P0363 on 2020-2024 Kia Telluride: Misfire Detected & Fuel Cutoff Causes and Fixes

What's Unique About the 2020-2024 Kia Telluride

The Kia Telluride's Lambda II 3.8L is a Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engine. This design makes it susceptible to carbon buildup on intake valves over time, which can cause misfires. Additionally, Kia has issued a technical service bulletin (TSB) for other models to update the engine computer's logic for detecting misfires, a known precursor to a P0363 code, though TSB ENG228 mentioned in pass 1 could not be verified for the Telluride. While generally reliable, ignition coils are a known failure point leading to this code.

Symptoms You May Notice

• Check Engine Light is on or flashing
• Engine shaking, vibrating, or running very rough
• Sudden and significant loss of engine power
• Poor acceleration or hesitation
• Engine may stall at idle or low speeds
• Abnormal engine noise, which could be a popping sound from the intake or exhaust

Most Likely Causes

1. Faulty Ignition Coil(s) 🔴 High Probability Ignition coils are a common failure item on many modern engines, including the Lambda V6 family, due to constant exposure to high heat and vibration. The rear bank of cylinders (1, 3, 5) is located closer to the firewall, experiencing less airflow and more heat soak, which can lead to a higher failure rate for those coils.
   How to confirm: Use an OBD-II scanner to identify the specific misfiring cylinder (e.g., P0301 for cylinder 1). Swap the ignition coil from the misfiring cylinder with one from a known good cylinder. Clear the codes and run the engine. If the misfire code moves to the new cylinder (e.g., P0302 if swapped with cylinder 2), the coil is bad.
   Typical fix: Replace the faulty ignition coil. It is often recommended to replace all six coils at the same time, especially on higher-mileage vehicles, as others are likely near the end of their service life. Accessing the rear bank requires removal of the upper intake manifold.
   Est. part cost: $50-$110 per coil
2. Worn or Fouled Spark Plugs 🔴 High Probability Spark plugs are a regular maintenance item. If they are past their service interval (Kia specifies replacement at 95,000 miles), the gap can become too wide or electrodes can wear out, causing a weak spark and misfires. A cracked porcelain insulator is also a common failure mode.
   How to confirm: After identifying the misfiring cylinder, remove the spark plug and inspect it. Look for signs of wear, oil fouling, carbon tracking (a black line down the porcelain), or damage to the porcelain insulator. Even if it looks okay, it should be replaced if its age is unknown or past its service life.
   Typical fix: Replace the spark plug in the misfiring cylinder. It is best practice to replace all six spark plugs as a set to ensure consistent performance.
   Est. part cost: $15-$30 per plug
3. Carbon Buildup on Intake Valves 🟡 Medium Probability The Telluride's 3.8L engine uses Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI). Fuel is injected directly into the cylinder, so it never washes over the intake valves. Over time, oil vapor from the PCV system can bake onto the valves, restricting airflow and causing misfires, particularly on vehicles approaching and exceeding 60,000-100,000 miles. This is a well-documented characteristic of GDI engines.
   How to confirm: This is difficult to confirm without disassembly. A visual inspection with a borescope inserted into the intake ports is the most direct method. A compression test may also show lower-than-normal readings in the affected cylinder. Symptoms often include a rough idle that smooths out at higher RPM.
   Typical fix: The intake valves need to be cleaned. This is typically done through walnut blasting, a process where crushed walnut shells are used to safely blast the carbon off the valves without damaging the engine. This is a labor-intensive job.
   Est. part cost: $0 (service cost is labor)
4. Engine Control Module (ECM) Software Update Needed ⚪ Low Probability While a specific TSB for the Telluride (ENG228) was not publicly verifiable, Kia has released TSBs for other models (like ENG208 for the Forte) to improve the ECM's ability to correctly judge misfires. An overly sensitive system could falsely trigger misfire codes, leading to P0363. It's a plausible, though less common, cause.
   How to confirm: A Kia dealership or a qualified shop with access to Kia's diagnostic system (KDS) can check the vehicle's current software (ROM ID) against the latest available version to see if an update is needed.
   Typical fix: The ECM needs to be reprogrammed with the updated software provided by Kia. This is a software flash performed by a dealer or equipped independent shop.
   Est. part cost: $0 (if covered by warranty/campaign)

