Binding or "biting" when turning from a stop

[Ryan1989]

J

2020 AWD With 38k miles. Last several months and getting worse there is a very noticeable binding or biting when turning left or right from a stop. A nice easy turn either direction and you can feel it. First I thought it was from the rear but the worse it gets it seems like it's from front and back. Going straight from a stop you don't feel it. I haven't found this issue anywhere online yet and of course the first time the dealer couldn't replicate it because they just did a few circles in their parking lot. I returned with it the next week and made a tech ride with me. He felt it and said yep there's an issue and he would call tech specialist at kia. It is scheduled to go in next week and I called ahead of time and of course Kia hasn't got back to them yet. Only thing that I seen was a close issue was a tsb with the Stingers where they were changing diff fluid and adding friction modifiers. To me it does seem like it could be a fluid issue. Anyone have similar problem?

what was the outcome from this? I am
Having the same exact issue when turning right or left from a complete stop.

 

[GeorgiaTelluride]

We changed the engine oil, transmission fluid (includes front differential), and rear differential fluid and it was very reasonably priced. I believe it was between $200 - 300. It resolved the problem completely for a while, it only started to come back recently when things are really hot and you've been driving a while. It is much less severe though and you hardly notice it. We have 72k miles now.

Hopefully your still covered under warranty as it won’t get better, started having problems at 60k took ages for service to confirm differential was shot which was then replaced a couple of weeks back

 

[Ryan1989]

Hopefully your still covered under warranty as it won’t get better, started having problems at 60k took ages for service to confirm differential was shot which was then replaced a couple of weeks back

Thanks for taking time to update me. I’m still covered but I’m worried that they’re going to play games with me. It’s going in for service tomorrow and I’m hoping they just fix it and get it out of the way.

 

[tellyvasalas]

Thanks for taking time to update me. I’m still covered but I’m worried that they’re going to play games with me. It’s going in for service tomorrow and I’m hoping they just fix it and get it out of the way.

What was you're outcome? I'm having same/very similar issue. TY in advance.

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[luilui75]

luilui75​

New member​

We have this issue as well... Started about a year ago around 40-50,000 miles. Just diagnosed with a bad awd coupler. Dealer quoted $2,700.00 plus shop fees and tax to repair. 2020 Vehicle currently at 75,000 miles. Dealer says this is NOT covered by the 100,000 mile powertrain warranty! We purchased the extended warranty and will find out today if it is covered. How is the AWD system not covered in the powertrain warranty? Never buying another Kia again...

 

[Penetronn]

That's absurd. This should absolutely be covered under the drivetrain warranty. Mine just died on our '22.

 

[TellmeyourWHAT?]

luilui75​

New member​

We have this issue as well... Started about a year ago around 40-50,000 miles. Just diagnosed with a bad awd coupler. Dealer quoted $2,700.00 plus shop fees and tax to repair. 2020 Vehicle currently at 75,000 miles. Dealer says this is NOT covered by the 100,000 mile powertrain warranty! We purchased the extended warranty and will find out today if it is covered. How is the AWD system not covered in the powertrain warranty? Never buying another Kia again...

That's absurd. This should absolutely be covered under the drivetrain warranty. Mine just died on our '22.

And everybody blames KIA. I would love to see what other car manufacturers cover under their warranties.

 

[Penetronn]

I actually think someone told them incorrectly. Or they weren't the first owners. My Kia dealer said it would be covered up to 100,000 miles if it fails again.

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[luilui75]

I actually think someone told them incorrectly. Or they weren't the first owners. My Kia dealer said it would be covered up to 100,000 miles if it fails again.

2 Kia Dealers, 2 parts managers and the District Service Manager confirmed the part is not included in the powertrain warranty. The AWD coupler is ONLY covered under the 60,000 mile basic warranty for the 2020 Telluride. Our local dealer wouldn't even repair it for the cost covered by the KIA extended warranty. They attempted to mark up the part cost and quoted labor hours by an additional $500. We had to bring it to the out of state dealer who we purchased the vehicle new from in 2019. I would ask your dealer if they would back their claim up in writing

 

[PittPa]

Reading this while my Telluride sits in the garage on its 3rd week. I have an appointment in another week but I refuse to drive it until it gets looked at. I've tried to convey by calling if it can be seen earlier but nothing. I've had overall good service with this dealership so we will see. I find it completely unacceptable that Kia doesn't bend over backwards to fix this issue. If they aren't, who exactly ARE they blaming. This is an example of why I am moving on when I find a potential substitute (fortunately for Kia there isn't one). If this is an example of problems that should be addressed under warranty, what's going to happen when glaring failures happen right after your warranty ends? I've had good will servicing on known issues on other vehicles that the manufacturer owned up to it. Other than safety recalls, has Kia ever come up with reaching out to fix these issues. Oh, yeah the plastic hangers in rear windows

 

[Penetronn]

2 Kia Dealers, 2 parts managers and the District Service Manager confirmed the part is not included in the powertrain warranty. The AWD coupler is ONLY covered under the 60,000 mile basic warranty for the 2020 Telluride. Our local dealer wouldn't even repair it for the cost covered by the KIA extended warranty. They attempted to mark up the part cost and quoted labor hours by an additional $500. We had to bring it to the out of state dealer who we purchased the vehicle new from in 2019. I would ask your dealer if they would back their claim up in writing

Yeah, you're right, I apologize. Couplers are not covered under the powertrain warranty. That's both unusual and concerning.

