Owner-reported complaints naming the powertrain system, filed with NHTSA
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Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2024 Kia Telluride submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 14 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed
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.
The vehicle has 38000 miles now. At about 34000 miles I began to notice a slight rumble from the read end of the car when starting from a stop and making a turn. It has become more noticeable recently. It is only noticeble from a stop and below about 10 mph.After doing some searches online, I have learned that this is a common problem with the Telluride and is due to the AWD coupling. I have not yet scheduled a service appointment, but will do so today. One discussion forum suggested that a report be made to this site since there are no recalls on this part at this time.
Summary of Defect and Repair History My 2024 Kia Telluride EX AWD has experienced repeated and ongoing transmission failures. The failures include the vehicle becoming stuck in 5th gear, unsafe acceleration characteristics, and loss of normal drivability. Two transmissions have been replaced, and the same defect continues to occur. The vehicle remains at the dealership today with the defect unresolved. Repair Attempts and Days Out of Service 1 Transmission replacement 30 days Returned but defect recurred. A warning lamp (check engine) did illumiinate after the first transmission failure, however did not for the second nor third failure. Failure was confirmed by Kia dealership. 2 Transmission replacement 47 days. Returned but defect recurred. Failure was confirmed by Kia dealership. 3 Current repair attempt 24+ Not repaired. The vehicle has incurred three repair attempts and 101+ days out of service for the same defect. Failure was confirmed by Kia dealership. Substantial Impairment: Use, Value, and Safety 1. Impairment of Use The vehicle has been in the dealership’s possession for more than three months in 2025, making it unavailable for normal use Driving attempts prior to service demonstrated lack of shifting, hesitation, clunking, and unsafe behavior The defect continues to occur despite repeated major repairs 2. Impairment of Value A newer model vehicle requiring two full transmission replacement in one year and still malfunctioning has demonstrably reduced value Transmission replacement history is discoverable and materially reduces market value 3. Impairment of Safety Transmission failure compromises safe acceleration, speed regulation, and predictable power delivery The failures occurred at low mileage, indicating a systemic nonconformity rather than normal wear, presenting an ongoing risk As a engineer with 20+ years of experience, I do believe the root cause is a wiring issue (e.g. shorted wiring harness), not a transmission failure.
Vehicle was part of the NHTSA 24V077 recall for faulty valve springs and took into dealership in April 2024 and engine was not replaced as it was listed as ok. Subsequently took for other recalls and maintenance, each time the vehicle was released back. Took vehicle in for oil change in Apr 2025 and stated evidence of noise in rear end, repair records indicate spare tire loose so tightened and given back. Noise was still evident so I tightened and in mid August, noise got worse and could feel while driving. Took in 29 Aug 2025 for oil change and mentioned noise. At this point after 6 or more visits, Kia flagged the vehicle under 24V077 and directed engine change saying unsafe to drive. So they allowed me to drive 30K miles and finally replaced engine which was performing satisfactory. The rear end noise was determined to be rear differential which was replaced, noise remained, techline case opened, shocks changed, noise remained, Field engineer visit scheduled 6 weeks out then canceled with direction to change rear cross member which was changed, noise still there. Now existing case re-opened with request for another engineer to visit. More money spent in rear end repairs which noise started in April 2025, then the cost of engine replacement which has only 65 miles all by dealership. Vehicle at dealership since 29 August 2025. Not confident engine replacement is satisfactory as fuel pump also required replacement and the inability to fix rear end is keeping from checking engine replacement is fixed. Wife no longer feels safe ever driving this vehicle again. Furthermore, Kia put us at risk by failing to direct dealership to change engine in April 2024 and all subsequent visits before finally flagging. My guess is lack of new engines available and did not want me to wait so allowed us to continue to drive extra miles and addl time took out of state Lemon Law timeframe likely. All repair records avail on request. Demanding buyback from Kia of America
This vehicle only has 31,000 miles on it and I've already had one door trim molding replaced. (now the rest of the trim doesn't match so that's great for aesthetics) The interior door panel replaced because it was loose. This car developed a "thumping" noise around 25K miles when turning at low speeds. Took it to the dealer, told them it is probably the AWD coupler, and they said the self-leveling rear shocks were leaking. So those got replaced. Thumping was still there. I mentioned to the dealer that it is probably still the AWD coupler. Dealer decides to replace the rear differential because they found metal shavings in the diff fluid. Sound is still there but now not as loud. Car is currently back at the dealer for diagnostics to remedy the situation. I don't understand how a car with only 30k miles on it should be having these kinds of major issues. Kia seems to know about these issues because they do not argue about replacing anything. The car looks great, and the size is great. But I cannot imagine the nightmares I'm going to have for the next 30K. Or how bad the nightmare will be once I am out of factory warranty.
