10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
429 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2023 Kia Telluride electrical problems

electrical problem

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2023 Kia Telluride Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #21

Feb 152024

Telluride 6-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Placed the car in park then it started rolling backwards and crashed

- Wilmington, DE, USA

problem #20

Feb 202024

Telluride

  • miles
The car steering wheel locks up while driving. All of the safety lights/warnings pop up on the screen and the car steering wheel locks up and cannot turn while driving. This has happened 3 times while driving and it is very dangerous to not be able to steer. It is putting myself and my children (who are in the car with me) at risk when my car cannot steer. It is going to cause a major accident if this is not fixed. The car is a 2023 (one year old) and has had to be towed to the local dealership and then returned to me saying something was a "loose connection". It is once again back to the dealership now for the same problem.

- Bloomington, IN, USA

problem #19

Feb 162024

Telluride

  • miles
Snow Mode caused the vehicles accelerator and brakes to be unresponsive after stopping to turn. Kia could not duplicate the issue through service inspection and test drive. Since no alerts or sensors were tripped they ignore the safety concern. This major safety issue is is very very common problem among Telluride owners. A simple google search will reveal hundreds of complaints. Note: A child was in the vehicle and this occurrence happened along an interstate with poor visibility and snowy road conditions.

- Newton Falls, OH, USA

problem #18

Feb 032024

Telluride

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving in snow mode the vehicle loses acceleration after coming to a stop and demanding acceleration again. The vehicle will roll using idle power however there is no increase to the RPM's. The vehicle has to be stopped and moved to ECO mode for the vehicle to go back to working. KIA Dealership has been notified however stated if there is no Check Engine Light and no snow on the ground they will not be able to replicate the issue. In addition, they have stated that snow mode is for when the vehicle is stuck in the snow only. This issue will repeat itself almost every time the vehicle is in snow mode and has been for a few miles. It has become a danger as it can happen without notice while making left turns across oncoming traffic.

- Aurora, CO, USA

problem #17

Jan 142024

Telluride

  • miles
Our 2023 Kia Telluride's digital cluster panels (all of the screens displaying speedometer, fuel tank, safety information, and entertainment) have gone black and have remained blank for over 2 weeks. The vehicle has been inspected by the dealership, but they do not have a fix and have just told us we have to wait until Kia issues a new update. This is very dangerous to drive as there is no indication on speed, fuel left, or any other pertinent information.

- St Louis, MO, USA

problem #16

Jan 232024

Telluride

  • miles
The main instrument display is blank as a result the driver cannot see any information such as speed, fuel level, etc. The main display seems to flash blank then dark gray. When the display goes blank the blinkers fail to operate as well despite being turned on. I did contact KIA since this sounds like a similar issue that they have a recall for (SC270) but they informed me that my vehicle was not impacted. My guess is my vehicle is impacted and the recall should cover a larger number of vehicles than previously stated. As additional information my vehicle was among the first to roll of the production line for model year 2023.

- Chesterfield, MO, USA

problem #15

Nov 122023

Telluride

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

There is something wrong with the electrical system that drains the battery. I keep getting. An ESC code, and then the battery goes dead. The car has been at the dealership for the past three days and they are unable to duplicate the problem. I showed them a video I took of the instrument cluster which shows the code and electrical issues. The Kia dealership says they cannot do anything about the code because they are unable to duplicate the air while the vehicle is in their possession. This has happened twice on a new 2023 car. The dealership says they are returning me my vehicle with no resolution. So essentially, I-??m getting a broken car returned to me. When you online search -??ESC-?? Kia there appears to be a lot of complaints about this exact same issue but no fix?

- Huntington Beach, CA, USA

problem #14

Sep 092023

Telluride

  • miles
while driving, the power steering went out making steering very difficult and unsafe. a multitude of warning lights flashed on and off. several warning icons were subsequently sent to our home app for a period of 10 days while the car was parked and we were in hawaii. there is an obvious issue with the computers electrical systems that affect safe driving and continue to send false warnings to the app. this steering electrical issue will hurt someone if not fixed.

