3 Common Failures Of The Kia Telluride: Problems And Opinions
The Kia Telluride debuted in 2019 as the 2020 Kia model. The Kia brand is known for its reliability and value. Its spacious three-row interior, driver assistance features, and high safety rating have quickly earned the respect of many midsize SUV fans. However, in this post you will learn about the most common faults in the Kia Telluride.
Like any vehicle, the Telluride can be prone to a number of common problems that may need attention throughout the life of the vehicle. Keep reading this post and discover how you can solve these problems.
Kia Telluride Features
In its 2023 model, Kia has found a way to make the already popular Telluride even more appealing with sharp exterior styling and new X-Line and X-Pro trim levels for a more rugged look.
New headlamps and taillamps, front and rear bumpers, and lower body cladding add more intricate details for a more elegant look.
Kia has also added some useful features to its impressive advanced driver assistance systems. Traffic sign recognition offers additional safety support, and a left turn warning feature can intervene if you attempt to turn left into the path of an oncoming vehicle.
And Highway Driving Assist 2 offers a more capable version of the standard HDA 1.5 system and can even perform automatic lane changes. With beefier-looking trim packages and an upgraded 12.5-inch mix on two interior screens, the Telluride should continue to be popular in 2023 and beyond.
Common Kia Telluride Faults
The Telluride can also be prone to various issues that may need your attention if you own this vehicle. In addition, the Kia Telluride has only been on the market for four years. Even so, we are going to talk about some of the most common failures reported by the drivers of this vehicle.
1. LCD goes blank
Telluride owners have complained about the LCD going blank. Vehicle health information, including speed, fuel level and other standard gauges, is not available with a dark display.
Kia addressed this issue, stating: “A blank LCD display may be missing information such as the digital speedometer, gear selection indicator and odometer, which can increase the risk of a collision.”
On July 28, 2021, Kia issued a recall (number 21V577) and instructed owners to schedule an appointment with their Kia dealer to resolve the issue.
Possible causes and solutions
When the Telluride’s LCD screen goes blank after starting the vehicle, drivers cannot safely monitor vehicle status and driving indicators or turn safety features on and off. For example, the rear seat alert that alerts drivers when a child is left in the back seat may not work properly.
The bug that causes the LCD to stay dark is a bug in the Telluride’s instrument panel software. Kia dealers will fix the problem by updating the instrument panel firmware.
Owners experiencing LCD screen issues should bring the vehicle to their local Kia dealer to receive the free update.
2. High beams do not come on
Approximately 20 percent of NHTSA complaints for the 2020 Kia Telluride are related to malfunctioning headlights.
Some complain that the low beams are too bright and distract other drivers in oncoming traffic. Others claim that the high beams do not come on, work randomly or intermittently.
Many of the complaints report minimal peripheral illumination from headlights and that the lights are so dim that drivers cannot see the edge of the road on curves or on unlit roads.
Improper headlight operation can cause Telluride’s advanced driver assistance systems, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning and pedestrian avoidance, to not function.
Although problems with headlights are commonly reported, there have been no recalls up to this time.
Possible causes and solutions
The problem of the headlights can be due to various causes. You may be able to fix the headlights yourself, or you may need to take it to a service center for repair.
Here are some possible causes and solutions to fix malfunctioning headlights.
1. Check the headlight bulbs
Make sure the headlight bulbs are in good condition. Headlight bulbs need to be changed from time to time. The problem may be a blown bulb or a weak bulb. The low beams and high beams are powered by different sets of bulbs. Make sure the bulbs are the correct brightness for each setting.
2. Check the crystals of the high beams
Some Telluride owners have reported that the blinds that move to allow the high beams to go on and off get stuck. A dealer or service center can repair or replace the displays.
3. Excessive vibration
While driving some Telluride owners report excessive vibration occurring between 55 mph and 70 mph.
According to NHTSA campaign number 21V164000 (In the US), some affected vehicles may not detect when a child restraint system is in the front passenger seat and deploy the airbag, causing serious injury.
