2022 Kia Telluride Reliability Report

Windshield cracks dominate. A tiny pebble, or no visible impact, starts a crack that can spread across the glass within hours, sometimes while the car sits parked. Several happen within days or weeks of purchase. Dealers and add-on glass protection plans often refuse to cover replacement. Other glass also fails: the sunroof, the rear window, and a rear side window shatter on their own while driving, sometimes at interstate speed. One report describes the heater blowing only lukewarm air at idle.

The main hazard is rollaway. After being parked in Park, the vehicle rolls backward on its own and strikes cars, houses, and trees. One person was knocked down and injured. Owners cite recall 24V214000. Another crash report describes the SUV lurching forward in Park into a garage door. Transmission complaints include a complete failure with the replacement part back-ordered, intermittent loss of acceleration despite repeated repairs, and the engine racing to 6000 rpm at stops. AWD models show vibration at 65 mph and above that drive shaft and differential replacement did not fix.

Excessive oil consumption leads to engine failure. Owners report losing a quart or more between changes, blue smoke from the exhaust, and no low-oil warning before stalling or seizing in traffic. Several need a new engine, and some say Kia denied warranty coverage over missing service records. One fire report describes a piston breaking through the block and flames from under the hood. The plastic oil filter housing cracks and leaks oil, one around 100k miles. A shredded drive belt caused overheating and loss of power on the freeway.

Sunroof glass explodes while driving at interstate speed, and once at a car wash, showering occupants with glass. A snapped wind deflector can knock the sunroof off its track so it will not open or close. Windshields crack with or without debris, sometimes within the first week or while the car sits in a garage. Paint chips and peels early on white vehicles, and trim around the windshield oxidizes. Rear child locks engage and disengage on their own.

The brakes fail or ABS engages hard at low speed, and two reports involve collisions. Several complaints describe the HECU problem: EPB, Auto Hold, and ABS warning lights, then a brake fluid leak, even after a recall inspection passed. Automatic emergency braking slams on the brakes with nothing ahead, sometimes with adaptive cruise on, around 30k miles. A failing wheel speed sensor at 10K miles caused a long stopping distance. Owners also object to the rollaway recall software that sets the parking brake automatically and cannot be released with the car off.

Airbags fail to deploy in significant crashes, including a high-speed rear-end collision, a side impact from a red-light runner, a deer strike at 55 mph, and a side hit at 30 mph. Two reports include injuries, one a concussion. In one side crash, the impact broke the airbag sensor itself. The passenger occupancy sensor also fails to detect an adult sitting on a cushion, which turns off the passenger airbag and seat belt reminder with no override.

All three reports involve injuries or a recall. The rear seat cushion folds forward with strong force when the release handle is pulled, pinning a knee against the floor. The gap between the console and the driver's seat traps arms, and in one case EMTs had to free a driver. A power seat slide knob fails and leaves the seat inoperable, a problem tied to recall 24V407000. Repairs were delayed because parts were not available.