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2023 Kia Telluride Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2023 Kia Telluride carries 6 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering side/window and instrument cluster/panel. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “Instrument cluster display blank.” Kia uses Hyundai Motor Group's powertrains, so service intervals mirror Hyundai's. Kia Promise covers the first 3 years / 36,000 miles of complimentary maintenance. Kia owners with the Theta II 2.0L/2.4L (Optima, Sorento, Sportage 2011-2019) should adhere strictly to oil intervals due to known oil-consumption issues in Kia TSBs.

6 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

Campaign #23V035000 · Jan 29, 2023

Issue: 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.

Risk: Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace, or secure the air bag wire harnesses, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 28, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC262.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

Campaign #23V298000 · Apr 26, 2023

Issue: 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."

Risk: A blank instrument cluster display will not show critical information, such as tire pressure, warning messages, and warning lights, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will update the instrument cluster software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 26, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC270.

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

Campaign #24V214000 · Mar 20, 2024

Issue: 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.

Risk: A vehicle roll away increases the risk of a crash or injury.

Fix: 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.

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST

Campaign #24V407000 · May 6, 2024

Issue: 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.

Risk: A fire increases the risk of injury.

Fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will install a bracket for the power seat switch back covers and replace the seat slide knobs, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 30, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC316.

STRUCTURE:EXTERIOR TRIM

Campaign #25V494000 · Jul 28, 2025

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

Risk: A detached trim piece can become a road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the belt molding trim assemblies as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 19, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC347.

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST

Campaign #26V430000 · Feb 7, 2026

Issue: 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 or an improper recall 24V407 repair, which can result in a fire while parked or driving.

Risk: A fire increases the risk of injury.

Fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will install an electronic fuse assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 13, 2026. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC374. This recall replaces NHTSA recall number 24V407. Vehicles already repaired under the previous recall will need to have the new remedy completed. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning July 17, 2026.

Recall data refreshed Sep 6, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2023 Kia Telluride.

Reported to NHTSA

Instrument cluster display blank

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

21 NHTSA complaints · 2023-02 → 2026-04

“I have an EX trim. Driver Instrument Display is off and won't turn back on. I have tried turning off the car for extended periods of time and turning it back on but no luck”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11507526
“The contact owns a 2023 Kia Telluride. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the instrument cluster display screen failed to activate and was inoperable”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11705590
“2023 Kia Telluride – Instrument cluster intermittently goes blank while operating the vehicle. This has happened multiple times over the last few years since we bought it brand new, even after the official recall repair (SC270)”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11701378

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Panoramic sunroof spontaneous shattering

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

14 NHTSA complaints · 2022-12 → 2026-05

“Was driving on the freeway, with no cars in front of me when my sunroof exploded outward. There was no debris that hit my car, just a loud explosion”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11678435
“The single panel sunroof spontaneously exploded while driving while there were no other cars around me on the road. It was not due to a branch or road debris”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11592947
“I was driving at 35 MPH on a nicely paved road and my sunroof exploded. It sounded like a gun shot”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11569168

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Rear self-leveling shock clunking noise

SUSPENSION

7 NHTSA complaints · 2024-05 → 2026-05

“I am experiencing rear self leveling shock strut failure (thumping noise) again after having both sides previously replaced under warranty and now the dealership is refusing to replace them again”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11683874
“The rear suspension is incredibly creaky sounding. It constantly makes noise at every slight bump and turn regardless of speed”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11593676
“REAR SHOCKS FAILED AT ONLY 9,000 MILES. A KNOWN ISSUE WITH SELF LEVELING SUSPENSION ON SOME TELLURIDE MODELS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11590340

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Door and body trim detachment

STRUCTURE

7 NHTSA complaints · 2025-02 → 2026-04

“The trim panel (color black on my vehicle and approximately 4” wide by 18” high) between the driver’s window and the driver side passenger window continues to come loose and almost fly off at highway speeds”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11677953
“The body trim is starting to fall off. I have at least 2 trims that are barely hanging on. this has been a problem on my vehicle since December 2024”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11690053
“The trim around the back driver side window fell off at some point. Safety was not put at risk”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11661101

