2020 Telluride AWD rear end jerking thumping and vibrating

[JerseySXP]

^ +1 on @smokey_mountain said - I love cars...look at my pictures on my ceramic coating, calipers, and how I wash this vehicle.

I can tell something is wrong...I have a 2005 Camry that is smooth as a whistle from 0-85mph...they don't make cars like they used to.

I'm leaning further away from design issues because people have gotten the issue to go away with Driveshaft/AWD couplers being replaced. Not sure how Kia did that and fix the 5 degree issue.

To your point on me having this issue on a new build - that should concern some folks. I mean the guy unloading it off the truck could have hit the driveshaft.

One attempt at a time - I will keep you posted.

I had a Driveshaft company near me say tell the dealer to remove the driveshaft and send it to him. They have special machines that can diagnose and fix out of balance driveshafts. Kind of like what they do for tires.

 

[2020Telly]

Putting this out there just in case it's an option but I have no way to verify or test this. I have read that Kia has two AWD systems.

1. Active On-Demand All-Wheel Drive (AWD) w/ AWD Lock and Snow Mode
2. Dynamax All-Wheel Drive (AWD) w/ Locking Center Differential

I believe the Telluride does not use the Dynamax and that the Dynamax is always on. If that's the case, is it possible that the Active On-Demand can be set to FWD only mode when traveling 68+mph? If the differential is never engaged and the driveshaft never turns then the vibration goes away, could that be why some people (including the dealers) claim they do not experience the vibration at those speeds? Could it be as simple as the drive mode to pick when traveling the higher speeds?

I can’t think of too many scenarios to be traveling 70mph if you need AWD traction. To save on gas it would make sense to be in FWD mode at highway speeds.

 

[JerseySXP]

Putting this out there just in case it's an option but I have no way to verify or test this. I have read that Kia has two AWD systems.

1. Active On-Demand All-Wheel Drive (AWD) w/ AWD Lock and Snow Mode
2. Dynamax All-Wheel Drive (AWD) w/ Locking Center Differential

I believe the Telluride does not use the Dynamax and that the Dynamax is always on. If that's the case, is it possible that the Active On-Demand can be set to FWD only mode when traveling 68+mph? If the differential is never used and the vibration goes away, could that be why some people (including the dealers) claim they do not experience the vibration at those speeds? Could it be as simple as the drive mode to pick when traveling the higher speeds?

Just looked through the user manual and the different drive modes, ECO/SMART/Comfort/Sport - doesn't look like you can force the vehicle into FWD and keeping it there.

There is an AWD Transfer Mode selection:



An option for FWD Lock would be useful in self-diagnosing this issue but doesn't look like we have that option unfortunately.

 

[smokey_mountain]

Yes Palisade guys discussed that too, no option to disable AWD, shaft is spinning always. @JerseySXP has the correct plan to take the shaft down and drive without it. This is how they did with Chevy machines that had that "Chevy shake". Finally one of the uber driveshaft shops created their own driveshafts that people bought to stop the vibration.

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[JerseySXP]

The NHSTA already has one poster complaining about this in their 2021 Telluride...this isn't just a 2020 model issue.

 

[Kwim]

Putting this out there just in case it's an option but I have no way to verify or test this. I have read that Kia has two AWD systems.

1. Active On-Demand All-Wheel Drive (AWD) w/ AWD Lock and Snow Mode
2. Dynamax All-Wheel Drive (AWD) w/ Locking Center Differential

I believe the Telluride does not use the Dynamax and that the Dynamax is always on. If that's the case, is it possible that the Active On-Demand can be set to FWD only mode when traveling 68+mph? If the differential is never engaged and the driveshaft never turns then the vibration goes away, could that be why some people (including the dealers) claim they do not experience the vibration at those speeds? Could it be as simple as the drive mode to pick when traveling the higher speeds?

I can’t think of too many scenarios to be traveling 70mph if you need AWD traction. To save on gas it would make sense to be in FWD mode at highway speeds.

