Seriously Disappointed!!! Oil CONSUMPTION

[C-rad Telly]

Our green 2020 FWD S had 60k miles when my wife told me that it was sounding "junky!" I took the Kia out for a short drive and not only did it sound "junky," it was loosing power and missing. All symptoms were worse on acceleration and making turns.

The first thing I did was check the oil as the "junky" sound was valve chatter. There was no oil at all on the dip stick. I ran over to the parts store and bought 2 quarts of oil, and put them in the engine and rechecked the oil level... Still nothing. I went back and bought 3 more quarts. It took a total of 4.5 quarts to register oil on the dip stick. We called the dealership Rusty Wallace Kia in Louisville, TN. They had us come in and started an oil consumption test. There were no lights or warnings to let you know that the engine oil was critically low

The oil consumption test consist of the service department making sure the engine is full of oil, they put seals on the dip stick and oil fill cap. We drive the car for 1000 miles and they recheck the oil level to see how much oil was consumed. Our Telluride used 0.8 quarts the 1st 1k, 0.9 quarts the 2nd check, and 1.2 quarts on the 3rd check.

On the third check Kia kept our car for a couple weeks, changed the spark plugs and the PCV tube. The service department resealed the engine and after rechecking the oil , they found that it only used 0.7 quarts of oil during this 1000 miles. Kia them said that this is normal and within normal consumption and closed the case.

This engine is not leaking oil. It is consuming the oil, which could also be said that it is burning the oil. All that burnt oil is in the engine as carbon deposits and in the catalytic converters which can cause them to clog, not to mention the damage that was done to the engine when driving it when there was nearly no one l at all in the engine. I now have to purchase and add oil in between oil changes as not to further damage the engine which only adds to the cost of ownership. I called Kia consumer affairs and they said that they can not do anything about our situation either.

What a real disappointment! I will sure let everyone I know and anyone else who is interested in a Kia to run far away. So much for the JD Powers rankings. Not only is the Telluride a poor choice, the customer service is lousy too.
Matthew

 

[Jjohnson415]

We are having the same issues! 2020 Telluride with 58,900 miles! So frustrating.

 

[C-rad Telly]

It is frustrating, to say the least! I am sorry that you are also dealing with this issue. I do not understand how any reputable company could stand to say that they feel it is alright and acceptable to sell and not support faulty equipment?
If I was alright with allowing 20% faulty service, people would die.

 

[Jjohnson415]

It is frustrating, to say the least! I am sorry that you are also dealing with this issue. I do not understand how any reputable company could stand to say that they feel it is alright and acceptable to sell and not support faulty equipment?
If I was alright with allowing 20% faulty service, people would die.

Have they offered anything to remedy the problem? They keep doing oil consumption tests for us, but I don’t know what the end game is. Considering filing a complaint, but not sure how far it will get.

______________________________

 

[C-rad Telly]

They have suggested to continue with the oil consumption testing until it is over the allowance of 1 qt/1k miles. Then I am sure that the tech line will find something else to replace instead of the engine. Meanwhile, the Telly just continues to to be further damaged. I am hoping that maybe they will extend my warranty to cover my catalytic converters and engine in the event that the consumption does not increase enough during the remainder of the factory warranty. I will pose that question on the next check. The car will be in for it's 5th 1k check at that time.

Not only is it time consuming, but also nerve racking. We are always worried that we may go over the 1 k miles. We had to rent a car to go on a family trip last week because we would be traveling much further than 1k miles. I guess that is another added cost that we will not be able to recover?

 

[Maxton]

Have you replaced the PCV valve?
If the valve malfunctions it can start sucking oil into the engine and burning it. Its a cheap item and might be worth a shot.

An oil catch can could be a good idea as well.

 

[AZTellurideBLK]

Have you replaced the PCV valve?
If the valve malfunctions it can start sucking oil into the engine and burning it. Its a cheap item and might be worth a shot.

An oil catch can could be a good idea as well.

OP mentioned in the first post that the dealership replaced the PCV.

 

[Maxton]

OP mentioned in the first post that the dealership replaced the PCV.

