Binding or "biting" when turning from a stop

[dtburgh]

2021 SX and its started happening right before 50k miles. Taking it in next week. The service advisor said hes never heard about any of these issues. I wonder if I should try the bigger dealership not too much further away.

It was worse to the left but now I notice it in right turns from stop signs. Is there a surefire way to make this happen so service can feel it the first time? They are 1 hour away and I don't want to come back.

Ya my dealer said they haven’t heard this issue with any tellurides. Then I talked to the parts department and they said they just ordered one that morning for another telluride. And the part is on massive back order. So ya, it’s an issue. And dealers suck. Ridiculous

 

[coop65]

Has anyone had to replace the coupler outside the 100k warranty? I have developed similar symptoms on my '20 S with 112k miles... part looks to be about $1K, not sure if Kia is honoring that this is defective part outside the warranty...

 

[Dave919]

Mine (2021 w/ exactly 39k miles) started acting up a few thousand miles ago. Dealer said they could feel the problem, but suggested it was tires that were out of balance and did not like when I rebutted that an out of balance tire would have nothing to do with that issue and have no impact at low speeds where it's the most noticeable. However, I have on my service record that they could replicate the problem. I'll have to suggest that they look at this viscous coupler and reconsider that it could be the issue.

 

[JF22GGTelly]

Has anyone had to replace the coupler outside the 100k warranty? I have developed similar symptoms on my '20 S with 112k miles... part looks to be about $1K, not sure if Kia is honoring that this is defective part outside the warranty...

Actually, some have reported on this forum that Kia corporate has tried to claim that the AWD viscous coupler is NOT part of the "Powertrain" and thus NOT covered under the 10 year/100K mile warranty. Instead, it is claimed that it is only covered under the 5 Year/60K mile Bumper-to-Bumper warranty. On Kia's own website, it defines the Powertrain as the following: “A powertrain is an assembly of every component that thrusts your car into motion. It includes engine, transmission, driveshaft, axles, and differential.” By Kia's own methodology of troubleshooting the problem, in some cases, they actually disconnect the driveshaft to rear AWD viscous coupler which then no longer provides any "thrust" through the AWD viscous coupler to the rear wheels. If the problem is no longer present, then they have confirmed the problem is with the AWD viscous coupler. Clearly, the viscous coupler is part of the "Powertrain" since, without it, there is no path to provide thrust to the rear wheels. I've reported the problem on my 2022 Telluride since it had about 25,000 miles but, each time, they've claimed they "can't replicate it". It now has 45,000 miles and the problem is absurdly obvious and I'm planning to have the service manager ride with until I shame him into admitting the problem. Many have reported having to replace the AWD viscous coupler multiple times because the problem comes back in the new part, sometimes after only another 12,000 miles, because the replacement part is the same design and subject to failing again so I expect I'll probably be in the position of needing it to be fixed multiple times in the future, beyond 5 years/60K miles and I expect Kia to honor their warranty because that the only reason I decided to take a chance and buy a Kia to replace my 2006 Honda Pilot which was still going strong at 215,000 miles with NEVER a problem with the Powertrain. I then gave it to my Brother-in-Law and it is still going with 230,000 miles! I'll be going back to a Honda Pilot if Kia won't honor their warranty. BTW, there are multiple threads on this problem in this forum that are covered under other headings such as: "Clunking noise when accelerating from a stop and turning at the same time". Here's a link to Kia's "Powertrain" definition under their 10 Year/ 100K mile warranty: What Is a Powertrain? | Kia Indonesia

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[jkbenzene]

Just wanted to give an update to everyone regarding this issue since I am sitting in a Kia dealership in Denver right now. I had put in the complaint regarding the binding/biting with accompanying thumping from the rear when scheduling the appointment. And this is basically what the service rep told me which may be useful information for everyone. Also, it was refreshing since the service person gave me absolutely no BS and said she wouldn't even need to have someone hop in the car with me to start the process of getting the AWD coupler replaced. They have done so many of them at this dealership now that they are just getting them replaced immediately to the best of their ability with the Kia tech line.

