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Kia · Known Issues

2023 Kia Telluride Problems: 17 Known Issues

2023 model year · 456+ owner reports · Updated September 2026

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Issue summary

According to Au7o's analysis of 456+ owner reports, the 2023 Kia Telluride has 17 documented known issues, with 6 rated critical. The most serious are Door Belt Molding Delamination / Detachment (Recall SC347), Panoramic Sunroof Glass Spontaneously Shattering ($900-$2,500 repair), Front Power Seat Motor Overheating / Fire Risk, Instrument Cluster Goes Completely Blank at Startup (Recalls 21V577, 22V344, 23V298) ($0-$1,600 repair), Second-Row Side Air Bag Wire Harness Chafing / Non-Deployment (Recall 23V035) ($0-$900 repair) and Intermediate Shaft / Driveshaft Disengagement (Rollaway). The most commonly reported issue is Premature Windshield Cracking with 456 owner reports. Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $50 to $2,500. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.

In This Article

  • Telluride Safety/Recalls2
  • Telluride Electrical4
  • Telluride Body/Panels3
  • Telluride Exterior2
  • Telluride Drivetrain1
  • Telluride Interior2
  • Telluride Engine1
  • Telluride Suspension1
  • Telluride HVAC1
  • Recalls14
  • FAQ
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In This Article

  • Safety/Recalls2
  • Electrical4
  • Body/Panels3
Exterior
2
  • Drivetrain1
  • Interior2
  • Engine1
  • Suspension1
  • HVAC1
  • Recalls14
  • FAQ
  • All 17 Known Issues

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    ALL YEARS202520242023202220212020

    On the 2020-2024 Kia Telluride, nHTSA recall 26V430000 (Kia SC374) covers certain 2020-2024 Telluride vehicles. A front power-seat motor may overheat because of a stuck slide knob or an improper earlier 24V407 repair, causing a fire while parked or driving. This recall replaces 24V407.

    This issue also affects: Hyundai Excel, Hyundai Scoupe, Kia Niro

    Common Symptoms

    • Power-seat slide knob is stuck
    • Burning odor, smoke or fire near a front power seat

    How to Fix

    Check the VIN for recall 26V430000/SC374 and park outside and away from structures until the repair is complete. A Kia dealer installs an electronic fuse assembly free of charge. Vehicles already repaired under 24V407/SC316 still need the new remedy. P0217 and P0128 are unrelated engine codes and are not part of this seat recall.

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    Manually Verified
    High ConfidenceVerifiedLast reported by owners Jan 2025Reviewed Aug 2026

    On the 2023 Kia Telluride, on certain 2023 Tellurides the wire harnesses that feed the second-row seat-mounted side air bags can be damaged during seat travel or assembly routing. A damaged harness opens or shorts the squib circuit, so the second-row side air bag will not deploy in a side impact — the occupants who most need that bag (rear passengers, often children in boosters) lose their protection. The defect frequently announces itself as an air bag warning lamp, though the recall population was defined by build data, not by whether the lamp had come on yet. This is distinct from the front seat-back frame recall on 2025 vehicles.

    This issue also affects: Hyundai Accent, Kia Forte

    Common Symptoms

    • Air bag / SRS warning light illuminated on the cluster
    • Second-row side air bag fault stored in the SRS module
    • Warning appears after second-row seats have been slid or folded repeatedly

    How to Fix

    Free recall repair under NHTSA 23V035: dealers inspect the second-row side air bag wire harnesses and repair or replace any damaged harness. If the air bag warning light is on, do not defer — the SRS is fully or partially disabled in the meantime. Have the stored SRS codes read before the visit so the dealer can document the open circuit.

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    Typical repair cost:$0 - $900

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    Community Reported
    High ConfidenceVerifiedReviewed Aug 2026

    On the 2022-2023 Kia Telluride, the Telluride's LCD instrument cluster has failed in three separate, separately-recalled ways across 2022 and 2023 build ranges. On 2022 vehicles, excess adhesive on a circuit board inside the cluster bridges or stresses a connection so the display stays blank after startup (22V344), and an earlier 2022 batch failed for a related display-blank cause (21V577). On 2023 vehicles the cluster may fail to display any information at all when the vehicle is started (23V298). In every version the driver loses the speedometer, fuel gauge, warning lamps, and gear-position indicator — a compliance failure, not just an annoyance, because required telltales cannot illuminate. The three campaigns together cover roughly 117,000 vehicles. The screen is usually either fully dark or dark on every restart, not intermittently flickering.

