2020 Telluride AWD rear end jerking thumping and vibrating

[BrianF]

The Eco and Smart modes send 100 percent to the front; Comfort and Snow send 80 percent to the front and 20 percent to the rear; and Sport divides it 65/35. If you hit the lock button it gives 50/50

Actually that’s not true. Smart mode switches between Comfort, Sport and Eco depending on how the car is being driven (including putting power to all four wheels to varying degrees). Even straight Eco mode will put some power to the rear wheels under certain conditions like cornering and acceleration. This can be verified with one of the screens on the dashboard display that shows power distribution to each wheel.

 

[alexdrums]

The Eco and Smart modes send 100 percent to the front; Comfort and Snow send 80 percent to the front and 20 percent to the rear; and Sport divides it 65/35. If you hit the lock button it gives 50/50

Even if this is true, in all modes the rear drive shaft and gears in the transfer case are going the same speed as the transmission...correct? So why would this matter?

 

[regaphysics]

Even if this is true, in all modes the rear drive shaft and gears in the transfer case are going the same speed as the transmission...correct? So why would this matter?

For purposes of vibration, it doesn't. When they say "100%" to the front, it isn't technically 100%. It might be closer to 98% or something like that. But the rear driveshaft still is connected and spinning, which is sufficient to vibrate.

 

[tobidog]

I had the impression AWD mode is not available at speeds over 45-50 mph? Maybe someone could read all the details in the Owners Guide and explain it to us? (I don't own a Telluride, only in my dreams.)

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[BrianF]

I had the impression AWD mode is not available at speeds over 45-50 mph? Maybe someone could read all the details in the Owners Guide and explain it to us? (I don't own a Telluride, only in my dreams.)

AWD is available at all speeds. The “Lock” button that locks the front-to-rear differential so that both front and rear driveshafts rotate at the same speed for snow, ice or other slippery conditions does not function above about 45 mph, however. This is necessary to avoid potential drivetrain damage at higher speeds.

 

[Albert Ruiz]

Actually that’s not true. Smart mode switches between Comfort, Sport and Eco depending on how the car is being driven (including putting power to all four wheels to varying degrees). Even straight Eco mode will put some power to the rear wheels under certain conditions like cornering and acceleration. This can be verified with one of the screens on the dashboard display that shows power distribution to each wheel.

No arguments here...I just copied and pasted from an article on Motor Trend.

 

[G-882620]

Yes, 68-70 mph, I've balanced the tires and wheels which all were off about .5oz It has helped some but it's still there...

 

[G-706357]

Took the EX out just now. It's 92 degrees. Cold tire pressure 33 (nitrogen). They got up to 35 while driving. Did 50, 60, 70, 75 and 80. NO SHIMMY OR SHAKES OR VIBRATIONS OF ANY SORT.
Did have a really SLIGHT whistle near the driver-side window. Thinking that may be a line from the paint protection.

I had a whistle as well. It is the trim piece between the front and rear door. Dealer did a warranty claim and replaced it.

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[Arch177]

Hey, gang. Update on my FWD 'S' now that I've put 300 miles on her. I noticed I had to hold the steering wheel to the left a bit to go straight. If I centered the wheel, the truck would pull right. Also, there was a slight vibration at 55MPH or so, but different than the one I had in my AWD Telluride. My AWD also had the same alignment issue.

Not wanting to deal with the dealer, I took it to my trusty front end shop. Right rear toe was off a lot. Left front tire was 1.5 ounces out of balance.

All better now.

Front end guy agrees with my theory and others here, seems the carriers are careless ratcheting these down to the trailers to transport them from factory to dealer (such as CincyTech and his bent axle shaft!).

When you buy, insist the dealer check the tire pressures (shipped with 50psi, supposed to be 35psi) and check the alignment!

 

[alexdrums]

Holy Mackerel! Glad you got it squared away.

 

[jromankvcc]

Just out of curiosity how many people are still having this issue? out of the ones that still have the issue, how many have had their Telluride in the dealer for repairs? Did the outcome fix the issue? What helped? what didn't? is the issue only 65-75 range? or lower as well as above?

