2021 Kia Telluride: false forward collision warnings

Filed May 13, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · NY

I am submitting this complaint regarding my 2021 Kia Telluride experiencing repeated and dangerous electronic system failures while driving. Kia of East Syracuse (NY) diagnosed the issue as related to the backup camera assembly and communication/network failures. While driving, the vehicle experienced loss of power steering assist, instrument cluster failure, speedometer malfunction, incorrect gear indication, backup camera activation while driving forward, blind spot warnings activating incorrectly, flashing/blank temperature display, and multiple driver assistance system failures. The speedometer displayed 0 mph while the vehicle was in motion and later displayed approximately 40 mph while stopped at a traffic light. The vehicle also became stuck in reverse while backing out of my driveway and would not shift properly, leaving the vehicle stopped in the roadway. Multiple safety systems malfunctioned simultaneously, including Blind Spot Collision Avoidance Assist, Lane Following Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist, Smart Cruise Control, Parking Distance Warning, and Forward Collision Warning systems. The dealership documented multiple fault codes and stated the dashboard lit up “like a Christmas tree” while the instrument cluster stopped functioning entirely. These failures create a serious safety risk because critical driving information and driver assistance systems become unreliable or inoperative while the vehicle is moving. The failures occur unexpectedly and without warning. Photos and video evidence have been retained, including video of the backup camera activating while driving forward and the speedometer malfunctioning while the vehicle was in motion. I am asking the federal safety agency investigate these failures as a potential safety defect involving the camera system, instrument cluster communication systems, and CAN network communication failures in the Kia Telluride.

Filed Jun 18, 2025 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · PA

On [XXX] my vehicle had a collision warning signal, then tire pressure, then brake lights and entire dash instrument panel. I parked the vehicle, then later in the evening test drove it again and the panel lit up again, in addition to the loss of the speedometer, tachometer, gear display, and drive mode display, so I immediately drove it to Courtesy Kia in Altoona, PA. On 4/18/25 Wendy Giordano of Courtesy Kia confirmed vehicle intake Courtesy Kia reset codes and was unable to replicate or diagnose a repair. The vehicle was returned on 4/23/25 despite my expressed concerns over safety. On [XXX] the vehicle again displayed the collision warning and the instrument panel lit up again, in addition to the loss of the speedometer, tachometer, gear display, and drive mode display. I got off the highway and limped the vehicle closer to my home, stopped for a brief time, and proceeded the three miles to the dealership. In this time I lost power steering, and eventually brake lights and turn signals within 1,000 feet of the dealership and was nearly collided with in front of the dealershipOn 5/12 I continued to ask status and request a loaner with no adequate follow up. I was bounced between JT, Tyler and Wendy Giordano my service advisor. Around 5/22 I called in requesting an update and was put on the phone with the service tech to describe my issues On 6/6/25 John from courtesy ford left a 2 minute long rambling voicemail, 6/3 he said he received a fax. He said he spoke to service department and I could drive the car, that I could be driving the car now. "he wasn't sure what was going on with it" They've driven it and can't find anything. Kia is looking at video, service rep there on Tuesday and find nothing wrong. I think, how long and haven't had it long. Suggest you "just drive it, I don't know" In addition I've followed up with numerous emails and calls to determine course of action and repair and haven't had a productive repair plan. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.

Filed May 28, 2025 · Driver assistance, Electrical · PA

My main screen on my 2021 Telluride goes out suddenly, turning off the backup camera and collision warnings. Sometimes when I start the car it never turns on, sometimes it starts to boot and then goes out and sometimes it works for a few seconds/minutes and then turns off. Once and a while it turns on and stays on for days before going on randomly again.

Filed Aug 22, 2024 · Driver assistance · CT

The front bumper sensor has stopped working. This is preventing proper function of the forward collision warning and the parking collision warning. I took this to be fixed to Executive Kia of Wallinford, CT and they identified corrosion of the component as the cause of the failure. My car has had no accidents or damage to bumper so any corrosion is due to improper sealing of part, or weather proofing of bumper. An online search identified many other Kia owners dealing with this same issue. My extended warranty through Fidelity Inc sent out an inspector to review this and they are refusing to cover the cost of the fix since it is due to "corrosion." Including photos my Kia dealer mechanic sent me of the corrosion.

Filed Mar 18, 2024 · Driver assistance, Electrical · IA

While driving the Kia Telluride, the forward collision avoidance warnings started flashing, then said it was failing, then the tire pressure system did the same, then the speedometer and tachometer failed as did the turn signals, gear shift, and lights. The car was becoming unsafe to drive. The car has been at the dealer for 3 weeks now, the dealer changed the Cluster Assembly-Instrument at at cost of $2600. Within 1/2 of leaving the dealership the same problem noted above began happening, again making the car unsafe to drive. In researching on line at the KiaTelluride forum there have been a large number of similar unsafe occurrences by other Kia Tellurides as reported by owners. This is a serious safety problem that has been noted numerous times. (I can't get my images of the 2 page dealer invoice for Cluster Assembly-Instrument $2600 that did not solve the problem to download on this form. )

Filed Feb 21, 2024 · Airbags, Driver assistance · TX · crash · 1 injury

On February 16th at about 6 AM, I was in a collision. I was first hit in the front by a pickup truck impacting my frontside, from right to left. I expected my Kia Telluride to engage it's safety features such as, Automatic Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Warning, and at the very least the Airbags, which none of them deployed at anytime during this collision. I was then rear-ended by an 18-wheeler; smashing my entire back window. The 18-wheelers' trailer that it was holding then slide down on the passenger side of my 2021 Kia Telluride. With that my vehicle was then pushed into the guardrail from the impact and power of the trailer falling on the passenger side. My vehicle has been inspected by my insurance company, Geico Inc. as they declared my vehicle a total loss. There was no warnings, or any indicators that my vehicles safety issues were compromised and the date of my vehicles last service by the dealer, Demontrond Automotive Group was October 4, 2023. I have pictures of my vehicle, where it will reflect; The damage the vehicle endured, The airbags intact; and The back window shattered.

Filed Sep 3, 2023 · Driver assistance · FL

Teluride 2021 owners manuel, page 5-64, 5-63 and the kia” features and functions guide. “page 15, shows directions for using the fca, or forward collision avoidance. But there is no such safey option in the car. Further the drivers assist - - - forward safety option, show in the owners manuel, is not on my onbord screen. There is no disclaimer such as “if so equipped”. For me this is a important kia failure.

Filed May 2, 2023 · Driver assistance · 9,300 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2021 Kia Telluride. The contact stated that while engaging the Forward Collision Avoidance system per the manufacturer’s instructions, the Forward Collision Avoidance system failed to engage. The contact stated that the Forward Collision Avoidance system was inoperable. The contact stated that while driving and approaching another vehicle, the Forward Collision Avoidance failed to engage. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times. The dealer test-drove the vehicle and informed the contact that the Forward Collision Avoidance system was operable when the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) mode was activated. The dealer diagnosed that no issues were found. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 9,300.

Filed Oct 30, 2020 · Electrical, Visibility · 2,800 miles · NJ

Last week the front collision warning and lane departure warning illuminated on the dash and today the windshield has a crack in it, nothing has hit the windshield it was parked in the driveway. 2021 s model 2800 miles on the clock