    Common Symptoms

    • Instrument cluster screen completely blank when the vehicle is started
    • No speedometer, tachometer, or fuel gauge
    • Warning telltales do not illuminate at key-on bulb check
    • Gear position indicator missing
    • Backlight on but no image

    How to Fix

    All three are free recall repairs — dealers replace the instrument cluster assembly. Check the VIN against 21V577, 22V344, and 23V298 on NHTSA.gov, since a single vehicle can fall into only one of them. Outside recall coverage a cluster replacement plus programming typically runs $900-$1,600. Do not accept a 'reset the cluster' or battery-disconnect diagnosis: the failure is inside the cluster board and returns.

    Typical repair cost:$0 - $1,600

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    High ConfidenceVerifiedReviewed Aug 2026

    On the 2020-2025 Kia Telluride, tellurides repeatedly go dead overnight or after a few days parked, with owners jump-starting and replacing perfectly good batteries only to have the problem return. The Telluride's always-on cellular telematics modem (Kia Access / UVO remote start and remote climate) never fully sleeps, and the Intelligent Battery Unit (IBU) — the module that manages charge state and load-shedding — is the second common culprit; a failing IBU or a module that will not enter sleep leaves a parasitic draw well above the ~30-50 mA target. Contributing triggers reported across the owner community include the key fob left within proximity range of the vehicle (which keeps the smart-key ECU and body modules awake), and heavy use of remote-start via the app. Dealers frequently fail to reproduce this because the draw only appears after the vehicle should have entered deep sleep — several owners report the dealership needing a month to catch it.

    This issue also affects: Hyundai Ioniq 5

    Common Symptoms

    • Dead battery after sitting overnight or a few days
    • Repeat no-start requiring jump start
    • Multiple batteries replaced with no improvement
    • Cluster warning lights and radio presets reset after a no-start
    • Remote start via app fails intermittently

    How to Fix

    Insist on a proper parasitic draw test, not just a battery load test: with the vehicle fully asleep (typically 40-60 minutes after lock, doors closed with the latch pinned), an ammeter in series on the negative terminal should read under about 50 mA. If it is higher, pull fuses one at a time to isolate the circuit — telematics/AVN and the IBU circuit are the two to check first. Fixes reported include IBU replacement, telematics unit replacement, and Kia software/firmware updates for the modem sleep logic. As an interim measure, store the key fobs well away from the vehicle, disable non-essential remote features in the Kia Access app, and if the vehicle sits for long periods use a battery maintainer. Replace the battery only after the draw is fixed — repeat deep discharges permanently damage it.

    Typical repair cost:$200 - $1,200

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    Low ConfidenceVerifiedReviewed Aug 2026

    On the 2020-2024 Kia Telluride 3.8L Lambda II V6 (G6DH), a large share of Telluride owners report that Idle Stop & Go essentially never works, or works for a while and then stops. The system requires a state-of-charge threshold at the 12V battery (dealers commonly quote roughly 68 percent or better), adequate brake vacuum, and settled coolant and cabin temperatures — and on this vehicle the auxiliary/AGM battery ages quickly enough that ISG is often the first casualty, a useful early warning of a battery going down. A second, separate complaint is behavioral: ISG interacting with Auto Hold produces a lurch when the engine restarts, and the engine shutting down unexpectedly while maneuvering on an incline or easing into a garage. The amber rather than green ISG indicator distinguishes 'system present but not permitted right now' from an actual fault. This is not the same fault as the telematics parasitic drain, though a weak battery from that drain will also suppress ISG.

    Common Symptoms

    • Auto stop-start never shuts the engine off at a stop
    • ISG indicator shows amber instead of green
    • Engine shuts down unexpectedly while creeping or on an incline
    • Lurch or jolt when the engine restarts with Auto Hold active
    • ISG worked when new and stopped after a year or two

    How to Fix

    Test the 12V battery under load and check state of charge before anything else — a battery that still cranks fine can be well under the ISG threshold, and replacing it restores the function. Note the correct battery type for the vehicle (ISG-equipped vehicles use an AGM/EFB battery; fitting a conventional flooded battery permanently disables ISG). If the battery is healthy, have the dealer check for a stored fault in the ISG logic and inspect brake booster vacuum. For the lurch-on-restart and shutdown-while-parking complaint, the practical workaround owners settle on is disabling ISG (and often Auto Hold) with the console buttons at each start; there is no software fix. Battery replacement typically $200-$350.

