The Kia Telluride is a midsize SUV with a spacious and comfortable interior. It also comes with ample cargo space, and it can carry up to eight individuals. However, it also comes with several issues, including transmission problems. But what are the Kia Telluride transmission problems?
Common Kia Telluride transmission problems are shifting delays, lack of acceleration when kicking into gear, delayed engagement and slipping, and inability to maintain correct gear. Furthermore, some users have also registered cars shaking on the road, whistling noises, and grinding when accelerating.
What are the Kia Telluride transmission problems?
Lack of acceleration when kicking into gear
This problem is common in the 2023 Kia Telluride model year. Several users have complained that the car refused to accelerate as if it was having trouble with the transmission. In most cases, it refuses to accelerate for 10 to 20 seconds. On top of that, when users kicked into gear, the car jumped and made a loud noise.
A Kia Telluride owner from Utah had acceleration problems twice with the car with only 200 miles on the clock. The owner stated that, while he was accelerating uphill, the RPMs dropped, and acceleration died. As a result, he had to pull over to the side of the road. Later, the car will turn back on and jerk forward to continue to accelerate.
To fix this issue, you will have to check low gearbox oil levels, a worn-out clutch, or a damaged shift linkage. Ensure a professional mechanic fixes the underlying issue.
Delayed engagement and slipping
This comes as a surprise as having a transmission that slips between gear changes is something that should happen to cars with at least 150k miles. According to the NHTSA, several complaints have been raised that suggest the transmission of the Kia Telluride is supposedly slipping out of the drive and into neutral on its own.
Apart from the transmission slipping, some owners have complained that the RPMs of the engine instantly increased without any power delivery. But after turning off and starting the car, it continued to operate normally. Furthermore, some users have reported the transmission tends to delay the engagement of some gears.
If you’re having delayed engagement or transmission slippage, you should have the torque converter and shift solenoid inspected. If any of the parts are damaged, they should be replaced as soon as possible to fix the problem.
Inability to maintain the correct gear
Another common issue with the Kia Telluride transmission is the inability to maintain correct gear. This problem is normally caused by gear problems. It can be a bad torque converter, clogged gear filter, burnt clutch disc, or overheating transmission. On top of that, you should check the transmission oil.
Fixing the underlying problem will help you to fix this problem. Hence, you should take your car to a professional mechanic for inspection and repair or replacement of the affected parts.
The car shaking on the road
Several Kia Telluride users have also complained about the car shaking while driving. While there are different reasons why your car may shake when driving, the transmission can also cause your car to shake. For instance, when you’ve got low transmission fluid, your car can start to shake when driving.
This problem can be fixed by filling the transmission oil. It is vital to always check the transmission fluid level and condition, as it is a source of many transmission issues.
Grinding when accelerating
Various problems can cause your car to grind when accelerating. Some of them include a bad wheel bearing, a worn-out engine motor, an issue with your differential, or even a damaged CV joint. However, a bad transmission can also be caused.
Like the car shaking when accelerating, low transmission fluid can also cause the car to grind when accelerating. So, be sure to add the right transmission fluid to the car to fix this problem.
Whistling noises
Whistling noises from the transmission can be caused by low fluid levels. So, if you notice that your car is making whistling noises from the transmission, you should have it inspected. Besides ensuring that the transmission level is up to the recommended level, you should also ensure that it is replaced when it gets dirty.
FAQ
Is the Kia Telluride worth buying?
Yes, it is worth buying the Kia Telluride. This is because this car is spacious, efficient, practical, and cheap to maintain. Furthermore, it performs well and registers fewer issues than most of its rivals. But if you’re in the market for a luxurious, advanced, high-performance, and powerful midsize SUV, then this is not the SUV for you.
What types of transmission does the Kia Telluride come with?
The Kia Telluride is fitted with an 8-speed A8LF1 automatic transmission. With this transmission, acceleration improves for a quieter drive and the engine functions at its most optimal power level. Besides, since it has more gears, it helps to keep the engine operating in a speed range where it has the best performance with the least fuel usage.
Does the Kia Telluride have transmission problems?
Yes, the Kia Telluride comes with several transmission issues. Some of the common Kia Telluride transmission problems are car shaking, lack of acceleration when kicking into gear, grinding when accelerating, and inability to maintain correct gear.
Which Kia model is fitted with a CVT transmission?
The 2021 Kia Forte comes with a CVT transmission. It has an upgraded CVT transmission called Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT). This transmission offers a quieter, smoother rider than the traditional CVT. Note that the CVT is normally found in smaller Kia models.
Conclusion
The Kia Telluride may be a nice family car, but it also comes with several issues. Common Kia Telluride transmission issues are lack of acceleration when kicking into gear, car shaking, whistling noises, inability to maintain correct gear, and grinding when accelerating.
All in all, the Kia Telluride is still one of the finest and low-maintenance midsize SUVs. Even though this car comes with transmission issues, they are not as rampant as some of its competitors.