I had a feeling I was having the same problem on my short test from the dealer to my house, but I won't be driving those speeds until tomorrow when I go back to the central office, and I was curious if there's something specific I should watch out/listen for.

Thank you for all the info.

 

[Arch177]

Jroman... In a nutshell... Some AWD = Vibration and a hum around 63-71 MPH, give or take. In mine, I could drive through it, as in, go above 71 and it went away. The second one I tried had twice the vibration, started at a lower speed and could not be driven through. Third one started with hum at 60+, no vibration. Then vibration came in and got worse the more I drove it.

Causes? Some here have been told: out of balance rear driveshaft, bad transfer case (both on mine) or, our favorites: This is normal and/or, there is nothing wrong!

You WILL know it when it's there. It's very obvious. Just be sure to get it up to 61-75mph and maintain that speed a bit.

What appears to be common is a build date after mid-May 2019. My first was July build. One of the bad ones I tested after returning mine was August 1 build, so we're looking at at least 5 months of possible bad.

Kia's interest (and Hyundai's in the Pallisade) has been mixed at best.

Read all the posts in this thread. You'll get an education.

Good luck!

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[Albert Ruiz]

SX AWD Update...
They replaced the Rear Diff. today and it has not solved the issue. They will be working on it tomorrow. I’m guessing they will replace the Transfer Case next.

 

[Luvcats69]

SX AWD Update...
They replaced the Rear Diff. today and it has not solved the issue. They will be working on it tomorrow. I’m guessing they will replace the Transfer Case next.

Thanks for the update please keep us posted

 

[CincyTech]

SX AWD Update...
They replaced the Rear Diff. today and it has not solved the issue. They will be working on it tomorrow. I’m guessing they will replace the Transfer Case next.

This is the first real trial and error work we have seen to identify the problem. Keep us posted, Albert Ruiz, this is so important for so many of us!

 

[Albert Ruiz]

Update... Sooo
Dealer just called me...
Said he had good news and bad news...
Good news is they changed out the driveshaft and Differential and took it for a ride this morning... NO VIBRATION!!!
Bad news...
during the test drive a rock flew and hit the windshield. They are in the process of having it replaced. We should be able to pick it up tomorrow.
Yesterday I was told the Differential was changed out and it still had an issue.
I will know for sure when I pick it up tomorrow and take it for a ride. I will let you all know what the outcome is.

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[Arch177]

Good luck, Albert! I hope your TelluVibe is fixed and for good!

 

[jromankvcc]

I've read numerous cases of small rocks causing full cracks on windshields within hours. There were more nhtsa complaints about this than about the vibration. I know I got a couple hits on the windshield from microscopic rocks already and I was worried cracks would appear. The good thing is it happened to them, not you, and no vibrations!!

Congrats and good luck! Enjoy!

 

[Albert Ruiz]

I've read numerous cases of small rocks causing full cracks on windshields within hours. There were more nhtsa complaints about this than about the vibration. I know I got a couple hits on the windshield from microscopic rocks already and I was worried cracks would appear. The good thing is it happened to them, not you, and no vibrations!!

Congrats and good luck! Enjoy!

Thats what I’m thinking. Hopefully they put in a better windshield.

 

[CincyTech]

Update... Sooo
Dealer just called me...
Said he had good news and bad news...
Good news is they changed out the driveshaft and Differential and took it for a ride this morning... NO VIBRATION!!!
Bad news...
during the test drive a rock flew and hit the windshield. They are in the process of having it replaced. We should be able to pick it up tomorrow.
Yesterday I was told the Differential was changed out and it still had an issue.
I will know for sure when I pick it up tomorrow and take it for a ride. I will let you all know what the outcome is.

Speaking of throwing rocks..... and I hate to bring this up.... but..... I have noticed that there is also a vibration at 38 or 39 mph that is similar to the vibration at 68 or 69 mph - just less vibration due to less speed. I am hoping that if they fix the 68 mph vibration it will fix this one too.