Kia Telluride Complaints

1,204 consumer complaints on file.

#11757571August 17, 2026
ENGINE
I purchased this 2021 Kia Telluride new and have had it routinely serviced and maintained by authorized Kia dealerships. At approximately 60,000–80,000 miles, the engine began consuming excessive oil. I reported the condition to the Kia dealer at approximately 80,000 miles, while the vehicle was still within Kia's 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. The dealer initially recommended a tune-up, but the oil consumption continued. During a later visit, the dealer identified an issue involving the OEM oil-filter housing and replaced the affected component. Despite this repair and continued maintenance, oil consumption progressively worsened. The vehicle now has approximately 160,000 miles and requires approximately one pint of oil every 2–3 weeks. The current diagnosis indicates potential internal engine damage, including cylinder-wall scoring that may allow oil to bypass the piston rings and burn in the combustion chambers. I have been advised the engine may require replacement at an estimated cost of approximately $13,000. My primary concern is that this condition began and was reported to Kia while the vehicle was still under the powertrain warranty, but the repairs did not correct it. Continued excessive oil consumption and internal engine damage create a safety concern because they could result in low oil pressure, engine seizure, stalling, or sudden loss of propulsion while driving. The vehicle is available for inspection, and its maintenance history, prior complaints, dealer repairs, and current condition are documented through Kia dealership service records.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11757468August 17, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The cluster screen on my 2024 Telluride is BLACK when I turned it on today. No issues prior and turning the car off and on does not help. I cannot see my fuel gauge, speed, winshield wiper speed, tire air levels, what gear I am in nothing. I contacted dealer and they have heard of no issues and cannot get me in for repairs until at least two weeks. I feel this is very unsafe since I am not sure of my speed or my fuel level! There was no warning whatsoever, just a black screen.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11757006August 14, 2026
SUSPENSION
My 2021 Kia Telluride has suffered two consecutive component failures of the rear suspension's self-leveling shock absorbers. This component is the exact subject of Kia's August 15, 2024 Extended Warranty Program (WTY040), which acknowledges a widespread engineering defect causing premature rear shock failures. The factory-installed original shock failed previously. The official Kia genuine replacement part (redesigned by Kia to permanently address the original defect) has now failed prematurely under the exact same mechanical conditions. The failed replacement component bears a manufacturing date stamp of 11/2023. Kia America Corporate is utilizing an administrative loophole regarding the component's manufacturing date code to deny safety coverage, actively refusing to honor or remedy the failure of their own redesigned replacement part. The local Kia dealership service manager inspected the vehicle and formally endorsed 100% replacement coverage due to this premature safety failure, but Kia Corporate has completely stalled the repair (I have had a formal 100% goodwill coverage request submitted since 7/21/26 without resolution), leaving a known vehicle stability defect unaddressed on a public roadway.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11756864August 13, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Sunroof broke when trying to open it. Now it’s in the open, venting, position unable to close. Dealership can’t look at it for a week so I’m risking water damage. Vehicle only has 31,000 miles on it and is just past the 5 yr warranty of course
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11756567August 12, 2026
SEATS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2024 Kia Telluride. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V430000 (Seats); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle experienced a failure to start. The contact charged the remote battery pack, and a technician jump-started the vehicle at the residence. While attempting to schedule an appointment with the dealer, the contact was informed that the recall repair could not be completed. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that parts were anticipated to be available by the end of August 2026. The failure mileage was approximately 34,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11756506August 12, 2026
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
Was low on oil and check oil light don't go on have to put oil very 2 week because it get low and I don't have no oil leak at all I found out because the motor start shaking and making noise tow it home and mechanical came to check it out and didn't have oil he say I was lurking I was not in the highway because it could lock the mortar and cause a accident
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11756277August 11, 2026
SEATS
