2021 SX-P - AWD - Vibration (caught on Microphone)

[JerseySXP]

I'm still following closely to determine if I have the issue in my EX-P AWD with Towing. I haven't driven much at highway speeds, but I have a few times felt vibrations at slower highway speeds (~50-55mph). I felt it most in my right arm that was resting on the center console with my hand on the gearshift, but also a bit throughout my body. It felt more like a harmonic vibration to me than rattling or shaking, but I'm definitely no expert on this topic or cars in general. It is just is too inconsistent and rare for me to say that I have this problem and it doesn't align with the speeds that others are reporting. I also know my highway travel isn't quite "silky smooth" as a few others have reported who don't have any problems. I suspect that my situation is more likely road caused or something else unrelated, but for now I'm continuing to follow closely while I try to rule out the problem that some have reported.

@JerseySXP How far are you from Trenton? I almost want to head out to you to see if you can replicate it with my Telluride since you know exactly what to look for.

I'm pretty far from Trenton but always down to meet up somewhere in the middle for any of the Jersey guys to drive my ride. More than welcome.

That is my hang-up for those without the the issue they are truly saying it's silky smooth throughout various MPHs...Mine definitely isn't which causes the concern.

If your looking to see if your Telluride focus on your seat and pull down your visor and watch the visor for excessive shaking when in that MPH range...The fact that mine and the WG-SXP-NE did the same thing was the ruling factor in the dealers conclusion of we aren't doing a damn thing to help...

 

[JerseySXP]

Sounds like there is a problem that the SM has to eat the cost of troubleshooting/fixing until there is a TSB that they can bill Kia back to. I’m shocked that they have unsold ones on the lot with the issue, that’s unconscionable.

I have now seen video and heard audio of the issue that JerseySXP is having and I can confirm it is not something I would want to experience. By comparison I immediately jumped in my S FWD for a joy ride and it was a smooth ride at the same speeds and nothing like the vibration I saw/heard. Unfortunately, given the weather this time of year I think it may be hard to test before taking receipt of an AWD but you should try!

I anticipate that Kia dealers don’t want to affect AWD sales until Kia gets the parts and logistics around a potentially expensive fix gets lined up. Some how some defective driveshafts and/or couplers were installed or damaged in transit and it must not be happening as much in S.Korea since Hyundai has acknowledged and resolved the issues on the Palisade. C’Mon Kia! If you are listening, please encourage your dealers to be upfront and honest rather than play games! This is going to be bigger than it has to be!!! Take note of the Palisade nappa headrest mess and find a way to instill confidence that someone is working on a fix!

As always @NCTelly coming to the table with some interesting information...

For those watching this Thread that believe dealers can't touch the vehicle without Tech Line approval - I want to tell you that Kia Consumer Affairs said that is a lie, and far from the truth. That dovetails well with your comment that it's quite possible the Dealer doesn't want to help troubleshoot/fix the problem because the cost falls on them...that's why they conference called the DSM (works at a dealer) instead of Kia HQ, or Tech Line. In fact Kia Consumer Affairs was baffled that this Dealer didn't even open a Kia Tech Line ticket...

That can prove why so many users are experiencing different outcomes, trials, tribulations - some buyers got a dealer who said screw it take down the driveshaft lets inspect it.
Others had a dealer that said nothing is wrong.
Others had to fight tooth and nail - send a Certified Letter to Kia for them to truly (re)act.

This goes to show you that something is wrong...the journey every person with the issue will experience varies by nature because it's on the Dealer - until Kia drops a TSB, which maybe they will if enough folks complain on NHSTA.

Until then I plan on lawyering up because in NJ if you win a Lemon Law case their legal fees are paid by the Dealer/Manufacturer - that's why if Kia even smells that I want to take them to court they may act right away...plus I did some research... many lawyers in NJ won't even take a retainer to work the case. If I win - then they get paid...if I lose (which is rare because they won't take a losing case and work for free after my consultation) then I get no Attorney bills coming directly out of my pocket.

 

[JerseySXP]

So - I listened to the clip and don't hear anything besides the small rattle. Turned the volume all the way up...didn't hear a vibration. As you know I have an SX/P - and I have actually listened for a vibration when I drive it....and nothing.

