Kia Telluride Complaints

2,086 consumer complaints on file.

#11688777September 21, 2025
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
On several occasions in city traffic the vehicle notified the drive to "check surround area for safety." This warning is normally associated with a potential for impending collision. In at least one case, the vehicle was stationary at stoplight. In one case, the vehicle was moving slowly (< 10 mph) and was either starting or stopping at a stoplight. The vehicle automatically braked with the same warning as above for no apparent danger visible to the driver. Additionally, while driving at highway speed, the vehicle's adaptive cruise control (ACC) was unable to identify that it was approaching vehicle until it was < 2 car lengths from that vehicle. The automated systems had no trouble identifying vehicles in adjacent lanes (as evidenced by the electronic display). The ACC appeared better able to identify cars in front if they changed into the vehicle's lane from an adjacent lane. In other words, the ACC could more easily track an identified vehicle changing lanes into this vehicle's lane from an adjacent lane rather than identifying a vehicle in the same lane that this vehicle was approaching.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11688419September 19, 2025
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11688286September 19, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
On 9/18/2025, I was driving on the highway my son and I and out of nowhere I hear a loud explosion and glass shattering. I was terrified, fearing for my life not knowing or understanding what happened. Trying not to wreck. My sunroof was closed but when I pulled over and looked on top of the truck, my whole sunroof had shattered. I called 911 they came and examined the incident. I was directed to contact KIA asap being that they didn’t see any thing that could’ve caused the impact. I contacted Kia and was told by the service dept that they never heard of that happening.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11688162September 18, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Air conditioner quit working and dealership said a small rock or bug hit the AC condenser and caused the freon to leak out. After researching this seems to be a very common issue with the Kia Tellurides and there should be a recall issued for the design flaw. Vehicle only has 5,200 miles on it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11688054September 18, 2025
SUSPENSION, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The rear frame of my 2021 Kia Telluride has a broken weld. This is a structural failure that compromises the safety and integrity of the vehicle. The Kia dealership mechanic who inspected it confirmed the weld was defective and also stated they have heard other Tellurides with the same issue. A broken frame weld poses a serious risk to vehicle occupants in the event of a crash and may affect handling, towing, and long-term durability. This appears to be a recurring defect and should be investigated as a potential safety hazard. After several trips to the dealership, for the loud metal to metal type bang, they have replaced struts, rear stab links and shock absorbers. On 9/17/2025 the mechanic was given a list of items to inspect and the dealership informed me that one of the items on the list was to check the frame welds. I was informed that they found the broken weld and have forward pictures to KIA engineers. I was informed that the car is safe to drive and they will get back to me within a couple weeks. They offered me a loaner car but it would be a KIA Soul which is too small for my wife that has bad knees to get in and out of. I do not have pictures of the problem and the dealership didn't want to copy me.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11687908September 17, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Transmission blew resulting in not being able to switch gears. Was out of my car for 34 days. Got it inspected multiple times. Finally got a new Transmission but now gears "slip" when changing and seems like it'll break down again. Also, can not use the circulation button as it brings a strong vinegar smell into the car and can no longer use the heating/cooling seats as it does not work.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11687466September 15, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SEAT BELTS
I am writing to bring to your attention several safety issues with my vehicle that have not been addressed despite my previous attempts to have them resolved. The first issue concerns the brake system on my vehicle, specifically the brake failure that I have been experiencing. The brakes on my vehicle are not functioning properly, and as a result, I have had multiple instances of brake failure which have put not only my safety but the safety of others at risk. Despite bringing this issue to the attention of your team, the necessary repairs have not been carried out, and the problem persists. This is extremely concerning as the continued malfunction of the brakes poses a significant threat to the safety of both myself and other road users. I urge you to take immediate action to rectify this issue and ensure that the brakes on my vehicle are functioning correctly. Furthermore, I would also like to highlight another safety issue with the seatbelt system in my vehicle. There have been instances where the seatbelt, the third row seat and passenger seat, fails to latch properly sometimes. I have personally experienced difficulties with the latching mechanism and have had to pay for the third-row seatbelt to be fixed as well. Given the critical role that seatbelts play in ensuring the safety of passengers in a vehicle, it is imperative that this issue is addressed promptly to prevent any potential accidents or injuries. I request that the seatbelt system in my vehicle be thoroughly inspected and repaired to ensure that it is functioning correctly and reliably. I trust that you will take the necessary steps to address these safety concerns promptly and effectively. Failure to do so not only compromises my safety but also places the lives of others at risk. I appreciate your prompt attention to these
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11687452September 15, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I parked my 2023 Kia Telluride vehicle in driveway. Went into house for 15 minutes. When I came back out the front passenger side window had spontaneously cracked. No wind, no people, no shrubs or trees nearby. Window tint on the window is holding it together.Kia dealership refused to file a warrantly claim. Two years previously, I had the same thing happen to my windshield. While parked in my garage, it just spontaneously cracked.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11687196September 14, 2025
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
For the past year to year ½ I have brought my car in for concerns with idle, hesitation when accelerating, stalling out, etc. This has put me in compromised situations when in traffic, at stop lights and when trying to accelerate to get on the highway. I was told it was fine, until it was not. Now my engine needs to be replaced. What I discovered in my car was their worksheet on issues that they never shared with me. Identified issues on this report: Fault Code 6, PO300400 - history, cylinder misfire, PO30500 - history, cylinder misfire PO34100 When going back for a 'simple' 1000 mile oil check, I was told there was not enough oil loss to identify concern. When I checked my own oil after another 1000 miles, KIA then pursued. In researching, there is a history of these engine problems and engines needing to be replaced with KIA. This is unacceptable and has compromised safety and any value I hoped to have with my car.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11687025September 13, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY
