Kia Telluride Complaints (2027)

45 consumer complaints on file.

#11774139October 28, 2026
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2027 Kia Telluride. The contact stated that while driving approximately 7 MPH from a stop sign another vehicle driving approximately 35 MPH crashed into the passenger’s side of the vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The air bags in the other vehicle deployed as needed. The contact’s wife who was seated on the passenger’s side of the vehicle had a concussion and injuries to the arm and chest. Medical attention was needed. The contact's son who was seated in the rear of the vehicle was emotionally traumatized by the crash. The vehicle was towed to the dealer; however, the dealer was unable to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was then towed to an auto body shop and was being processed to possibly be deemed totaled. A Police report was filed. The manufacturer was informed of the issue, and a claim was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 10,200.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11773076October 22, 2026
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2027 Kia Telluride. The contact stated that upon coming to a stop or while accelerating from a stop, the vehicle shifted into neutral(N) and required to manually shift to drive(D). On another occasion, after entering a parking spot the transmission unintendedly shifted to neutral(N) and needed to be manually shifted into drive(D) to park the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the shift lever had failed and needed to be replaced. The shift lever was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 400.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11772566October 20, 2026
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Some film on the windshield, tried removing it with car soap, degreaser, and even a clay bar, some film is remaining and could be chemical related from factory
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11772263October 19, 2026
SEAT BELTS
The passenger side second row seat belt has been malfunctioning since I purchased the vehicle new. It doesn’t retract properly. I told this to my dealership at my first oil change but they said there was no recall. It had not been much of an issue with the seat only being used by my son who is of small frame and doesn’t need a lot of slack extended. However, a larger adult recently used it and got out of the car at night in the dark. Due to the defect, the seatbelt did not retract and the vehicle door was closed with most of the belt and buckle outside the vehicle. Upon driving, it became lodged in the wheel well resulting in rips in the belt, grinding of the buckle and forcefully extending the entire seatbelt.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11771432October 15, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES, POWER TRAIN, STEERING
I am reporting recurring braking, transmission/powertrain, and steering concerns with a new 2027 Kia Telluride purchased in July 2026. BRAKES: When traveling over bumps, especially at higher speeds, braking intermittently flutters, pulses, or feels as if it skips. Braking also feels inconsistent at low speeds. I am concerned about stopping predictably in an emergency. POWERTRAIN: When slowing, coasting toward a stop, or accelerating again, the vehicle sometimes hesitates before responding, then engages abruptly with a jolt. On an inclined driveway, while transitioning from rolling slightly backward to moving forward, the vehicle jerked violently and nearly struck the garage door. Similar hesitation and jolting have occurred repeatedly. STEERING: When driving over road bumps, I intermittently hear an electrical-type buzzing or vibrating sound near the steering column and feel a jolt or vibration through the steering wheel. These symptoms began within the first few months of ownership during normal driving. On October 11, 2026, at approximately 5,997 miles, the vehicle was towed to an authorized Kia dealership because we did not feel safe driving it. The dealership has documented the concerns. Braking and transmission diagnosis were authorized; the steering concern was reported but diagnosis was deferred. As of this report, no confirmed cause or repair findings have been communicated. Kia America has also been notified. The vehicle remains at the dealership for inspection. I am concerned these conditions may affect braking, vehicle control, and acceleration and increase the risk of a collision.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11771037October 14, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
While driving on the highway with no cars around me my sunroof exploded while closed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11770206October 9, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
While driving to work, stoped at a red light, a loud noise occurred, such a heavy object hitting glass, but sounded like an explosion. The rear glass looked strange. I got out of my vehicle to look and the entire back glass was shattered. There was no object or anything that could have caused it. Upon the non-emergent police officer arriving and examining the vehicle, they stated it appears that the glass “exploded” or shattered from the inside. I have owned the vehicle since the end of May 2026 and it was brand new.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11769524October 7, 2026
VISIBILITY/WIPER