 

[Penetronn]

Reading this while my Telluride sits in the garage on its 3rd week. I have an appointment in another week but I refuse to drive it until it gets looked at. I've tried to convey by calling if it can be seen earlier but nothing. I've had overall good service with this dealership so we will see. I find it completely unacceptable that Kia doesn't bend over backwards to fix this issue. If they aren't, who exactly ARE they blaming. This is an example of why I am moving on when I find a potential substitute (fortunately for Kia there isn't one). If this is an example of problems that should be addressed under warranty, what's going to happen when glaring failures happen right after your warranty ends? I've had good will servicing on known issues on other vehicles that the manufacturer owned up to it. Other than safety recalls, has Kia ever come up with reaching out to fix these issues. Oh, yeah the plastic hangers in rear windows

Actually, as an owner of a 2016 Kia Sedona, I can confirm they will extend warranties for parts that have high failure rates on their vehicles. For example, the sliding door mechanisms failed at an abnormally high rate on model years 2015-2017. So Kia sent us a letter about 3 years ago saying that all door sliding mechanisms are warrantied for 15 years/unlimited miles. Similar for a signal box issue that came up recently - right turn signal activates when attempting to activate it for a left turn. That one happened to me 3 random times. We got another warranty extension letter. The problem is, there's just no way of knowing what their failure threshold is before they take this action. They will compensate you for any repairs you paid for though, retroactively.

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[ronniebell]

2020 AWD With 38k miles. Last several months and getting worse there is a very noticeable binding or biting when turning left or right from a stop. A nice easy turn either direction and you can feel it. First I thought it was from the rear but the worse it gets it seems like it's from front and back. Going straight from a stop you don't feel it. I haven't found this issue anywhere online yet and of course the first time the dealer couldn't replicate it because they just did a few circles in their parking lot. I returned with it the next week and made a tech ride with me. He felt it and said yep there's an issue and he would call tech specialist at kia. It is scheduled to go in next week and I called ahead of time and of course Kia hasn't got back to them yet. Only thing that I seen was a close issue was a tsb with the Stingers where they were changing diff fluid and adding friction modifiers. To me it does seem like it could be a fluid issue. Anyone have similar problem?

So sorry to hear about your issue. I just ran this through my ChatGPT PLUS paid account. Here's what it says. Perhaps this might shed some light on some issues.
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Here are some general insights that might help you understand the issue. Continue to consult with a professional mechanic or the dealer for a definitive diagnosis.

Differential Fluid: As you mentioned, the issue could be related to the differential fluid. If the fluid has broken down or is contaminated, it may cause the differential to behave erratically, especially during turns. Changing the fluid and adding appropriate friction modifiers, as was done with the Stingers, might be a solution.

Transfer Case: Since you mentioned that the issue seems to be coming from both the front and back, it might be related to the transfer case in the AWD system. The transfer case is responsible for distributing power to both the front and rear axles, and any issue with it could manifest as a binding sensation during turns.

CV Joints: The constant velocity (CV) joints allow the wheels to maintain constant velocity while turning. If they are worn or damaged, they can cause a binding or biting sensation. Inspecting the CV joints for wear or damage might reveal the problem.

Wheel Alignment: Incorrect wheel alignment can sometimes cause issues during turns. Though less likely in this case, it might be worth checking the alignment to rule it out as a cause.

Tires: Uneven tire wear or improperly inflated tires can sometimes cause sensations during turns. Ensuring that the tires are properly inflated and in good condition might help.

Software or Sensor Issue: Modern vehicles rely heavily on software and sensors to control various systems, including the AWD system. A malfunctioning sensor or a software glitch could potentially cause the issue you're experiencing.

Since the dealer's technician has acknowledged the issue, it's a positive sign that they are taking it seriously. It would be wise to follow up with them and Kia's technical specialist to ensure that a proper diagnosis is made. If you're not satisfied with the service from the current dealer, you might also consider seeking a second opinion from another Kia dealer or a reputable independent mechanic specializing in AWD systems.

