PITSTOP: AWD SYSTEM CONCERN DUE TO TIRE CIRCUMFERENCE - This Pitstop provides information regarding potential concerns with the All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) system due to tire sizes of differing circumference. Some customers may complain of a chatter sensation felt in the drivetrain of the vehicle and/or the failure of drivetrain component(s). A difference in tire size (width, aspect ratio, construction, rim diameter etc.) may be the cause.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2023 Kia Telluride steering problems
moderate Owners of the 2023 Kia Telluride have filed 10 NHTSA complaints about the steering at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See steering across all vehicles →
Complaints
10
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2020 Telluride | 10 |
| 2021 Telluride | 5 |
| 2022 Telluride | 5 |
| 2023 Telluride (this page) | 10 |
| 2025 Telluride | 5 |
What stands out
Of the 5 model years of Kia Telluride we track for steering problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 10.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe two overlapping failure patterns: (1) complete electrical shutdowns where power steering, brakes, infotainment, and engine control all drop out within seconds, leaving the vehicle coasting to a stop mid-drive, and (2) intermittent power steering loss accompanied by a cascade of warning lights (forward collision sensor, AWD, blind spot, parking sensor, electronic parking brake, lane assist). One owner's battery was replaced under warranty after the first failure, but the problem recurred the next day; the owner suspects an alternator issue. A second owner experienced a forced stall at 40 mph during rush hour with locked brakes and lost steering—reported as terrifying with traffic around them. Another had the vehicle stall three times, with the worst incident involving steering lock, brake failure, and a near-miss with a semi-truck while a child was in the car. One vehicle spent seven weeks at the dealership without resolution. Dealers have attempted repairs (some citing loose connections) but the failures recur due to their intermittent nature. One owner also reports sudden hard steering pulls to the left that overcame driver input. A steering column clicking noise appears in one complaint. Dealerships consistently report inability to duplicate faults, and Kia corporate has been described as unresponsive.
Failure modes owners describe
Complete power steering loss / steering wheel lock during operation
Power steering cuts out or steering wheel locks up while the vehicle is in motion, sometimes accompanied by loss of braking. Multiple owners report the steering wheel becoming immobile while driving, making the vehicle difficult or impossible to control.
When: While driving; intermittent and unpredictable
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering inoperative; Steering wheel locks or will not turn; Loss of braking function reported alongside steering loss; Multiple warning lights illuminate simultaneously (check power steering, forward collision sensor, AWD, blind spot sensor, parking sensor); Loss of speedometer display; Vehicle unable to change gears or move
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership attempted repairs have failed to resolve the issue; one owner reported being told it was a 'loose connection,' but problem recurred; one vehicle spent 7 weeks at dealership without resolution; dealer unable to duplicate the fault due to intermittent nature
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Kia corporate reportedly unresponsive per owner report; dealer service unable to diagnose or repair consistently
Electrical system shutdown cascading loss of power steering and brakes
Vehicle experiences a total electrical shutdown or severe power loss while driving, causing simultaneous failure of power steering, power brakes, infotainment, and engine control. The vehicle either stalls or becomes inoperable mid-drive. Some owners describe warning lights filling the dashboard before shutdown.
When: During normal driving or shortly after engine start; incident duration 2 minutes to 10 seconds before complete shutdown
Symptoms owners cite: All warning lights illuminate at once; Engine shuts down or vehicle loses all power; Power steering and power brakes fail simultaneously; Infotainment system shuts off; Engine control fault detection messages; Vehicle rolls to a stop uncontrollable; Hazard lights non-functional after shutdown
Codes mentioned: Engine control fault
Repairs/costs cited: One owner's vehicle diagnosed with faulty battery and replaced under warranty; problem recurred the next day; towing required; owner suspects alternator issue based on similar reports from other owners with same vehicle
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Kia service diagnosed faulty battery in one case and replaced under warranty; issue recurred within 24 hours; no resolution documented
Sudden steering wheel jerk or pull to one side
Steering wheel unexpectedly jerks sharply to one side while driving without any obstacle or audible alert. Owner reports the pull was forceful enough to move the vehicle across the centerline despite significant driver effort to counteract it.
When: During normal driving; happened twice in succession on same drive
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden hard pull to the left; Steering wheel jerk strong enough to move vehicle across centerline; No warning lights or audible alerts; No apparent road hazard or cause for avoidance maneuver
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership unable to duplicate the condition; no repair performed
Steering column clicking noise
Clicking sound emanates from the steering column when the steering wheel is turned either left or right.
When: During steering wheel rotation
Symptoms owners cite: Clicking sound from steering column on left turn; Clicking sound from steering column on right turn
Intermittent power steering loss with sensor malfunction cascade
Power steering fails intermittently while driving, often accompanied by illumination of multiple sensor warning lights. The condition is random and sometimes can be reset by cycling the ignition, but other times persists. One owner notes the vehicle is undrivable without power steering due to weight.
When: Intermittent, while driving or during startup; unpredictable recurrence
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering inoperative; Multiple warning lights (check power steering, forward collision sensor, AWD, blind spot sensor, parking sensor); Dashboard lights malfunction; Steering wheel heavy and difficult to operate
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer and manufacturer attempted repair did not resolve issue on first attempt; dealership unable to fix due to intermittent nature; owner reports vehicle continues to lose power steering intermittently and is inoperable without it
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer and manufacturer unable to fix due to randomness of failure
Steering wheel jerk with cruise control malfunction
Vehicle exhibits jerking in the steering wheel during operation along with cruise control not functioning properly. Associated with warnings for electronic parking brake (EPB) and lane assist, plus active recall for rollaway.
When: During driving
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel jerks out of driver's hand; Cruise control degraded performance; EPB (electronic parking brake) warning; Lane assist warning
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle taken to appointment on 7/1; not repaired; dealer claimed no record of 'diagnosis appointment'; new appointment scheduled 60 days out
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Active recall for rollaway exists; EPB and lane assist warnings present
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
after receiving my car on Friday morning 10/31 from the dealership, I drove to work, where all my dashboard lights popped on, I lost power steering, and I lost my speedometer (which is what it was in the shop for that whole week). I tried to drive it back to Kia and it completely stopped working in the middle of the road, even though it was turned on, it wouldn’t drive or change gears. Leaving me…
On October 27th we were driving down the road and all of a sudden the steering wheel snatched to the left hard enough to put us over the centerline. My son was driving, he is around 200lbs of muscle and he couldn’t keep it from crossing the centerline. There was nothing in the road that should have caused avoidance and no audible alerts. It did it a second time after we made a turn on to another…
Had steering trouble with your 2023 Kia Telluride?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2023 Kia Telluride?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 10 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2023/Kia/Telluride.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.