2022 Kia Telluride

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.

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.

On January 28, 2026, I brought my vehicle to Kia of Fayetteville for brake pads, rotor replacement, and brake fluid service. I paid approximately $900 for these services and was provided a dealership loaner vehicle. Upon entering the loaner vehicle, I discovered a loaded firearm inside the vehicle as I was gathering my items. The firearm’s serial numbers appeared to be scratched off. Law enforcement was immediately notified. No apology, acknowledgment, or remedial action was taken by dealership management. During this incident, the service manager, Alex Prat, acted in an aggressive, disrespectful, and unprofessional manner. Shortly after retrieving my vehicle, my husband who was driving the vehicle experienced a complete loss of braking ability. The vehicle was towed to another authorized Kia dealership, Southern Pines Kia, where technicians documented that multiple brake system components were improperly installed and/or unsecured, including missing or improperly fastened hardware. The vehicle was deemed unsafe to operate.

Vehicle Information    •   Make: Kia    •   Model: Telluride    •   Year: 2022    •   Approx. Mileage: 30k 2. System Involved    •   Component/System: Forward Collision Avoidance, Automatic Emergency Braking, Brakes, or Electronic Stability Control 3. Incident Description On 6/7/25 while driving my 2022 Kia Telluride on neighborhood street in Windsor Park austin Texas at approximately 25-30 mph the vehicle suddenly and forcefully braked on its own with no warning and no visible obstacle or vehicle in front of me. This unexpected braking occurred under normal driving conditions, with clear weather and dry pavement, and almost caused a collision with the vehicle behind me. No warning lights appeared on the dashboard, and no manual braking was applied by me. I believe this may be related to known technical service bulletins SC243 and SC252 concerning faulty automatic braking logic and the hydraulic electronic control unit (HECU). This is a serious safety concern, and I am submitting this complaint in the hope that Kia will address this potential defect through recall or repair. There are reports similar to mine at highway speeds which would be deadly. 4. What Happened Next? I have contacted my local Kia dealership for inspection and plan to request that they document and diagnose the incident fully. Their online scheduler is showing next service appt not for over a week out which is not soon enough. I will call them first thing in the morning. I am also submitting this report to NHTSA to ensure that this is recorded as part of any ongoing safety investigation. Our vehicle was serviced within the last few months and we were assured there were no safety recalls on our vehicle. We would like this reevaluated.

As part of the fix to address a recall related to a a drivetrain defect and potential rolling issues, Kia installed software that would automatically apply the emergency brake when the car was put into park and the door was opened, and/or turned off. The problem with this fix is that once the car is off, the driver can not disengage the parking brake, thus creating an issue related to towing or moving the vehicle out of the road after an accident. This also makes it impossible to perform a rear brake replacement as the parking brake cannot be released. This software update needs to be amended so the the driver can disengage the parking brake when needed.

22May2023: 2022 Kia Telluride had a complete brake failure while exiting an elementary school garage, leading to a collision with the closed gate. ABS warning lights came on and witnesses heard ABS sounds despite dry pavement and slow speed. Driver stopped car by throwing into park. CCTV captured the incident. Can send higher res but your site won't allow large files. Inspections (22-24 May 2023): Multiple ABS and electronic stability control (ESC) errors were detected by local repair shops and a Kia dealer. Other Reports: Owner found other Facebook with similar ABS-related brake failure. They claimed they had contact with about 7 others with same issue - allegedly signed secrecy agreements with Kia to receive compensation/buy back. Dealer Inspection Blocked (30Nov2023): Kia scheduled another brake inspection at dealer, but a regional Kia executive intervened and canceled it last minute. No explanation given. Kia's Refusal (8Apr2024): Kia denied ABS issues could cause brake failure, despite evidence. 20May2024 Recall: Kia recalled a wheel sensor linked to ABS malfunctions but claimed it does not affect braking ability. Settlement Offer: Kia offered compensation but required a secrecy agreement and other terms not acceptable to owner. I have documentation for all.

While driving approximately 40mph down straight roadway without anything around, the vehicle has unexpectedly slammed on the brakes. This has happened four times to date (11/13/24 - 12/25/24). During two of the instance's lights flashed on the dashboard and indicated the front right corner sensor of vehicle. During the other two occurrences, lights flashed on the dashboard and indicated the sensor at the rear right corner of vehicle, even though the vehicle was again traveling forward at approx. 40mph. In each case the brakes were unexpectedly applied very hard for several seconds before returning to normal. There were no other vehicles around and no dirt or other obstructions to the sensors. Vehicle was brought into dealer for diagnostics and was told they could not duplicate the concern. I asked the dealership to contact Kia for support and they refused. I then contacted Kia directly asking for assistance in getting this resolved. They responded that they rely on diagnostics from the dealership and only if the dealership can duplicate the issue will anything be done. This is an extremely dangerous drivability issue of which the dealer agrees. But since they have not witnessed it firsthand, no further action is being taken to attempt to find and/or replace whatever part is malfunctioning. In searching the NHTSA website, I see several complaints where individuals have experienced strikingly similar complaints (NHTSA # 11538285, 11485486, 11457515, 11457281, 11589381) with this vehicle.

A Kia dealership documented they performed the voluntary service recall SC252 HECU Inspection and determined my vehicle was within the guidelines and did not need replacement. 6 months later my vehicle experienced the symptoms of the HECU issue. The EPB, Auto Hold, and the ABS lights appeared on the console. We took the vehicle in for service, we were told they didn't have someone available to look at the issue and told us to reschedule, that is a separate issue. Weeks later when we took it and asked someone to look at it, since their next appointment wasn't for almost a month. The mechanic said immediately we can't let you leave with this car it is not safe. The brake fluid had leaked into the HECU box. So either the voluntary recall is inadequate or dealerships are not properly doing the inspection. I can not find detailed information on the risk associated with this but this is similar to the fire risk Kia has had in the past. In any case leaking brake fluid into the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit can't be safe. If this is a know issue why is this still a voluntary recall. My family was put in danger and Kia continues to ignore this is an issue.