Why is my Kia Telluride burning oil between oil changes?

Short answer: Many early Tellurides burn oil with no puddle on the driveway. Document levels, demand a dealer oil-consumption test, and keep every oil-change receipt if you need an engine under warranty.

Symptom: Oil level drops between changes, oil light or low-oil warning, burnt-oil smell, rough idle when oil is low, or a dealer saying you need an engine after a consumption test.

What to check first

1. Pull the dipstick cold and note how low it is.
2. Ask the dealer for a formal oil-consumption test with documented fill and recheck.
3. Gather every oil and filter receipt before you start a warranty fight.
4. Inspect for a cracked oil filter housing drip while you wait.

Likely causes

1. Worn piston rings / oil consumption. Many 2020–2021 Telluride owners report burning oil with no external leak—dipstick low or dry between changes. Kia often runs a measured oil-consumption test.
2. Oil filter housing crack adding to loss. Some owners also find a cracked plastic oil filter housing that drips. Fixing the housing does not stop true burning-oil consumption.
3. Skipped oil-change records blocking warranty. Dealers and Kia corporate often demand full oil and filter receipts before approving an engine. Keep every receipt.

What it usually costs

Oil top-offs are cheap. A full engine replacement under warranty is free if approved; out of warranty it is a major repair. Keep receipts—warranty fights often turn on paperwork.

Is it safe to keep driving?

Do not keep driving with a dry dipstick. Low oil can destroy the engine. Check oil every few hundred miles until the problem is fixed.

DIY or shop?

Checking and adding oil is DIY. The consumption test and engine decision are dealer/shop jobs.

Recalls, bulletins and complaints in plain words

• Related recalls: NHTSA lists these recalls touching this area of the Kia: 24V077000 (2024-2024 model years, engine and engine cooling:engine:hard parts internal/mechanical). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If your car is part of a recall, the dealer fixes it for free.
• Plain words: The complaint count below shows how often owners reported problems that mention these words to NHTSA. A count is not proof of a defect.
• NHTSA complaints: 525 keyword-matched complaints for Kia Telluride 2020–2025 (of 2056 unique complaints queried, NHTSA complaints API by model year, queried 2026-11-06; keywords: oil, consum, burn, quart, engine, low oil). This counts complaints that mention these words. It is not a defect finding.

What owners report

• In Burning oil on Reddit r/KiaTelluride, a 2020 Telluride owner at about 70,000 miles said the SUV had been burning oil for at least 10,000 miles and was shocked Kia treats a quart per 1,000 miles as acceptable.
• In 2021 burning oil issue on Reddit r/KiaTelluride, a 2021 owner with a CPO warranty fought for an engine claim after the dealer pushed paid plugs and a tune-up instead.
• In My journey with excessive oil consumption and motor replacement on Reddit r/KiaTelluride, a 2020 SX burned 1.9 then 2.9 quarts on successive ~1,000-mile tests and eventually got a replacement engine.
• In Oil consumption on Reddit r/KiaTelluride, a 2020 owner's oil light came on with a bone-dry dipstick less than 3,000 miles after an oil change.

Quick tip

If your Telluride is drinking oil, treat it like a warranty case from day one—measure, document, and do not let the dealer talk you out of a consumption test.

Vehicle focus: Kia Telluride roughly 2020-2025, especially early 2020–2021 Lambda V6 trucks with rising oil use.

Safety / mechanic note

Running the engine with almost no oil can seize it without much warning. Verify with a mechanic.