Kia Telluride jerking problems

Filed Oct 29, 2026 · Driver assistance, Steering · ID

I was driving 70 mph on a clear unobstructed highway in the right lane, when suddenly my vehicle steering jerked forcefully to the right, over the white line and onto the rumble strips. A circular symbol popped up, on the display but it was too fast to identify while trying to make an immediate correction and recover control.

Filed Sep 21, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · OH

I purchased my 2021 Kia Telluride S new, with only 22 miles from the test drive. XXX (approx. 53,000 miles, vehicle age 18 months): The transmission failed while I was traveling approx. 75-80 mph on a major highway in [XXX]. Upon failure, the vehicle suddenly lurched as if the brakes had locked or the parking brake had been applied, nearly causing us to strike our heads on the dashboard and creating a hazardous situation for other traffic. After the failure, the vehicle would only operate in approx. first through third gears and reverse, and would not exceed 25 mph. We were forced to limp the vehicle off a busy six-lane highway. XXX: Due to parts delays, the vehicle was not returned until November 2022 after the transmission work. XXX (approx. four months later): The vehicle developed engine knock and excessive oil consumption. Advised this may have been related to oil degradation while the vehicle sat waiting for parts. Since then, I had to regularly check and add oil between oil changes. Despite low oil levels, no oil pressure warning light ever appeared. XXX (exact date unknown): While opening the sunroof at a stop, a loud crack occurred and pieces of the sunroof track, plastic and metal, fell onto me and my passenger. The glass is intact but became partially stuck open without the track to guide it. XXX: The engine knock worsened and became a squeal while driving approx. 60 mph. The vehicle lost power, requiring me to turn on hazards and coast off to avoid accident. Dealership mechanic advised that the engine had thrown a rod and blown the oil filter housing gasket. The vehicle is currently at the dealership and available for inspection. Kia has denied coverage despite the failure of a component linked to excessive oil loss and a recently extended 180,000-mile warranty, even after the engine threw a rod following a sudden loss of oil pressure. The failed transmission has likely already been disposed of. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Aug 18, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · IL

2025 Kia Telluride, rental vehicle, 29,450 miles at failure. Driving XXX W toward the [XXX] exit with my wife and two children (ages [XXX] and [XXX]), the cluster lit with simultaneous failures: electric power steering, electronic parking brake, ABS, stability control disabled, tire pressure monitoring, forward collision-avoidance, lane keeping, master warning. I photographed it. Nothing about how the vehicle drove had changed. At highway speed traveling straight, steering effort felt normal. There was no progressive degradation and no warning I could feel. I noticed a slight difference changing lanes for the exit. On the ramp itself, a banked turn taken at speed, the wheel required extreme force to turn. The loss of assist was undetectable until significant steering input was actually required, which happened mid-maneuver on an interstate ramp. I am a large, physically strong adult and forced the wheel through the turn. I do not believe a smaller, older, or weaker driver could have completed it, and a crash at that interchange seems a likely outcome for many drivers. Stopping on an interstate shoulder with two young children seemed more dangerous than continuing two miles to the airport exit, so I continued, with ABS and stability control also inoperative. The vehicle developed harsh, jerky shifting and audible clunking. In the rental return lot the wheel would not turn far enough to complete a tight turn. I shifted to reverse; the vehicle did not move, then shut down completely and would not restart. With the vehicle dead the front doors opened, but the rear doors and liftgate would not, and the windows were inoperable. My children were confined inside roughly 10-15 minutes at 86F until an employee climbed in from the front and released the rear doors from inside. The inability to open rear doors or the liftgate from outside after a total power loss is a serious defect in its own right. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jul 16, 2026 · Engine, Visibility · KY

Constant jerking and shuttering when accelerating/shifting gears. Oil consumption done last year as dealership thought it was engine related. Engine replaced. Problem continues. Fuel in MAP sensor. Continued shuttering at acceleration, shuttering at parked idle, shuttering at braking idle, engine stalls at red lights but car stays on. When car is started, exhaust is pushing out gusts of strong fuel smell and sputtering little puffs. Replaced engine, MAP, upper intake gaskets, spark plugs, cleaned throttle body, battery. Wiper pauses mid wipe (in driving view) when in intermittent setting and when turning them off.