Just looked through the user manual and the different drive modes, ECO/SMART/Comfort/Sport - doesn't look like you can force the vehicle into FWD and keeping it there.

There is an AWD Transfer Mode selection:
View attachment 13617
View attachment 13618

An option for FWD Lock would be useful in self-diagnosing this issue but doesn't look like we have that option unfortunately.

telluride has permanent all-wheel drive with power distribution along the axles and wheels. The only way to do this for front wheel drive is to remove the shaft.

 

[JerseySXP]

telluride has permanent all-wheel drive with power distribution along the axles and wheels. The only way to do this for front wheel drive is to remove the shaft.

You better believe they are removing the shaft on Friday. I'm not taking a loaner and leaving. I want to test drive it after they take the shaft off.

 

[JerseySXP]

Question for you guys - since now everything is in an email chain with the dealer and Kia Consumer...

Should I point blank ask right now for them all to get pre-approval from Techline to take down my driveshaft and force it into FWD when I go in on Friday? I don't want them to say hang tight...we have to call Techline for approval...Downside of this is Techline saying no in advance?

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[JerseySXP]

Looks like 7 bolts...this should not be hard for him to remove...I actually wish I just had the guts to remove it myself and go on the highway to diagnose...

 

[smokey_mountain]

Kia dealer needs to take the shaft down, nobody else, otherwise they will blame it on whoever touched it.

 

[Bev]

I know and recognize this, but it comes down to what is reasonably acceptable and if Kia is giving people the run around and blatantly ignoring the possibility that there is an issue to fix, then there is a burden of proof that must be followed. At this point I was trying to clarify all the possible options. But I agree, this is most likely a small percentage otherwise the AWDs would not be selling and Kia would have recalled all of them by now.

Wrong! Kia is aware of the problem but as they (Hyundai/Kia) have done in the past, they hope they wear people out and they give up. They just finished with a $22 billion dollar class-action for failure to communicate and recall on known defects. Kia has been aware of the driveshaft issue since they first came out last year and keep telling consumers the vibration is within the normal range. That's a flat out lie! As far as not all of Kia's Tellurides having this issue, we don't know. I think they do. I think the people that say they don't either won't admit they have a problem, doesn't drive at highway speeds of 60-80 mph or they really have a front-wheel drive. They may not even know what to look for or think it's the roads. It's a design flaw. Kia is not changing its design on some and leaving the bad one on others.
Kia needs to be sued! Just that simple. This is why on the SX AWD models they always have their Kia Tech come check the problems so he can document and deny the issue.
Today I traded mine Tellie in for a Toyota Highlander. I lost some features I had with the Tellie but I won't have the BS games Kia is playing. I only lost $1K except for the headaches and stress I incurred. Now I'm going after their asses. I'm mad. but had I not traded it in now before the class-action suits are filed or the NHTSA starts checking into the issue and they lose their impressive Consumer Reports score, I would have lost a lot more and now I want Kia to pay me and others for what they have put us through. It's wrong to expect hard-working people to buy vehicles with a known defect and them to accept it. Who the hell do they think they are? They may be a giant and us little people, but David took down Goliath and you just don't know if you don't try.
I hope everyone having issues will take their vehicles to an independent Driveshaft Specialist to have it checked. It's the best documentation you can have for a lemon law claim.
Have a good evening.

 

[smokey_mountain]

Glad to hear that you traded out of this problem. Sometimes it is worth more than money not to feel lied to, cheated, small-talked, etc. I had to do it with one of GM trucks and after reading this thread, frankly I am not so sure, I will be buying Telluride, or I will take out on the extensive 60 mins test drive.

Good luck with a Highlander! Definitely a reliable vehicle.

