116 of the 2,014 complaints about the Kia Telluride (5.8%) concern Transmission / powertrain, making it the model's #6 problem area. That share is 0.5× the Transmission / powertrain share across all tracked vehicles.
116Complaints · Transmission / powertrain
5.8%Share of complaints
0.49×vs. all vehicles
36Last 12 months
4.3%Share involving a crash or fire
1Related recalls
Analysis
36 Transmission / powertrain complaints were filed in the last 12 months versus 24 in the 12 months before — up 50%.
5 of these reports (4.3%) describe a crash or fire, with 3 injuries and 1 death mentioned.
1 recall campaign relates to this area, most recently campaign 24V214000 (2024-03-20, model years 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024).
The contact's spouse owns a 2020 Kia Telluride. The contact's spouse stated that while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle inadvertently rolled backwards and struck the contact’s aunt as she was exiting the vehicle.
Transmission / powertrain · 2025-07-02 · ODI 11670820
The vehicle was parked(placed in park on gear shift) in a friends driveway, facing upward on approx. 15Deg incline with the engine idling.
Transmission / powertrain · 2025-06-18 · ODI 11667813 · Crash
While driving the vehicle on the highway attempting to pass a vehicle at 75 mph the car unexpectedly shut completely off. We had to swerve between 2 vehicles narrowly avoiding an accident and the car would not turn back on.
Transmission / powertrain · 2026-10-08 · ODI 11769945
The AWD coupler is shuttering and making the vehicle shake on turns . It is a common issue with KiA awd systems which is why I don’t understand why it’s not a recall!
Transmission / powertrain · 2026-09-22 · ODI 11766138
On XXX, at approximately 7:40 a.m., my 2023 Kia Telluride, VIN [XXX], experienced a sudden mechanical failure while traveling approximately 65+ mph southbound on [XXX].
Transmission / powertrain · 2026-08-28 · ODI 11760459
Our 2022 Telluride is binding when turning at low speed or accelerating on the highway we took it to our trusted mechanic, he believes it to be the all-wheel-drive coupling unit and that is a common failure point with these vehicles.
Transmission / powertrain · 2026-08-26 · ODI 11759775
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Related recalls
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT Campaign 24V214000 · 2024-03-20 · Model years: 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Summary: 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.
Remedy: Owners are advised to manually engage the emergency parking brake prior to exiting the vehicle until the recall remedy is performed. Dealers will update the electronic parking brake software and replace any damaged intermediate shafts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 15, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC303.