The question I have is why are only SX trim buyers noticing this? The AWD system in the Telluride is the same for all trims. The only difference is the wheels and tires. If it is the wheels and tires causing a harmonic issue and not the drivetrain - then it could be that nothing is wrong. Just throwing that out there. If it truly were a mechanical issue in the vehicle - then all AWD trims would be affected - not just SX models.

Now - that rattle is another issue all together. That would drive me crazy. One day we had a rattle and I actually pulled over only to find that it was one of the rear seatbelts hitting the side of the vehicle in the third row. Never noticed it with the family in the vehicle because the seatbelt was in use.

Hey buddy - nice to hear from you...been awhile!

So the rattle noise did go away once three bodies got in the car which leads me to believe that it was coming from one of those seats for sure...Alright fine - when I'm alone in the car I'll have to deal with hearing it...I can live with that one.

The Vibration is legitimately there - so much that the SM, and Engineer said they feel it but it's "normal" for all Kia & Hyundai models...

 

[2020Telly]

Hey buddy - nice to hear from you...been awhile!

So the rattle noise did go away once three bodies got in the car which leads me to believe that it was coming from one of those seats for sure...Alright fine - when I'm alone in the car I'll have to deal with hearing it...I can live with that one.

The Vibration is legitimately there - so much that the SM, and Engineer said they feel it but it's "normal" for all Kia & Hyundai models...

Just spitballing here . . . The EX AWD has a bench while the SX AWD has nappa captains chairs. Is it possible that the bench mitigates the problem that SX owners are having with no cargo or passengers? Maybe that added weight pushes down on the suspension just enough to align the driveshaft and coupler a little better to hide the problem along with 18” vs 20” wheels?

______________________________

 

[mgoblue]

it was one of the rear seatbelts hitting the side of the vehicle in the third row.

there are some slots on the side panels in the third row that you can use to secure the seatbelts when not in use

 

[JerseySXP]

I will say that the Google review for the dealer caught the eye of the Owner of said dealership trying to fix the issue and now their GM is involved with Kia HQ and their Service Dept with the vibration.

 

[bcjenkins]

There you go

 

[JerseySXP]

Well the Owner called me right away and got to the point real quickly and said they are willing to help me out but I need to get someone pretty high up at Kia HQ to approve them dropping the Driveshaft...he said the Escalated Case Rep I'm working with has no idea what they are doing.

I'm pretty much back to square one with the Dealer and Kia HQ pointing fingers at each other.

However, that review has gotten under his skin a bit and now he's making phone calls/sending e-mails on my behalf...the SM wasn't really fighting for me but now this guy has made it seem like he's going to bust some chops at Kia HQ to get this moving in the right direction.

Last point he made was that most SX's AWD get towing on them so we have a very small subject of SX; non-tow with this problem at the moment...that's why Kia HQ is fighting with us so much as the subset with this issue is small. The more data they get the better...

My ask is that all SX- Non tow owners out there please do us all a favor and take a ride by yourself and look out for something "not feeling right" - if something is off please let us and your dealer know. If it's silky smooth then report back as well - there are two sides to this!

The owner of the dealership did say that Commenting on their IG, Facebook, and these forums will help because "Kia" is watching all of the comments closely. They are trying to change their negative image of fighting (expensive) warranty claims and be a little more empathetic to those with issues.

I will continue the fight...

______________________________

 

[Drew Schwan]

Well the Owner called me right away and got to the point real quickly and said they are willing to help me out but I need to get someone pretty high up at Kia HQ to approve them dropping the Driveshaft...he said the Escalated Case Rep I'm working with has no idea what they are doing.

I'm pretty much back to square one with the Dealer and Kia HQ pointing fingers at each other.

However, that review has gotten under his skin a bit and now he's making phone calls/sending e-mails on my behalf...the SM wasn't really fighting for me but now this guy has made it seem like he's going to bust some chops at Kia HQ to get this moving in the right direction.

Last point he made was that most SX's AWD get towing on them so we have a very small subject of SX; non-tow with this problem at the moment...that's why Kia HQ is fighting with us so much as the subset with this issue is small. The more data they get the better...