While driving on a surface street the sunroof glass shattered all on its own. The glass was in the closed position. No rock or debris was located in the sunshade portion. No one else was around us on the road when it happened. There are numerous complaints about this happening within other forums. The dealer claimed the warranty will not cover broken glass and I was told to file an insurance claim. The estimate to repair the sunroof assembly is $8260.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11686809September 12, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
Every time this issue happens, ALL the safety warnings are going off on my dashboard, telling me to check each safety feature and that it's currently NOT working. 1 - Check AWD/4WD 2 - Check Blind Spot Safety System 3 - Check Tire Pressure Monitoring System 4 - Check Smart Crusie Control System 5 - Check Forward Side Safety System 6 - Check Rear Cross Traffic Safety System 7 - Check Lane Following Assist System 8 - Check Lane Change Assist Function 9 - Check Lane Safety System 10 - Check Speed Limit System 11-Check High Beam Assist System 12 - Check inattentive Driving Warning System 13 - Check Door System 14 - Check Truck Lift gate System - ALL going off while I also LOSE MPH and Turn Signal capability and cameras.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11686641September 11, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
⸻ The issue I’m experiencing is with the power windows. The problem comes and goes—sometimes none of the windows in the car will roll down at all. When this happens, there is nothing I can do to get them to work. Other times, the windows work normally. This is a safety concern because if the windows won’t roll down, we have no emergency exit from the car besides the sunroof. The sunroof has not had any issues. There have been times when only the driver’s side window will work, but none of the other windows will, even though each seat can normally operate its own window without a problem. I have not had the car inspected yet by a dealer or service center. I was first checking to see if there were any recalls or other complaints, and I did notice other people reporting the same issue. No warning lights, messages, or other symptoms appeared before the problem started. It just happens randomly.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11686484September 10, 2025
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Headlights does not display full visibility. It seems as if the headlights are cut off with blind spots. Headlights doesn't have full visibility. Headlight projection is not 100 percent. Dealership technician have said Kia doesn't have a fix for it. When its very dark outside their are blind spots. Vehicle smokes from the exhaust. Upon acceleration it feels rough with trembling effect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11686106September 9, 2025
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
We were departing [XXX]in Barnstable, Mass on [XXX]. As he entered the main road from the parking lot, my husband thought the driver on his left on the main road had a stop sign so he pulled out onto the street. The other driver did not have a stop sign and my husband hit him. We were going under 10mph so the air bags did not deploy. The “forward collision warning” did not activate nor did the “emergency braking system” function yet the plastic front end of our car was totally smashed and the side of the other car had just a large scratch and a flat tire. We had the car shipped back to Denver where we live and Emich Kia declared it a “total” because they said the frame might be bent. I have contacted Kia Corporation and their CEO repeatedly to point out that their car malfunctioned and did not stop when it was supposed to stop. They do not care and did state that the car had only sustained damage to “crushable material”. Since the damage was to crushable material and the air bags did not deploy, it is obvious that it was a slow speed crash and the emergency braking system and the warning system should have functioned. This 2024 Kia was our second 2024. The first new one we purchased stuttered violently and the check engine light illuminated each time we drove down from the Colorado mountains. Once again, Kia took no responsibility for this issue for over a year so our local dealer finally bought back that lemon and sold us the one that malfunctioned in the crash. Two faulty Kia Tellurides in one year points to serious problems with this car and the Kia corporation because they will not acknowledge problems nor attempt to solve them in a timely manner. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11685786September 8, 2025
ENGINE
We own a 2021 Kia Telluride which we bought new, have changed the oil as expected and had the 100,000 mile check completed. It now has about 116,000 miles and has been a great and safe car, until now. On a random trip home, traveling on a busy highway, we had to pull over because we suddenly lost power. Our children were in the car and this was very dangerous on a very busy highway. We had it towed to our local garage and was told it was down 3-4 quarts of oil which wrecked the engine and we would need a new one! There were no warning lights for the engine or the oil at all. We are currently having the engine replaced at our very hefty expense as we have no other choice. I see this is quickly becoming an issue with the 21 Telluride and I hope that Kia will do something about it!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11685708September 8, 2025
STEERING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION
While driving and/or starting the car, the power steering will go out, along with all safety lights/messages on dash, including check power steering, check forward collision sensor, check AWD, check blind spot sensor, check parking sensor, etc. Only sometimes will turning the car on and off reset the sensor. Other times the car will start and all lights will illuminate and the power steering will not work. Happens intermittently, including while driving. Dealer and mfr have been unable to fix the issue due to the randomness. Additionally they have been able to see the lights malfunction, but the first attempt at repair did not address the issue. Car continues to lose power steering intermittently. Car is inoperable without power steering given the weight.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11685585September 7, 2025
POWER TRAIN
My torque converter is failing on my 2020 Kia Telluride. This is a known issue among other owners of this model year, and I believe Kia knows about it and is refusing to acknowledge because of how expensive it is.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11685183September 5, 2025
ENGINE
Engine seized while driving down the road.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11685041September 4, 2025
SUSPENSION
Rear shocks failed prematurely
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11685135September 4, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Paint peeling on the roof of vehicle, 5 years old, known problem to KIA. White Pearl Vehicles, KIA will do nothing to remedy this problem. It has been well known of an issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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