    Typical repair cost:$200 - $400

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    Low ConfidenceVerifiedReviewed Aug 2026

    On the 2020-2023 Kia Telluride, owners across multiple model years report the center infotainment (UVO) screen freezing, going black, showing a blue 'reset' screen, or rebooting on a loop while driving, sometimes accompanied by phantom-touch behavior and loss of the backup camera. The unit often becomes unresponsive until reset with the button by the volume knob.

    Common Symptoms

    • Screen freezes or goes black while driving
    • UVO logo / blue screen and continuous rebooting
    • Phantom touch / unresponsive touchscreen
    • Backup camera blank during a screen fault
    • Requires hardware reset button to recover

    How to Fix

    Kia has addressed cases with head-unit software updates and, where the fault recurs, free warranty replacement of the display/head unit. Owners should apply the latest UVO software update at the dealer; persistent units are replaced under the new-vehicle warranty.

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    High ConfidenceVerifiedReviewed Jun 2026

    On the 2020-2025 Kia Telluride, telluride owners report the fixed or sliding panoramic sunroof glass exploding without any impact — typically while driving, described consistently as sounding like a gunshot followed by glass raining into the cabin. The failure mode is characteristic of tempered panoramic panels: ceramic-frit edge stresses combined with the large thin panel and body flex create a stored-stress condition where a microscopic edge flaw propagates catastrophically. Kia has faced class-action litigation over exploding panoramic sunroofs across its lineup, and the complaint volume spans the Telluride's full production run including 2024 and 2025 vehicles. There is no safety recall for this condition, so warranty coverage is decided case-by-case and glass claims are frequently denied as 'road debris'.

    Common Symptoms

    • Loud bang or gunshot-like sound while driving
    • Sunroof glass shattered with no impact point
    • Glass shards falling into cabin onto occupants
    • Glass bowed or blown outward rather than inward
    • Sunroof shade jammed by glass fragments

    How to Fix

    Document immediately — photograph the glass in place before cleanup and note that there was no impact event, because the dealer's default position is external road debris. Open a Kia Consumer Affairs case and file an NHTSA complaint; owners who escalated with photos of outward-bowed glass and no impact point have had better luck getting warranty coverage. Repair is replacement of the panoramic glass panel and, if the frame or track was damaged by the failure, the sunroof frame assembly. Comprehensive auto insurance glass coverage often pays this with a lower out-of-pocket than fighting the warranty claim. After replacement, verify the drains and seals were reinstalled correctly to avoid a secondary water leak.

    Typical repair cost:$900 - $2,500

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    High ConfidenceVerifiedReviewed Aug 2026

    On the 2020-2025 Kia Telluride, the Smart Power Liftgate on EX and above fails in two related but distinct ways. The gas struts on either side of the gate weaken — often within the first year or two, and much faster in cold climates — so the gate stops closing fully, reverses partway, or drops. Separately, the liftgate drive motor/spindle unit fails outright: the gate stops responding entirely, the liftgate configuration options disappear from the infotainment settings menu, and pressing the dash liftgate button produces three beeps with no motion. Because the module drops off the network when the motor unit fails, the settings menu vanishing is the tell that distinguishes a dead motor from a weak strut. Parts availability has been a recurring frustration, with replacement struts and motors reported on backorder with no ETA.

    Common Symptoms

    • Liftgate will not close the last few inches
    • Liftgate drifts down or reverses on its own
    • Three beeps from the dash liftgate button with no movement
    • Liftgate settings missing from the infotainment menu
    • Power liftgate inoperative below freezing
    • Liftgate will not stay up when opened manually

    How to Fix

    Distinguish the two failures first. If the gate moves but will not close the last few inches or drifts down, replace the gas struts in pairs — straightforward and far cheaper. If the liftgate options have disappeared from the settings menu and the dash button gives three beeps, the powered spindle/motor assembly or its control module has failed and needs replacement. Before condemning either, try the reset sequence owners report working: ignition on, vehicle in Park, then press and hold the close button and the manual close button by the license plate for about three seconds to re-initialize the gate travel limits. Also check the 12V battery state of charge — low system voltage will disable the power liftgate and mimic a hardware fault. Covered under the 5yr/60k basic warranty.

