2025 Kia Telluride Common Problems & Defect Telemetry
Authoritative defect intelligence synthesized from 97 verified NHTSA owner complaints, 3 federal safety recalls, and interquartile failure mileage telemetry.
The 2025 Kia Telluride receives a 6.1/10 MazicBay Reliability Index based on 97 verified NHTSA federal complaints and 3 safety recalls. The primary reported failure mode is Engine Stalling, Oil Consumption & Cooling Defect Reports with a median failure point at 6,325 miles (IQR: 1,513 – 15,613 mi). Out-of-warranty repairs benchmark at $950 – $3,200 .
8.8 complaints / 10k sold
Verified US federal records
Crash, fire & stall audit
3 Active / Free Remedies
Top Reported Problem Clusters (7)
Engine Stalling, Oil Consumption & Cooling Defect Reports
- Engine sudden stall / hesitation while driving
- Abnormal oil burning / consumption
- Check Engine Light (MIL) flashing
- Engine overheating / coolant loss
“Over the course of two days, the engine stalled when decelerating at intersections three different times. The engine died with warning lights on the dash and a message: “ Engine Off! Shift to P or N then start engine.” I had to completely stop, shift gears, and then restart th...”
“This started May 8th and is still going on. Engine randomly shuts down while driving. Vehicle alarms and message says Engine OFF Shift to P or N then start engine. No warning, happens about once a week. Very scary when in traffic and I cannot move because my engine randomly sh...”
“2025 Kia Telluride, rental vehicle, 29,450 miles at failure. Driving XXX W toward the ... exit with my wife and two children (ages ... and ...), the cluster lit with simultaneous failures: electric power steering, electronic parking brake, ABS, stability control disabled, tire...”
Transmission Hesitation, Hard Shifting & Slipping Reports
- Hard gear shifts / delayed engagement into Drive/Reverse
- Transmission shudder / jerking under acceleration
- Transmission slipping between gears
“Over the course of two days, the engine stalled when decelerating at intersections three different times. The engine died with warning lights on the dash and a message: “ Engine Off! Shift to P or N then start engine.” I had to completely stop, shift gears, and then restart th...”
“This started May 8th and is still going on. Engine randomly shuts down while driving. Vehicle alarms and message says Engine OFF Shift to P or N then start engine. No warning, happens about once a week. Very scary when in traffic and I cannot move because my engine randomly sh...”
“2025 Kia Telluride, rental vehicle, 29,450 miles at failure. Driving XXX W toward the ... exit with my wife and two children (ages ... and ...), the cluster lit with simultaneous failures: electric power steering, electronic parking brake, ABS, stability control disabled, tire...”
Electric Power Steering Assist & Suspension Noise Reports
- Sudden loss of electric power steering assist
- Steering wheel pull or highway wander
- Clunking / knocking noise over bumps
“2025 Kia Telluride, rental vehicle, 29,450 miles at failure. Driving XXX W toward the ... exit with my wife and two children (ages ... and ...), the cluster lit with simultaneous failures: electric power steering, electronic parking brake, ABS, stability control disabled, tire...”
“After sitting in the driveway came out to a crack across half of the passenger side front side window. In the process of getting the window replaced. Crack originated from underneath the door trim. Window could shatter while driving if not noticed.”
“System/Component Malfunction & Availability: The vehicle's electronic safety and engine control systems malfunctioned while driving at speed. This issue has occurred twice under identical thermal conditions, with the first instance occurring on 5/19/26. The vehicle is fully in...”
Electrical Parasitic Drain, Infotainment & Harness Reports
- Unexplained battery drain after sitting overnight
- Infotainment display / instrument cluster blackouts
- Accessory malfunction / alternator fault warnings
“2025 Kia Telluride, rental vehicle, 29,450 miles at failure. Driving XXX W toward the ... exit with my wife and two children (ages ... and ...), the cluster lit with simultaneous failures: electric power steering, electronic parking brake, ABS, stability control disabled, tire...”
“Twice I was making a right hand turn through a green light and an alarm sounded and the dash displayed an ”Engine Off” message. I was able to pull over and restart the car. I took it to the dealership but they were not able to replicate the incident. They told me that they tig...”
“The vehicle had been throwing different Electrical Codes for several months around August through December 2025. The last code it through was an engine management system error. On December 22nd 2025 the car caught fire in the engine and exploded while parked in the driveway. F...”