I just returned from a trip and I have 3 window chips from rocks on my windshield. I have been driving for over 40 years and only have had 2 chips on my previous vehicles. I'm concerned that if the factory windshield is not strong enough to withstand a rock (one which sounded like a bug) what happens in an accident? I am getting the windshield replaced with a Kia OEM windshield, so we will see if rocks continue to crack the windshield.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11769245October 6, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SEATS
Power seats malfunction
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11769270October 6, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY
While carrying bikes with a bike rack the factory installed trailer hitch failed while we were driving on the highway. The weight being carried was well under the tang weight rating of the hitch. The construction of the hitch appears substantially inferior to comparable factory hitches. The failure of our hitch presented, and the potential failure of others installed on similar Kia vehicles presents, a substantial safety risk to passengers and surrounding individuals and property. If failure occurs while towing heavier items, such as a boat, it could be catastrophic. A VA state trooper did inspect the hitch and filed an incident report at the time of the accident. The vehicle is scheduled to be inspected by a KIA dealership 10/20/26. I have pictures and vehicle is available for inspection. No warning lamps or messages appeared prior to failure.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11767475September 28, 2026
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
when wear sunglasses during driving. it kept alert me to focus to face forward on road.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11767480September 28, 2026
VISIBILITY/WIPER
This side mirror folding bring to comfort to driver. but after parked vehicle and fold side mirror. after few times with fold and unfold sidemirror. afterthought, mirror keep moved downward. I've been changed sidemirror motor one time already and waiting for 2nd part to arrive at dealership now. this keep happening bring me stressful to few times reset mirror setting.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11767054September 25, 2026
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, POWER TRAIN
On the morning of September 25, 2026, while parking my 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid (approximately 6,000 miles), I lightly pressed the accelerator pedal and the vehicle suddenly surged forward with force that felt disproportionate to my pedal input, striking a wall in front of the vehicle. The front bumper and front fender were damaged; the vehicle is currently being repaired at a body shop under an insurance claim. No injuries occurred. Notably, my dashcam has no recorded footage covering the exact time of the incident. I am concerned this may have been a sudden unintended acceleration event and am reporting it so it can be evaluated for a potential safety defect. Approximately one week before this incident, my vehicle received two dealer software updates: campaign SA652 (ultra-wide band sensor software) and campaign SA658 (SBCM software logic improvement). I am including this timing information in case it is relevant to the evaluation.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11766281September 23, 2026
POWER TRAIN, SERVICE BRAKES
Upon Acceleration there was a screeching noise every time. Yesterday the car would not speed up and Rpms were so high. Engine began over heating and got a message to park car and leave running, car started smoking and almost got hit trying to pull out because the car wouldn't speed up with the pedal to the floor. Also Brakes grind hard stopping and make a cracking noise. Barely could make it to the dealership. They told me there was 27 new kia's in for the same problem yet no one recalled cars or warned people.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11766191September 22, 2026
POWER TRAIN
I noticed while driving my gas model that when I pulled off from a complete stop it takes time to accelerate although the RPMS are raising. It feels like its struggling to accelerate. It is intermittent but its very noticeable. I have to press the gas pedal very slowly for it to eventually pick up. This is a little concerning regarding safety. I really would like the transmission checked as well as any turbocharged/throttle/sensors to ensure no limp mode issues
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11765534September 19, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The radiator of our 2027 Kia Telluride was punctured by some unidentified road debris. The service rep at the Kia dealership where the vehicle was towed noted that this debris barely missed a $3000+ sensor device. While investigating the likelihood of this incident occurring on such a new vehicle, I found that Kia Telluride owners have been reporting similar incidents since at lease 2021. The problem is an extra wide grill that allows for such road debris to readily pass through the grill and strike whatever is behind the grill. There are third party solutions for this problem - installing screens behind the grill. I feel Kia needs to proactively address this problem through a recall, redesigning their grill, and offering to install the third party solution. We were left with a vehicle overheated on the side of an interstate after dark in a part of northern [XXX] where we were unsure of our safety, the reputation of the tow company, the reputation of the Kia dealership to which the vehicle was towed, and timeliness of repairing such an incident. We ended up having to pay insurance deductibles and rental car fees in addition to making a trip back to northern [XXX] to retrieve the repaired vehicle. The negligence on Kia's behalf of this well-known issue can easily result in a disabled vehicle for others, costing the vehicle owner's insurance claims, costly repairs and alternate travel expenses, or personal safety and injury concerns. I had a claim with Kia Customer Service (Case #XXX) but the case was inexplicably closed. I'm sharing the video the repair technician recorded during the analysis phase of our vehicle's repair ([XXX] Kia - [XXX]) - [XXX]. 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