I am submitting this complaint regarding a serious safety concern involving my Kia Telluride and the recalled front power seat motor/fire hazard. We are parents of three children, and this vehicle is used to transport our family. We are extremely concerned about the potential for a vehicle fire caused by the defective seat motor and the fact that the issue has not been adequately remedied. Kia has previously issued a recall addressing the potential for the front power seat motor to overheat, melt, and potentially cause a fire. Despite the previous recall and attempted remedy, Kia has now issued another recall concerning the same or substantially similar safety issue. This raises serious concerns regarding the effectiveness of the original remedy and whether affected vehicles were actually made safe after the initial recall repair. According to information from NHTSA, vehicles affected by this issue have experienced incidents involving melted seat motors and seat fires. NHTSA has also advised owners of affected vehicles to park outside and away from structures because of the potential fire risk. As parents of three children, we find this particularly alarming. A vehicle fire is an extremely serious safety hazard, and the possibility of a fire developing in or around the seating area presents an unacceptable risk to our family. If a fire were to occur while our children were passengers, evacuating three children from the vehicle could be extremely difficult and dangerous. Our concern is not simply that the vehicle requires a repair. Our concern is that a known safety defect has already been subject to a recall and remedy, yet the safety issue has apparently continued or required another recall. Consumers who complied with the original recall should be able to reasonably rely on the manufacturer and its authorized repair facilities to have corrected the safety defect. 2024 Telluride 5XYP3DGC6RG524189
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11755922August 10, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
This is an update to my original NHTSA complaint (ID 11755209) regarding an intermittent no-start/no-crank defect on my 2023 Kia Telluride (VIN [XXX]). Since my original filing, the identical defect has recurred twice more, on XXX — once at approximately 1:01–1:30 PM EST and again at approximately 5:03–5:17 PM EST, the same day. In both incidents, the dashboard and infotainment system powered up normally, but the vehicle would not crank, consistent with all prior occurrences dating back to XXX. This brings the total documented occurrences to six between XXX and August 8, 2026, including two in a single day. In both August 8 incidents, my wife was stranded and had to be picked up because the vehicle would not start. This follows a dealer-confirmed and dealer-executed starter replacement (Kia of Cleveland, RO dated XXX, part #36100-3L160) that was performed after the dealer duplicated the fault on the vehicle and on a bench test — and a 4th recurrence on XXX, just 10 days after that repair. I have video evidence of all four August incidents (XXX, and the two on XXX showing the instrument cluster and infotainment fully powered with a no-crank condition. I am providing this update because the frequency of occurrences is escalating — two failures in a single day — despite a repair that was physically confirmed by the dealer's own testing. This strongly suggests the actual root cause (potentially an immobilizer/smart-key system fault, IBU communication failure, or intermittent wiring/ground fault) has not been correctly identified, and the defect continues to pose an unreasonable stranding risk to occupants. I am concurrently pursuing a vehicle replacement request with Kia America under Customer Care Case #26211382. 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
#11755912August 10, 2026
POWER TRAIN
our transmission not shifting to next gear on highway acceleration— RPM"s climbs but speed doesn't match—is a serious drivability and safety issue. My car was in the dealership for this problem and it has returned. my wife was entering a highway and RPM's increased and t .transmission wouldn't shit to the next gear.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11755774August 9, 2026
SEATS, SEAT BELTS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The vehicle randomly has seatbelt alerts for seats that are unoccupied and does not have anything on the seat.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11755769August 9, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
During less than 25 mph vehicle Emergency Alarm stating "Engine Off Shift to P or N Then Start Engine". This causes loss of acceleration capabilities in active traffic and forces the car to stop to clear alarm in active traffic. At no time is the engine off during the alarm and I believe this is a false alarm caused by electronics. Video of alarm in real time available upon request.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11755746August 9, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Just started the car and the whole dashboard went blank, no speedometer, gas tank, nothing is showing like the whole dashboard died on us while driving
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11755708August 9, 2026
ENGINE
While driving, car alerted “Engine Off! Shift to P or N, then start engine”. I had to immediately pull to the side of the road and follow instructions. Due to previous unresolved issues car has had I recorded the message car was giving.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11755668August 8, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The sunroof is stuck open and is loose on the tracks, if even on the tracks at all. Very dangerous, as it could fly off while I am driving. This is a common problem with the Telluride, and I believe it should be recalled.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11755510August 7, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
CLEAR COAT PEELING OFF IN SHEETS ON A 2023 KIA TELLURIDE. IT'S A KNOWN PROBLEM AMOUNG KIA OWNERS HOWEVER KIA IS NOT ACCEPTING RESPONSIBLITY FOR A MANUFACTURER DEFECT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11755247August 6, 2026
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