    Typical repair cost:$180 - $1,500

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    Community Reported
    Low ConfidenceVerifiedReviewed Aug 2026
    Community reported
    456 owners

    On the 2020-2025 Kia Telluride, telluride owners report unusually high rates of windshield cracking from minor road debris that would not crack windshields on other vehicles. Over 46% of NHTSA visibility complaints for the Telluride relate to windshield cracking. Cracks typically originate from the lower passenger-side corner and spread toward the center. The issue may be related to the windshield glass thickness or tempering specification. No official recall, but NHTSA has received significant complaint volume.

    This issue also affects: Hyundai Tucson

    Common Symptoms

    • Crack appears from edge of windshield without obvious impact point
    • Small chips rapidly spread into long cracks
    • Cracking from lower corners spreading upward
    • Multiple windshield replacements needed within ownership period

    How to Fix

    File NHTSA complaint at safercar.gov to support potential investigation. Replacement windshield ($400-800 depending on features). Comprehensive insurance typically covers windshield replacement with $0-100 deductible. Some owners report aftermarket windshields from Safelite are more durable than OEM replacements. Consider a windshield protection film like ClearPlex for prevention.

    Owner tips & cautions

    • TipFile an NHTSA complaint even for minor windshield cracks. Higher complaint volumes increase the chance of a formal investigation
    • TipConsider ClearPlex or ExoShield windshield protection film ($300-500 installed) to prevent chips from spreading into cracks
    Typical repair cost:$250 - $1,000

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    Based on 456 owner reports

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    Community Reported
    Medium ConfidenceVerified456 owner reportsLast reported by owners Feb 2025Reviewed Feb 2026

    On the 2023-2025 Kia Telluride, nHTSA recall 25V494000 (Kia SC347) covers certain 2023-2025 Telluride vehicles. The door belt molding trim can delaminate and detach from the vehicle, creating a road hazard for other traffic.

    Common Symptoms

    • Door belt molding trim appears loose, lifted or delaminated
    • Door belt molding trim detaches from the vehicle

    How to Fix

    Check the VIN for recall 25V494000/SC347. A Kia dealer inspects the belt molding trim assemblies and replaces them as necessary free of charge. Do not glue, tape or buy generic trim from this page in place of the VIN-specific recall remedy.

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    Manually Verified
    High ConfidenceVerifiedReviewed Aug 2026

    On the 2020-2025 Kia Telluride, tellurides develop paint bubbling and peeling at body panel seams, particularly the hood leading edge, roof rail joints, and rear liftgate seams. The issue is caused by insufficient e-coat coverage at spot-welded seams, allowing moisture to penetrate under the paint. The bubbling starts small but spreads if not addressed, eventually leading to visible rust. Dark-colored vehicles show the issue sooner. Kia has acknowledged the issue but has not issued a formal recall.

    Common Symptoms

    • Small bubbles in paint along hood front edge
    • Paint peeling at roof rail seam joints
    • Rust-colored bubbles at liftgate seam
    • Paint flaking when touched at bubble locations
    • Issue worsening in wet/humid climates

    How to Fix

    If under Kia's 5-year/60,000-mile paint warranty, have the dealer document and repair under warranty (they will sand, prime, and respray the affected panels). If out of warranty, sand the affected area to bare metal, treat any rust with a converter, apply primer, and respray. For preventive care, apply paint protection film (PPF) to the hood leading edge and high-risk seam areas. Ceramic coating helps but does not prevent the underlying adhesion issue.

    Typical repair cost:$0 - $1,500

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    Community Reported
    Medium Confidence

    On the 2020-2024 Kia Telluride, nHTSA recall 24V214000 (Kia SC303) covers certain 2020-2024 Telluride vehicles. The intermediate shaft and right front driveshaft may not be fully engaged, which can allow the vehicle to roll away while in Park.