#11764321September 15, 2026
WHEELS
OEM equipment failure / severe safety hazard: I purchased a new 2027 Kia Telluride on March 14, 2026, equipped from the factory with 21-inch alloy wheels and Kumho Majesty X Solus TA92 tires (size 265/45 R21). In exactly 6 months of ownership, 4 tires across 3 different wheel positions have suffered sudden blowouts or structural sidewall failures under ordinary driving conditions. Timeline of Failures: April 11, 2026 (Rear Passenger): Sidewall failure following a low-speed curb bump. Replaced with an identical OEM Kumho tire on April 25 ($521.33). June 1, 2026 (Rear Driver): Sudden, catastrophic blowout while driving routine commute route through town at normal municipal speeds; no severe pothole or road hazard involved. Replaced with an identical OEM Kumho tire on June 4 ($406.43). July 2026 (Rear Driver): The brand-new replacement tire installed in June developed an unrepairable sidewall air leak within 6 weeks of installation. Certified technicians confirmed structural failure of the sidewall cords. September 14, 2026 (Front Passenger): Catastrophic blowout during normal daily city commute. The vehicle is currently disabled on a temporary spare. Pattern & Hazard: This vehicle curb weight exceeds 4,500 lbs, yet Kia fitted it with an ultra-low-profile 45-series tire designed for grand-touring comfort rather than structural impact resistance. Standard pavement seams, highway expansion joints, and ordinary municipal road imperfections repeatedly cause the tire sidewall to bottom out against the 21-inch alloy rim, causing internal ply fractures, sidewall leaks, and instantaneous blowouts. Identical OEM replacements fail within weeks under normal driving. Having 4 tire failures across 3 wheels in 6 months—leaving only 2 intact tires today—demonstrates an inherent design/equipment defect that poses a continuous risk of high-speed highway loss of vehicle control. Kia must address the suitability of this 21-inch wheel/tire configuration.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11763907September 13, 2026
SEAT BELTS
When all occupants in the vehicle have their safety belts on the safety belt warning alarm still sounds. I noticed it in August 2026 that it still ring . It had not been reported until today . It happens often.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11761282September 1, 2026
BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING
When backing up the vehicle failed to alert, backed up into another vehicle that was reversing at the same time. Driver on both vehicles failed to see each other and ended up rear ending each other. The system did not function as no alert ever came up on the vehicle. Kia claims to have all the safety features to prevent this and yet it happened while backing out of the house.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11760849August 31, 2026
POWER TRAIN, ENGINE
I went for a test drive of this 2027 Kia Telluride X-line Hybrid at Gateway Kia of Warrington PA ([XXX]). After turning the ignition on and attempting to drive, the car didn't respond. When it did respond, it then drove extremely rough, shuddering hard in and out of gear. It then started to drive normally, only to fail again and not exceed 5 mph. We had to turn the car completely off and then restart it. This fixed the problem temporarily but then the issue would repeat. I floored the pedal repeatedly and the car didn't respond multiple times. This happened at an intersection of a busy road. I was attempting a left turn and the car wouldn't respond, putting myself and others in danger of an accident. I was able to crawl across the dual lane road to a parking lot. Turned car off and restarted it. The issue repeated at another intersection, again not responding, followed by shuddering, and then driving slowly. The check engine light would come on and then go off upon a fresh restart, only to come on again when the power would surge. My research indicated that this is: - Limp Mode Activation: When the car did not accelerate, the car's main computer (ECU) detected a severe glitch. It intentionally cut off power to protect the engine and hybrid battery. - Hybrid Power Transition Glitch: Hybrid vehicles rely on complex software to seamlessly shift between the electric motor and the gasoline engine. If the software or the physical clutch fails to coordinate these two power sources when you demand sudden acceleration, it can cause the vehicle to shake or lag violently. - Transmission "Gear Hunting" or Slipping: The hard shuddering in and out of gear points toward an issue with the transmission's torque converter or dual-clutch transmission engagement system. When it cannot decide which gear to use or slips, it can feel like driving over severe potholes. This issue is increasingly showing up in online forums, so I know I am not alone. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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