2024 Kia Telluride problems: could yours be a CA lemon?

What owners report and what matters legally

Owners report issues such as windshield wiper motor failures, ADAS warnings or false braking, infotainment blackouts, and electrical faults. Some have been the subject of recalls or service bulletins—verify by VIN.

A vehicle is not a lemon just because it has one glitch. In California, repeated repair attempts or long shop time under the factory warranty are what matter.

  • Repeat dashboard warnings or stalling after dealer fixes.
  • Safety systems misbehaving (airbag or seat belt sensors, forward-collision, lane-keep).
  • Water leaks, visibility problems, or wipers that fail in rain.
  • Infotainment or camera screens going dark while driving.
  1. Confirm your Telluride is under Kia’s new-vehicle or CPO warranty.
  2. Run your VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls and Kia.com to check for open recalls.
  3. Keep a driving log noting dates, mileage, symptoms, and weather.

Who qualifies under California’s lemon law

Song-Beverly basics and the 18-month/18,000-mile presumption

Covered: new or used Tellurides bought or leased in CA with a Kia factory warranty. Some small-business vehicles also qualify.

Presumption window: within the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, the law presumes a lemon if certain repair thresholds are met. You can still win outside this window, but the presumption helps.

Thresholds: 2+ repair attempts for a defect likely to cause serious injury or death; 4+ attempts for the same non-safety defect; or 30+ total days out of service for warranty repairs.

  • Nonconformity = a defect covered by warranty that substantially impairs use, value, or safety.
  • Used/CPO Tellurides are covered while the manufacturer’s warranty is in effect.
  • You must give Kia a reasonable number of chances to fix the issue.
  1. Example: repeated wiper motor failures leaving you without visibility.
  2. Example: persistent ADAS false alarms or camera/radar faults despite software updates.
  3. Example: recurring infotainment blackouts that disable the backup camera.

How CA lemon remedies work for a 2024 Telluride

Buyback vs. replacement, mileage offset, and fees

If Kia can’t fix a covered defect after a reasonable number of attempts, you may choose a repurchase (buyback) or a comparable replacement.

Buyback generally includes your down payment, monthly payments, loan payoff, taxes, registration, and reasonable incidental costs like towing or rental—minus a mileage offset: purchase price × (miles at first repair ÷ 120,000).

Kia participates in BBB AUTO LINE arbitration, which is free and faster than court, but you are not required to arbitrate. California law allows recovery of reasonable attorney’s fees from the manufacturer.

  • Document every repair visit and get a printed repair order each time.
  • Capture photos/videos of the defect and note weather and road conditions.
  • Ask the advisor to reference prior visit numbers on the repair order.
  1. Give Kia written or email notice of the recurring defect and request a final repair attempt.
  2. If unresolved, open a case with Kia Consumer Affairs or BBB AUTO LINE and consult a CA lemon-law attorney.

Step-by-step actions to take now

Build your record and protect your rights

Quick actions can make or break a lemon claim. Focus on documentation and clear, repeated repair opportunities.

  • Store service records, recall letters, and rental/tow receipts in one folder or cloud drive.
  • Track days out of service; weekends and parts delays usually count if the SUV is at the dealer for warranty work.
  1. Schedule a dealer visit; describe symptoms the same way each time and request a road test with a technician.
  2. At drop-off, state the defect clearly on the repair order; ask the dealer to check TSBs and software updates.
  3. If the issue persists, return promptly and reference prior repair order numbers; do not clear codes or reset warnings.
  4. Email Kia Consumer Affairs a timeline and attach copies of repair orders.
  5. If the Telluride is unsafe, request a loaner and note each day without your vehicle.
  6. Consider BBB AUTO LINE or a CA lemon-law attorney if thresholds are met or the SUV remains unreliable.

Common mistakes to avoid in California cases

Prevent delays and protect your claim

Small errors can slow or sink a claim. Avoid these pitfalls.

  • Leaving the dealer without a detailed repair order.
  • Changing how you describe the defect each visit.
  • Installing aftermarket mods or tunes that invite warranty disputes.
  • Accepting trade-assist deals with broad liability releases.
  • Waiting too long; deadlines apply under CA law.
  1. Verify the repair order lists your exact complaint and customer-states language.
  2. Before signing anything beyond routine service paperwork, have a consumer attorney review it.

What to gather before asking for help

A simple checklist for Kia or a CA lemon-law consult

Having complete records speeds resolution and improves your leverage.

  • VIN, purchase/lease agreement, and window sticker or MSRP sheet.
  • Warranty booklet and any extended service contracts.
  • All repair orders, estimates, and final invoices.
  • Photos/videos of the problem; dates, mileage, and weather notes.
  • Proof of towing, rentals, rideshare, or hotel costs caused by the defect.
  • Current payoff, monthly payment, and mileage at first repair.
  1. Organize documents by date and label each repair order with a visit number.
  2. Create a one-page timeline: purchase date, each repair visit, days out of service, and current status.