 

[floracapsule]

I have just begun feeling this problem a few weeks ago in my 21 awd telluride with 42000 miles. Got an appointment scheduled for 2 months from now. Long time to wait. Still driving on it, since they didn't mention anything about not driving it. Drove it 8 hours and back for a family vacation and it made me kind of nervous. Hope this isn't a big problem.

 

[joeshmo]

I have the same vibration/stuttering in the drivetrain when accelerating in a turn from a stop. 2021 SX AWD. Started around 35k miles. During next oil change mechanics said sorry we couldn’t replicate the issue. I brought it back a month later and one of the lead mechanics rode with me. After I demonstrated it he asked me to pull over. He crawled under the car and quickly disconnected the rear drivetrain somehow. Then we drove again in front wheel drive and the issue was gone. So he clearly isolated the issue to the AWD/ rear drivetrain. A week later, today, they told me they talked to Kia and were ordering me a new AWD coupler and indicated it would be covered by warranty at 38k miles. I am first owner and purchased from this dealer. This particular service shop has been difficult to work with so I will find out in a few days after the part arrives if they will try to charge me for any of it. They told me that they were also going to require tire rotation, wheel alignment, and differential fluid changes. I should point out that I’ve put 3K miles on it since it started happening in April/May so it’s not risky to drive it like this based on my experience.

 

[Penetronn]

I have the same vibration/stuttering in the drivetrain when accelerating in a turn from a stop. 2021 SX AWD. Started around 35k miles. During next oil change mechanics said sorry we couldn’t replicate the issue. I brought it back a month later and one of the lead mechanics rode with me. After I demonstrated it he asked me to pull over. He crawled under the car and quickly disconnected the rear drivetrain somehow. Then we drove again in front wheel drive and the issue was gone. So he clearly isolated the issue to the AWD/ rear drivetrain. A week later, today, they told me they talked to Kia and were ordering me a new AWD coupler and indicated it would be covered by warranty at 38k miles. I am first owner and purchased from this dealer. This particular service shop has been difficult to work with so I will find out in a few days after the part arrives if they will try to charge me for any of it. They told me that they were also going to require tire rotation, wheel alignment, and differential fluid changes. I should point out that I’ve put 3K miles on it since it started happening in April/May so it’s not risky to drive it like this based on my experience.

Yup, mine was the AWD Viscous Coupler on my '22 with 23000 miles. Taking it back next week to exchange for a loaner while it gets repaired.

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[reverend_sean]

@Penetronn What's the latest for your vehicle? Did it get repaired? If so, when (just curious about the downtime). I have an appointment on 9/22 to have mine looked at but it's def getting worse ('23 SX with 11k mi).

 

[Penetronn]

@Penetronn What's the latest for your vehicle? Did it get repaired? If so, when (just curious about the downtime). I have an appointment on 9/22 to have mine looked at but it's def getting worse ('23 SX with 11k mi).

The repair was approved after some follow up testing on 8/31. They ordered a new awd coupler that day and said there are several parts still available in the U.S. so they expected a 4 business day delivery. With Labor Day, they told me to expect to bring it in on Friday 9/8 and the repair should take no more than a day or two.

FYI - the best way to diagnose is to have the tech ride with you so you can reproduce. Mine was worst from a full stop, slow acceleration up an incline, so that's what I did. Then the tech disengaged the AWD and we took it back to the same spot. Absolutely perfect turn, no bucking with just FWD. That allowed them to narrow it down to the rear coupler.

Good luck. This is apparently a part that also contributed to the high speed vibration issues I've read about on here. There's a TSB for the Palisade out for that 19-SS-003H. I think there may be a significant failure rate on the part.

 

[tpgh]

I’m taking my wife’s in tomorrow. Her tires are just about shot with only 19k on them, going to try to work the coupler as being the cause of excessive wear.

 

[floracapsule]

The repair was approved after some follow up testing on 8/31. They ordered a new awd coupler that day and said there are several parts still available in the U.S. so they expected a 4 business day delivery. With Labor Day, they told me to expect to bring it in on Friday 9/8 and the repair should take no more than a day or two.

FYI - the best way to diagnose is to have the tech ride with you so you can reproduce. Mine was worst from a full stop, slow acceleration up an incline, so that's what I did. Then the tech disengaged the AWD and we took it back to the same spot. Absolutely perfect turn, no bucking with just FWD. That allowed them to narrow it down to the rear coupler.

Good luck. This is apparently a part that also contributed to the high speed vibration issues I've read about on here. There's a TSB for the Palisade out for that 19-SS-003H. I think there may be a significant failure rate on the part.

Mine has always had a slight vibration at high speeds. I always thought it was slightly bent axle or something. It would be nice to have this problem ironed out.

Mine is also worse from a complete stop on an incline.

Not enjoying the wait. Still 1.5 months until appointment. I may just bring it in.