Kia Telluride Complaints

2,086 consumer complaints on file.

#11655195April 17, 2025
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, SUSPENSION, POWER TRAIN
Car has been brought to KIA for transmission issues multiple times and the associate tells me to just tighten the gas cap to get the light to go off. The car is not shifting properly and will "jump" or "lunge" forward while driving. I have noticed that the RPM's will jump and bounce around, seemingly down shifting, then shift again, and then down shift again, which causes jerking motion. The reason I initially took the vehicle in was for a "shake" or "wobble" when accelerating up a hill (semi steep incline) or at freeway speeds (55-70MPH). In these instances, the vehicle will have a hard time shifting and temporarily lose momentum causing concerns for me and other drivers on the road. The transmission light will go on and I call KIA to be told to tighten the gas cap. I recently brought it in for the third time and they diagnosed something different. I have mentioned the transmission each time, but they have focused on other items and not the transmission. I have had the shocks replaced, the tires replaced, alignment performed, and the problem still persist. However, the dealership will not look at the transmission and says that it is the other items, but the issue still remains after fixing the other items. The shock failure caused other items to wear out and the dealer should be on the hook for those items. I have brought the vehicle in dating to last year for the transmission issue with no help from the dealership. Please take action so that we don't lose our lives or put others at risk for injury.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11655018April 16, 2025
ENGINE, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS:CANISTER
The contact owns a 2024 Kia Telluride. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer for a routine oil change prior to the failure. The vehicle was taken to another local dealer, Van Nuys Kia (6115 Van Nuys Blvd., Van Nuys, CA 91401); where it was diagnosed that the evaporator cooler and charcoal canister were leaking emissions. There was a small leak in the evaporator system. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that there were no recalls or warranty coverage on the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11654985April 16, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY
The paint on the front of vehicle is peeling on both sides under the hood. The color is Glacial white
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11654849April 15, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Upon attempting to open the sunroof, a loud pop was heard on opening and sliding backward, and it was determined the air deflector arm had broken. The sunroof will not fully close nor fully open now, it is stuck partially open. The dealer confirmed the issue and has to order the part with no idea on ETA to get it. The vehicle inside is exposed to the elements when driving and the rear of the sunroof is elevated which is a risk to objects.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11653944April 10, 2025
VISIBILITY/WIPER
During normal driving conditions, the windshield started cracking halfway up the drivers side horizontally. The crack begins from the edge under the trim and goes almost halfway across. The windshield does not appear to have been damaged in any way and no impacts from rocks. I saw the crack start from the outer edge and travel across the windshield as I was driving. The vehicle is kept in a garage. I contacted the dealer and they told me to contact Kia Customer Service which I am doing later today. This certainly appears to be a defect and is a safety hazard as the glass cracked without any direct cause. The vehicle is available for inspection.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11653572April 9, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The front passenger seat of my 2024 Kia Telluride began emitting smoke while I was driving it. It quickly incapsulated the entire interior of my vehicle in thick smoke. The fire department had to be called to extinguish the fire. Prior to a fire starting while I was driving my vehicle, my vehicle had been in for a recall where they allegedly fixed the problem. The Kia telluride is not safe for anyone to drive when the product they’re producing starts a fire while it’s being driven.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11653490April 8, 2025
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Windshield made a popping noise while stopped at a signal light and a crack began to spread from the bottom left side of the drivers side, up the middle of the glass towards the passenger side. There are two cracks forming,
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11653157April 7, 2025
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Telluride. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, other drivers were flashing their headlights, attempting to notify the contact that the front headlights were not functioning as intended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the high beam headlights were replaced. The contact stated that on another occasion, while driving at various speeds, the driver’s side front high beam headlight failed to illuminate as intended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, no cause for the failure was found. The high beam headlights were replaced. The contact tested the lights, and the front driver’s side high beam headlight failed to operate. Upon further inspection, the dealer stated that there was a burning odor coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the headlight assembly kit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V148000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 67,688.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11653012April 6, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY
I have the white pearl paint on my 2020 Telluride. It’s chipping in chunks on the roof and in smaller batches across the body. I paid extra for this paint and from recent research, I’m reading this is a common issue. I’d like this to be repaired. I only have 37,000 miles on the vehicle. I first noticed it as small chips and now it’s present in more locations and expanding in width and length.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11653028April 6, 2025
ENGINE, SUSPENSION