    Common Symptoms

    • Vehicle rolls after being placed in Park if the driveline disengages

    How to Fix

    Check the VIN for recall 24V214000/SC303. Until repaired, manually engage the emergency parking brake before exiting. A Kia dealer updates the electronic parking-brake software and replaces a damaged intermediate shaft as necessary free of charge. Generic U-joints or carrier bearings are not this recall remedy.

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    Manually Verified
    High ConfidenceVerifiedLast reported by owners Dec 2024Reviewed Aug 2026

    On the 2020-2025 Kia Telluride, the third-row seat fold-down mechanism in the Telluride jams, preventing the seats from folding flat or locking back into the upright position. The latch mechanism uses a cable-actuated release that stretches and binds over time. When the latch jams in the released position, the seat back flops freely and cannot be secured for passenger use. The issue is exacerbated by frequent folding/unfolding of the third row.

    Common Symptoms

    • Third row seat will not fold down when release is pulled
    • Third row seat back will not lock in upright position
    • Seat back flops freely and cannot secure
    • Clicking or grinding from latch mechanism
    • Release handle feels loose or does not spring back

    How to Fix

    Lubricate the latch mechanism and release cable with white lithium grease or dry Teflon lubricant. If the cable has stretched, it needs to be adjusted or replaced. In some cases, the latch striker on the seat frame bends and needs to be realigned. Dealer repair involves replacing the seat latch assembly. Covered under the 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty.

    What you need to fix it

    Only diagnosis- and fitment-reviewed repair parts are linked here.

    • WD-40 Specialist 30061 White Lithium Grease, 10 oz
      OEMWD-40 Specialist 30061

      Lubricate the exposed metal-to-metal pivot/contact of an intact but dry or sticky third-row latch Fitment/availability: Maintenance material only after inspection; not a repair for a cable, spring, striker, fastener or latch that is bent…

      Home Depot

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    Typical repair cost:$50 - $500

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    Community Reported
    Medium Confidence

    On the 2020-2024 Kia Telluride, tellurides equipped with the panoramic sunroof develop headliner sagging and separation around the sunroof opening. The headliner adhesive fails due to heat cycling from the large glass panel above, causing the fabric to detach from the backing board. The sagging starts at the edges of the sunroof opening and progresses outward. This is both a cosmetic and functional issue, as the sagging fabric can obstruct the sunroof shade operation.

    Common Symptoms

    • Headliner fabric drooping around sunroof opening
    • Visible wrinkles in headliner near sunroof edges
    • Sunroof shade catching on sagging headliner
    • Headliner separating from backing board
    • Issue worse in hot climates

    How to Fix

    Dealer warranty repair involves replacing the entire headliner assembly, which requires removing the windshield, rear glass, or significant interior trim depending on the repair method. For minor sagging, some owners use headliner adhesive spray (3M Super 77 or equivalent) to re-bond the fabric, though this is considered a temporary fix. If out of warranty, an automotive upholstery shop can re-bond or replace the headliner for less than dealer cost.

    What you need to fix it

    Only diagnosis- and fitment-reviewed repair parts are linked here.

    • 3M 38808 Headliner & Fabric Adhesive, 18.1 oz
      OEM3M 38808

      Re-bond a small diagnosed headliner-fabric area when the foam and backing board are still sound Fitment/availability: Universal automotive headliner adhesive, not a Telluride headliner replacement. Use only after warranty/water-ingress c…

      Advance Auto Parts

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    Typical repair cost:$50 - $1,200

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    Medium Confidence

    On the 2020-2025 Kia Telluride 3.8L Lambda II V6, the 3.8L Lambda II V6 in the Telluride experiences fuel dilution of the engine oil when driven primarily on short trips (under 10 miles). Fuel washes past the piston rings during cold starts and does not fully evaporate because the oil never reaches full operating temperature. The diluted oil has reduced viscosity and lubrication properties, accelerating engine wear. The issue is more pronounced in cold climates. Oil analysis shows fuel contamination levels of 3-5% in severe cases.