The vehicle was parked(placed in park on gear shift) in a friends driveway, facing upward on approx. 15Deg incline with the engine idling. My wife exited the vehicle and walked around the front of the vehicle to the houses front entrance where she spoke briefly with the owner inside the front door. On leaving the house the car was gone from where it was left parked. My wife found that it had rolled up the driveway incline until it hit a couple of pine trees at the top end of the drive and stopped. She opened the door and found the gear shift still in the parked position at which point she entered the car, placed it in reverse and backed out of the tree branches and took photos. The incident was immediately reported to KIA America and the dealer. The vehicle has been at the dealer for 3 weeks now with no resolution, undergoing "testing". They say it is not operating the way it should be, but they have not been able to identify or correct the issue. KIA America has told me the issue has been elevated to KIA factory tech support. Other than scratches there appears to be no major damage. Photos show driveway, trees that stopped the vehicle and debris and scratches.
Transmission constantly slipping after driving and transmission gets warmed up. Vehicle continues to rev up and enter high RPMS before changing gears and then jolts the vehicle as changing gears. Also steadily leaking coolant fluids, have taken vehicle to the dealership as of now THREE times to have the coolant issue serviced. Repairs are still not complete to date.
When you are stuck in the snow and start to spin, the AWD kicks out and you cannot move. Very big issue for anyone that lives in an area that snow accumulates.
The contact owns a 2024 Kia Telluride. The contact stated that while driving with the vehicle in Snow Mode and depressing the accelerator pedal while making a left turn, the vehicle stopped. The contact stated that after taking the vehicle out of Snow Mode, the vehicle worked as designed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the local dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 3,898.
The contact owns a 2024 Kia Telluride. The contact stated that the vehicle had seized in 5th gear and failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that on several occasions while stopping at stop lights or stop signs, the vehicle failed to operate as intended. The contact stated that on another occasion, the check engine warning light illuminated and then disappeared. The vehicle was steered to the side of the roadway and restarted intermittently. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the failure was not able to be replicated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
The contact owns a 2024 Kia Telluride. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V214000 (Power Train) and 24V407000 (Seats); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle, the vehicle started rolling backwards while the contact and spouse were standing outside of the vehicle securing their children in the rear seats. The contact’s spouse quickly jumped into the vehicle to activate the parking brake to stop the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The dealer was contacted where the vehicle had remained for approximately 2 1/2 months. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown. Parts distribution disconnect.
My dashboard keeps producing these errors 1. Check lane change assist 2. Check blind sport safety system 3. Check forward safety system 4. Check parking collision avoidance assist system 5. Check lane safety system Also, My engine light is on and it’s not shifting right and I can’t drive it now. There's also a burning rubber smell. The driving speed isn't working correctly and will say I'm going 0mph when I'm going 25. When driving, it sometimes jolts.
The contact owns a 2024 Kia Telluride. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH in snow mode, the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. The vehicle was started but was unable to drive as needed for approximately 30 minutes. The contact stated that after turning off and restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal operation. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and had the vehicle towed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 1,748.
We bought a 2024 Kia Telluride and had it literally 2 weeks long with about 684 miles. My husband and I were driving on a major highway and suddenly we hear a noise and engine line pops up on screen. Car proceeds to literally shut off, the wheel locked up, and we barely made it to shoulder of highway. This was huge safety issue, we had cars honking and speeding by us at 70+. We called the Kia roadside assistance who didn’t get a tow truck there till 3 hours later. We don’t have anything paper wise yet from the service department . They called and said engine was seized and needing replacement. We are very concerned about getting new engine that could potentially do this again.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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