2027 KIA Telluride Hybrid: common problems

Owners of the 2027 KIA Telluride Hybrid filed 17 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and electrical system. The maker issued 12 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.

Key figures

Owner complaints: 17
involving a crash: 2
Technical service bulletins (TSB): 12

What fails most often

1 Powertrain 24% of all complaints
2 Electrical system 18% of all complaints
3 Visibility 12% of all complaints
4 Engine 12% of all complaints
5 Structure 12% of all complaints
6 Engine and cooling 6% of all complaints
7 Forward collision avoidance 6% of all complaints
8 Seat belts 6% of all complaints

Circle size and colour show each component’s share of NHTSA complaints. Schematic only, not a drawing of the exact model.

Powertrain: 4 complaints (24% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2.
Electrical system: 3 complaints (18% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 9.
Visibility: 2 complaints (12% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2.
Engine: 2 complaints (12% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
Structure: 2 complaints (12% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.

Symptoms owners describe

How many of the 17 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).

jerking, harsh shifts2 · 12%
unintended acceleration2 · 12%
warning lights, check engine2 · 12%
windows, sunroof2 · 12%
door locks, latches, handles1 · 6%
hesitation when accelerating1 · 6%
overheating, coolant loss1 · 6%
loss of power / limp mode1 · 6%
tires: bulges, blowouts1 · 6%
vibration1 · 6%

Components owners complain about

Component	Owner complaints	involving a crash	Technical service bulletins (TSB)
Powertrain	4	1	2
Electrical system	3	0	9
Visibility	2	0	2
Engine	2	0	1
Structure	2	1	0
Engine and cooling	1	0	0
Forward collision avoidance	1	0	0
Seat belts	1	0	0
Service brakes	1	0	0
Steering	1	0	0
Vehicle speed control	1	1	0
Wheels	1	0	0
Other	3	0	0

What owners report

Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.

While carrying bikes with a bike rack the factory installed trailer hitch failed while we were driving on the highway. The weight being carried was well under the tang weight rating of the hitch. The construction of the hitch appears substantially inferior to comparable factory hitches.
Structure · crash · 2026-10-06 · NHTSA complaint #11769270
On the morning of September 25, 2026, while parking my 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid (approximately 6,000 miles), I lightly pressed the accelerator pedal and the vehicle suddenly surged forward with force that felt disproportionate to my pedal input, striking a wall in front of the vehicle.
Powertrain · crash · 2026-09-25 · NHTSA complaint #11767054
POWERTRAIN: When slowing, coasting toward a stop, or accelerating again, the vehicle sometimes hesitates before responding, then engages abruptly with a jolt. On an inclined driveway, while transitioning from rolling slightly backward to moving forward, the vehicle jerked violently and nearly struck the garage door.
Powertrain · 2026-10-15 · NHTSA complaint #11771432
I just returned from a trip and I have 3 window chips from rocks on my windshield. I have been driving for over 40 years and only have had 2 chips on my previous vehicles. I'm concerned that if the factory windshield is not strong enough to withstand a rock (one which sounded like a bug) what happens in an accident?
Visibility · 2026-10-07 · NHTSA complaint #11769524
when wear sunglasses during driving. it kept alert me to focus to face forward on road.
Forward collision avoidance · 2026-09-28 · NHTSA complaint #11767475
This side mirror folding bring to comfort to driver. but after parked vehicle and fold side mirror. after few times with fold and unfold sidemirror. afterthought, mirror keep moved downward. I've been changed sidemirror motor one time already and waiting for 2nd part to arrive at dealership now.
Visibility · 2026-09-28 · NHTSA complaint #11767480
In exactly 6 months of ownership, 4 tires across 3 different wheel positions have suffered sudden blowouts or structural sidewall failures under ordinary driving conditions. Timeline of Failures: April 11, 2026 (Rear Passenger): Sidewall failure following a low-speed curb bump.
Wheels · 2026-09-15 · NHTSA complaint #11764321
When it did respond, it then drove extremely rough, shuddering hard in and out of gear. It then started to drive normally, only to fail again and not exceed 5 mph. We had to turn the car completely off and then restart it. This fixed the problem temporarily but then the issue would repeat.
Powertrain · 2026-08-31 · NHTSA complaint #11760849

Comparison

By complaint count this model year ranks 8,823 of 36,659 model years in the NHTSA data (top 24% most complained about).

