2025 Kia Telluride Driver assistance Problems

My vehicle was purchased XXX - VIN #[XXX] - on 6 or more occasions, the while driving on the highway with cruise control on at 70 mph, the cruise control feature suddenly applied the brakes bringing the vehicle sometimes down to 48 mph for a few seconds and then re-engages the cruise control to 70 mph. This happens with no obsticals, vehicles, or other interference in front, however, there have been vehicles behind and this is a huge safety issue as it could cause a rear-end collision. My vehicle had been returned to the dealer, the first time for a week, they could not duplicate the issue, the vehicle was returned to me. On XXX I brought my vehicle again to the dealership for the same reason as the cruise control continues to disengages for no reason. The dealership has finally been able to duplicate the issue. The dealership still has my vehicle, not for 34 consecutive days. Kia tech line has been involved and now reports that it is not Kia's issue and they have denied fixing the vehicle and indicate that it a 3rd party issue referring to satellite and internet issues. The dealership has now disabled the satellite connection feature and wants me to try the car out to see if the issue continues. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11744390

Incident

Mar 24, 2026

Purchased vehicle 1/18/2025; first and only owner. Occurrence = Engine Shut off, alarm sounded and warning lights flashed; Error: "Engine off, shift to N or P, Then start engine." Had to shift to Neutral and Push Start to restart engine. -During March: occurred 2 times, both times worked after shifting to Neutral. -4/1-4/3: occurred 1 time, worked after shifting to Neutral. -4/16: occurred 1 time, had to stop and shift to Park to restart engine! -Kia of LaGrange 4/23/26: could not replicate issue; no error codes found -Kia of Newnan 4/29/26: left vehicle for 2-4 days and they didn’t have time to check it, so we picked it up because we needed a vehicle. -May 5: occurred 3 times on same road; only got pics. Then occurred 1 time after stopping and different trip, got video. All occurrences worked after shifting to neutral. -May 11: occurred 1 time and got picture only, worked after shifting to neutral. -Kia of LaGrange 5/15/26: replaced low pressure fuel pump and provided 2026 Sorrento for vehicle. -May 19: occurred 1 time and got video, worked after shifting to neutral. -Kia of LaGrange 5/21-6/3: could not replicate after driving 100 miles and provided 2026 Sorrento for vehicle I have video from May 5 & May 19, but could only upload pictures.

NHTSA ID

11742748

Incident

Apr 16, 2026

on 5 different occasions over the last month, I have had the car go into an engine shut off and said put it into P or N and restart while I am driving on the road!! 05/10-was going to a stop sign and going 5-20 mph. 05/17-happened twice that day, both driving around town 10-30 mph. 05/26- happened driving around town going around a curve 5-20 mph. 05/27 getting off the interstate and getting ready to stop and it happened again. This last time I had 20 cars around me and my car was going into this with all my lights flashing and that popping up. It is such a hazard to be driving this vehicle. The dealership could not find an issue last time I took it in. I just bought this car a little over a month ago. SO disappointing and scary.

NHTSA ID

11740329

Incident

May 10, 2026

On at least 3 occasions in the past nine months, when the cruise control was ON, the adaptive cruise control feature suddenly applied the brakes on our 2025 Kia Telluride. The last incident happened in May when there was NO vehicle in front of or on either side of our vehicle. Another time the brakes were suddenly applied while attempting to pass a vehicle at about 70 mph. As soon as our vehicle entered the passing lane, the brakes suddenly slowed our vehicle down to 45-50 mph, almost causing a rear end collision with another vehicle approaching our vehicle in the passing lane at a high speed. This only happens when the vehicle is in the cruise control mode and we ARE NOT applying the brakes. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. The dealer was NOT able to reproduce the problem. We reported this to Kia Customer Care - Case #XXX on or about Feb. 21, 2026. Customer care orally responded to our report, denying any software or design problem. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11737856

Incident

May 3, 2026

While driving on the highway under normal conditions (clear weather, no nearby vehicles within approximately 1,000 feet), I heard a sudden loud “bang,” immediately followed by a large crack forming across the windshield. There was no visible debris impact, and no external cause could be identified at the time. Based on similar reports involving this issue in other vehicles, this appears to be a potential structural or manufacturing defect rather than road damage. While using adaptive cruise control in clear weather and with no traffic present, the vehicle will randomly decelerate as if detecting a vehicle ahead when none exists. This results in sudden, unnecessary braking without warning or indication. The issue has occurred multiple times and creates a significant safety risk, particularly at highway speeds where unexpected deceleration could lead to a rear-end collision.

