What 329 owners told NHTSA about the 2021 Kia Telluride

Code P0087 on a Kia Telluride indicates that the fuel rail pressure is too low. This means the engine is not receiving enough fuel, often resulting in poor acceleration, stalling, rough idle, and decreased power. It is frequently caused by a faulty high-pressure fuel pump... This is the code is threw when it stalled in busy traffic on a hill. The CEL came on at this point. Then continued to stall. Before this incident, it would periodically stall while in park, or rough idle and prolonged startup. However, this was sporadic and couldn't be recreated when taken to a mechanic. We were coming back from vacation with 5 kids in the car ranging from a baby to a 12 year old. It was towed BY Kia to the nearest dealership. They claimed the recalls were addressed and the software updates cleared the codes. I came home tonight and it almost immediately started acting up again. This is a known and recognized issue in certain other vehicles (like the Sedona) and has been given an extended warranty. I'm not sure why this isn't addressed in all their GDI vehicles with these High Pressure Fuel Pumps. I'm afraid of it dying and being stranded in the heat again with young children, as well as being hit when/if it stalls.

NHTSA ODI 11728949

The vehicle decelerated in the highway, from about 70mph to 40mhp with no warning, no check engine light, and no previous symptoms, sounds or other indicators. The vehicle was brought to the dealer who advised the high pressure fuel pump went bad as well as the solenoid and OCV harness, causing oil to be forced through the harness. KIA refused to cover the repairs at 74k miles and it was fixed at the owner expense, even after KIAs long history of failed high pressure fuel pumps in many other models. We were in the fast lane and were almost hit by a semi, who was thankfully able to move over at the last minute, narrowly averting the deaths of both my children, myself, my nephew and brother at aprox 4am.

NHTSA ODI 11709856

On 12/24/25 the vehicle experienced the very same issue, on the highway, with my family in the car, coming from Christmas Eve festivities. The car decelerated and NO cel (check engine light) ever came on. when transporting to dealer, the car began rough idling like it wanted to die, but still no CEL. At this time, I am told there is a need for a new engine but no supporting documents or other diagnostic documentation has been shared with me and KIA at this time is refusing to resolve the issue under the powertrain warranty and the car is still under 80k miles (powertrain is until 100k) Additional Info: on Aug 5, 2025, the vehicle, with no warning lights or CEL present, the vehicle decelerated on the highway, putting me and my family in imminent danger (large truck behind us who narrowly missed hitting us) and after about 10 min the CEL came on. the vehicle would not drive above 45mph. Once the car was stopped, the CEL went off and the vehicle was diagnosed as failed high-pressure fuel pump, OCV harness, and solenoid, along with accompanying lines/gaskets/plugs and seals. After the repairs were done, I reported rattling noise to the dealer within 5 days of picking up the vehicle, when I had to bring it in for an axle joint replacement (aprox 8/12/25).

NHTSA ODI 11709402

Inspected by Kia for 2nd time due to vehicle suddenly shaking, overheating and turning off. First time fluids were low and replaced, kia stated should be fine but then while driving on the highway this past week same dangerous problem happened again suddenly where my vehicle started abruptly shaking making it hard to control, alerted overheating and immediately shut off. This time Kia diagnosed this issue is being caused by multiple hoses and seals failing due to degradation and leaking in multiple locations. Kia’s diagnostic repair inspection states heater core hoses(all), valve cover gaskets,Radiator Hoses upper & Lower, and other seals or connecting components are all leaking and need replaced. Have read online and communicated with other owners of the telluride in which many state same complaints of similar or same problem, therefore this seems to be a very common issue, a safety hazard and concern, not to mention a costly repair that seems to be a quality or manufacturing issue that may need to be evaluated further.

NHTSA ODI 11688419

Vehicle (2021 Kia Telluride) at ~94K miles received CEL P000A for (Camshaft Position - Slow Response (Bank 1)). Personally checked the oil before taking the vehicle to the dealership and there was very little oil, below the "L" line. Vehicle is burning oil fast, which more likley than not cause the P000A CEL. Vehicle would go im amd out of not being able to accelerate. Dealership wants me to pay diagnostic fees for them doing absolutely nothing other and resetting the code and conducting an oil change. Vehicle is a CPO which has a 10y / 100k mile warranty which seems like the dealership is trying to prolong until vehicle is out of warranty to diagnose it correctly. Engine is burning oil and needs to be replaced but the dealersbip wants to play games with customers.