What to check before buying

Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.

Manufacturer service bulletins

Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.

received by NHTSA in 2025–2026 · № 11037740 · Electrical system RELEASE NOTES
OVER-THE-AIR: SERVICE ACTION SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR RCM, UWB AND SBCM (SA652/SA653/SA658) - This Over-the-Air (OTA) software update the Roof Control Module (RCM), Ultra-Wideband (UWB) and Side Body Control Module (SBCM)…
received by NHTSA in 2025–2026 · № 11036629 · Electrical system TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
SERVICE ACTION: SBCM SOFTWARE LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SA658) - This bulletin provides information to upgrade the Side Body Zone Control Module - Driver ‘SBCM_DRV’ and Side Body Zone Control Module - Assist ‘SBCM_AST’…
received by NHTSA in 2025–2026 · № 11036140 · Visibility TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
SUNROOF LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SA653) - This bulletin provides information to upgrade the Roof Control Module ‘RCM’ system software on certain 2027MY Telluride (LQ2a) vehicles produced from December 04, 2025 through May…
received by NHTSA in 2025–2026 · № 11036139 · Electrical system TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
ULTRA-WIDE BAND SENSOR SOFTWARE UPDATE (SA652) - This bulletin provides information to upgrade the Ultra-Wideband Bluetooth Low Energy Master (“UWB_BLE_M”) system software on certain Digital Key 2-equipped 2027MY…
received by NHTSA in 2025–2026 · № 11035420 · Engine TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
CRANKCASE EJECTOR INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT (SA650) - This bulletin provides instructions to inspect and, if necessary, replace the PCV ejector on certain 2027MY Telluride Hybrid (LQ2AH) vehicles produced from December 4…
received by NHTSA in 2025–2026 · № 11034231 · Powertrain TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
SERVICE ACTION: TRANSAXLE ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT (SA648) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This…
received by NHTSA in 2025–2026 · № 11034104 · Electrical system RELEASE NOTES
OVER-THE-AIR: SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR BODY DOMAIN CONTROLLER (SA651) - This Over-the-Air (OTA) software update is designed to update the Body Domian Controller (BDC) logic of certain 2027 Telluride vehicles. This update is…
received by NHTSA in 2025–2026 · № 11034084 · Electrical system TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
SERVICE ACTION: DIGITAL KEY BATTERY: DISCHARGE LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SA651) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the…
received by NHTSA in 2025–2026 · № 11033995 · Powertrain TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
SERVICE ACTION: TRANSAXLE ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT (SA648) - This bulletin provides information to replace the transaxle assembly on certain 2027MY Telluride Hybrid (LQ2 HEV) vehicles produced from February 02, 2026…
received by NHTSA in 2025–2026 · № 11033993 · Electrical system TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
SERVICE ACTION: DIGITAL KEY BATTERY DISCHARGE LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SA651) - This bulletin provides information to improve the Body Domain Controller – Body Control Module ‘BDC-BCM’ system software on certain 2027MY…
received by NHTSA in 2025–2026 · № 11031907 · Electrical system TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
SERVICE ACTION: DOOR HANDLE DISCHARGE LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SA646) - This bulletin provides information to upgrade the Door Handle Sensor Module ‘DHS’ system software on certain 2027MY Telluride (LQ2a, LQ2 HEV) vehicles…
received by NHTSA in 2025–2026 · № 11031906 · Electrical system TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
INFOTAINMENT SOFTWARE UPDATE PROCEDURE - This bulletin provides information on the process for downloading infotainment software updates and preparing USB for installation on applicable Kia vehicles. The software…

Questions and answers

What are the most common problems with the 2027 KIA Telluride Hybrid?

Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, electrical system, visibility. Total complaints: 17. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: jerking, harsh shifts (12%), unintended acceleration (12%), warning lights, check engine (12%).

How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2027 KIA Telluride Hybrid?

NHTSA lists 12 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.

Should I buy a 2027 KIA Telluride Hybrid from a US auction?

Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.

Other 2027 models

Read also

Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-06.