Kia Telluride Complaints

2,086 consumer complaints on file.

#11724744March 16, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY
the paint, it is flaking and rusting underneath. yes it is avail for inspection the paint flakes off in sheets while driving down the road it has been seen by the local dealership i first started noticing it when i was washing the vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11724782March 16, 2026
ENGINE
I have been having issues with excessive oil consumption . No warning signs or notifications . Also had an issue with my car stopping in the middle of the road which could have been related to the above problem per my mechanic.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11724778March 16, 2026
STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Telluride. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver's rear door belt molding trim detached. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the parts were on back order. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V494000 (Structure). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11724656March 16, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Drivers cluster screen (which include all gauges, odometer, temp gauge, gas gauge, critical safety features, etc.) has gone completely black with zero visibility to essential functions. Took to dealer. Dealer says screen is covered under warranty but is backordered from Kia. ETA for new screen is late May 2026.This happened on January 15, 2026 with no warning signs. Currently driving vehicle as it is my only means of transportation.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11724630March 16, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, STRUCTURE:BODY
Friday, March 13, 2025, at approximately 11:50 AM PST while driving on Interstate 5 northbound, heard a loud explosion like a gunshot, with no vehicles in close proximity, then hearing the rush of wind, opened the interior sunroof cover, discovered the sunroof glass shattered.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11724471March 15, 2026
VISIBILITY/WIPER
We were driving in the left hand lane on i75 south about 15 miles south of [XXX] and about 10 miles from [XXX] . We were traveling about 75 mph with air conditioning on low. We heard a loud bang and pulled off at exit 328 to investigate. We pulled over at Myers carpet on dug gap road. We looked at the sunroof and it looked like it had exploded upward. 1/3 of the glass was gone and a cone like upward shattering appears in the edges of the blowout area. We had to go to the nearby tractor supply to find duct tape and plastic sheeting to tape over the whole sunroof to drive home to [XXX] . It just happened on 3/15/2026 at approximately 4pm. We have not yet been to a Kia dealer or called consumer affairs at Kia corporate yet. I am filing a ticket with Kia now. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11724335March 14, 2026
SEATS
There is a safety recall on my 2025 Kia Telluride, I went to the dealership about 3 days ago but the fix is not available. Should I just wait, I heard it can cause death during a crash. Me and my wife have only one car. So I have to keep using it until the fix is available? Thanks.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11724007March 13, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY
Peal white paint peeling off in large patches started above the windshield, not the hood.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11724100March 13, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES
Kia had a safety recall which required a software update to address the potential of the car moving/ rolling away while parked. Kia addressed this by updating the software to automatically set the parking brake when the vehicle is turned off. In the northeast/ rust belt states where there is water/ salt and rust, the brake pads rust and freeze to the rotor. The brakes lock up, physically jerk and cause damage to the braking system when driving away. Owner's manuals normally recommend that the parking brake not be set when under these wet and winter conditions. The brake rotors and pads are being prematurely damaged and may result in sudden failure. This "cheap software fix" needs to be changed and the drivetrain parts/ parking pin should be appropriately repaired on all affected vehicles.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11723762March 12, 2026
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
The engine is stalling, knocking and the check engine light will occasionally come on. You can smell carbon monoxide and hot oil. We are having to add a quart of oil weekly.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11723787March 12, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Vehicle began shifting really hard and the rpm meter started going way up and down really fast. The check engine light also came on. It caused difficulties with control of the vehicle. Vehicle was parked and taken to a mechanic so said the issue was the torque converter and that it needs a new transmission.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11723848March 12, 2026
ENGINE
The 3.8L Lambda II GDI V6 engine suffered catastrophic failure at approximately 102,000 miles. The root cause is excessive oil consumption documented by an independent repair shop well before the 100,000-mile powertrain warranty expired. At 81,207 miles, during a routine oil change, the mechanic checked oil level before draining and found nothing on the dipstick. Only about 3 quarts drained from an engine with 6.9-quart capacity, meaning nearly 4 quarts were consumed since the last change. This finding repeated at 88,408 miles, with the shop documenting it was the second time oil was critically low. Both events occurred within the powertrain warranty. Original invoices are available for inspection. At no point during ownership did the vehicle display any warning — no low oil level indicator, no low oil pressure warning, no check engine light — despite oil levels falling dangerously low on multiple documented occasions. The absence of any driver alert while the engine operated with less than half its required oil is a serious safety deficiency. The engine failed on while driving with passengers including three young children, causing complete loss of power and requiring an emergency pullover. Loss of engine power at speed creates serious crash risk. The vehicle was serviced at an authorized Kia dealer at 60,449 miles where a 60K service, multi-point inspection, and recall SC243B were performed. The dealer made no mention of oil consumption, did not reference TSB ENG222 (addressing excessive consumption across multiple Kia engine families), and did not perform an oil consumption test. Kia Consumer Affairs refused to submit a goodwill claim and closed the case, citing incomplete oil change documentation — despite the defect being documented within warranty. Excessive oil consumption in 2020-2021 Tellurides appears systemic based on numerous owner reports describing the identical pattern: extreme consumption, no dashboard warnings, and eventual engine failure.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11723771March 12, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The Kia has an active recall sc347a because the side pieces can fall off. Two of ours already have, one of which flew off of our car and was definitely a hazard when it happened. Kia South Atlanta , 7310 Jonesboro road Morrow Road has repeatedly refused to fix it and have made it clear they have no plans to ever fix it despite the recall.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11723555March 11, 2026