So long story short, the process to get approval for the replacement of the AWD coupler (due to the expense of the part for Kia) involves a fairly lengthy diagnoses process between the dealer and the regional tech line. Sometimes it can even involve just having the vehicle for an entire day for the dealership to get approval from the tech line and then coming back a seperate day for the replacement of the coupler, even in situations where the dealership already has the part in inventory. The service person basically says they have to call the regional tech line to get approval for diagnoses, then go through their diagnoses steps which seems like it involves driving vehicle with the AWD coupler both connected and then disconnected, and then waiting sometimes up to 3 hr for the tech line to get back to the dealer for the go ahead for replacement. Sometimes they get back to the dealer right away, sometimes they don't.

Two last pieces of info are that the service rep basically told me they are doing all of this since it is likely feeding info back to Kia for them to likely eventually issue a recall on that part. The last thing is that they said they have probably done over 100 of these replacements (not sure on the accuracy of that number) with a definitely updated part at this dealership and that no one has had to come back again. I mentioned I had read on the forums that someone had gotten a replacement and that their replacement AWD coupler was also failing, but the service person said that someone along the way on that particular case then basically must have messed up.

So good luck everyone

 

[dtburgh]

Just wanted to give an update to everyone regarding this issue since I am sitting in a Kia dealership in Denver right now. I had put in the complaint regarding the binding/biting with accompanying thumping from the rear when scheduling the appointment. And this is basically what the service rep told me which may be useful information for everyone. Also, it was refreshing since the service person gave me absolutely no BS and said she wouldn't even need to have someone hop in the car with me to start the process of getting the AWD coupler replaced. They have done so many of them at this dealership now that they are just getting them replaced immediately to the best of their ability with the Kia tech line.

So long story short, the process to get approval for the replacement of the AWD coupler (due to the expense of the part for Kia) involves a fairly lengthy diagnoses process between the dealer and the regional tech line. Sometimes it can even involve just having the vehicle for an entire day for the dealership to get approval from the tech line and then coming back a seperate day for the replacement of the coupler, even in situations where the dealership already has the part in inventory. The service person basically says they have to call the regional tech line to get approval for diagnoses, then go through their diagnoses steps which seems like it involves driving vehicle with the AWD coupler both connected and then disconnected, and then waiting sometimes up to 3 hr for the tech line to get back to the dealer for the go ahead for replacement. Sometimes they get back to the dealer right away, sometimes they don't.

Two last pieces of info are that the service rep basically told me they are doing all of this since it is likely feeding info back to Kia for them to likely eventually issue a recall on that part. The last thing is that they said they have probably done over 100 of these replacements (not sure on the accuracy of that number) with a definitely updated part at this dealership and that no one has had to come back again. I mentioned I had read on the forums that someone had gotten a replacement and that their replacement AWD coupler was also failing, but the service person said that someone along the way on that particular case then basically must have messed up.

So good luck everyone

Huh. I took mine in last Tuesday to get this issue looked at. 5-10 minutes later they said yep, it’s the coupler. Ordered part, got it Wednesday and installing it today.

Seems a little different at my dealership. So odd.

 

[jkbenzene]

Huh. I took mine in last Tuesday to get this issue looked at. 5-10 minutes later they said yep, it’s the coupler. Ordered part, got it Wednesday and installing it today.

Seems a little different at my dealership. So odd.

Yeah, it seems like the dealership response is all over the map depending on where you live. You even said yourself in an earlier post that when you talked to the dealer initially, they hadn't heard of the issue with any Tellurides but then got a different response when talking with the parts department.

I was just trying to outline the response I got from my dealership service department because I live in a more densely populated area where the service departments seems to have already dealt with a significant number of replacements of the AWD coupler. My understanding of what was relayed to me is that they are going through this more lengthy diagnoses processes to feed the info to Kia corporate or whomever, likely to issue a more widespread recall or extended warranty on this part. I started to notice the issue on my end at less than 10k miles but it has very slowly been getting worse (just over 20k miles now).