Wrong! Kia is aware of the problem but as they (Hyundai/Kia) have done in the past, they hope they wear people out and they give up. They just finished with a $22 billion dollar class-action for failure to communicate and recall on known defects. Kia has been aware of the driveshaft issue since they first came out last year and keep telling consumers the vibration is within the normal range. That's a flat out lie! As far as not all of Kia's Tellurides having this issue, we don't know. I think they do. I think the people that say they don't either won't admit they have a problem, doesn't drive at highway speeds of 60-80 mph or they really have a front-wheel drive. They may not even know what to look for or think it's the roads. It's a design flaw. Kia is not changing its design on some and leaving the bad one on others.
Kia needs to be sued! Just that simple. This is why on the SX AWD models they always have their Kia Tech come check the problems so he can document and deny the issue.
Today I traded mine Tellie in for a Toyota Highlander. I lost some features I had with the Tellie but I won't have the BS games Kia is playing. I only lost $1K except for the headaches and stress I incurred. Now I'm going after their asses. I'm mad. but had I not traded it in now before the class-action suits are filed or the NHTSA starts checking into the issue and they lose their impressive Consumer Reports score, I would have lost a lot more and now I want Kia to pay me and others for what they have put us through. It's wrong to expect hard-working people to buy vehicles with a known defect and them to accept it. Who the hell do they think they are? They may be a giant and us little people, but David took down Goliath and you just don't know if you don't try.
I hope everyone having issues will take their vehicles to an independent Driveshaft Specialist to have it checked. It's the best documentation you can have for a lemon law claim.
Have a good evening.

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[mgoblue]

Glad you were able to find something else @Bev. The $1k loss isn't ideal, but not the most disastrous outcome either. Hope the Highlander treats you better!

 

[JerseySXP]

Congratulations on the new ride @Bev !

Thanks for all of your input here over the past few weeks - much appreciated!

Hope you stop by and check this thread every now and again.

 

[JerseySXP]

Interestingly there is already a NHSTA complaint posted by someone with this exact issue. Only a matter of time before they go and ask Kia what the hell is going on...
@Bev before you go can you also file a complaint on the NHSTA website. Looks super easy to do.

 

[mgoblue]

Question for you guys - since now everything is in an email chain with the dealer and Kia Consumer...

Should I point blank ask right now for them all to get pre-approval from Techline to take down my driveshaft and force it into FWD when I go in on Friday? I don't want them to say hang tight...we have to call Techline for approval...Downside of this is Techline saying no in advance?

Worth a shot asking, though I would not get your hopes up. In my experience when I asked this, I was told techline needed the car to be in before they'd do anything / give instructions.

Also just to manage expectations, techline is very slow to respond. I'm not sure what system they are using for communicating back and forth (carrier pigeons?), but it would often be a few hours between the service department contacting them and when they would hear back about what to do next.

Then, if things were disassembled (e.g. driveshaft disconnected) and parts were ordered based on the findings, they would just hold on to the vehicle in that state and not give it back to you until they could do the next bit of work.

These two things resulted in a lot of extra days in the shop without much happening. So just be prepared for that, especially since you're going in on a Friday.

______________________________

 

[Bev]

Interestingly there is already a NHSTA complaint posted by someone with this exact issue. Only a matter of time before they go and ask Kia what the hell is going on...
@Bev before you go can you also file a complaint on the NHSTA website. Looks super easy to do.

JerseySXP, I'm not going anywhere yet. I actually did lose some of my equity from my down payment but I had enough to where I wasn't upside down. I realize some people didn't have what I had in mine and that in itself pisses me off to no end.
I have not heard back from Kia Consumers on any kind of settlement they offered me so until I sign off on something and recoup my monies, I'm fighting to the end.
Yes, I will definitely make a complaint to NHSTA and will take the report I received from the Driveshaft Specialist to the Texas Attorney General for an addendum to my original complaint. It may not get me anywhere but I will fight until I can't anymore. This is not right and people need to stand up and quit letting people take advantage of them. As a team, we don't stand much of a chance unless others get an independent diagnosis for leverage. All these people don't know the mechanics of a vehicle but they can sure read reports and outside sources are the best way. Don't expect Kia to give you a fair report.
What ticks me off the most is, this company has known of this issue for two years now and are fighting harder to keep from spending approximately $1k to fix the vehicles from what it will cost them in the long run.

