2020 Telluride AWD rear end jerking thumping and vibrating

[JerseySXP]

You should drive right back to the dealership you bought it from immediately, hand them they keys, and demand they refund your purchase or swap you into another one. Worst case they put you into a loaner so you can start the clock on lemon law (in Texas the car must be at the dealer trying to be fixed for 30days before you can declare it a lemon)

This problem has completely ruined my ownership experience since I bought it 5 months ago.

I have found that Kia (HQ and dealerships) are simply not equipped organizationally to provide the level of customer service required on a car this expensive.

I just sent a certified letter to Kia HQ asking for mine to be bought back, along with a Texas Attorney General Compliant, and 2 NHTSA complaints.

Just wait until you windshield cracks from a small chip and they won't pay for a fix because that only applied to 20's. **** Kia.

I haven't gone through the entire thread so apologies but did they try all of the fixes posted here on your telluride to at least try and resolve it?

Issue with me is that I never got above 40mph when I test drove it at delivery.

The dealer would take it back in a heartbeat I got it PPFd, ceramic coated, calipers painted for 2k...they would sell it to someone as a brand new vehicle being under 300 miles.

I have to drive it some more with passengers in other seats and also need to let my wife and friends take it out for a spin to see if they feel it. This sucks.

 

[JerseySXP]

As I understand it, fate gave you a chance to get to know Kia and find out how it really works. Keep us updated.

Let's see what happens.

Lots of good info on this thread.

Some have success showing them the Palisade issue and going down the line of fixes...wheels...driveshaft...awd coupler. I'm just concerned the dealer telling me they don't feel it.

 

[Kwim]

Let's see what happens.

Lots of good info on this thread.

Some have success showing them the Palisade issue and going down the line of fixes...wheels...driveshaft...awd coupler. I'm just concerned the dealer telling me they don't feel it.

it happens to Koreans, I wrote to you about it before, but you didn't believe. I hope in any case you have to decide quickly and will not take you on a long journey of showdowns with a dealer and a Kia.

 

[Austin3000!]

The dealer acknowledged it and felt the vibration. The problem is that a Kia Techline Field Engineer is going to have to drive it himself multiple times (after each failed attempt at a solution) and that will take an eternity.

There is only 1 engineer between Texas, OK, Arkansas, and Louisiana so it takes a few months for him to come back after a failed attempt to fix. They will waste your time with tires and road balance first before doing anything else.

I started the initial process 4+ months ago. The last time he drove my car was Oct 28th and I still don't have an ETA for him to return again to try something else. Thus why I sent the certified letter to Kia HQ.

The dealer says they can't proceed without Techline Engineer's direction. I told them all they had to do was replace the driveshaft (as in the Palisade) but they won't listen unless the Engineer tells them.

______________________________

 

[JerseySXP]

it happens to Koreans, I wrote to you about it before, but you didn't believe. I hope in any case you have to decide quickly and will not take you on a long journey of showdowns with a dealer and a Kia.

I did look at your other thread before I picked up my vehicle - I will say thanks for that but I'm a glass half full kind of guy and wasn't backing out of the vehicle at that point.

I just took it for a spin now and I can barely feel it. It's hit or miss which will be even more frustrating with the service techs...

Also hear a random noise coming from the back of the vehicle, almost like paper crinkling as I'm driving...the fun begins...

 

[mgoblue]

Barely have 300 miles on my Telluride and I'm noticing the vibration kick in around 50 mph and disappear at 70mph.

My wife swears that she feels nothing sitting in the passengers seat.

I'm feeling it in the driver's side seat.

For those that have successfully gotten this fixed what tips do you have when taking it to the dealership? I'm afraid I'll get a story saying what I'm feeling is common...

Its smooth like butter up until 50mph I will say that...

Is there some other seat I should ask my wife to sit in to see if she feels it?

Thanks gang...and this flat out sucks...

Oof, sorry to hear this.

Assuming you can’t return the car anymore, you need to get the dealer to confirm the problem too. Be as specific as possible about when the problem is kicking in (for me it was exactly at 67mph), and let them rack up miles trying to confirm it.

