Short answer: The biggest problems with the 2023 Kia Telluride are electrical system problems, transmission issues, and engine problems.
Electrical system problems are the most common while transmission and engine problems aren’t as common.
Some of these problems have even resulted in recalls: As of March 2026, Kia has issued five for the 2023 Telluride, ranging from overheating power seat motors to second row air bags not deploying.
Kia’s Telluride is an SUV-type vehicle that many drivers rely on for commuting or traveling with their families.
While many vehicles will work well throughout their lifetimes, some leave the factory with defects that give drivers trouble down the road.
In this article, we summarize the most common complaints about the 2023 Kia Telluride.
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Common 2023 Kia Telluride Problems
2023 Kia Telluride Electrical System Problems
Electrical complaints for the 2023 Telluride primarily involve instrument cluster display issues and digital display malfunctions.
Blank Instrument Cluster Panel
- Severity: Moderate; a blank instrument cluster prevents the driver from viewing speed, warning indicators, fuel level, and other critical vehicle information, increasing crash risk.
- Manufacturer’s Response: Kia issued NHTSA Recall 23V-298 for a 4.2-inch instrument cluster that may fail to display information properly due to software errors.
- Fix: Dealers update the instrument cluster software free of charge.
2023 Kia Telluride Transmission Issues
Owners have reported drivability concerns including rollaway risk and abnormal behavior in certain drive modes.
Snow Mode Acceleration Issues
- Severity: Owners have reported drivability concerns including rollaway risk and abnormal behavior in certain drive modes.
- Manufacturer’s Response: There is no Kia recall or TSB issued specifically for Snow Mode acceleration issues on the 2023 Telluride. The Hyundai Palisade TSB (23-BR-003H) does not apply to Kia Telluride models and should not be referenced.
- Fix: Dealers may inspect transmission control software and driveline components; no official repair campaign currently exists.
Vehicle Rollaway
- Severity: Moderate to severe; unintended vehicle movement can lead to property damage or injury.
- Manufacturer’s Response: Kia issued NHTSA Recall 24V-214 due to an issue where the intermediate shaft and right front driveshaft may not fully engage, potentially allowing the vehicle to roll away if the parking brake is not applied.
- Fix: Dealers inspect and replace the intermediate shaft if necessary and update related software as required, free of charge.
2023 Kia Telluride Engine Problems
Owners have reported engine stalling and power loss concerns.
Stalling and Power Loss
- Severity: Moderate; engine stalling while driving can increase the risk of collision, especially at highway speeds or in traffic.
- Manufacturer’s Response: There is no NHTSA recall specifically for engine stalling on the 2023 Telluride. However, Kia issued Recall 23V-307 related to an Idle Stop & Go (ISG) electric oil pump controller that may overheat and increase fire risk in certain Telluride vehicles. While not directly labeled as a “stalling” recall, it is engine related.
- Fix: Dealers inspect and replace the Idle Stop & Go oil pump controller, if necessary, free of charge. For stalling unrelated to the recall, diagnostic inspection of fuel, ignition, and engine control systems is required.
2023 Kia Telluride Owner Complaints
“The engine’s serpentine belt started to fail prematurely. In cold weather, the engine’s belt would scream for 1 to 5 minutes when warming up the engine (under no load and not moving). The belt had less than 40,000 miles on it (when Kia expects it to go 80,000 miles).”
“Upon starting suv, the instrument panel / cluster did not display. There is now no way to know speed, safety warnings such as malfunctioning sensors or safety features . No odometer or any driving feedback of any kind. Have scheduled appointment with dealer tomorrow.”
“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. Missing bolt threads were rusted as if bolt was never installed from factory as vehicle only has 12,000 miles. No warning messages displayed, only symptom was vibrations when approaching 40mph or greater.”
Enforcing Your Rights as a Car Owner
Lemon laws are designed to ensure that consumers are not left responsible for vehicles that suffer from ongoing, uncorrected defects during the warranty period.
When a manufacturer cannot repair a substantial problem after a reasonable number of attempts, the law may require that manufacturer to provide a refund, replacement vehicle, or other financial compensation.
These protections apply to defects that meaningfully affect a vehicle’s safety, performance, or overall reliability.
Repeated repair visits, extended time out of service, or recurring system failures are often indicators that a vehicle may qualify.
Manufacturers may argue that problems are minor or successfully repaired, but the pattern of breakdowns and documented repair history often tells a different story.
Acting promptly and understanding your rights can be critical to preserving a potential claim.
| Affected Model | Average Lemon Law Settlement |
| 2023 Kia Telluride | $80,552 |
*Please note, the figures presented in the chart are approximations based on past case results
and should not be interpreted as a prediction or guarantee. Each case is unique and requires
personalized legal guidance.
Get Help from the Lemon Law Experts Today!
If your vehicle continues to experience serious issues despite multiple repair attempts, you may be entitled to compensation or a manufacturer buyback.
If you are thinking about bringing a claim, the Lemon Law Experts would love to assist you: contact us today by calling (877) 885-5366 or by filling out an online form here on our website.
