 and 2022 Telluride model years have the most complaints mentioning the oil pressure warning light, with 23 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 oil pressure light on?

Stop driving. No. Stop driving as soon as it is safe and shut off the engine. Only drive again if adding oil turns the light off immediately and the engine sounds normal; otherwise have it towed.

### 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
- [Check engine light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/kia-telluride): 95 complaints
- [Coolant temperature warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/kia-telluride): 27 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

## Oil pressure warning light on other models

- [Kia Soul](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/kia-soul): 230 complaints
- [Kia Sorento](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/kia-sorento): 216 complaints
- [Hyundai Tucson](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/hyundai-tucson): 202 complaints
- [Hyundai Santa Fe](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/hyundai-santa-fe): 175 complaints
- [Hyundai Sonata](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/hyundai-sonata): 168 complaints
- [Kia K5](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/kia-k5): 159 complaints
- [Jeep Compass](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/jeep-compass): 100 complaints
- [Kia Sportage](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/kia-sportage): 76 complaints
- [Hyundai Elantra](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/hyundai-elantra): 72 complaints
- [Jeep Cherokee](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/jeep-cherokee): 64 complaints

## Kia Telluride

- [Kia Telluride specs and mpg by year](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/kia-telluride)

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Source page: https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/kia-telluride
Updated: 2026-11-04
General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.