- Yucaipa, CA, USA

problem #13

Sep 102023

Telluride

  • miles
The Driver Attention Warning (DAW), specifically the 'Take a Break' alert is too sensitive and persistent, without the option to disable. The 'Take a Break' alert both displays a message and emits an audible alert (5 or so dings). The alert occurs too frequently, no matter who is driving, which is a distraction in itself. The warning has increased in frequency over time. There is no known way to disable, re-calibrate, or reset this alert as in previous models. While intended to be a safety 'feature' it is the exact opposite as it is an additional distraction and removes the driver's attention when acknowledging the overly sensitive dash warning.

- Douglasville, GA, USA

problem #12

Mar 012023

Telluride

  • miles
After 3 months, vehicle started showing intermittent warnings at startup related to multiple collision warning systems-- forward collision, blindspot sensors, rear cross traffic. Over a few weeks, it was no longer intermittent and occurred every time. Multiple ACD systems wouldn't function due to blind spot sensor failures. Multiple repair attempts and issue occurred again and dealer has been unable to repair.

- Mechanicsburg, PA, USA

problem #11

Jun 022023

Telluride

  • 9,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2023 Kia Telluride. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, a warning chime sounded with the check forward safety system, check rear cross traffic safety system, check blind spot safety system, and the AWD safety system messages displayed. The contact restarted the vehicle and the vehicle resumed normal operation. Several days later the failure returned, and the contact called and made the dealer aware of the failure. The contact was informed that pests might have entered the vehicle and the contact was advised to have the vehicle cleaned. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle shut off as the previous warning messages displayed. Additionally, the engine off message was displayed. The contact pulled off to the shoulder of the highway and restarted the vehicle; however, the failure persisted after the vehicle was restarted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was referred to a dealer. The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer where a code reader determined that there was a defect with the front radar. The failure persisted and the vehicle was taken to Auto Express Kia (9090 Peach St, Waterford, PA 16441). The dealer was unable to diagnose the failure and the vehicle remained with the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 9,000.

- Erie, PA, USA

problem #10

Jun 222023

Telluride

  • miles
On two separate occasions within 2 weeks of each other, I lost complete power of my new 2023 Kia Telluride while driving. The first incident occurred on June 22nd, 2023 with only 2000 miles on the car I received a message of an issue with the Engine Control System, along with the Battery warning light and Check Engine Light. Shortly afterwards the entire display panel started transmitting every error message on the screen while I was driving. As I was turning left at an intersection onto a lesser busy street, I started to lose power steering and lost complete power as I pulled my car to the side of the road. The second incident occurred while on vacation with my family on July 1st, 2023 with approx 2600 miles. The dashboard displayed the same Engine Control System message along with the Battery warning light and Check Engine Light. Shortly thereafter all of the error messages displayed on the display screen and as we pulled over to the side of the road, we lost complete power. The car was serviced by Kia Schaumburg on 06/27/2023 and I was told the electronics module was causing the issue and had to be reset and the problem was corrected. The safety of myself and my family is put at risk both times. The first time the car started losing power steering while turning which could have resulted in a collision. The second time, my family was stranded while on vacation in a semi-remote location. In both cases the car lost full power within minutes of pulling over and not even the hazards would work, putting us at risk of collision by passing traffic.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #9

Nov 282022

Telluride

  • miles
My Telluride has a factory trailer hitch so I COULD insert a draw bar with ball and hook up a trailer. But....no connection is there for electrical, so no lights or brakes would operate on any trailer I tried to tow!! Obviously this is a horrible SAFETY problem! NHTSA recalled the 2022 & earlier model year Tellurides because the tow wiring harness (essential for operating ANY towed trailer) was causing fires. A -??stop sale-?? order was also issued. I purchased a 2023 model year in November 2022 expressly to tow my travel trailer. The recall was not disclosed to me, nor the fact that no wiring harness was available, or would ever be MADE available for my car. Kia advertises the 5,000 lb tow ability, shows the car in company sales literature towing heavy horse & boat trailers, lists the ability on my window sticker, and describes in detail in the owners manual how the fabulous tow system works! NHTSA had to FORCE Kia to stop selling the 2022-??s but Kia has dishonestly continued to misrepresent the tow capability for the 2023-??s. I have a $50,000 mistake sitting in my garage & Kia will not even respond to letters from me or my attorney. Can NHTSA help me?