My ask is that all SX- Non tow owners out there please do us all a favor and take a ride by yourself and look out for something "not feeling right" - if something is off please let us and your dealer know. If it's silky smooth then report back as well - there are two sides to this!

The owner of the dealership did say that Commenting on their IG, Facebook, and these forums will help because "Kia" is watching all of the comments closely. They are trying to change their negative image of fighting (expensive) warranty claims and be a little more empathetic to those with issues.

I will continue the fight...

Glad to hear there is some sort of progress.

We have a 21 SX Prestige without Tow and haven't noticed anything yet, but we only have 1200 miles on it so far. Hopefully its an isolated issue and isn't something that will pop up on all of the same trims at some point...

 

[MarcinTexas]

Hey buddy - nice to hear from you...been awhile!

So the rattle noise did go away once three bodies got in the car which leads me to believe that it was coming from one of those seats for sure...Alright fine - when I'm alone in the car I'll have to deal with hearing it...I can live with that one.

The Vibration is legitimately there - so much that the SM, and Engineer said they feel it but it's "normal" for all Kia & Hyundai models...

Bummer that there is any rattle at all. We have just under 3,000 miles on ours - and it is as tight as the day I drove it off the lot....as it should be.

Still curious on why SX vehicles are the primary ones that have the vibration issue. All other trims have AWD and it is the same drivetrain. I have and SX/P w/tow for what its worth.

 

[JerseySXP]

Bummer that there is any rattle at all. We have just under 3,000 miles on ours - and it is as tight as the day I drove it off the lot....as it should be.

Still curious on why SX vehicles are the primary ones that have the vibration issue. All other trims have AWD and it is the same drivetrain. I have and SX/P w/tow for what its worth.

That's the big mystery right now. Why is it hitting SX AWDs / non-tow...

 

[JerseySXP]

Bummer that there is any rattle at all. We have just under 3,000 miles on ours - and it is as tight as the day I drove it off the lot....as it should be.

Still curious on why SX vehicles are the primary ones that have the vibration issue. All other trims have AWD and it is the same drivetrain. I have and SX/P w/tow for what its worth.

so the rattle was coming from the 2nd and 3rd row air vents - had to push them back up and it helped...

Goes to show you that my vibration is definitely causing some other stuff to get a bit squirrely in my cabin...

______________________________

 

[JerseySXP]

Kia North America wants to send an actual Field Engineer out to the dealership to try another investigation - I'm going to assume try #3 will be with a Picoscope...

What a circus...

No one at Kia will just authorize the funds to drop the Driveshaft and let me test drive it in a forced FWD...this is getting beyond frustrating.

 

[Austin3000!]

Kia North America wants to send an actual Field Engineer out to the dealership to try another investigation - I'm going to assume try #3 will be with a Picoscope...

What a circus...

No one at Kia will just authorize the funds to drop the Driveshaft and let me test drive it in a forced FWD...this is getting beyond frustrating.

That is a step (among many ) in the right direction.

The first time a field engineer visited all he did was replace 3 tires.

It wasn’t until the 2nd field engineer visit (my 3rd trip to dealer) that he agreed to order the driveshaft.

 

[JerseySXP]

That is a step (among many ) in the right direction.

The first time a field engineer visited all he did was replace 3 tires.

It wasn’t until the 2nd field engineer visit (my 3rd trip to dealer) that he agreed to order the driveshaft.

Did the Picoscope your Telluride or just "feel" the vibration via test drives?

 

[Austin3000!]

Picoscope but also lots of test drives

______________________________

 

[JerseySXP]

Picoscope but also lots of test drives

Ok great. I'm a data guy and it pains me they haven't put a Pico in mine yet.

 

[JerseySXP]

I'm surprised they are willing to send an engineer from CA to NJ to spend some time with my vehicle.

 

[Austin3000!]

I think there is 7-8 field engineers that live scattered throughout the country and manage regions .

Mine lived near Dallas but managed all of Texas , Oklahoma , Arkansas

 

[JerseySXP]

I think there is 7-8 field engineers that live scattered throughout the country and manage regions .

Mine lived near Dallas but managed all of Texas , Oklahoma , Arkansas

Got it. The Supervisor at Consumer Affairs that I talked to didn't like the field investigation by the Hyundai Mobis guy and said she wants a Kia North America Engineer assessing it.