In August 2025, my Kia dealership serviced my 2021 Kia Telluride and billed me for 7 quarts of oil as part of the repair. Approximately four months later, in December 2025, the vehicle developed severe engine problems and became inoperable. The dealership diagnosed the failure as a collapsed timing tensioner and stated the engine required complete replacement. Kia Techline agreed with that diagnosis and used it as the basis for recommending a new engine. Despite acknowledging that engine replacement was necessary, Kia denied warranty coverage, leaving me responsible for an estimated $11,000 repair. I then obtained a second opinion from an independent, reputable repair facility. After inspecting the vehicle, the shop concluded the engine failure was not caused by a timing system failure. Instead, they found the engine contained only about one quart of oil and determined the damage resulted from oil starvation. They further stated that, in their professional opinion, the dealership had misdiagnosed the vehicle and that the low oil level was consistent with the possibility that the dealership failed to add the oil for which I was charged during the August 2025 service. What is especially concerning is that the dealership never documented or informed me that the engine was critically low on oil. Because the timing components rely on engine oil for lubrication, I believe it would have been impossible to properly inspect and diagnose a timing tensioner failure without recognizing and documenting the severely low oil level. Based on the independent inspection and the dealership's failure to identify or disclose the lack of oil, I believe the dealership either failed to perform the service as billed or failed to correctly diagnose the true cause of the engine failure. I am concerned that this incorrect diagnosis diverted attention from possible negligent workmanship during the prior service and led to an unnecessary recommendation for an $11,000 engine replacement.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11755209August 6, 2026
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My 2023 Kia Telluride (VIN [XXX]) has an intermittent no-start/no-crank defect that has occurred on four separate occasions between [XXX] and [XXX] (mileage range 49,850–51,180). In each occurrence, the dashboard and infotainment system power on normally, but the engine will not crank when the start button is pressed, with both key fobs. The fault clears itself with no consistent trigger, making it undetectable by standard diagnostic scans after the fact. The vehicle was taken to Kia of Cleveland (2492 South Lee Highway, Cleveland, TN 37311) three times. On the first two visits (6/18/26 and 7/1/26) the dealer could not duplicate the fault and returned the vehicle unrepaired. On the third visit (7/17/26–7/27/26), the dealer successfully duplicated the no-start condition both on the vehicle and on a bench test after removing the starter, and replaced the starter under warranty (part #36100-3L160). Despite this confirmed and completed repair, the identical no-start condition recurred on [XXX], only 10 days and approximately 250 miles later. This is a safety issue: on [XXX], my wife was attempting to leave for work with our twin 5-year-old daughters in the vehicle when it failed to start. This is the type of defect that could strand occupants in unsafe locations or conditions (heat, cold, traffic, isolated areas) with no warning and no reliable workaround. I have video evidence of the [XXX] incident showing the vehicle's instrument cluster and infotainment fully powered with a no-crank condition, timestamped and showing the odometer reading. I am filing this complaint because the defect has now defeated a dealer-confirmed and dealer-executed repair, suggesting a root cause (such as an immobilizer/smart-key system fault, IBU communication failure, or intermittent wiring/ground fault) that has not yet been correctly identified. I am concurrently requesting a vehicle replacement from Kia America under Case #[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
#11755180August 6, 2026
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Telluride. The contact stated that while stopped on several occasions, the Auto START/STOP feature was activated, and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was able to restart without any further issues. The vehicle was taken to a dealer on three separate occasions; however, the failure was not duplicated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 12,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11754967August 5, 2026
POWER TRAIN
A P0741 warning light comes on and off leading driver to believe the problem is intermittent when in fact it is a torque converter failed. The intermittent nature of the warning light could lead drivers to believe the problem is not a safety issue, particularly on a SUV with only 105,000 miles. However, when a converter fails it is definitely a safety issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11754735August 4, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Digital instrument cluster disappears upon startup of vehicle. Happened today August 4, 2026. When the digital instrument cluster disappears, the gas cap is also unable to be opened. Getting out of the vehicle and locking the vehicle and then getting back in and restarting the vehicle resets the system. I found this fix after the first time this happened in 2023 by googling and there were so many complaints a forum had been made about it. This is approximately the fifth or sixth time this has happened since purchase of the vehicle in 2022. Previous year 2022 models have a recall for the same problem, my Telluride is not included in that recall as it was built approximately a month after the recall dates. Was able to report the information to my dealer today and have it documented, previous attempt attempts to have them documented at the service department have been denied and was given the reason of “there’s nowhere to put that information if you don’t bring the car in”.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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