Rare But Worth Checking

• Broken Engine Valve Spring: This is a known issue for a specific batch of 2024 Tellurides manufactured between October 1, 2023, and December 6, 2023, covered under recall SC296. A broken spring will cause a complete loss of compression and a severe misfire in that cylinder. Symptoms include abnormal engine noise, rough running, and potential for catastrophic engine damage if a valve drops into the cylinder. The fix is a complete engine sub-assembly replacement.
• Clogged or Faulty Fuel Injector: Less common than ignition issues, but a fuel injector that is stuck closed or clogged will prevent fuel from entering the cylinder, causing a misfire. Because this is a GDI engine, injector replacement is more complex and expensive than on a port-injected engine.
• Valve Cover Gasket Leak: If the valve cover gasket fails, oil can leak into the spark plug tubes, saturating and shorting out the ignition coil and spark plug, which leads to a misfire. When inspecting a coil and plug, the presence of liquid oil in the tube is a clear sign of this problem.

Diagnosis Steps

1. Connect an OBD-II scanner and read all stored fault codes. Note any specific cylinder misfire codes (P0301-P0306) as this is your starting point.
2. For 2024 models, check if your VIN is part of recall SC296 (valve springs) via the NHTSA or Kia's owner portal. This recall affects vehicles made between Oct 1, 2023, and Dec 6, 2023.
3. Access the ignition coil and spark plug for the identified misfiring cylinder. (Note: The rear three cylinders, 1-3-5, require removing the upper intake manifold, which is a more involved job).
4. Swap the ignition coil from the misfiring cylinder with a coil from a cylinder that is firing correctly.
5. Clear the codes and start the engine. Let it run until the check engine light returns. Re-scan the codes.
6. If the misfire code has moved to the cylinder where you placed the suspect coil, the ignition coil is faulty and must be replaced.
7. If the misfire code stays on the original cylinder, repeat the swap test with the spark plug. If the code moves, the spark plug is the culprit.
8. If the misfire remains after swapping both the coil and plug, inspect the spark plug tube for oil contamination. If oil is present, the valve cover gasket is leaking and must be replaced.
9. If no oil is present and swaps didn't isolate the issue, the problem is likely a fuel injector, carbon buildup, or a mechanical problem. Listen to the fuel injector with a mechanic's stethoscope; it should make a consistent clicking sound.
10. For higher mileage vehicles (>60,000 miles), consider carbon buildup on the intake valves. A borescope inspection is the definitive diagnostic step.
11. As a final step, perform a compression test on the affected cylinder to rule out internal mechanical issues like a burnt valve or damaged piston rings.

Parts You'll Likely Need

• Ignition Coil (OEM #27310-3L000) — This is the most frequent cause of a severe misfire on the Telluride. When one fails, others may soon follow. Verified to fit 2020-2024 Tellurides.
  Trusted brands: Kia (Genuine OEM), Hyundai (Genuine OEM), NGK, Delphi, Mando
  OEM price range: $70-$110
  Aftermarket price range: $45-$80
• Iridium Spark Plug (OEM #18849-11070) — Spark plugs are a maintenance item and a worn plug is a very common cause of misfires. They should always be replaced as a full set. Verified to fit this engine family.
  Trusted brands: NGK, Denso
  OEM price range: $20-$35
  Aftermarket price range: $15-$25

Related Codes That Often Appear With This One

• P0300 — P0300 indicates a random or multiple cylinder misfire. P0363 is often set as a secondary code when the misfires detected by P0300 become severe and localized to one cylinder, prompting the ECM to cut fuel.
• P0301-P0306 — These codes specify which cylinder is misfiring (e.g., P0301 for Cylinder 1, P0306 for Cylinder 6). This is critical for diagnosis, as it tells you where to start looking for the problem. P0363 will almost always be accompanied by one of these codes.

Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) & Recalls

• ENG228 - 3.8L GDI Misfire DTC Judgment Logic Improvement (January 2021)
• SC296 - Engine Sub-Assembly Replacement (March 2024)

Platform-Specific Known Issues

• TSB ENG228: Some 2020 Telluride models require an ECM software update to correct the misfire detection logic, especially for misfires occurring on a cold start.
• Recall SC296: A limited number of 2024 Tellurides were recalled for defective engine valve springs that could break and cause a severe misfire and potential engine damage.

