On XXX, at 48,787 miles, the digital instrument cluster on my 2024 Kia Telluride EX – X line failed completely upon startup. The speedometer, tachometer, fuel, gauge, transmission, gear, position, indicators, turn signal indicators, and all warning lights became in operative. Simultaneously, the blind spot warning indicators in both exterior mirrors, cruise control, and audible parking – distant warning stopped functioning. The exterior lights, turn signals, and backup camera continued operating. The instrument clusters remained black, except for the odometer reading of 48,787 miles and the illumination adjustment graphic, which appeared when operating the brightness control. The odometer remain frozen despite additional driving. Multiple engine shut downs and restarts did not restore operation. The navigation system had also been generating erroneous wrong way warnings, occasionally positioning the vehicle in the opposing lanes on divided highways. These errors became more frequent following the instrument cluster failure. On XXX, Bridgewater Kia in [XXX] inspected the vehicle (invoice XXX). The technician performed a hard reset/capacitor discharge by disconnecting the battery. The system resume functioning and the odometer advanced from 48,787 to 48,789 during a 2 mile road test. Mileage driven during the malfunction, apparently was not recorded. The dealership did not identify the underlying cause. The service advisor acknowledge encountering similar failures in other 2024 Tellurides, although reportedly infrequently. I am concerned that the simultaneous lost of essential vehicle instrumentation and safety related warning systems could occur without warning. The dealership restored operation but did not identify or permanently correct the underlying defect. I request that the federal safety agency investigate this potential safety – related electronic failure. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Kia Telluride warning lights comes on
22 of the 2,089 owner complaints about the Kia Telluride describe multiple warning lights, most of them for the 2021 model year.
- owner complaints
- 22
- worst model year
- 2021
By model year
Often reported together
Engine failure 4Oil consumption 3Loss of power 3Check engine light 3Backup camera 3Stalling 2Power steering loss 2Headlights 2
What owners say
Formal Safety Complaint – 2025 Kia Telluride I am filing a formal safety complaint regarding my 2025 Kia Telluride due to ongoing mechanical issues that have now escalated to a serious and potentially life-threatening situation. Multiple warning lights are illuminating on my dashboard, and the engine is now shutting off while I am actively driving the vehicle. This is completely unacceptable and puts my safety and the safety of others on the road at risk. I have already made multiple attempts to address ongoing mechanical issues with this vehicle, including a persistent shudder while driving. Despite seeking assistance from Kia dealerships and involving the companies responsible for my vehicle’s accessibility conversion, the issues remain unresolved and have now escalated. My Telluride has been converted with a rear-entry wheelchair ramp through Freedom Motors, but I have been advised that the conversion is unrelated to the drivetrain concerns. I need Kia to take these complaints seriously and conduct a thorough investigation into the vehicle’s mechanical and electrical systems. I purchased this vehicle expecting it to be safe and reliable, especially given that it is an accessible vehicle used to accommodate my family’s needs. Instead, I am now dealing with a vehicle that is shutting off while in motion, which creates an extremely dangerous situation. I am requesting immediate escalation to Kia Consumer Affairs, a comprehensive safety inspection, and a clear resolution to these ongoing problems. I also want this complaint formally documented due to the severity of the safety concerns. I should not have to fear that my engine will shut off while I am driving a vehicle I recently purchased. This is a serious safety issue, and I expect Kia to take responsibility, investigate the cause, and provide a prompt resolution before someone gets hurt.
While driving this vehicle in route to Philadelphia airport JFK, i experienced a total malfunction of the instrument cluster. All of the warning lights continued to go on and off and were illuminating on the cluster non stop along with a audible chiming, all of wich lasted the 3 hour trip. The car is available anytime. Warning lights/alarms were not only distracting but affected the spedometer which would shut down totally. No dealer or service center has been contacted yet.
The Telluride was parked in my driveway on a hill. When the car was started by pushing the ignition all of the lights on the dash panel started flashing. The car was shifted into reverse to back down the driveway however the brakes didn’t work. We captured this on video via CCTV footage. You can see the vehicle reversing and the brake lights are on as the pedal was pushed but not responding. As the vehicle went on to a lesser slope it slowed some but was about to crash into my neighbors home when the parking brake button was pushed and the vehicle came to a stop. The evening prior when starting the car on a flat surface the lights all flashed upon starting but the vehicle had operated normally.
After reading multiple forums, I've learned there's a known issue with the 2020 Tellurides burning excessive oil. We had noticed this before, but this time was worse. My wife drove the car to pick up my nephew from the airport without any problems, such as warning lights or engine noise. However, our kids later took the car to go to the store, and on the way, all of the warning lights lit up on the display, and the car shut off on the highway. When I checked the car, I found the oil level was completely gone from the dipstick, so I added about 2.5 quarts of oil. I reported this to the Kia dealership and customer service. The vehicle had just slightly exceeded the 100,000-mile warranty (109,805 miles). The service interval was set for 3400 miles, with 725 miles and 90 days remaining. The engine was dry because of the excessive oil consumption known to Kia. The diagnostic from the dealership indicated an oil pump failure, but they did not have information about the oil addition since it wasn't relayed to them by the phone staff. There were no warning lights or engine noise indicating a low oil level before the incident. Apparently, Kia repeatedly dismisses this known issue and blames the owners. The interval of 3400 miles with 725 miles remaining far exceeds the manufacturer's recommended 6000-7000 miles for regular oil changes.
