By David Bledsoe 
Reliability Concerns
Kia Telluride owners have encountered significant reliability issues, leading to major recalls that affect the SUV’s safety and functionality. Among these issues are serious fire hazards and parking safety concerns.
Recall for Fire Hazard
Kia America has recalled nearly 463,000 Telluride SUVs from model years 2020 to 2024 due to a fire hazard caused by the front power seat motor overheating. The decision to recall the vehicles was made on May 29 after reports of one under-seat fire and six incidents of localized melting occurring between August 2022 and March 2024. Fortunately, no injuries, crashes, or fatalities were reported at the time of the decision.
Owners of affected Telluride models are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from buildings until the fire hazard is fixed. Letters notifying owners will begin being sent starting July 30.
| Recall Data | Details |
|---|---|
| Models Affected | Kia Telluride (2020-2024) |
| Issue | Front power seat motor overheating |
| Number of Incidents | 1 fire, 6 localized melting |
| Notification Start Date | July 30 |
For more details about the recall specifics, read our article on what kia models are not being insured.
Recall for Parking Safety
In addition to the fire risk recall, Kia previously issued a recall for over 427,000 Telluride SUVs from the 2020 to 2024 model years due to a defect that may cause the cars to roll away while parked. This parking safety hazard underscores the importance of manually engaging the emergency brake before exiting the vehicle, as advised by Kia. This issue impacts Tellurides manufactured between January 9, 2019, and October 19, 2023, with an estimated 1 percent of the vehicles having the defect.
Kia plans to update the electronic parking brake software and replace any damaged intermediate shafts at no cost to address the issue. Additionally, owners who have incurred repair expenses will be reimbursed.
| Recall Data | Details |
|---|---|
| Models Affected | Kia Telluride (2020-2024) |
| Issue | Potential roll-away due to parking defect |
| Number of Vehicles Recalled | 427,000 |
| Manufacturer Date Range | January 9, 2019 – October 19, 2023 |
For more information on related safety issues, visit our article on 2013 kia sportage will not turn over.
Comparative Analysis
For those considering the Kia Telluride, it is essential to compare it with similar vehicles in terms of pricing, reliability, and cargo space. Below is a detailed analysis of these factors:
Pricing and MSRP
The pricing of the 2024 Kia Telluride is notably competitive when compared to similar SUVs like the 2024 Hyundai Palisade.
| Vehicle | Base MSRP |
|---|---|
| 2024 Kia Telluride LX | $36,190 |
| 2024 Hyundai Palisade SE | $36,650 |
Data sourced from U.S. News & World Report.
Predicted Reliability Scores
The predicted reliability score is an important consideration for prospective buyers. According to J.D. Power, the 2024 Kia Telluride has a slightly higher score compared to the 2024 Hyundai Palisade.
| Vehicle | Predicted Reliability Score (out of 100) |
|---|---|
| 2024 Kia Telluride | 83 |
| 2024 Hyundai Palisade | 81 |
These scores are from U.S. News & World Report.
Cargo Room
When it comes to cargo space, the 2024 Kia Telluride offers more room than the 2024 Hyundai Palisade, making it a better option for those needing to transport large items or travel with substantial luggage.
| Vehicle | Cargo Space (cubic feet) |
|---|---|
| 2024 Kia Telluride | 87 |
| 2024 Hyundai Palisade | 86.4 |
This information is provided by U.S. News & World Report.
While these comparisons show some advantages of the Kia Telluride, it’s imperative to delve deeper into other aspects such as safety flaws and concerns, common warranty issues, and any customer dissatisfaction besides the cost and cargo capacity, helping car owners make an informed decision.
Safety Comparison
Safety Scores
When evaluating the safety of the 2024 Kia Telluride, it’s important to consider its safety scores in comparison to its competitors. According to U.S. News & World Report, the 2024 Hyundai Palisade boasts a higher safety score of 9.8 out of 10, in contrast to the Kia Telluride’s 9.4 out of 10. This suggests a safety advantage for the Palisade over the Telluride.
| Model | Safety Score |
|---|---|
| 2024 Hyundai Palisade | 9.8 |
| 2024 Kia Telluride | 9.4 |
Customer Dissatisfaction
Customer feedback on the 2024 Kia Telluride highlights several areas of concern, most notably regarding the warranty and vehicle quality. Many customers have reported that the warranty did not cover certain damages, leading to significant frustration.
Specific issues mentioned include a design flaw with the condenser that lacks proper protection, resulting in costly repairs. Additionally, several owners have encountered major technical problems soon after purchasing the vehicle. These include display blackouts, loss of power, malfunctioning fuel gauges, and even starting issues that require jump-starts (Edmunds).
Recurring themes in customer reviews indicate noticeable quality differences between the 2024 model and previous years. Despite the vehicle’s spaciousness and modern features, many have expressed concerns about persistent safety issues (Edmunds).
For more information on specific safety-related problems and considerations when purchasing a Kia, you might also find it useful to explore topics like the 2020 Kia Soul headlight high beam not working properly, or find out which Kia models are not being insured. These discussions provide insights into broader concerns affecting Kia vehicles and their owners.