 

[dtburgh]

Yeah, it seems like the dealership response is all over the map depending on where you live. You even said yourself in an earlier post that when you talked to the dealer initially, they hadn't heard of the issue with any Tellurides but then got a different response when talking with the parts department.

I was just trying to outline the response I got from my dealership service department because I live in a more densely populated area where the service departments seems to have already dealt with a significant number of replacements of the AWD coupler. My understanding of what was relayed to me is that they are going through this more lengthy diagnoses processes to feed the info to Kia corporate or whomever, likely to issue a more widespread recall or extended warranty on this part. I started to notice the issue on my end at less than 10k miles but it has very slowly been getting worse (just over 20k miles now).

Gotcha. Hopefully they will fix this issue so we don’t have to keep taking them in for repairs. Seems like a pretty simple repair. I think it was just over an hour to replace mine. Picked it up on my way to work today. Hopefully feels normal on the ride home. Fingers crossed

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[G-105033]

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?

My car 2021 Telluride has done this exact same thing since day 1 I’ve had it in several times and they still haven’t fixed it. I’m in the dealer again and taking a tech for a ride to show them. Also I have gotten it to do it on a stop going straight up a hill. Also slowing down on a hill. Mostly though turning right or left from a stop.

 

[icallfives]

I’ve got a 2023 EX X Line with only 17k miles and when I went in mentioning could be the AWD coupler he told me that it’s highly unlikely on my Telluride and he’s only seen that on Sorento. He had it for an hour and called me back to tell me it was the coupler and I get it replaced next week.
Thank you all for posting this!!!

 

[jkbenzene]

My car 2021 Telluride has done this exact same thing since day 1 I’ve had it in several times and they still haven’t fixed it. I’m in the dealer again and taking a tech for a ride to show them. Also I have gotten it to do it on a stop going straight up a hill. Also slowing down on a hill. Mostly though turning right or left from a stop.

I would say if they are still giving you a hard time, take it up with the service manager. If that doesn't work, then try to force them to talk with the Kia tech line even if they don't want to. If they refuse, then I think the only options would be to go to another dealership if you have that option or talk to Kia corporate yourself to force the dealer to repair.

I think that I stated this before but the service rep at my dealership was fairly chatty and willing to offer more info and answer my questions. In a nutshell, Kia is well aware of the issue and they seem to trying to gather as much info as they can from the dealerships to issue a pending recall. My service rep even says they have some sort of diagnostic tool, likely something they hook up the Telluride's computer, that can monitor what the AWD coupler is doing while driving and can apparently monitor the pressure drops (terminology used by the service person) in the coupler when the issue presents itself. I mean they already have an "updated" replacement part to resolve the issue since it is so widespread. There is no reason any dealership service department should be denying the issue exists with the exception that they are just being total jerks.

 

[G-658273]

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 I have this issue and taken my Telluride in several times and they finally figured it out it is the Coupler Assembly that connects to the All Wheel drive. I took a tech for a drive and we heard the noise then he had me stop and he unplugged the coupler and sure enough I couldn’t make the noise happen. That coupler needs to be replaced. It is covered if you get it in before 60,000 miles. So glad they finally figured out!

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[Tommerdoo]

Wow, this thread has really opened my eyes to what a widespread problem the viscous coupler is. My wife said that our local dealership said they had "never heard of it being a problem". I really doubt that at this point that they are being truthful. Being the (new as of July) second owner of this Telluride with 90,000 miles I am SOL on any chance of getting the drivetrain fixed with any warranty. We replaced the viscous coupler paying out of pocket over a thousand dollars of course and the banging in the back of the car when accelerating from a stop and turning a corner (uphill usually) disappeared (thankfully), but now my wife is saying that she can still feel it maybe coming back again. Oh my gosh....this failed coupler thing seems to fail at all different mileages all the way down to under 10,000 miles according to some posts. It makes me wonder if a lot of people are just driving with failed units and don't know it -- I always called my wife "twitchy" and thought it just drove like an old truck and didn't really seem too bothered by it - but knowing that it can drive as smooth as silk has me worried. I mean, i'll probably have this one fail in the near future too by the sounds of it if it isn't already in the process of failing. Hopefully there will be a second and reliable second version of the coupler that I''ve heard about that is available to everyone.

