Kia Telluride Complaints (2023)

211 consumer complaints on file.

#11701066November 23, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY
2023 PEARL WHITE KIA TELLURIDE. WHILE WASHING MY CAR NOTICE CLEAR COAT COMING OFF FRONT OF CAR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11699232November 13, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY
I am writing to file a complaint regarding my 2023 Kia Telluride (VIN: [insert VIN here]) which has two active safety recalls: 1.SC303 / NHTSA 24V214 – Intermediate shaft/driveshaft may not be fully engaged, causing the vehicle to potentially roll away while in Park. The remedy is available but has not yet been scheduled for my vehicle. 2.SC347 / NHTSA 25V494 – Door belt molding trim may delaminate and detach. Remedy parts are not yet available, and there is currently no fix. Due to these recalls: •No dealerships will accept or buy my vehicle for trade-in or resale. •I am unable to sell the car, which has become a severe financial burden. •I am current on my loan but cannot continue payments indefinitely under these circumstances. I have contacted Kia Consumer Affairs (1-800-333-4542) but have not received a satisfactory resolution. I am requesting the Florida Attorney General’s office to intervene or assist in facilitating: •A buyback or payoff assistance from Kia, or •Other appropriate relief due to the vehicle being unsellable because of open safety recalls with no available remedy. I have attached documentation of the recalls and correspondence with Kia for reference. Please let me know if additional information is needed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11697898November 6, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Drivers display panel not working, no vehicle information is available, it's a black screen. This is the 4th incident since new in 2023. Car can't be driven with nothing displayed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11696852October 31, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Fuel gas says empty or low fuel when it’s not. This has happened 5 times in the past 2 years and is occurring more frequently lately. This is a known problem in the Kia forum. Dealer won’t fix without charging diagnostic fee and won’t solve because can’t duplicate the problem.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11696502October 30, 2025
POWER TRAIN
The AWD couplers continue to fail. We are waiting for the dealer to get parts in so they can be replaced again. The tech stated KIA continues to install defective parts.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11694746October 21, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The fuel gauge has erratic readings which frequently displays "low fuel" when in fact the fuel IS NOT LOW. The reverse is also true. The fuel gauge will occasionally indicate fuel is present in the vehicle when in fact THERE IS NONE resulting in running out of gas. This results in a dangerous seinero when driving in congested traffic areas since this can easily produce a traffic hazard and endanger occupants of this vehicle (and others). This is a known problem from multiple Kia Telluride owners.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11691518October 5, 2025
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Auto Dimming function of interior lights and activation of headlights; This occurs very rapidly on/off in seconds, should be in minutes. When on, it completely darkens the center instrument cluster where it becomes unreadable in daylight conditions. This has occurred since the vehicle was new. On 15 October 2024 University Kia in Durham NC looked at the issue when the vehicle was in for recall SC316R. Tech stated window mounted NC Quickpass was causing the issue with obstructing light hitting the dash sensors. I relocated my NC Quickpass and the vehicle has continued to do the same activation to present time. It is so bad that while driving under a shadow of a tree during the day, it will go from Day into Night mode then back again temporarily losing the interior center dashboard if the interior lighting is set to Dim setting.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11691431October 5, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Contact states large metal vehicle door trim came off while driving, unknown if accident was caused or other damage to surrounding vehicles. Further states, noticed when large rubber-like molding under door trim was flapping and thunking against door. Contact says water now intrudes into vehicle cabin and suspects constant water inside door affecting door electrical systems. Dealer notified by contact and no remedy provided for this "known issue". Contact is concerned about other trim pieces coming off and penetrating other vehicles at speed with "sharp and pointed edges", as well as electrical fire from water intrusion corrosion. Contact demands further investigation and action by vehicle safety regulators.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11690607September 30, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
First issue, the entire screen went black while driving. Couldn't see navigation, speed other critical information. Was at the dealership a few weeks got it back and the hazard lights no longer worked but they did before it had gone to the dealership. Screen went out again and took it back. Dealership had it a few weeks fixed hazards and started a ticket with Kia engineering. Screen still goes out randomly. Electrical is messed up and car won't start randomly while screen blinks on and off. Been in the shop multiple times for weeks at a time for this issue and they say there is nothing wrong because they can't duplicate it while they have it. They have had to pick it up from my home because it wouldn't start and still say there is nothing wrong with the vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11690053September 27, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY
The body trim is starting to fall off. I have at least 2 trims that are barely hanging on. this has been a problem on my vehicle since December 2024. A recall was issued August 2025 but no remedy is available and still not available even after letters have been sent out to owners. I am afraid to drive my vehicle and it seems like Kia doesn't care. I don't understand why they can't fix this problem
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11689934September 26, 2025
POWER TRAIN
In July of 2024 (when the vehicle was a year old) our 2023 KIA Telluride was diagnosed with a faulty 4WD Coupler. We were told to go home with it (320 mile round trip) and return to have it repaired in August. We dropped it off on Aug 5th. On Aug 14th we were told that the new coupler was either faulty from the factory or failed immediately on their test drive. Again we were told to go home with the faulty 4WD Coupler and return in September to replace it again. We traveled back to KIA service Sep 10th and had another new coupler installed. The 4WD Coupler failed again in the early Summer of 2025. On July 9th we dropped the vehicle off for repair. On the 24th we traveled back to pick it up after they had installed the fourth 4WD Coupler this vehicle has had. I have negotiated with KIA Customer Care for a couple months now asking for a replacement vehicle since they are unable to find the underlying cause of these drivetrain failures. They have offered me a $2,199.99 compensation check if I would sign an agreement releasing them from any liability concerning this issue, as well as any other issue that might ever arise with this vehicle. I would also be forbidden to publicize this problem or reveal the settlement details. I am disinclined to accept it. The 4WD coupler is an important component in this vehicle's drivetrain. It is important in safe handling and control. KIA service has sent us on the long round trip home and back again knowing we were driving with a faulty drivetrain component. Judging for some online posts, this problem does not appear to be uncommon. It is reasonable to expect this issue to continue. KIA's plan seems to be to just get me past my warranty period (only about 8,000 more miles) and then any repair costs will be mine. The current and future safety issues obviously are of no concern to them. I currently have no good options. I don't like the idea of selling a vehicle with known safety issues. The repair history will show it to be a "Limon"
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
#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
#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
#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
#11683874August 29, 2025
SUSPENSION
I am experiencing rear self leveling shock strut failure (thumping noise) again after having both sides previously replaced under warranty and now the dealership is refusing to replace them again. This has been an ongoing problem and I am in fear of these shocks completely failing and encountering control problems with the vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11681656August 19, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Glass sunroof exploded while driving.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11678435August 5, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Was driving on the freeway, with no cars in front of me when my sunroof exploded outward. There was no debris that hit my car, just a loud explosion. I was driving with my wife, 4 kids and mother, all of whom can attest to the lack of debris coming from the road.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11677953August 2, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY
The trim panel (color black on my vehicle and approximately 4” wide by 18” high) between the driver’s window and the driver side passenger window continues to come loose and almost fly off at highway speeds. The clips are not holding it in properly.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11677952August 2, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I had two small chips in my windshield and was planning on getting them fixed but literallly writhing 3-4 days north turned into huge cracks and now I need a whole new windshield
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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