- Monument, CO, USA

problem #8

Jun 022023

Telluride

  • miles
The driver dashboard went blank except for randomly flashing nonsense numbers. Vehicle speed, fuel level, engine RPM and other vehicle information was lost. Additionally forward collision avoidance, lane keep and departure, adaptive cruise, emergency braking and blind spot warning systems became inactive. I am unsure if the antilock brake system and stability controls are functional. My safety was put at risk because i was unsure of vehicle speed and loosing all driver assistance tools. The problem has been persistent since it 1st occurred. The vehicle is going to the dealer today, 05 June 2023. Immediately before the driver dash going blank, the entire driver dashboard showed all warnings lights before going blank.

- Bellbrook, OH, USA

problem #7

May 212023

Telluride

  • miles
Fuel gauge (fuel level) and estimated mileage abruptly zero-??s out and you get low fuel message regardless of amount in tank. Dealer stated they will show how to reset, but did not indicate a fix. Not sure if impact on other systems. Over several days the fuel gauge re-corrects, but it should not be happening.

- Trafalgar, IN, USA

problem #6

Feb 042023

Telluride

  • 11 miles
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Telluride. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the instrument cluster displayed a blank screen. Additionally, the parking brake inadvertently engaged while driving. The Auto Start/Stop was intermittently inoperable, and the doors failed to unlock with the remote starter. The vehicle was towed to the dealer; however, the dealer only performed a recall repair under NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V035000 (Air Bags). The failure recurred. The contact then stated that while pulling into a parking space at 4 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle lunged forward and experienced unintended acceleration. The forward collision avoidance failed to activate to stop the vehicle. The vehicle crashed into the median, causing the front passenger's side tire to blow out. The front view camera fault message was displayed. No injury was sustained. The vehicle was then towed to Steve Schmitt Kia (11655 New Halls Ferry Road, Florissant, MO 63033) where the vehicle remained, not yet diagnosed or repaired. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V298000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 11.

- Bunker Hill, IL, USA

problem #5

Apr 202023

Telluride

  • miles
For the 3rd time in less than 3 months the instrument panel is blank, no instruments are visible, no power to the screen. Cars need to go back to analog gauges for safety.

- The Villages, Fl 32162, FL, USA

problem #4

Feb 272023

Telluride

  • miles
Second time in a week, less than 300 miles, instrument cluster screen went black, no power.

- The Villages, FL, USA

problem #3

Feb 152023

Telluride

  • miles
I have an EX trim. Driver Instrument Display is off and won't turn back on. I have tried turning off the car for extended periods of time and turning it back on but no luck. Not having this display on is a safety hazard not just because I cant see critical information but it seems when the display turned off it also turned off the following: - No audio from the turn signals - No audio from the reverse sensors even when I'm about to hit what is behind me - Can't tell what what gear I'm in from the gear selector as the light won't come on This is not acceptable as I just bought this car about a week ago from making this post. Not even 150 miles on it.

- Campbell, CA, USA

problem #2

Jan 252023

Telluride

  • miles
I have owned the car for 2 months. For the 3rd time while pulling out into traffic the car refused to accelerate like it was having trouble with transmission(this made it dangerous for me pulling into busy traffic) For 10 to 20 seconds it would not accelerate and then finally it would operate as normal. The last time it happened when it kicked into gear the car jumped and it made a loud noise. This refusal to accelerate happened 3 different times

- East Amherst, NY, USA

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