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My 2020 Kia Telluride EX experienced a sudden engine shutoff / loss of motive power while driving in traffic. The vehicle stopped in the roadway, would not immediately restart, and restarted later after sitting. This was not normal stop/start operation, the car shut down. No low-oil warning appeared before the event. I am also aware of multiple similar owner reports online describing high oil consumption, stalling, and lack of warning in 2020 Tellurides, but this complaint is based on my own direct experience and concern. It was scary and life threatening!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11723311March 10, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS
There rear parking sensors have come up with an error message. After I looked into this it looks like a wide spread problem. The Kia Dealership said it was the rear bumper harness was faulty. I am just outside of warranty and Kia is trying to charge $850 for a problem that they are well aware of and are not addressing. They are also claiming that the oil filter housing is damaged and I have only ever gone to a Kia dealership for oil changes. After researching, this also appears to be a widespread issue which they are trying to charge $450 for. These 2 issues are known defects and widely reported and Kia should be fixing these items.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11722876March 9, 2026
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
the car burns through oil at an absurd rate- no warning and then shakes when coming to a stop, then completely stalls and shuts off at stop lights and stop signs. I was stuck in an intersection with my two kids in the car. the car stinks of gasoline and does not seem right. Kia dealership claimed to have fixed the oil issue for over $350 and yet I still have to get frequent oil changes and top offs. NOT safe! I have read countless tings about this happening to Tellurides- especially 2020 and 2021s... my engine is probably ruined and Kia is doing nothing!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11723000March 9, 2026
ENGINE
This car keeps burning excessive oil. I am on my 3rd oil consumption test each time it burns 0.75q in 1000 miles. The dealer states that that is not enough oil. My mile 3000, there is no longer oil on the dip stick, and we start the process all over again. This car has been burning oil that doesn’t even meet a standard oil changer interval since the cars had 70,000 miles on it. It now has 94k. After reading multiple online forums, it seems like anyone who has a 2020-2021 Kia telluride has this problem, and Kia refuses to acknowledge the his problem.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11722820March 8, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Child safety lock is failing. I get a failure message every day and the doors are not being locked. Causing a safety problem for families with children.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11722576March 6, 2026
ENGINE
2021 Kia Telluride experienced sudden engine failure at approximately 120,000 miles. The failure occurred without any prior warning. There were no oil warning lights, dashboard alerts, or other indicators of low oil or engine malfunction before the engine failed. After inspection, the mechanic found no oil on the dipstick and discovered metal flakes in the engine and oil filter, indicating severe internal engine damage. No external oil leaks were identified that would explain the loss of oil. This suggests a potential internal engine defect or abnormal oil consumption without warning to the driver. The vehicle has been regularly serviced and properly maintained according to recommended maintenance schedules. There was no neglect, missed oil changes, or failure to maintain the vehicle. This sudden and unexpected engine failure creates a serious safety concern. A loss of engine power while driving, especially at highway speeds or in traffic, could significantly increase the risk of a crash and place the driver, passengers, and other motorists at risk.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11722360March 5, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I bought my 2024 Kia Telluride new and have been trying to get Kia to update the navigation system maps since I bought it. The maps and driving/turning instructions provided by their navigation systems are currently (and have been) out-of-date causing a significant safety risk for anyone driving Kia vehicles with these an non-updated maps. A prime example which is becoming more and more prevalent is where cities have completed changed major intersections (many adjacent to interstate highways) whereby they reversed the flow of traffic completely opposite of normal traffic flow. Although I have found these changes to be many places along the east coast, 2 local examples for me are the intersections of 1) [XXX] where is crosses [XXX] and 2) [XXX] where it crosses [XXX] Sarasota. Since both of these [XXX] exits in FL now have reversed traffic flows immediately after exiting this major highway (which is counter-intuitive to begin with), Kia's nav system is warning you that you are going in the wrong direction and telling you to turn head-on into oncoming traffic. For 2 years since I've been attempting to get Kia's attention on this matter, their response has consistently been (from their customer service dept, dealer and website which provides the updates) that the updates are currently unavailable and to continue to check back for updates. Please look into this issue and assist in getting Kia to recognize the risk they have created so they can provide a fix for the affected vehicles. Thank You. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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