In my case my dealer was 30 miles away and they were doing pickup/dropoff for service on an unrelated issue. So I knew they were going to be driving a lot of highway miles and could test it enough. I also sent them the Palisade TSB and said it looks like this is a known problem.

Once they confirmed the problem it was just a matter of being patient through their back and forth with tech line, waiting for parts, and doing the repairs. And talking to lemon law attorneys while you wait...

[Edit: I’ll add that in my case I did not have to wait for a service engineer. My dealerships service department was able to work directly with tech line to figure out test steps, parts to order, etc. I’m not sure if this is a geography thing (I’m in Ohio) or a dealership thing but my experience seems different than others’ here]

Good luck in this journey.

 

[Bev]

Definitely love/hate.

The truck is beautiful...am I overreacting or being overly sensitive...possibly but that's what I'm trying to rule out somehow!

No, you're not overreacting. Mine has been in the shop several times. The Kia Tech Support replaced the right front tire, then at a later date, he brought some kind of meter and said it only registered at 25 something or other and that was within Kia's guidelines. The tech is a damn liar and I told Kia he was. My service manager also agrees with me.
I filed a formal complaint with Kia for a buyback and also a Lemon Law complaint with the Texas Attorney General's office and am currently waiting for an answer from Kia Consumer.
My guess is they will deny the claim and I'll be back at stage one fighting them again.
The problem with the vibration is some days it's worse than others. Most of my driving is at speeds between 65 and 80. Some days it vibrates bad enough I have to use both hands on the wheel and other days it's just annoying as hell. My husband can feel it in the passenger seat and I also in the driver's seat.
Kia has had a problem with this issue since they first came out and Hyundai Palisade AWD also has the problem. Hyundai owns Kia so parts come from the same manufacturer.
Kia lost a class-action suit for not informing buyers of another issue they had and now they're doing it again with this issue. You would think it would be easier to fix and correct the problem and not face another class-action suit. I am at that point now. There are plenty of frustrated owners on this forum having the same issues.
Sadly, if Kia does buy mine back, I have no idea what to buy to replace it as this was my dream vehicle.
Keep fighting. The problem is not your imagination.

 

[JerseySXP]

Thanks to all that are experiencing this issue and a rundown of their events.

Sounds like some are fighting with Kia Consumer, rightfully so to buy the vehicle back - in those instances Kia Techline is physically involved in inspecting the vehicle/issue.
Some others have gone through the wheel balancing/driveshaft/AWD coupler process fixing the issue - assuming these folks are extremely far away from the GA plant. I'm in NJ so doubt they fly a tech engineer up here to drive my truck...

This is going to be interesting...

Did any of you guys take any video of the shaking...my steering wheel is definitely not shaking but I randomly feel it in the seat. Some days it's worse than others but is it sad to say that I would live with it assuming it doesn't get worse since I love the vehicle otherwise?

I'm going to let my good neighbor drive the truck...I won't bring up the vibration and I want him to tell me what he thinks of the ride after we are done.
Also going to check the inflation in all 4 tires as they are normally delivered over-inflated.
If I get my wife and friends to start leaning to "hey something doesn't feel right" - then I'm going to a dealer...

______________________________

 

[Kwim]

@JerseySXP , water and a glass and / or bottle will help you. The surface of the water is a very good sensor.

 

[JerseySXP]

@JerseySXP , water and a glass and / or bottle will help you. The surface of the water is a very good sensor.

So your saying put a cup of water in the cup holder and watch the surface tension on it.

Great idea. Thank you.

 

[Kwim]

So your saying put a cup of water in the cup holder and watch the surface tension on it.

Great idea. Thank you.

Yes,
1 - find a flat road, no seams of cracks.
2 - put the glass in different places and ride
3 - take a non-telluride (another car) and ride there with a glass.