Some owners report that their vehicle does not accelerate at highway speeds, with less than 5,000 miles, even though their Telluride is new. Other drivers complain that their Telluride unexpectedly shifts into neutral while driving. This change can occur after turning, driving at low speeds, or accelerating.
Possible causes and solutions
Excessive vibration , unexpected shifting, and the inability to achieve average highway speeds are caused by powertrain problems.
According to some consumers, Kia solves the problems by replacing the front-wheel drive driveshafts/linkages. Kia seems to be doing random repairs for consumers. Some owners report that they have been able to repair the powertrain on their vehicle. Instead, others cannot get help from Kia.
Here’s what to do if your Telluride experiences a powertrain problem.
1. Check the warranty
Kia owners who experience powertrain-related problems typically have them long before Kia’s 10-year, 100,000-mile limited warranty expires. This warranty should cover repairs necessary to get your vehicle back to top shape.
2. Contact your Kia dealer
Schedule an appointment with your Kia dealer or service center to arrange diagnosis and repair.
Note: If your Telluride goes into neutral while driving, turn the vehicle off and restart it to return power to the transmission. Contact your nearest service center immediately and request a rental car while you wait for the repair to be completed.
The good and the bad of the Kia Telluride
Since you know the most common faults in the Kia Telluride, here are some of the main pros and cons of the Kia Telluride.
Advantages of the Kia Telluride:
Here are some of the best points that make the Kia Telluride a good sale:
1. Exceptional value
Kia offers the base Telluride LX at a great MSRP of $32,785 with a host of features, including:
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- leather-wrapped steering wheel
- 8 inch touch screen
- UVO infotainment system interface
- Apple CarPlay
- Android Auto compatibility
- 5 USB ports.
2. Full suite of driver aids
The full Advance driver assistance system is included in Telluride’s base price, offering the following helpful features:
- Forward Collision Warning
- Forward collision avoidance with pedestrian and cyclist detection
- Lane Keep Assist
- automatic emergency braking
- lane departure warning
- avoid pedestrians
- Rear Cross Traffic Alert
- Driver Attention Notice
- Navigation-Based Intelligent Cruise Control
- Smart Cruise Control with Stop and Go
- rear occupant alert
- Park Distance Alert – Reverse
- Lane Following Assist
- Rear View Monitor (RVM) with Park-Dynamic Guidance
3. Lots of space
The Kia Telluride offers space on board for eight passengers. A 60/40 fold-down second row and reclining third row provide ample space for three teens.
4. Quality driving experience
While the Kia Telluride offers exceptional value and a full range of next-level features, the driving experience rivals that of a luxury brand.
For example, a fully loaded Telluride goes 60 mph faster than an entry-level Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 4Matic, and quicker over the quarter mile.
5. Driving mode options
Drivers can use a rotary switch on the center console to switch between Eco, Sport, Comfort, Snow and Smart driving modes.
Smart driving mode uses the on-board computer to evaluate the best driving settings for maximum efficiency and response.
6. Advanced security features
A full range of award-winning safety features protect occupants while on the road:
- Two Advanced Front Air Bags
- Two front seat-mounted side airbags
- Full-length side curtain airbags
- Driver’s knee airbag
- Rollover and side impact sensors
- Three-point seat belts
- anti-lock braking system
- electronic stability control
- Hill start assist control
- Trailer Stability Assist
- Curve control with torque vectoring
- Vehicle Stability Management
- electronic parking brake
Disadvantages of the Kia Telluride:
Some of the Telluride’s cons are as follows:
- Engine could use more torque
- Transmission could be more sensitive
- No hill descent control
What do the reviews say about the Kia Telluride?
The comments and opinions of the Kia Telluride are very positive even with the common faults it has, these are considered minor and easy to solve.
“The Telluride is one of the few three-row crossovers I really enjoy driving. It feels like a good two-row crossover, with sharp cornering, excellent ride quality and great body control.”
“The Telluride is an impressive three-row SUV. It has a quiet and elegant cabin, impressive technology, extensive standard equipment, a third row of seats for adults and a satisfying driving experience. It has some minor weaknesses, but overall this Kia is a great choice for a three-row crossover SUV.”