And now the horribly engineered oil assembly is leaking. Mind you, we haven't done anything to the car since we bought it in July (not even one oil change) and it's not dripped a drop of oil and all of a sudden it's dripping oil in the driveway. I narrowed it down to the usual suspect - the spot where the plastic assembly meets the metal, meaning the gasket is not doing it's job (or there's a hairline crack somewhere). I found something interesting on Amazon, however and will be giving it a try -- an aluminum housing assembly for the oil filter for $106 which I ordered and will tell you all how it goes. I don't really want to change the gasket in the plastic housing and then go on to find that there's a crack in it afterwards, so I'm splurging on an upgrade.

While I was tracking down the oil link, I discovered something else! To my surprise, the passenger side CV axle had thrown grease and after a quick Google search, I've come to find NEARLY EVERYONE HAS HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM!!! ACK!!! On another note, I'm actually relieved that the crappy drive quality of our Telluride might be due to the CV axle failure and so ordered new CV axles (both side, why not?) and will report if that helps with the shaking and vibrations (including in the gas pedal).

Honestly, there should be a class action lawsuit about the coupler, and probably the CV axle as well.

So from my wife's perspective - it's a pretty car, but she isn't holding faith in keeping it. So far since buying it in July we've had:
- A failed transmission (torque converter - thankfully replaced by dealership but took a month)
- A failed viscous coupler
- A failed CV axle
- A failed oil filter assembly
- A failed seatbelt retractor for passenger side (thankfully replaced by dealer as we noticed it quickly)
- The passenger mirror folds into the glass (not a huge deal but wife noticed it)
- The recall for the passenger seat - fixed but now the buttons work differently than the drivers side meaning that a button push makes the seat persistently move vs the drivers side - odd, but whatever.
- Some strange connection problems at times with apple car play

All that to say, I still really hold faith that I can fix it and make it work. I still love this car, but it's more like owning a Volkswagen at this point than a reliable (and boring usually) Honda / Toyota.

 

[boomerg]

Change your fluid in your coupler it takes kia transfer case fluid

 

[MrMCar]

The coupler (different nomenclature from my older BMW world) can/is often the cause for a mystery bang or slight thump feel on acceleration. Professionally I've even been duped into thinking it was an intermittent misfire. Causing us to change coils/plugs to no avail.

Having learned a thing or two (my professional shop owners group helped) we learned to ignore the "lifetime" labels and would proactively change coupler and differential fluids at the 100,000 KM (~60,000 mile) intervals. There's just NO way a liter (or even less) of a working fluid is going to not break down and stay 100% functional over that many miles/years.

If you never went to the dentist for periodic cleaning, what would your teeth look like? Preventive maintenance goes a long way.
IMHO

 

[tpgh]

Fluid may have something to do with it but mine and many others failed before 20k miles.

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[boomerg]

Fluid may have something to do with it but mine and many others failed before 20k miles.

Well could be factory error it is nothing more than clutches and a pump

 

[MrMCar]

Fluid may have something to do with it but mine and many others failed before 20k miles.

I want to understand better. Do you have any empirical data as to what percentage of sold units fail before 20K miles? 5%, 20% 80%??

If you have solid evidence in numbers, bam class action.

 

[dtburgh]

I want to understand better. Do you have any empirical data as to what percentage of sold units fail before 20K miles? 5%, 20% 80%??

If you have solid evidence in numbers, bam class action.

Mine was replaced at 12,000 miles. Ridiculous

 

[boomerg]

Mine was replaced at 12,000 miles. Ridiculous

Mine had 164k i don't if it had been replaced or not but I was having issues now it works good probly going to change the fluid again soon I will post more pics of the process