NHTSA ODI 11681754

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? While driving the vehicle, it intermittently hesitated during acceleration until there was a very loud popping and banging noise, it was sudden and very loud. We experienced a complete and sudden loss of power. The car then proceeded to send off nearly every alert on the dash, and threw a code which was P061B. The engine blew out, the oil pan was fractured by ejected connecting rod (visible from underside). How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? When the engine blew out in the fast lane, our physical safety was at risk due to the immediate loss of control and power, the inability to merge, and stopping next to the center divider in a high-traffic area. In the car were my wife and 3 kids. Psychologically, the fear and panic of our family being stuck, the stress of making quick decisions, and the vulnerability of being exposed to fast-moving vehicles added significant pressure. In that moment, our family was left utterly helpless, fearing for our lives in the face of an overwhelming, life-threatening crisis. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? The car is currently at a Kia service center in Santa Rosa, Ca. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? UNKNOWN, the vehicle is at the service center in Santa Rosa, Ca. The vehicle was also inspected by a local mobile mechanic. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? There were no alerts, warning lamps, or messages, the car did experience some hesitation during acceleration but it was intermittent.

NHTSA ODI 11652496

I'M REPORTING A FUEL TANK FAILURE WHERE FUEL STARTED LEAKING FROM THE SEAL OF TANK (see photos). MY SAFETY & SAFETY OF MY KIDS WAS PUT AT RISK, AS THIS COULD HAVE LIKELY CAUSED A FIRE.THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER WHO CONFIRMED & STATED THAT THE SIDE OF GAS TANK DEVELOPED A HAIRLINE CRACK ABOUT 1-2 INCHES (see dealer photo) FROM A ROAD HAZARD CAUSING IT TO LEAK A DROP OF FUEL EVERY 10 SECONDS, THIS CREATING A POTENTIAL FIRE/EXPLOSION HAZARD. THOUGH FUEL LEAK PROBLEM IS CONFIRMED BY THE DEALER, THEY ARE TRYING TO PUT BLAME THAT AN OBJECT CAUSED A STRIKE AND CREATED THE CRACK. HOWEVER, FROM THE PHOTOS TAKEN BY ME, CLEARLY SHOWS LEAK COMING FROM THE SEAL WITH NO SURROUNDING SURFACE DAMAGE. I'M UNKNOWN OF TIMING WHEN THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED BUT NOTICED THIS ISSUE INTO 5 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALERSHIP. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW, FIRST OWNER. I BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED DO TO MANUFACTURING DEFECT (POSSIBLE DUE TO EITHER POOR CONSTRUCTION OR PRESSURE OF THE SINGLE ONE BAR HOLDING THE TANK IN PLACE). THE GAS TANK ONLY HAS ONE BAR IN THE MIDDLE HOLDING THE ENTIRE UP THE TANK, THIS COULD HAVE LIKELY CAUSED THE CRACK DUE TO PRESSURE WITH CONSTANT USAGE OF VEHICLE. AS STATED PRIOR, THE VEHICLE PRESENTS WITH NO HIT OR INCIDENT, SO UNLIKELY TO HAVE THIS HAPPENED DUE TO DAMAGE. DEALER DENIES ISSUE COULD HAVE BEEN A DEFECT AND STATES DUE TO A CRACK FROM ROAD HAZARD, AGAIN THERE IS NO IMPACT/HIT MARKS ON THE SURFACE OF TANK OR NEAR CRACK. IN ADDITION, NO WARNING LAMP OR MESSAGE CAME ON TO NOTIFIED ME OF THIS POTENTIAL TREAT. THE DEALER MECHANIC & SUPERVISOR WAS MADE AWARE OF THIS. I AM CONCERN ABOUT THE SAFTEY OF THIS VEHICLE AS IT CAN BE A HAZARD & THE BEGINNING OF SERIES OF COMPLAINTS AGAINST THIS PARTICULAR MODEL OF KIA CAR, AS EVIDENT FROM OTHER KIA MODELS WHERE THE FUEL TANK WAS REPORTED LEAKING AS WELL. PLEASE MAKE AWARENESS TO THIS POTENTIAL PROBLEM FROM THE KIA TELLURIDES , AS THIS IS A NEWLY MANUFACTURED VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI 11425634