PS There is nothing better than a glass of water, I use this technology in my work, although we have a bunch of equipment that measures vibration

 

[smokey_mountain]

To those with vibration issues, trying to genuinely help. Find a GM certified mechanic who is experienced to use a Picoscope. If Kia already got PICO out, then they will run you around in circles for months saying that it is "within norm", because measuring with Pico is a precise procedure as tech needs to measure at a specific frequency, but finding that frequency is hard, they can print out Pico results showing nothing, in a certain frequency spectrum and technically clear themselves from "claims". Picoscopes became the evasion tools for OEMs as those "within manufacturer's limits" are established by manufacturers.
Why GM mechanic, GM trucks are vibration mess and have been for years and GM taught it's techs to use Pico properly to deflect those pesky consumers but if the tech is independent but GM savvy they will know frequencies to measure for driveshaft vibrations (search Chevy shake). Once they document for you, of course Kia will tell to go pound sand because their Pico measurements will not detect it but you already know the frequency and can ask them to measure at that frequency. They still can cheat it but attaching Pico to a wrong place, e.g. for drive-shaft typically it is driver's seat rail where it needs to be attached at least for Yukons and Tahoes.

If you really like Telluride enough not to lemon it, then there are aftermarket shops that produce uber precise driveshafts that are made with superb tolerances but they are very costly.

______________________________

 

[mgoblue]

Thanks to all that are experiencing this issue and a rundown of their events.

Sounds like some are fighting with Kia Consumer, rightfully so to buy the vehicle back - in those instances Kia Techline is physically involved in inspecting the vehicle/issue.
Some others have gone through the wheel balancing/driveshaft/AWD coupler process fixing the issue - assuming these folks are extremely far away from the GA plant. I'm in NJ so doubt they fly a tech engineer up here to drive my truck...

This is going to be interesting...

Did any of you guys take any video of the shaking...my steering wheel is definitely not shaking but I randomly feel it in the seat. Some days it's worse than others but is it sad to say that I would live with it assuming it doesn't get worse since I love the vehicle otherwise?

I'm going to let my good neighbor drive the truck...I won't bring up the vibration and I want him to tell me what he thinks of the ride after we are done.
Also going to check the inflation in all 4 tires as they are normally delivered over-inflated.
If I get my wife and friends to start leaning to "hey something doesn't feel right" - then I'm going to a dealer...

It was not an intense shaking, not something you would "see." More of something that you feel. For me, it was mostly in the seat (specifically under my thighs near my knee) and a bit in the steering wheel. The way I described it to the service department is that the ride would go from buttery glide to a gentle hum as soon as I hit a certain speed, and then weirdly it would go away at a higher speed.

The feeling is very similar to driving on a slightly rough piece of road. So it took me a while to figure out if I was feeling a problem with the car, or just shitty Ohio roads. Lots of highway miles on lots of different stretches of road, going up and down through different speed ranges, is how I confirmed it wasn't the road.

 

[JerseySXP]

It was not an intense shaking, not something you would "see." More of something that you feel. For me, it was mostly in the seat (specifically under my thighs near my knee) and a bit in the steering wheel. The way I described it to the service department is that the ride would go from buttery glide to a gentle hum as soon as I hit a certain speed, and then weirdly it would go away at a higher speed.

The feeling is very similar to driving on a slightly rough piece of road. So it took me a while to figure out if I was feeling a problem with the car, or just shitty Ohio roads. Lots of highway miles on lots of different stretches of road, going up and down through different speed ranges, is how I confirmed it wasn't the road.

There is a good chance I'm in the same boat as you then but my jersey roads are shitty as well.

I have to drive it more to confirm then.

Mine def weirdly goes away at higher speeds too.

 

[CaptChrisP]

I can feel it too! At 70 mph I start to pick up a "buzz" in the drive train. Not a big vibration or shutter, just a buzz. it gets more pronounced at 72-74 and starts to settle out after 75. I am trying to figure out if it is worth chasing this issue or not. If it stays how it is I can live with it, but if this gets worse, then I feel like I will have to do something about it. If a TSB comes out then I would do what I can to get it fixed.