Mechanic-Grade Diagnostic Values

• Low-Pressure Fuel System — expected: Approx. 495-520 kPa (72-75 PSI) at idle.. Failure: Significantly lower pressure indicates a weak in-tank fuel pump or clogged filter. Pressure should be stable.
• High-Pressure Fuel System (GDI) — expected: Pressure varies widely with engine load, from ~70 bar (1015 PSI) at low load to over 170 bar (2538 PSI) under high load.. Failure: Inability to build pressure, or pressure that doesn't respond to engine RPM/load changes, points to a failing High-Pressure Fuel Pump (HPFP).
• Injector Pulse Width (at hot idle) — expected: Typically 1.5 ms to 2.9 ms.. Failure: A consistently high pulse width (e.g., 2.9 ms to 5.5 ms) at idle for a single cylinder can indicate a clogged injector, forcing the ECM to hold it open longer to compensate. An abnormally short pulse width could indicate a leaking injector.

Scan Tool Commands That Help

• Kia GDS (Global Diagnostic System): Actuation Test (Injector Kill) — After identifying a misfiring cylinder with a P030x code, a technician can use this function to manually disable the fuel injector for that cylinder. If the engine's running condition does not change, it confirms that cylinder was not contributing, pointing towards a fuel, spark, or compression issue in that specific cylinder.
• Kia GDS (Global Diagnostic System): Live Data / Current Data (Misfire Counter) — The GDS can display live misfire counts for each individual cylinder. This is more precise than a standard OBD-II scanner and can help identify intermittent misfires that haven't yet become severe enough to set a hard code.
• Kia GDS (Global Diagnostic System): Resetting Adaptive Values — After replacing a component like a fuel injector or cleaning intake valves, this function should be used to clear the long-term fuel trim and other learned values from the ECM. This forces the computer to relearn fuel delivery strategies with the new/clean components, ensuring a smooth idle and optimal performance.

Wiring & Ground Locations

• Engine Compartment Fuse Box — Located in the engine bay, typically on the driver's side.. Contains main relays and fuses for the ECM, ignition coils (often labeled 'IGN COIL'), and fuel pump. A failure of the ignition coil fuse/relay would cause a no-spark condition on all cylinders, while a fuel pump relay issue would cause a no-start.
• Instrument Panel Fuse Box — Located behind a cover on the driver's side of the dashboard, accessible when the driver's door is open.. Contains fuses for various control modules that communicate with the ECM. While less likely to be a direct cause, a fault here can cause communication errors that may manifest in unexpected ways.
• Main Engine Ground (e.g., G01) — Typically a heavy gauge wire from the engine block to the chassis, often near the left fender in the engine compartment. Specific locations are detailed in the factory Electrical Wiring Diagram.. A loose or corroded main engine ground can cause a weak spark across all cylinders, leading to random misfires (P0300) and potentially P0363. It creates a poor return path for the ignition coils' primary circuit.
• ECM/Ignition Coil Connector Pins — At the ECM and at each individual ignition coil.. A technician would use these pin locations to test for battery voltage, ground, and the trigger signal from the ECM at the coil connector to determine if the coil itself is bad or if it's not receiving the correct signals from the ECM.

OEM Part Supersession History

• 27310-3L000 → 27310-3L030 (Potential) — Unknown. May be a minor revision for manufacturing efficiency, material change, or specific application.
  Heads up: Both part numbers are listed by Kia parts dealers for the Telluride. It is critical to verify the correct part number using the vehicle's VIN before ordering, as there could be subtle differences between banks or production dates.

Model Year Variations Within This Range

• 2020-2024: The core powertrain (Lambda II G6DN 3.8L V6) and associated ignition and fuel systems remained unchanged throughout this period. A cosmetic facelift for the 2023 model year did not alter the engine or its controls. Therefore, the causes and diagnostic procedures for P0363 are consistent across all 2020-2024 Tellurides.