NHTSA ID

11725371

Incident

Mar 11, 2026

I am reporting multiple life-threatening safety defects with my 2025 Kia Telluride. The vehicle has experienced Sudden Unintended Acceleration, where it accelerates to excessive speeds without driver input. During these episodes, the braking system fails to respond, only allowing the vehicle to stop once its internal safety systems intervene. Additionally, the vehicle suffers from unpredictable stalling and power loss; the engine frequently shuts off upon parking—followed by the electrical system cycling back on without the motor—and the vehicle consistently struggles to start in the morning. These recurring mechanical and electrical failures pose an immediate danger to myself and others on the road.

NHTSA ID

11725364

Incident

Mar 13, 2026

The driver screen are all blacked out, when I start my car in the morning, cannot see the speed, fuel gauge and all ADAS functions not working. Car is only a month old with only around 430 miles.

NHTSA ID

11713117

Incident

Jan 24, 2026

While driving at highway speed and the adaptive cruise control engaged, the vehicle applied the brakes without driver input. The vehicle slowed gradually over several seconds even though there was no vehicle, pedestrian, or obstacle present in front of the vehicle. Road and environmental conditions were clear and normal, including clear weather, dry roadway, and unobstructed lane of travel. Traffic was flowing normally, and there was no lead vehicle. The driver was attentive and did not press the brake pedal. The braking occurred without any warning, alert, or collision indication and resulted in an unexpected reduction in speed, creating a risk of a rear-end collision from following traffic and on one occasion road rage (which has occurred due to this condition) as the driver thought I "brake checked" him. The vehicle has been inspected by the local Kia dealership (Spitzer Kia of Mansfield) and they could not replicate the condition. Kia has also been notified and a case number assigned (25773402) but with no resolution. This issue has occurred multiple times under similar highway driving conditions, indicating repeatable uncommanded braking behavior. Additionally, KIA issued a “Voluntary Service Campaign” for 2024 Kia Telluride’s on July 31, 2025 for the same vehicle behavior. Unexpected braking at highway speeds creates sudden speed differentials and increases the risk of rear-end collisions, even when deceleration is gradual. The driver has limited ability to anticipate or prevent the event. No warning lights, audible alerts, or collision warnings were displayed. CONCLUSION The vehicle exhibits repeatable false or uncommanded activation of the automatic braking system during highway driving, consistent with a potential defect in the AEB/FCA system. This condition poses a safety risk to vehicle occupants and surrounding traffic and should be reviewed by NHTSA

NHTSA ID

11709481

Incident

Oct 21, 2025

The contact rented a 2025 Kia Telluride. The contact stated that there was damage to the rear bumper upon retrieval. While using lane assist, traveling around a curve at 55 MPH, the steering wheel was pushing and pulling, and failed to turn and continued going straight; the vehicle crossed the highway and crashed into a ditch. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact sustained injuries to his back and had bruises, but no medical assistance was provided. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The air bags deployed. There was no reported fire. A police report was filed. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The rental company was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified OF THE FAILURE. The failure mileage was approximately 33,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ID

11705157

Incident

Dec 13, 2025

Mileage

33,000 mi

Front lights gets foggy when it gets hand wash, contacted the dealership and they are willing to replace the “Gasket” because the headlights must have “ventilation”. While driving with nobody in front the collision warning went off non stop, the road was completely clear.

NHTSA ID

11692101

Incident

Aug 1, 2025