    This issue also affects: Kia Sportage, Hyundai Kona, Hyundai Palisade

    Common Symptoms

    • Oil level rising above the full mark on dipstick
    • Gasoline smell from engine oil on dipstick
    • Oil appearing thinner than normal
    • Oil change interval warning appearing early
    • Increased engine noise from reduced oil film strength

    How to Fix

    Change oil more frequently if driving primarily short trips — every 3,000-4,000 miles instead of the 7,500-mile factory interval. Take the vehicle on a 20+ minute highway drive weekly to bring the oil to full operating temperature and boil off fuel contamination. Use a quality full-synthetic 5W-30 oil that resists fuel dilution better than conventional oil. Consider oil analysis testing (Blackstone Labs, $30) to monitor fuel dilution levels. If fuel dilution exceeds 5%, investigate injector spray patterns.

    Typical repair cost:$50 - $500

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    On the 2020-2025 Kia Telluride, tellurides fitted with the rear self-leveling (load-leveling) shock absorbers — standard on tow-package and higher trims — develop a distinct knock, thump or pop from the rear of the vehicle over bumps and expansion joints, often accompanied by a harsh, stiff ride. Kia first addressed this with TSB CHA113 (rear shock absorber assembly noise), which replaces the rear self-leveling shock insulator and locking nut on 2020-2021 vehicles built Jan 1 2019 - Dec 1 2020. The insulator turned out to be only part of the story: owners report the self-leveling shocks themselves subsequently failing outright — losing damping, leaking oil, or losing the self-leveling function so the rear sits low or bounces after bumps. Kia later issued warranty extension WTY040 (Aug 2024) covering the rear suspension noise / firm ride condition out to 15 years / 180,000 miles, which is an unusually long extension and signals a design-level defect rather than wear.

    Common Symptoms

    • Knocking, thumping or popping from the rear over bumps
    • Harsh or overly firm rear ride quality
    • Rear of vehicle bounces or floats after a dip
    • Oil film/weeping on rear shock body
    • Rear ride height sagging when loaded

    How to Fix

    First verify the noise is actually from the rear — this condition is very commonly misdiagnosed as front stabilizer bar links or bushings, leading to unnecessary front-end work. If in the TSB CHA113 population, the dealer replaces the rear self-leveling shock insulator and lock nut. If the shocks themselves have failed (oil weeping down the body, no rebound control, rear ride-height not self-correcting), the fix is replacement of the rear self-leveling shock absorbers in pairs. Because of warranty extension WTY040, have this diagnosed at a Kia dealer first — the repair is very likely free up to 15yr/180k miles.

    Typical repair cost:$0 - $1,400

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    High ConfidenceVerifiedReviewed Aug 2026

    On the 2020-2024 Kia Telluride, telluride owners report the air conditioning blowing warm air due to A/C compressor failure, with some vehicles having the compressor replaced more than once (often with a remanufactured unit). Common root causes are internal compressor mechanical/electrical failure or refrigerant leaks; repeat failures within warranty are documented across owner forums.

    Common Symptoms

    • A/C blowing warm or inconsistent air
    • A/C stops cooling intermittently in hot weather
    • Compressor noise or clutch not engaging
    • Repeat compressor replacements
    • Low refrigerant / detectable leak

    How to Fix

    Diagnose for refrigerant leak vs. compressor failure; Kia dealers replace failed compressors under the new-vehicle warranty, typically with a remanufactured unit. Persistent repeat failures may warrant escalation to Kia consumer affairs / lemon-law review.

    What you need to fix it

    Only diagnosis- and fitment-reviewed repair parts are linked here.

    • Genuine Kia 97701-C6950RU remanufactured A/C compressor
      OEMKia 97701-C6950RU

      Confirm VIN and A/C configuration before ordering.

      KiaPartsNow

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    Medium ConfidenceVerifiedReviewed Jun 2026
    NHTSA Recalls14 recalls

    AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

    Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Telluride vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the wire harnesses for the second row seat side air bags may become damaged, causing them not to deploy in the event of a crash.

    Campaign #23V03500029/01/2023

    ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

    Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Sportage, Sportage Hybrid, Sportage Plug-in Hybrid, Niro Hybrid, Niro Plug-in Hybrid, Soul, and Telluride vehicles equipped with a digital instrument cluster containing a 4.2" LCD screen.  The instrument cluster may fail to display any information when the vehicle is started.  As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 101, "Control and Displays," and 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."

    Campaign #23V29800026/04/2023

    POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

    Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Telluride vehicles. The intermediate shaft and right front driveshaft may not be fully engaged, which can result in vehicle roll away while in PARK.