 

[Bev]

To those with vibration issues, trying to genuinely help. Find a GM certified mechanic who is experienced to use a Picoscope. If Kia already got PICO out, then they will run you around in circles for months saying that it is "within norm", because measuring with Pico is a precise procedure as tech needs to measure at a specific frequency, but finding that frequency is hard, they can print out Pico results showing nothing, in a certain frequency spectrum and technically clear themselves from "claims". Picoscopes became the evasion tools for OEMs as those "within manufacturer's limits" are established by manufacturers.
Why GM mechanic, GM trucks are vibration mess and have been for years and GM taught it's techs to use Pico properly to deflect those pesky consumers but if the tech is independent but GM savvy they will know frequencies to measure for driveshaft vibrations (search Chevy shake). Once they document for you, of course Kia will tell to go pound sand because their Pico measurements will not detect it but you already know the frequency and can ask them to measure at that frequency. They still can cheat it but attaching Pico to a wrong place, e.g. for drive-shaft typically it is driver's seat rail where it needs to be attached at least for Yukons and Tahoes.

If you really like Telluride enough not to lemon it, then there are aftermarket shops that produce uber precise driveshafts that are made with superb tolerances but they are very costly.

I found this very disturbing but very helpful. Thank you for sharing this with us. I think most of us are pretty frustrated with Kia's approach to deny a problem so they don't have a massive recall or a class-action suit.
I for one, am pretty fed up and plan on finding a certified mechanic with a Pico and pay for an independent assessment of my vibration problem. Once I have it, I will share it with the forum but think others should do the same thing. It's hard to get a class-action suit with just one independent study.
If this verifies to be true, then I guess the next thing to do is get a blood-sucking law firm involved (I really don't like involving lawyers on anything).
I will call around today and see who I can find to check my Telluride out.
Thanks again for the helpful information.

______________________________

 

[JerseySXP]

OK so here it is - did the water cup test on a recently paved stretch of highway and yes the top of the water is shaking tremendously.

The range of vibration has changed though - it's triggered at 48mph and goes away at ~60mph now...it's not the usual 60-70mph range people are having this issue at.
I've tested on multiple roads - still noticeable in the drivers side seat ONLY. Had my brother in law confirm that he feels it too.

Am I one of the only - newer manufactured vehicles with this issue?

If so - I'm thinking it's wheel balance related - the issue started after I picked it up from being ceramic coated. The shop put 2 miles on the vehicle and I had forgotten to ask why they drove it...other then to test the ride...I hope they didn't do a quick drag race with it because sudden acceleration or braking could cause a wheel to go wonky.

I'm going to call my dealership and get this resolved ASAP as I don't want any new buyers to be worried about my post.
I was going to wait but won't do that now as I'm suspecting more of a wheel issue which can quickly be resolved.

 

[Bev]

OK so here it is - did the water cup test on a recently paved stretch of highway and yes the top of the water is shaking tremendously.

The range of vibration has changed though - it's triggered at 48mph and goes away at ~60mph now...it's not the usual 60-70mph range people are having this issue at.
I've tested on multiple roads - still noticeable in the drivers side seat ONLY. Had my brother in law confirm that he feels it too.

Am I one of the only - newer manufactured vehicles with this issue?

If so - I'm thinking it's wheel balance related - the issue started after I picked it up from being ceramic coated. The shop put 2 miles on the vehicle and I had forgotten to ask why they drove it...other then to test the ride...I hope they didn't do a quick drag race with it because sudden acceleration or braking could cause a wheel to go wonky.

I'm going to call my dealership and get this resolved ASAP as I don't want any new buyers to be worried about my post.
I was going to wait but won't do that now as I'm suspecting more of a wheel issue which can quickly be resolved.

