Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2023 Kia Telluride owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Telluride. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the instrument cluster displayed a blank screen. Additionally, the parking brake inadvertently engaged while driving. The Auto Start/Stop was intermittently inoperable, and the doors failed to unlock with the remote starter. The vehicle was towed to the dealer; however, the dealer only performed a recall repair under NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V035000 (Air Bags). The failure recurred. The contact then stated that while pulling into a parking space at 4 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle lunged forward and experienced unintended acceleration. The forward collision avoidance failed to activate to stop the vehicle. The vehicle crashed into the median, causing the front passenger's side tire to blow out. The front view camera fault message was displayed. …
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Telluride. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, a warning chime sounded with the check forward safety system, check rear cross traffic safety system, check blind spot safety system, and the AWD safety system messages displayed. The contact restarted the vehicle and the vehicle resumed normal operation. Several days later the failure returned, and the contact called and made the dealer aware of the failure. The contact was informed that pests might have entered the vehicle and the contact was advised to have the vehicle cleaned. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle shut off as the previous warning messages displayed. Additionally, the engine off message was displayed. The contact pulled off to the shoulder of the highway and restarted the vehicle; however, the failure persisted after the vehicle was restarted. …
The KIA Telluride Tow Hitch Harness Module has been responsible for getting humidity and dirt inside and starting a fires. So, KIA has recalled this issue BACK IN AUGUST, 2022 and told everyone not to park the vehicle inside or near any buildings and expected a solution this October. However, it's December and I have contacted my Dealer as well as KIA corporation and KIA is telling everyone that they do NOT have any solution for this fire hazard and they cannot even provide any date as to when they will have a solution. So, now, they are just shipping all the new Telluride's (that should be coming with the Tow Hitch and Harness) without them and saying they have no idea when you can get the new revised Hitch and Harness Solution????? At this point it feels as though KIA is not taking this seriously and offering ANY SOLUTIONS for their dealers or customers. So, what can be done?
The contact owns a 2023 KIA Telluride. The contact stated the vehicle was experiencing heating system failures. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer on three occasions for heating and cooling failures. The dealer replaced an unknown sensor and the thermostat; however, the heat became inoperable. The contact stated that the heat was only operable while driving, and the vehicle would blow cool air while idling. The contact stated that the heat was barely warming up the vehicle while driving. The contact stated that the failure had caused the windows to be foggy, which reduced the road's visibility while driving. The vehicle was taken to a Kia Dealer, where an unknown sensor and the thermostat were replaced, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.
Contact states large metal vehicle door trim came off while driving, unknown if accident was caused or other damage to surrounding vehicles. Further states, noticed when large rubber-like molding under door trim was flapping and thunking against door. Contact says water now intrudes into vehicle cabin and suspects constant water inside door affecting door electrical systems. Dealer notified by contact and no remedy provided for this "known issue". Contact is concerned about other trim pieces coming off and penetrating other vehicles at speed with "sharp and pointed edges", as well as electrical fire from water intrusion corrosion. Contact demands further investigation and action by vehicle safety regulators.
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. During the failure, the driver was unable to view several needed features, such as the speedometer and fuel gauge, and the blind spot monitoring system. The vehicle was cautiously driven to the dealer, who diagnosed that the instrument cluster screen was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 82,000.
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Telluride. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the instrument cluster went blank. The speedometer and fuel gauge failed to display as needed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V298000 (Electrical System); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.
On two separate occasions within 2 weeks of each other, I lost complete power of my new 2023 Kia Telluride while driving. The first incident occurred on June 22nd, 2023 with only 2000 miles on the car I received a message of an issue with the Engine Control System, along with the Battery warning light and Check Engine Light. Shortly afterwards the entire display panel started transmitting every error message on the screen while I was driving. As I was turning left at an intersection onto a lesser busy street, I started to lose power steering and lost complete power as I pulled my car to the side of the road. The second incident occurred while on vacation with my family on July 1st, 2023 with approx 2600 miles. The dashboard displayed the same Engine Control System message along with the Battery warning light and Check Engine Light. …
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Telluride. The contact stated while driving from a complete stop and making a left turn, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to respond and stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle responded as needed. The contact stated that the failure recurred while driving on two other occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that the Idle, Stop and Go (ISG) System was malfunctioning. The dealer advised the contact to press the ISG OFF button A to deactivate the ISG system prior to driving. The contact followed the dealer's instructions; however, the failure persisted while driving. A warning light displaying a speedometer with a key was illuminated, and the message "Limit - 20 MPH" was displayed. …
My Telluride has a factory trailer hitch so I COULD insert a draw bar with ball and hook up a trailer. But....no connection is there for electrical, so no lights or brakes would operate on any trailer I tried to tow!! Obviously this is a horrible SAFETY problem! NHTSA recalled the 2022 & earlier model year Tellurides because the tow wiring harness (essential for operating ANY towed trailer) was causing fires. A "stop sale" order was also issued. I purchased a 2023 model year in November 2022 expressly to tow my travel trailer. The recall was not disclosed to me, nor the fact that no wiring harness was available, or would ever be MADE available for my car. …
Related recalls
Electrical system › Instrument cluster/panel
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.
Remedy: 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.
Electrical complaints in other Telluride years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2023 Kia Telluride?
NHTSA has 50 complaints about the electrical system of the 2023 Kia Telluride, 24% of the model year's 209 complaints. The component named most often is instrument cluster/panel (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2023 Kia Telluride electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 23V-298 (instrument cluster/panel, Apr 26, 2023). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2023 Kia Telluride electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 30,000 miles, and 50% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.