    Campaign #24V21400020/03/2024

    SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST

    Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Telluride vehicles. The front power seat motor may overheat due to a stuck power seat slide knob, which can result in a fire while parked or driving.

    Campaign #24V40700005/06/2024

    STRUCTURE:EXTERIOR TRIM

    Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Telluride vehicles. The door belt molding trim can delaminate and detach from the vehicle.

    Campaign #25V49400028/07/2025

    + 9 more recalls. Check all on NHTSA.gov

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    Frequently Asked Questions

    What are the most common Kia Telluride problems?

    According to Au7o's analysis of 456+ owner reports, the 2023 Kia Telluride has 17 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Door Belt Molding Delamination / Detachment (Recall SC347), Panoramic Sunroof Glass Spontaneously Shattering, Front Power Seat Motor Overheating / Fire Risk. Of these, 6 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.

    Is the Kia Telluride reliable?

    The 2023 Kia Telluride has 17 known issues documented across 456+ owner reports. 6 issues are rated critical: Door Belt Molding Delamination / Detachment (Recall SC347) and Panoramic Sunroof Glass Spontaneously Shattering and Front Power Seat Motor Overheating / Fire Risk and Instrument Cluster Goes Completely Blank at Startup (Recalls 21V577, 22V344, 23V298) and Second-Row Side Air Bag Wire Harness Chafing / Non-Deployment (Recall 23V035) and Intermediate Shaft / Driveshaft Disengagement (Rollaway). Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.

    How much does it cost to fix common Kia Telluride problems?

    Repair costs for known Kia Telluride issues range from $0 to $2,500, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.

    What is the 2023-2025 Kia Telluride Door Belt Molding Delamination / Detachment (Recall SC347)?

    NHTSA recall 25V494000 (Kia SC347) covers certain 2023-2025 Telluride vehicles. The door belt molding trim can delaminate and detach from the vehicle, creating a road hazard for other traffic. Severity: high.

    What is the 2020-2025 Kia Telluride Panoramic Sunroof Glass Spontaneously Shattering?

    Telluride owners report the fixed or sliding panoramic sunroof glass exploding without any impact — typically while driving, described consistently as sounding like a gunshot followed by glass raining into the cabin. The failure mode is characteristic of tempered panoramic panels… Repairs typically run $900-$2,500. Severity: high.

    What is the 2020-2024 Kia Telluride Front Power Seat Motor Overheating / Fire Risk?

    NHTSA recall 26V430000 (Kia SC374) covers certain 2020-2024 Telluride vehicles. A front power-seat motor may overheat because of a stuck slide knob or an improper earlier 24V407 repair, causing a fire while parked or driving. This recall replaces 24V407. Severity: high.

    What is the 2022-2023 Kia Telluride Instrument Cluster Goes Completely Blank at Startup (Recalls 21V577, 22V344, 23V298)?

    The Telluride's LCD instrument cluster has failed in three separate, separately-recalled ways across 2022 and 2023 build ranges. On 2022 vehicles, excess adhesive on a circuit board inside the cluster bridges or stresses a connection so the display stays blank after startup (22V3… Repairs typically run $0-$1,600. Severity: high.

    What is the 2023 Kia Telluride Second-Row Side Air Bag Wire Harness Chafing / Non-Deployment (Recall 23V035)?

    On certain 2023 Tellurides the wire harnesses that feed the second-row seat-mounted side air bags can be damaged during seat travel or assembly routing. A damaged harness opens or shorts the squib circuit, so the second-row side air bag will not deploy in a side impact — the occu… Repairs typically run $0-$900. Severity: high.

    What is the 2020-2024 Kia Telluride Intermediate Shaft / Driveshaft Disengagement (Rollaway)?

    NHTSA recall 24V214000 (Kia SC303) covers certain 2020-2024 Telluride vehicles. The intermediate shaft and right front driveshaft may not be fully engaged, which can allow the vehicle to roll away while in Park. Severity: high.

    What is the 2020-2025 Kia Telluride Oil Dilution from Short Trip Driving (3.8L V6)?

    The 3.8L Lambda II V6 in the Telluride experiences fuel dilution of the engine oil when driven primarily on short trips (under 10 miles). Fuel washes past the piston rings during cold starts and does not fully evaporate because the oil never reaches full operating temperature. Th… Repairs typically run $50-$500. Severity: medium.