Not due to recalls. My entire car was malfunctioning over the backup camera. Every system was being displayed on my dashboard as all lights were on. Turning signals and four ways would not work, my steering became tight and hard to turn.
On 5/19, while driving over 60 MPH on the highway, I started applying the brakes as traffic started to back up. While braking, the entire car turned off, and experience an unexpected engine stall. The electrical almost immediately turned back on with all dash lights flashing and safety warnings beeping. My car was still moving but I was unable to accelerate and was getting the message “Engine Off! Shit to P or N, then start engine.” This has happened to my vehicle twice in the last month, and I brought it into the Kia Dealership where I purchased it and they were unable to recreate the issue.
I own a 2021 Kia Telluride with approximately 111,000 miles. I initially brought the vehicle to a Kia dealership for an oil consumption issue and engine noise. The dealership diagnosed and repaired a timing chain and tensioner issue, stating the vehicle was “working properly” upon return. After picking up the vehicle, I immediately began experiencing electrical warning lights, including the battery warning light and system alerts (blind spot and general warning indicators). I returned to the dealership, where they performed diagnostic testing and indicated a potential alternator issue, but stated it was in a “borderline” range and that the vehicle was safe to drive. Shortly after leaving the dealership, while driving with my family in the vehicle, the electrical system began to fail. Multiple warning lights illuminated, and the vehicle lost electrical function while in motion. The vehicle ultimately became completely inoperable and shut down in a parking lot, creating a serious safety concern. Prior to the dealership visit and repairs, the vehicle had no history of electrical issues, warning lights, or charging system problems. The dealership later acknowledged that the alternator issue was not present when the vehicle was initially brought in. I am submitting this complaint due to the sudden and complete electrical system failure while driving, which posed a significant safety risk. The progression from no prior symptoms to total failure immediately following dealership service and diagnosis raises concerns about vehicle reliability and potential safety defects related to the charging system.
Following a recent $9,000 engine replacement performed by an authorized Kia dealership, my vehicle suffered a catastrophic, simultaneous mechanical and electronic systems failure while in operation. Without warning, the vehicle triggered the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) and entered "Limp Home Mode," severely restricting vehicle power. Immediately following this, the vehicle experienced a total loss of essential safety and driving controls: Steering Failure: The power steering completely locked up, creating an imminent crash hazard. Dashboard & Gauge Failure: All dashboard warning lights illuminated simultaneously, and the speedometer completely stopped functioning, leaving me unable to monitor vehicle speed. Powertrain & Shifting Malfunction: When brought to a stop and placed into "Park," the vehicle's electronic systems failed to recognize the gear change, indicating on the dashboard that the vehicle was still in "Drive." This created a severe vehicle roll-away risk. Ignition Failure: The vehicle completely refused to shut off or power down when the ignition button was pressed. This event represents an extreme safety hazard involving sudden loss of vehicle control, steering immobilization, roll-away risk, and primary electronic communication failure immediately following a major manufacturer warranty/recall repair. The vehicle is currently un-driveable.
While operating my Kia vehicle, the vehicle experienced a sudden loss of braking capability and loss of acceleration/power while traveling downhill. Multiple warning lights reportedly illuminated during the event, including the battery light, oil light, and check engine light. The incident created a serious safety concern due to inability to properly control vehicle speed and operation. The vehicle was taken to an authorized Kia dealership for inspection. However, the dealership has refused to provide written confirmation that the vehicle is safe to drive and stated they would not assume liability regarding operation of the vehicle. The dealership further recommended towing the vehicle if I feel unsafe operating it. I am requesting investigation into the safety-related condition involving braking/drivability failure and related warning systems.
Related recalls
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
- What is wrong
- 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.  As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 101, "Control and Displays," and 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."
- Risk
- A blank instrument cluster display will not show critical information, such as tire pressure, warning messages, and warning lights, increasing the risk of a crash.
- 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.
Recall number 23V298000 · Recall details
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
- What is wrong
- Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2022 Telluride vehicles. Excess adhesive in a circuit board within the instrument cluster may cause the instrument cluster display screen to be blank. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Control and Displays."
- Risk
- A blank instrument cluster display screen will not show critical information, such as the odometer, which can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the instrument cluster assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 15, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1‑800‑333‑4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC237.
Recall number 22V344000 · Recall details
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
- What is wrong
- Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2022 Telluride vehicles. The LCD display screen may remain blank after startup. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Control and Displays."
- Risk
- A blank LCD display may be missing information, such as the digital speedometer, gear selection indicator, and odometer, which may increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the instrument cluster's software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 3, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1‑800‑333‑4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC215.
Recall number 21V577000 · Recall details
Questions about the Kia Telluride warning lights
Why does the warning lights come on in the Kia Telluride?
Owners who report it most often also describe engine failure, excessive oil consumption and sudden loss of power.
Which Kia Telluride years have multiple warning lights problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2021 (9 complaints), 2020 (8 complaints) and 2025 (2 complaints).
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