Diagnostic Flowchart

Other Known Issues on This Vehicle

Issues unrelated to this code that are worth knowing about as an owner of this generation:

• Spontaneously Cracking Windshields 🟠 Medium — Widespread complaints across all model years (2020-2024). Many owners report cracks appearing without impact, sometimes multiple times on the same vehicle. (Ref: No official recall, but Kia issued a 'Customer Satisfaction Initiative' for some 2020 models offering replacement.)
• Headlight Condensation/Moisture Intrusion 🟡 Low — Common complaint on 2020+ models, leading to dimming or eventual failure of headlights. A class-action lawsuit has been filed regarding this issue. (Ref: Kia has a general TSB (BOD055) stating some condensation is normal, but a recall for 2020 models addresses a separate high-beam heat damage issue.)
• Tow Hitch Wiring Harness Fire Risk 🔴 High — Affects 2020-2022 models equipped with the factory 4-pin tow hitch harness. Debris and moisture can cause a short circuit, leading to a fire even when the vehicle is parked and off. (Ref: Recall 22V-626 / SC247. Owners were advised to park outside until a fix was available.)
• Driveshaft Disengagement / Rollaway Risk 🔴 High — Affects 2020-2024 models. An improperly seated driveshaft can wear and disengage, causing a loss of power or allowing the vehicle to roll away while in Park. (Ref: Recall SC289 / 24V-155. The fix involves a software update to the electronic parking brake and inspection/replacement of the driveshaft.)
• Excessive Oil Consumption 🟠 Medium — Reported on some vehicles, particularly as they approach higher mileage (60k+ miles). Can be caused by carbon-fouled piston rings. Owners report needing to add oil between changes. (Ref: No specific recall, but dealers may perform an oil consumption test under warranty. This is a known characteristic of some GDI engines.)
• Power Seat Motor Fire Risk 🔴 High — Affects 2020-2024 models. A stuck power seat slide knob can cause the seat motor to overheat, creating a fire risk while parked or driving. (Ref: Recall SC316 / 24V407000. Owners are advised to park outside. The fix involves installing a protective bracket.)

Used vs. New Parts: Buying Guide for This Vehicle

When a used part is the smart pick: A used ignition coil can be a cost-effective choice if sourced from a low-mileage, reputable salvage yard. It is a simple, unprogrammed component that is easy to swap. Given the high failure rate, having a used spare for testing can also be valuable.

Donor-vehicle mileage cap: roughly under 50000 miles for the part to have meaningful remaining life.

What to inspect on the donor part:

• Verify the donor vehicle's mileage; lower is always better.
• Inspect the coil's plastic housing for cracks or signs of extreme heat stress.
• Check the electrical connector for corrosion or damage.
• Ensure the rubber boot that seals against the spark plug is pliable and not torn or brittle.

OEM-only on this vehicle (don't cheap out):

• Engine Control Module (ECM): Aftermarket or used ECMs often have programming and compatibility issues. A new OEM unit is the only reliable fix if the ECM is condemned.
• High-Pressure Fuel Pump (HPFP): This is a precision component critical to the GDI system's operation. Aftermarket versions may not meet the exact pressure and volume specifications, leading to persistent issues.
• Fuel Injectors (GDI): GDI injectors are highly sensitive. While professional cleaning is an option, if replacement is needed, OEM injectors are strongly recommended to ensure correct flow rates and spray patterns.

Aftermarket brands forum-validated for this vehicle:

• Ignition Coils: Mando (often the original OEM supplier), Denso, NGK.
• Spark Plugs: NGK, Denso (these are typically the OEM suppliers).

Brands owners have reported issues with on this vehicle:

• Unbranded, 'white-box' ignition coils and sensors from online marketplaces. While cheap, they have a very high failure rate and can cause diagnostic confusion.

Real Owner Stories

Aggregated from forums and TSBs cited above. Mileages and costs reflect what owners reported in those sources.

Related OBD-II Codes

• P0301 — Specific cylinder 1 misfire code; often the starting point for diagnosing which coil or plug is causing the P0363 condition.
• P0302 — Specific cylinder 2 misfire code; used during the 'swap test' to confirm if a faulty ignition coil is the cause of the misfire.
• P0303 — Specific cylinder 3 misfire code; located on the rear bank which is prone to heat-related coil failure.
• P0304 — Specific cylinder 4 misfire code; used to identify which specific cylinder is contributing to the 'misfire with fuel cutoff' status.
• P0305 — Specific cylinder 5 misfire code; located on the rear bank near the firewall where airflow is restricted.
• P0306 — Specific cylinder 6 misfire code; one of the six possible cylinder-specific codes that typically accompany P0363.

Frequently Asked Questions