Mine will do it sometimes at different speeds but 65-80 mph for the most part. They used some kind of machine on my tires and replaced my right-front tire on the 19th of October. It did not stop my vibration. I took it back to the shop and then had to wait for the Kia Field Tech to come into town again.
On the 4th of November, the KIA Field Tech used a Picoscope to measure the vibration from my vehicle. I have since learned if the Picoscope is not situated in the right place, it won't measure right. In this particular situation, he would have had to have been on a smooth highway going between 65 and 80 mph. His reply was it measured within Kia's limits. I called BS on him and said I did not believe the tech anymore. This is a way that Kia is using to keep from having a massive recall. Kia and Hyundai are the same company and the Hyundai Palisade AWD is having the same problems.
I am waiting to hear back from Kia Consumer Relations for a buyback. I have filed a Lemon Law complaint with the Texas Attorney General. I sent an email to the lady at Kia Consumers and let her know I would be getting an independent Picoscope test from a Certified Mechanic and would be submitting the results to them. I let them know I am NOT going away and they will deal with it with me or a lawyer.
I think with as many people are having problems with the Tellurides and Palisade that we need to try and find an attorney for a class-action lawsuit. I do not feel that Kia will arrive at a recall or buy back unless they are forced to. They just finished losing a class-action for doing the same runaround with customers as we are all getting now so if anyone knows a good bloodsucking attorney, let's get them involved.
I am getting an independent Picoscope check this next week just for documentation.
Sadly, the dealers are going to do whatever Kia tells them to do or they don't get paid. They just can't go replacing parts if Kia won't cover it under warranty.
I wish you the best and I will post my results with my Picoscope once I have it. BTW-It's a Chevrolet Dealer doing it for me because they had issues with some of their vehicles vibrating so most of them have Picoscopes and someone that knows how to operate them.

 

[smokey_mountain]

Yes, Picoscope argument is an endless loop as Kia will tell you that they are not accepting 3rd party tests only what Kia dealers/techs measure themselves and their measurements will always be "within spec". Attorney can ask Kia to disclose the acceptable specs and then you can cross reference GM dealer results it would help you with the Lemon Law case. I am truly sorry that you have to live through this, I know exactly what it is like, just happened to me 10 months ago, make sure you stay away from arbitration through BBB Autoline this is the process where a manufacturer appoints an arbitrator. Major mistake on my part.

Mine will do it sometimes at different speeds but 65-80 mph for the most part. They used some kind of machine on my tires and replaced my right-front tire on the 19th of October. It did not stop my vibration. I took it back to the shop and then had to wait for the Kia Field Tech to come into town again.
On the 4th of November, the KIA Field Tech used a Picoscope to measure the vibration from my vehicle. I have since learned if the Picoscope is not situated in the right place, it won't measure right. In this particular situation, he would have had to have been on a smooth highway going between 65 and 80 mph. His reply was it measured within Kia's limits. I called BS on him and said I did not believe the tech anymore. This is a way that Kia is using to keep from having a massive recall. Kia and Hyundai are the same company and the Hyundai Palisade AWD is having the same problems.
I am waiting to hear back from Kia Consumer Relations for a buyback. I have filed a Lemon Law complaint with the Texas Attorney General. I sent an email to the lady at Kia Consumers and let her know I would be getting an independent Picoscope test from a Certified Mechanic and would be submitting the results to them. I let them know I am NOT going away and they will deal with it with me or a lawyer.
I think with as many people are having problems with the Tellurides and Palisade that we need to try and find an attorney for a class-action lawsuit. I do not feel that Kia will arrive at a recall or buy back unless they are forced to. They just finished losing a class-action for doing the same runaround with customers as we are all getting now so if anyone knows a good bloodsucking attorney, let's get them involved.
I am getting an independent Picoscope check this next week just for documentation.
Sadly, the dealers are going to do whatever Kia tells them to do or they don't get paid. They just can't go replacing parts if Kia won't cover it under warranty.
I wish you the best and I will post my results with my Picoscope once I have it. BTW-It's a Chevrolet Dealer doing it for me because they had issues with some of their vehicles vibrating so most of them have Picoscopes and someone that knows how to operate them.

 

[mgoblue]

make sure you stay away from arbitration through BBB Autoline this is the process where a manufacturer appoints an arbitrator. Major mistake on my part.

Can you clarify why this was a mistake? What happened and what would you have done differently instead?