Service Brakes, ABS Actuator & Master Cylinder Reports
- Spongy or hard brake pedal travel
- ABS / Brake warning light illuminated
- Extended stopping distance / pedal vibration
“2025 Kia Telluride, rental vehicle, 29,450 miles at failure. Driving XXX W toward the ... exit with my wife and two children (ages ... and ...), the cluster lit with simultaneous failures: electric power steering, electronic parking brake, ABS, stability control disabled, tire...”
“While driving the car the engine lost all rpm, as in it went to zero rpms. The electrical system did not lose power. The console flashed a red warning light and had a message that I should shift to park or neutral, and restart the engine. You must apply the brake to restart th...”
“My vehicle was purchased XXX - VIN #... - on 6 or more occasions, the while driving on the highway with cruise control on at 70 mph, the cruise control feature suddenly applied the brakes bringing the vehicle sometimes down to 48 mph for a few seconds and then re-engages the c...”
Airbag Occupant Detection & Inflator Defect Reports
- SRS Airbag warning lamp illuminated
- Passenger occupant classification sensor failure
- Seat belt retractor lockup
“My 2025 Kia Telluride has experienced seven engine overheating events across three separate incidents, all under identical conditions: air conditioning on while climbing in altitude on Colorado mountain highways. Incident 1 (XXX: Driving from ... to .... Engine temperature gau...”
“I rented a car from Avis on ... (a Friday) for a 24-hour rental. I rented it in Manhattan, and the car (a Kia Telluride) had a New York license plate ... ). I drove to Boston to pick up my daughter from college and then returned the car Saturday morning (XXX). The drive was fi...”
“I was driving down the highway at approximately 70 mph, and a deer ran into the front driver's side corner of the car. The airbag fortunately didn’t deploy, but the hood flew up and covered the windshield, blocking my ability to see. I was somehow able to pull the vehicle over...”
Fuel Pump Pressure Loss & Fuel Delivery Defect Reports
- Sudden loss of propulsion power at highway speeds
- Extended engine cranking / failure to restart
- Fuel odor near fuel tank / engine bay
“Purchased vehicle 1/18/2025; first and only owner. Occurrence = Engine Shut off, alarm sounded and warning lights flashed; Error: "Engine off, shift to N or P, Then start engine." Had to shift to Neutral and Push Start to restart engine. -During March: occurred 2 times, both t...”
Official NHTSA Safety Recalls (3)
STRUCTURE:EXTERIOR TRIM
Summary: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Telluride vehicles. The door belt molding trim can delaminate and detach from the vehicle.
TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE
Summary: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 Telluride and 2026 Sorento vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with an incorrect spare tire which, when installed, can impair the anti-lock braking system (ABS) and the traction control system (TCS). As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
Summary: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 Telluride vehicles, equipped with power front seat(s). Due to a manufacturing error, the driver and passenger seat back frame assemblies may fail to properly restrain occupants in a crash.
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist for 2025 Kia Telluride
Before purchasing a used 2025 Kia Telluride, perform the following targeted inspections based on reported federal defect patterns:
Scan the OBD-II port under the dash for pending freeze-frame codes (e.g. P0300 misfires, P0087 fuel rail pressure, P0420 catalytic efficiency).
Test vehicle at low-speed stop-and-go and highway merges. Check for delayed reverse engagement or gear shift shudder between 2nd and 3rd gears.
Verify that all 3 NHTSA safety recall campaigns have been performed by an authorized dealership using the VIN.
Ensure the instrument cluster, center screen, and auxiliary charging ports operate with stable 12.0V–14.4V alternator voltage.
Defect & Reliability Q&A: 2025 Kia Telluride
Is the 2025 Kia Telluride a reliable used car?
The 2025 Kia Telluride earns a 6.1/10 MazicBay Reliability Index based on 97 federal owner reports. Vehicles maintained under factory service schedules exhibit strong longevity past 150,000 miles.
What is the most frequent defect reported on the 2025 Kia Telluride?
The leading complaint category is Engine Stalling, Oil Consumption & Cooling Defect Reports, with a median failure point around 6,325 miles (IQR: 1,513 – 15,613 mi).
Are there free recall repairs available for the 2025 Kia Telluride?
Yes, the NHTSA records 3 safety recall campaign(s) for this model year. All safety recalls are performed 100% free of charge by authorized franchise dealerships regardless of vehicle warranty status.