Quality and Warranty Issues
Lack of Coverage
Owners of the 2024 Kia Telluride have expressed frustration over the vehicle’s warranty coverage. Customers have reported incidents where the warranty did not cover certain damages, causing disappointment with Kia’s service (Edmunds). This lack of comprehensive coverage is seen as a significant drawback, leading to dissatisfaction among many owners.
| Issue | Customer Feedback |
|---|---|
| Warranty non-coverage | High level of frustration and dissatisfaction |
Design Faults
Another concern with the Kia Telluride lies in specific design faults. One notable example is the condenser’s lack of protection, which led to costly repairs for owners. Such design flaws have raised concerns about the vehicle’s overall build quality and safety.
| Design Fault | Impact |
|---|---|
| Unprotected condenser | Costly repairs and customer dissatisfaction |
Major Technical Problems
The 2024 Kia Telluride has also faced significant technical problems. Multiple owners have reported experiencing issues such as display blackouts, loss of power, malfunctioning gas gauges, and starting problems that require jump starts. These major technical problems have led to considerable inconvenience and frustration.
| Technical Problem | Customer Experience |
|---|---|
| Display blackouts | Inconvenience and frustration |
| Loss of power | Significant disturbance in vehicle use |
| Malfunctioning gas gauge | Inaccurate fuel level readings |
| Starting problems | Dependency on jump starts |
These quality and warranty issues highlight several compelling reasons why not to buy a Kia Telluride. For more insights into other Kia vehicle problems, check out our articles on 2013 Kia Sportage will not turn over and what is not covered by Kia warranty.
Safety-Related Concerns
When considering the Kia Telluride, potential buyers should be aware of certain safety-related concerns that have been reported. This section will delve into issues related to brake and safety features, as well as potential hazards.
Brake and Safety Feature Issues
Several owners of the 2024 Kia Telluride have highlighted problems with the vehicle’s brake assist systems and other safety features. According to user reports, some have experienced malfunctions that compromise the car’s safety (Edmunds). These issues include:
- Malfunctioning Brake Assist: The brake assist system, which is supposed to enhance braking efficiency during emergency stops, has been reported to fail, causing significant safety concerns.
- Inaccurate Fuel Gauges: A faulty fuel gauge can mislead drivers about the actual fuel level, potentially leading to unexpected stalls in dangerous locations.
- Starting Problems: Users have frequently encountered starting problems that require the vehicle to be jump-started, which can be particularly inconvenient and hazardous in remote areas.
For further details on common problems with Kia models, visit kia brake lights not working.
Potential Hazards
One of the most pressing issues with the Kia Telluride involves a recall affecting over 427,000 vehicles. This recall addresses a defect in the parking safety system that could cause cars to roll away while parked (PBS News Hour).
The affected models (2020-2024 Tellurides) may have an intermediate shaft and right front driveshaft engagement issue that leads to unintended movement while the vehicle is in park, increasing the likelihood of accidents.
| Issue | Impacted Models | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Parking Safety Recall | 2020-2024 | Defect may cause the vehicle to roll away while parked, increasing crash risks (PBS News Hour) |
Kia has advised drivers of the affected vehicles to manually engage the emergency brake to prevent unintended movement until the issue is resolved. Notifications to vehicle owners will be mailed out, with further instructions on how to get the vehicle inspected and repaired.
For more information on warranty coverage and potential issues, please see what is not covered by kia warranty.
Knowing these safety concerns can help potential buyers make informed decisions about whether the Kia Telluride is the right vehicle for them.
Overall Customer Feedback
Spaciousness and Features
The 2024 Kia Telluride has received positive feedback for its spaciousness and features. It provides more cargo room compared to competitors like the 2024 Hyundai Palisade, offering 87 cubic feet of cargo room with the second and third rows folded down (U.S. News & World Report). This spacious interior makes it a popular choice for families looking for ample storage space and comfortable seating.
| Model | Cargo Room (cubic feet) |
|---|---|
| Kia Telluride | 87 |
| Hyundai Palisade | 86.4 |
Safety Flaws and Concerns
Despite the praise for its spaciousness, the 2024 Kia Telluride has garnered significant criticism due to its safety flaws and other concerns. Many customers have reported issues that have caused dissatisfaction and frustration.
-
Warranty coverage has been a major point of contention. Some customers have found that the warranty does not cover certain damages, leading to dissatisfaction with Kia’s service. This lack of adequate coverage puts potential buyers at risk of unexpected repair costs, impacting their overall satisfaction with the vehicle.
-
Design faults, such as the lack of protection for the condenser, have resulted in costly repairs. Customers have specifically mentioned this flaw, which has raised concerns about the durability and thoughtfulness of the design. Owners believe that Kia should have addressed this issue, as it compromises the vehicle’s reliability.
-
Major technical problems are another significant concern. Some owners have experienced severe issues, such as display blackouts, loss of power, malfunctioning gas gauges, and starting problems requiring jump starts. These issues, occurring after a relatively short period of ownership, indicate potential reliability problems with the vehicle (Edmunds).
For those wondering about other common issues with Kia vehicles, such as when the Kia Telluride key fob not working or the Kia Sorento AC not working, feel free to explore our detailed coverage on these topics.
The extensive array of safety and mechanical concerns casts doubt on the 2024 Kia Telluride’s reliability, making it essential for potential buyers to consider these aspects carefully.