Filed Jun 28, 2026 · Transmission · WV

While driving the vehicle, the automatic transmission stuck in 5th gear. The paddle shifters would not operate, shifting the vehicle into neutral or park had no effect. The vehicle was being operated on a busy highway with multiple intersections, which put all passengers and the vehicle itself in danger since accelerating in 5th gear was almost impossible. The vehicle had to be completely shut off and restarted to reset the transmission. This happened on several occasions. Additionally, the vehicle would stick in gear and lurch into a lower gear when accelerating from a complete stop. No warning lights or sounds occurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealership where it was purchased, and they were able to replicate the problem once. The vehicle problem was reported to KIA and they requested the dealer to replace the electric oil pump. The work was done and so far (3 days) the issue has not reoccurred.

Filed Jun 17, 2026 · Acceleration, Steering · 81,000 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2021 Kia Telluride. The contact stated that the passenger’s side drive shaft boot was leaking. The steering and mileage were affected by the failure. While making a turn, the steering wheel was readjusting. The accelerator pedal was depressed; after the pedal was released, the pedal jerked. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who confirmed there were no open recalls associated with the VIN. The brakes were reprogrammed. The vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the front boot was leaking, and the axle and tires needed to be replaced, and an alignment performed. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to another local dealer, Kia Mentor (9090 Mentor Ave., Mentor, OH 44060); who provided the same diagnosis. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed there was no warranty coverage on the vehicle. The BBB was contacted and the Attorney General. The approximate failure mileage was 81,000.

Filed May 22, 2026 · Transmission · NY

I own a 2020 Kia Telluride currently with approximately 91409 miles. The vehicle has a repeatable transmission issue during acceleration, most noticeable around 40 mph when the transmission shifts. The vehicle shudders/hesitates/jerks and does not accelerate smoothly. This creates a safety concern because the hesitation occurs during normal acceleration and could affect merging, passing, or maintaining speed in traffic. I brought the vehicle to Vision Kia of East Rochester, 201 East Linden Ave, East Rochester, NY 14445 on 2/4/26 at approximately 88067 miles. The Kia service manager/technician duplicated the concern during inspection/road test and stated that the issue is related to the torque converter damper clutch. However, I was told the dealer would not repair the vehicle unless a warning light/check-engine light comes on. No warning light is currently illuminated. I am reporting this because the transmission defect has been observed by the dealer while the vehicle is still under warranty, but no repair has been authorized. I am concerned that the condition may worsen and could cause delayed acceleration or unsafe drivability.

Filed May 13, 2026 · Brakes, Engine · CA · 2 injuries

I was driving the vehicle and came to a stop sign. When I accelerated to turn and drive what was a steep windy downhill Road my car jerked some and the check engine light battery light and oil light came on the dash when I went to push the brakes they went all the way to the floor and the car did not stop. I continued to try the brakes and had to use the emergency break to pull up and down to stop and drive up on a hill to not crash into other vehicles I have my vehicle at Kia and they are claiming there is absolutely nothing wrong with the vehicle and I am to pick it up and leave the lot. They have not offered a loaner car or shown any concerns of my safety leaving the lot. I have asked for it to be in writing, but my car is safe to leave and they are not doing so this has caused major anxiety and PTSD to even begin to drive myself and my children are very shook up over this.

Filed Mar 25, 2026 · Transmission · CO

My transmission failed at 95k miles and was available for inspection at a fee. My safety was at risk since my car was jerking on the highway and I had to quickly pull over while the car slowed down in a fast and high trafficked area. The problem has been an ongoing issue especially in 2020 models from social media and the dealership. The vehicle was inspected by the Kia dealership. The engine light did not come on until the car showed immediate signs of issues.

Filed Mar 13, 2026 · Brakes · NY

Kia had a safety recall which required a software update to address the potential of the car moving/ rolling away while parked. Kia addressed this by updating the software to automatically set the parking brake when the vehicle is turned off. In the northeast/ rust belt states where there is water/ salt and rust, the brake pads rust and freeze to the rotor. The brakes lock up, physically jerk and cause damage to the braking system when driving away. Owner's manuals normally recommend that the parking brake not be set when under these wet and winter conditions. The brake rotors and pads are being prematurely damaged and may result in sudden failure. This "cheap software fix" needs to be changed and the drivetrain parts/ parking pin should be appropriately repaired on all affected vehicles.