    What is the 2020-2025 Kia Telluride Rear Self-Leveling Shock Absorber Insulator Failure and Shock Blow-Out (Knock/Thump Over Bumps)?

    Tellurides fitted with the rear self-leveling (load-leveling) shock absorbers — standard on tow-package and higher trims — develop a distinct knock, thump or pop from the rear of the vehicle over bumps and expansion joints, often accompanied by a harsh, stiff ride. Kia first addr… Repairs typically run $0-$1,400. Severity: medium.

    What is the 2020-2025 Kia Telluride Parasitic 12V Battery Drain from Telematics Modem / Intelligent Battery Unit (Repeat No-Start)?

    Tellurides repeatedly go dead overnight or after a few days parked, with owners jump-starting and replacing perfectly good batteries only to have the problem return. The Telluride's always-on cellular telematics modem (Kia Access / UVO remote start and remote climate) never fully… Repairs typically run $200-$1,200. Severity: medium.

    What is the 2020-2025 Kia Telluride Power Liftgate Motor and Gas Strut Failure (Won't Close, Three-Beep Fault)?

    The Smart Power Liftgate on EX and above fails in two related but distinct ways. The gas struts on either side of the gate weaken — often within the first year or two, and much faster in cold climates — so the gate stops closing fully, reverses partway, or drops. Separately, the… Repairs typically run $180-$1,500. Severity: medium.

    What is the 2020-2024 Kia Telluride A/C Compressor Failure / No Cold Air?

    Telluride owners report the air conditioning blowing warm air due to A/C compressor failure, with some vehicles having the compressor replaced more than once (often with a remanufactured unit). Common root causes are internal compressor mechanical/electrical failure or refrigeran… Severity: medium.

    What is the 2020-2025 Kia Telluride Premature Windshield Cracking?

    Telluride owners report unusually high rates of windshield cracking from minor road debris that would not crack windshields on other vehicles. Over 46% of NHTSA visibility complaints for the Telluride relate to windshield cracking. Cracks typically originate from the lower passen… Repairs typically run $250-$1,000. Severity: low.

    What is the 2020-2024 Kia Telluride Idle Stop & Go Fails to Engage or Restarts Roughly (Auto Hold Interaction)?

    A large share of Telluride owners report that Idle Stop & Go essentially never works, or works for a while and then stops. The system requires a state-of-charge threshold at the 12V battery (dealers commonly quote roughly 68 percent or better), adequate brake vacuum, and settled… Repairs typically run $200-$400. Severity: low.

    What is the 2020-2025 Kia Telluride Paint Bubbling at Hood and Roof Seams?

    Tellurides develop paint bubbling and peeling at body panel seams, particularly the hood leading edge, roof rail joints, and rear liftgate seams. The issue is caused by insufficient e-coat coverage at spot-welded seams, allowing moisture to penetrate under the paint. The bubbling… Repairs typically run $0-$1,500. Severity: low.

    What is the 2020-2025 Kia Telluride Third Row Seat Latch Jamming?

    The third-row seat fold-down mechanism in the Telluride jams, preventing the seats from folding flat or locking back into the upright position. The latch mechanism uses a cable-actuated release that stretches and binds over time. When the latch jams in the released position, the… Repairs typically run $50-$500. Severity: low.

    What is the 2020-2023 Kia Telluride Infotainment / UVO Touchscreen Freezing and Random Reboot?

    Owners across multiple model years report the center infotainment (UVO) screen freezing, going black, showing a blue 'reset' screen, or rebooting on a loop while driving, sometimes accompanied by phantom-touch behavior and loss of the backup camera. The unit often becomes unrespo… Severity: low.

    What is the 2020-2024 Kia Telluride Headliner Sagging Near Panoramic Sunroof?

    Tellurides equipped with the panoramic sunroof develop headliner sagging and separation around the sunroof opening. The headliner adhesive fails due to heat cycling from the large glass panel above, causing the fabric to detach from the backing board. The sagging starts at the ed… Repairs typically run $50-$1,200. Severity: low.

    Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.

    Data sourced from 456+ owner reports, NHTSA recalls, TSBs, and automotive forums.