 

[Bev]

JerseySXP, I'm not going anywhere yet. I actually did lose some of my equity from my down payment but I had enough to where I wasn't upside down. I realize some people didn't have what I had in mine and that in itself pisses me off to no end.
I have not heard back from Kia Consumers on any kind of settlement they offered me so until I sign off on something and recoup my monies, I'm fighting to the end.
Yes, I will definitely make a complaint to NHSTA and will take the report I received from the Driveshaft Specialist to the Texas Attorney General for an addendum to my original complaint. It may not get me anywhere but I will fight until I can't anymore. This is not right and people need to stand up and quit letting people take advantage of them. As a team, we don't stand much of a chance unless others get an independent diagnosis for leverage. All these people don't know the mechanics of a vehicle but they can sure read reports and outside sources are the best way. Don't expect Kia to give you a fair report.
What ticks me off the most is, this company has known of this issue for two years now and are fighting harder to keep from spending approximately $1k to fix the vehicles from what it will cost them in the long run.

I filed my formal complaint this morning with NHTSA referencing the issues, this forum, my case number with Kia Consumer Assistance, my case number to the Texas Attorney General, and a copy of the independent diagnosis from Driveshaft Specialist.
I cannot suggest strongly enough to pay the small amount for the independent diagnosis to help fight this situation with NHTSA and a class-action suit.
Happy Trails everryone.

 

[JerseySXP]

Worth a shot asking, though I would not get your hopes up. In my experience when I asked this, I was told techline needed the car to be in before they'd do anything / give instructions.

Also just to manage expectations, techline is very slow to respond. I'm not sure what system they are using for communicating back and forth (carrier pigeons?), but it would often be a few hours between the service department contacting them and when they would hear back about what to do next.

Then, if things were disassembled (e.g. driveshaft disconnected) and parts were ordered based on the findings, they would just hold on to the vehicle in that state and not give it back to you until they could do the next bit of work.

These two things resulted in a lot of extra days in the shop without much happening. So just be prepared for that, especially since you're going in on a Friday.

Thank you for these comments. They had Friday (tomorrow) available and then next week, Weds before Christmas...if I go in that day then they will have it for lord knows how long through the Holiday...not like we are going anywhere this year it would be frustrating not having it during those few days off.

Can you help me understand the test drives that you took with the SM, if any? Did he drive, or did you?

OR

Did you just drop it off and they took care of everything else in regards to test driving, diagnosing, what steps to take, etc?...the SM never emailed me back from my note on yday and I can now tell I'm not working with a SM who seems to give a crap about my issue and he controls all conversations with Techline (unfortunately).

If he never asks for permission to remove the driveshaft then he will never get approval to do it...

 

[Bev]

Thank you for these comments. They had Friday (tomorrow) available and then next week, Weds before Christmas...if I go in that day then they will have it for lord knows how long through the Holiday...not like we are going anywhere this year it would be frustrating not having it during those few days off.

Can you help me understand the test drives that you took with the SM, if any? Did he drive, or did you?

OR

Did you just drop it off and they took care of everything else in regards to test driving, diagnosing, what steps to take, etc?...the SM never emailed me back from my note on yday and I can now tell I'm not working with a SM who seems to give a crap about my issue and he controls all conversations with Techline (unfortunately).

If he never asks for permission to remove the driveshaft then he will never get approval to do it...

Sadly, most of them don't care once the sale is finalized. I stayed at the dealer's while the General Manager and Sales Manager test drove it. I needed to avoid close contact so I let them go. Of course, when they came back, the GM said he couldn't feel any vibration and the SM said I must have fixed it somehow. Ha! I didn't get off the lot and their Used Car Manager called me saying they would purchase it for $44,200. I got them up to $44,700. They already had a buyer for it. For spite, I traded it at Toyota and saved on the sales tax.
JerseySXP, you're wasting your time dealing with the dealer and Kia tech. Just go pay the $50-75 for an independent inspection. That will be your leverage. Then file under the Lemon Law, make a complaint to NHSTA, and let's look for an attorney for a clas-action suit.