—-Engine problem, I was driving then dash board screen show up the red light of overheat suddenly, I pullover my car to see what’s going on, I don’t see no smoke no fire or leak. Very strange issue. I keep driving the car and everything is fine for the moment. This happens in the other Kia telluride that I had, that’s why I change it for this one 2022. And did the same thing of over heating. I took the car to the dealer but they prefer to sell me this 2022 Kia telluride like I said it did have the same problem. No solution. —-Suspension, the car bounce too much and it hit the floor hard, The car feels like don’t have suspension, I have to change the road system to get comfortable way and dont feel that situation, when I park the car move side to side that happen when a another car pass in certain speed, very uncomfortable situation.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11652768April 4, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY
The roof paint is delaminating . The problem has only gotten worst. The color is pearl white. Multiple calls to Kia consumer service and dealer- No action and response.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11652496April 3, 2025
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? While driving the vehicle, it intermittently hesitated during acceleration until there was a very loud popping and banging noise, it was sudden and very loud. We experienced a complete and sudden loss of power. The car then proceeded to send off nearly every alert on the dash, and threw a code which was P061B. The engine blew out, the oil pan was fractured by ejected connecting rod (visible from underside). How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? When the engine blew out in the fast lane, our physical safety was at risk due to the immediate loss of control and power, the inability to merge, and stopping next to the center divider in a high-traffic area. In the car were my wife and 3 kids. Psychologically, the fear and panic of our family being stuck, the stress of making quick decisions, and the vulnerability of being exposed to fast-moving vehicles added significant pressure. In that moment, our family was left utterly helpless, fearing for our lives in the face of an overwhelming, life-threatening crisis. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? The car is currently at a Kia service center in Santa Rosa, Ca. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? UNKNOWN, the vehicle is at the service center in Santa Rosa, Ca. The vehicle was also inspected by a local mobile mechanic. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? There were no alerts, warning lamps, or messages, the car did experience some hesitation during acceleration but it was intermittent.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11652471April 3, 2025
ENGINE
March 7th my engine light came on while pulling out, in reverse, of a parking spot. My engine light also turned off on March 7th later in the day. Between then and now, it came on and went off a few times, but my car seemed fine. On April 1, the light reappeared again while backing out of a parking spot. My car was not working like normal. It was shaking a bit and seemed kinda stuck, but also very slowly moving in reverse. Shaking stoped once I put it in drive but the engine light stayed on. I took it to my mechanic and the code given was “internal engine failure”. He told me should be under warranty, so I called the dealership. Service guy told me no active recalls and also that I was outside of the warranty. I have 118,800 miles. Vehicle is less than 4 years old. I am waiting to hear back from my mechanic as to how much repairs should be. I don’t know if he is thinking I need a whole new engine or just a part.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11652226April 2, 2025
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Telluride. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing excessive oil consumption. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 76,500.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11652053April 1, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES
When I brought my car into the dealership to fix the open recall on the sest heater and get it serviced, the dealership did their multipoint inspection and discovered that with just 37950 miles, the rear brake pads and rotors need replacing. The front pads were at 6mm and the rear pads were at 2mm. They informed me that they recommend replacing the pads at 3 mm - at 2mm it is unsafe to drive. As, it is unusual for rear pads to wear before front pads - we suspect that there may be an issue with the parking brake not fully disengaging.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11651855March 31, 2025
VISIBILITY/WIPER
I just recently bought a 2025 Kia Telluride. Within two weeks the windshield has cracked. It appears to be a chip but it seemed to happen while sitting in the driveway. Kia says it is not covered u see the warranty. With all of the issues I have read about Kia’s windshields cracking, I am afraid they have not fixed the issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11651492March 29, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Instrument cluster above the steering wheel is black and will not work. No way to know speed as well as other important things.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11651175March 27, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Digital display is black on my 2023 Kia Telluride while vehicle is running and being driven. I am unable to see my speed or any other important safety details. This is the first time this has happened and I have not reported it yet to any dealer, independent service center, insurance representative, etc. There were no observable warning lamps messages or symptoms prior to this incident which occurred on 3/27/25 at 1741 hours.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11650833March 26, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY
The Pearl white paint used on Kia and Hyundai models does not adhere to the primer coat underneath causing bubbling and eventual paint peeling issues overtime that is premature in nature. This has been reported in numerous locations across the internet as found by a basic search for the issue. Consumers are left to foot the bill on a improper manufacturing issue that should be taken care of by the manufacturer.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11650372March 25, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY
Car was parked in the driveway when a large piece of the roof paint fell off. The car is the white/pearl color. Color is reportedly known to have defect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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