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

AWD coupler failure

POWER TRAIN

6 NHTSA complaints · 2024-11 → 2026-07

“The AWD couplers continue to fail. We are waiting for the dealer to get parts in so they can be replaced again. The tech stated KIA continues to install defective parts”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11696502
“Vehicle began to shake when approaching 40mph or greater. Mechanic at dealership stated bolt from driveshaft to rear coupler was missing with two other bolts loose”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11624596
“Ever since purchasing this 2023 Kia telluride I have felt a skipping or thumping feeling when making a turn from a stop sign or a light, at a slower speed, then accelerating”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11740387

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Windshield spontaneous cracking

VISIBILITY/WIPER

38 NHTSA complaints · 2023-01 → 2026-04

“On our new 2023 Kia Telluride with less than 1500 miles, the windshield cracked from the bottom drivers side across the windshield to the passenger side”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11531182
“WINDSHIELD CRACK. We are unsure the cause, but our vehicle is only 3 months old and overnight (while parked in our garage) the windshield mysteriously cracked”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11540748
“10 months after purchasing brand new vehicle from dealership, the windshield developed large crack for no apparent reason--no debris or collision”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11593844

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Snow Mode acceleration loss at stop

POWER TRAIN, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

18 NHTSA complaints · 2023-01 → 2024-04

“When vehicle is in Snow Mode and I begin accelerating after a complete stop or turning the vehicle from park to drive, the accelerator does not respond”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11572060
“We had the vehicle in 'snow' mode and AWD activated. We turned from a stoplight and as we tried to accelerate and merge, all power cut out”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11566105
“This has happened twice in the same day. We have less than 200 miles in the car. Wile accelerating uphill, the rpm’s drop and the acceleration dies and we have had to turn on hazards as it slows down while we pull over to the side of the road”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11504339

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine stall or no-start while driving

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE

12 NHTSA complaints · 2023-07 → 2026-08

“Multiple times over the course of six months the vehicle would turn itself and all electric components off while being driven, with no warning. The car would then refuse to restart”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11744919
“The vehicle has now been towed three times, completely shut down while driving three times, with the latest incident being especially dangerous-the car shut off while in drive, the brakes failed, and the steering wheel locked”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11658207
“On two separate occasions within 2 weeks of each other, I lost complete power of my new 2023 Kia Telluride while driving”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11529958

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 11, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 11, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 3,750 mi

Severe service: every 3,750 miles. Normal: 7,500 miles. Theta II 2.0L/2.4L on Optima, Sorento, Sportage (2011-2019): full synthetic only, never extend.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate tires every 7,500 miles. Telluride and Sorento AWD owners benefit from rotation every 5,000 miles to prevent uneven wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect brake pads and rotors every 7,500 miles. Forte and Soul front pads typically last 40,000-55,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 30,000 miles or 24 months. Required for ABS and ESC pump longevity.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace engine air filter every 30,000 miles. Severe or dusty conditions: 15,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Severe service: every 30,000 miles. Normal: 60,000 miles. Use Kia SP-IV — same as Hyundai.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 105,000 mi

Iridium-tipped plugs rated 105,000 miles on most Kia engines. 1.6T (Forte GT, Soul Turbo): 60,000 miles. 3.5L Lambda II V6 (Telluride, Sorento): 105,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Long-Life Coolant

Every 30,000 mi

Kia Long-Life Coolant (pink, same as Hyundai): first change at 60,000 miles, then every 30,000. Do not mix with green or orange coolant.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Transfer Case / Rear Diff (AWD)

Every 60,000 mi

Sportage AWD, Sorento AWD, Telluride AWD: replace transfer case fluid and rear diff fluid every 60,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 15,000 mi

Replace cabin air filter every 15,000 miles. Located behind the glove box on Optima, Forte, and Sportage; behind the dashboard panel on Telluride.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

8 crashes 2010–2024

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

5

complaints mentioning a crash

2

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2023 Kia Telluride reflects Kia's published service intervals and the Service Reminder system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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