2023 Kia TELLURIDE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
206 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
20,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2023 model year. Data snapshot: . 15 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Unknown Or Other is the most frequently named component, appearing in 59 of 206 complaints (28.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 18 | 8.7% |
| Braking behavior | 16 | 7.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 11 | 5.3% |
| Steering behavior | 11 | 5.3% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 1.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 0.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other | 59 |
| Electrical System | 45 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 29 |
| Power Train | 24 |
| Engine | 23 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 14 |
| Structure:Body | 12 |
| Steering | 10 |
Unknown Or Other: 59; Electrical System: 45; Visibility/Wiper: 29; Power Train: 24; Engine: 23; Vehicle Speed Control: 14; Structure:Body: 12; Steering: 10
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 8 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 8; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 191 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 59 |
| 2024 | 49 |
| 2025 | 48 |
| 2026 | 48 |
2022: 2; 2023: 59; 2024: 49; 2025: 48; 2026: 48
Pattern summary
Unknown Or Other leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 18 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 16 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 11 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11521229 · 2023-05-09 (May 9, 2023)
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 spac…
Owner-reported narrative. 11 miles reported. Look up ODI 11521229 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11521851 · 2023-05-13 (May 13, 2023)
I purchased a 2023 Kia Telluride for a family vacation tow vehicle. Spec's call out 5000 lb towing capacity and "pre-wired" for a trailer. Problem is, pre-wired means a connector in the back of the vehicle, but no actual harness available that plugs into it to run trailer lighting/brakes. Contacted Kia several times, no harnesses, was advised to take it to U-haul and get a splice-in harness. It's a brand new car, I don't want to cut into factory harness. Isn't this false advertisement? Can't tow anything without lights and pre-wiring obviou…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11521851 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11513259 · 2023-03-22 (March 22, 2023)
The reverse camera remains engaged even after shifting to drive. This can remain after 10-20 seconds. As I started to drive forward, the camera remained engaged and hit on moving cars behind me causing the vehicle to emergency brake even though nothing was in front of me. Almost causing an accident
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11513259 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11506042 · 2023-02-07 (February 7, 2023)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11506042 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11529958 · 2023-07-02 (July 2, 2023)
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 an…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11529958 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11545590 · 2023-09-20 (September 20, 2023)
The vehicle started displaying every single warning light stating the engine was shutting down and to pull over immediately. Power steering went out along with power brakes and the infotainment before vehicle could be pulled over safely. All occurred within 10 seconds. I was barely able to pull onto a side street without getting hit. Vehicle completely shut off as if battery was removed. I jump started vehicle but upon removing the jump starter after engine was running the vehicle shuddered and shut off again. The vehicle was towed to KIA servi…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11545590 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11522988 · 2023-05-20 (May 20, 2023)
I recently purchased a 2023 Kia Telluride SX-P on May 13, 2023, and am writing to report a critical issue with the fuel reading system. Despite the instrument panel initially displaying a range of 395 miles with a full tank, I encountered a sudden discrepancy in the readings. On Wednesday, May 17, the instrument cluster and Kia Connect app showed 123 miles on the fuel estimator, but the fuel gauge indicated 0% with a low fuel warning light. As I drove a few miles, the estimated range dropped to 0, and the fuel level indicator remained low des…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11522988 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11607488 · 2024-08-09 (August 9, 2024)
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Telluride. The contact stated while driving from a complete stop and making a left turn, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to respond and stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle responded as needed. The contact stated that the failure recurred while driving on two other occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that the Idle, Stop and Go (ISG) System was malfunctioning. The dealer advised…
Owner-reported narrative. 8,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11607488 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11569116 · 2024-01-31 (January 31, 2024)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11569116 at NHTSA ↗