OP said they replaced the PCV tube (hose?). I thought it might be worth double checking they did the actual valve.

______________________________

 

[C-rad Telly]

The PCV valve and tubing were both replaced.

 

[Maxton]

I would have them do an oil consumption test for the full 7.5k miles (regular oil change interval that's in the owner's manual).

If you end up with no oil than you have a very strong case for a new engine. I would also speak to a lemon law attorney to make sure you are covered if the engine dies before the test is over.

 

[Senator20]

I would have them do an oil consumption test for the full 7.5k miles (regular oil change interval that's in the owner's manual).

If you end up with no oil than you have a very strong case for a new engine. I would also speak to a lemon law attorney to make sure you are covered if the engine dies before the test is over.

That is for the normal service schedule, many people fall under the severe service schedule and don’t even know it. Which I believe is 3750.

 

[Maxton]

That is for the normal service schedule, many people fall under the severe service schedule and don’t even know it. Which I believe is 3750.

Good point.
OP, do you have any severe driving conditions?

That's another variable to deal with, but if you don't than it might be a straightforward case.

______________________________

 

[Jjohnson415]

In my situation there was no way I was going to get to the next oil change because at 3000 miles I was down 4 quarts. I do want to look into the Lemon Law.

 

[Jjohnson415]

Kia just approved a new engine for my 2020 Telluride!

 

[suspirium_puellarum]

Glad to hear it and that entire story is surprising. I'm far from an expert but running an engine that low on oil pretty much always does irretrievable damage...

 

[Maxton]

Kia just approved a new engine for my 2020 Telluride!

Congrats!

______________________________

 

[G-437474]

We are having the same issues! 2020 Telluride with 58,900 miles! So frustrating.

Same issue 2020 Kia Optima 51,000 miles! Was told if get a new engine it will be refurbished. How do I know how many miles are on that refurbished engine? How do I know I am not inheriting the same headache from another car with same or similar issues. I am so very disappointed and do not understand how more cant be done given the number of complaints!

 

[nate20]

Just started experiencing the same issue on our 2020 Telluride. Took it to my brother who manages a local mechanic shop and it was 4.5 qt low right art 3000 miles. Currently on the 2nd round of oil consumption testing, the first 1k miles it was 2 qt low. Kia better be replacing the engine or we'll be looking at lemon laws in MO.

I have a feeling they've known about this for a while, our dealership told us that ALL Kia models require oil change at 3k. I never even thought to look in the owners manual until recently.

Ready to get rid of this thing and buy a Toyota.

 

[Crabby_Apple]

Just started experiencing the same issue on our 2020 Telluride. Took it to my brother who manages a local mechanic shop and it was 4.5 qt low right art 3000 miles. Currently on the 2nd round of oil consumption testing, the first 1k miles it was 2 qt low. Kia better be replacing the engine or we'll be looking at lemon laws in MO.

I have a feeling they've known about this for a while, our dealership told us that ALL Kia models require oil change at 3k. I never even thought to look in the owners manual until recently.

Ready to get rid of this thing and buy a Toyota.

That’s what we did and haven’t looked back. Peace of mind is worth a few features we lost.

 

[Maxton]

Just started experiencing the same issue on our 2020 Telluride. Took it to my brother who manages a local mechanic shop and it was 4.5 qt low right art 3000 miles. Currently on the 2nd round of oil consumption testing, the first 1k miles it was 2 qt low. Kia better be replacing the engine or we'll be looking at lemon laws in MO.

I have a feeling they've known about this for a while, our dealership told us that ALL Kia models require oil change at 3k. I never even thought to look in the owners manual until recently.

Ready to get rid of this thing and buy a Toyota.

Seems like you have a strong case for a new engine, 2qt at 1k miles is a lot of oil.

The 2023 manual shows 3,750 mile oil changes for "Severe Usage Conditions" some of which don't seem that severe, like:
- Repeatedly driving less than 5 miles in normal temperature
- Driving in heavy traffic
- Frequently driving in stop-and-go conditions

I guess Kia considers freeway driving in California "Severe".