2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid Recalls & Complaints

Incident: September 1, 2026 · Filed: October 22, 2026

The contact owns a 2027 Kia Telluride. The contact stated that upon coming to a stop or while accelerating from a stop, the vehicle shifted into neutral(N) and required to manually shift to drive(D). On another occasion, after entering a parking spot the transmission unintendedly shifted to neutral(N) and needed to be manually shifted into drive(D) to park the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the shift lever had failed and needed to be replaced. The shift lever was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 400.

Incident: September 14, 2026 · Filed: October 15, 2026

I am reporting recurring braking, transmission/powertrain, and steering concerns with a new 2027 Kia Telluride purchased in July 2026. BRAKES: When traveling over bumps, especially at higher speeds, braking intermittently flutters, pulses, or feels as if it skips. Braking also feels inconsistent at low speeds. I am concerned about stopping predictably in an emergency. POWERTRAIN: When slowing, coasting toward a stop, or accelerating again, the vehicle sometimes hesitates before responding, then engages abruptly with a jolt. On an inclined driveway, while transitioning from rolling slightly backward to moving forward, the vehicle jerked violently and nearly struck the garage door. Similar hesitation and jolting have occurred repeatedly. STEERING: When driving over road bumps, I intermittently hear an electrical-type buzzing or vibrating sound near the steering column and feel a jolt or vibration through the steering wheel. These symptoms began within the first few months of ownership during normal driving. On October 11, 2026, at approximately 5,997 miles, the vehicle was towed to an authorized Kia dealership because we did not feel safe driving it. The dealership has documented the concerns. Braking and transmission diagnosis were authorized; the steering concern was reported but diagnosis was deferred. As of this report, no confirmed cause or repair findings have been communicated. Kia America has also been notified. The vehicle remains at the dealership for inspection. I am concerned these conditions may affect braking, vehicle control, and acceleration and increase the risk of a collision.

Incident: October 13, 2026 · Filed: October 14, 2026

While driving on the highway with no cars around me my sunroof exploded while closed.

Incident: October 9, 2026 · Filed: October 9, 2026

While driving to work, stoped at a red light, a loud noise occurred, such a heavy object hitting glass, but sounded like an explosion. The rear glass looked strange. I got out of my vehicle to look and the entire back glass was shattered. There was no object or anything that could have caused it. Upon the non-emergent police officer arriving and examining the vehicle, they stated it appears that the glass “exploded” or shattered from the inside. I have owned the vehicle since the end of May 2026 and it was brand new.

Incident: October 3, 2026 · Filed: October 7, 2026

I just returned from a trip and I have 3 window chips from rocks on my windshield. I have been driving for over 40 years and only have had 2 chips on my previous vehicles. I'm concerned that if the factory windshield is not strong enough to withstand a rock (one which sounded like a bug) what happens in an accident? I am getting the windshield replaced with a Kia OEM windshield, so we will see if rocks continue to crack the windshield.

Incident: August 19, 2026 · Filed: October 6, 2026

While carrying bikes with a bike rack the factory installed trailer hitch failed while we were driving on the highway. The weight being carried was well under the tang weight rating of the hitch. The construction of the hitch appears substantially inferior to comparable factory hitches. The failure of our hitch presented, and the potential failure of others installed on similar Kia vehicles presents, a substantial safety risk to passengers and surrounding individuals and property. If failure occurs while towing heavier items, such as a boat, it could be catastrophic. A VA state trooper did inspect the hitch and filed an incident report at the time of the accident. The vehicle is scheduled to be inspected by a KIA dealership 10/20/26. I have pictures and vehicle is available for inspection. No warning lamps or messages appeared prior to failure.

Incident: September 26, 2026 · Filed: September 28, 2026

This side mirror folding bring to comfort to driver. but after parked vehicle and fold side mirror. after few times with fold and unfold sidemirror. afterthought, mirror keep moved downward. I've been changed sidemirror motor one time already and waiting for 2nd part to arrive at dealership now. this keep happening bring me stressful to few times reset mirror setting.

Incident: September 27, 2026 · Filed: September 28, 2026

when wear sunglasses during driving. it kept alert me to focus to face forward on road.

Incident: September 25, 2026 · Filed: September 25, 2026

On the morning of September 25, 2026, while parking my 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid (approximately 6,000 miles), I lightly pressed the accelerator pedal and the vehicle suddenly surged forward with force that felt disproportionate to my pedal input, striking a wall in front of the vehicle. The front bumper and front fender were damaged; the vehicle is currently being repaired at a body shop under an insurance claim. No injuries occurred. Notably, my dashcam has no recorded footage covering the exact time of the incident. I am concerned this may have been a sudden unintended acceleration event and am reporting it so it can be evaluated for a potential safety defect. Approximately one week before this incident, my vehicle received two dealer software updates: campaign SA652 (ultra-wide band sensor software) and campaign SA658 (SBCM software logic improvement). I am including this timing information in case it is relevant to the evaluation.

Incident: April 11, 2026 · Filed: September 15, 2026

OEM equipment failure / severe safety hazard: I purchased a new 2027 Kia Telluride on March 14, 2026, equipped from the factory with 21-inch alloy wheels and Kumho Majesty X Solus TA92 tires (size 265/45 R21). In exactly 6 months of ownership, 4 tires across 3 different wheel positions have suffered sudden blowouts or structural sidewall failures under ordinary driving conditions. Timeline of Failures: April 11, 2026 (Rear Passenger): Sidewall failure following a low-speed curb bump. Replaced with an identical OEM Kumho tire on April 25 ($521.33). June 1, 2026 (Rear Driver): Sudden, catastrophic blowout while driving routine commute route through town at normal municipal speeds; no severe pothole or road hazard involved. Replaced with an identical OEM Kumho tire on June 4 ($406.43). July 2026 (Rear Driver): The brand-new replacement tire installed in June developed an unrepairable sidewall air leak within 6 weeks of installation. Certified technicians confirmed structural failure of the sidewall cords. September 14, 2026 (Front Passenger): Catastrophic blowout during normal daily city commute. The vehicle is currently disabled on a temporary spare. Pattern & Hazard: This vehicle curb weight exceeds 4,500 lbs, yet Kia fitted it with an ultra-low-profile 45-series tire designed for grand-touring comfort rather than structural impact resistance. Standard pavement seams, highway expansion joints, and ordinary municipal road imperfections repeatedly cause the tire sidewall to bottom out against the 21-inch alloy rim, causing internal ply fractures, sidewall leaks, and instantaneous blowouts. Identical OEM replacements fail within weeks under normal driving. Having 4 tire failures across 3 wheels in 6 months—leaving only 2 intact tires today—demonstrates an inherent design/equipment defect that poses a continuous risk of high-speed highway loss of vehicle control. Kia must address the suitability of this 21-inch wheel/tire configuration.