Check ESC error when starting

[LisaLisa]

Please help! my 2021 Telly S model won’t start, I get an error “Check ESC“. Has anyone had this problem? I will say that for the past few days I got a warning that “battery discharge due to external electrical devices”. At the time I didn’t know what that meant but I think it’s because I had a GPS plugged into the cigarette lighter. It was unplugged a couple of days ago so why still a problem? I did try to turn ESC off per instructions from owners manual but system was unresponsive.
I feel like the battery isn’t dead but….could it be? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Will be calling roadside assistance in the morning, don’t know what else to do. So glad I’m home and Telly is in the garage.

 

[2020tellUridee]

Ok after 5 weeks in the dealer repair shop they think they fixed it. First they replaced the entire fuse box. (Seemed a strange diagnosis but…). Then they replaced the BCM (body control module). They determined that the BCM was not supplying output to ignition due to an internal short. I also replaced the battery as it was 3.5 years old and not fully recharging. Has been 2 days and no issues as of yet. Hope this helps someone with similar problem. Was done under warrantee so no out of pocket cost (other than 5 weeks without the vehicle!)

WOW, 5 weeks!! Sounds like they threw a "hail Mary". I sincerely hope it works out for you and there's no more problems. Seems like we all have the same problem but very different solutions. It's really very mind boggling.

 

[Waterboy]

WOW, 5 weeks!! Sounds like they threw a "hail Mary". I sincerely hope it works out for you and there's no more problems. Seems like we all have the same problem but very different solutions. It's really very mind boggling.

Yeah a combination of under staffing (took 2 weeks before they even looked at it) and part ordering that took over a week each time, then back into the queue for a mechanic was extremely frustrating.

It certainly challenged them. They had Kia corporate technical support involved multiple times to help troubleshoot. Definitely hope they figured it out!

Fun side benefit, guess the new BCM came with a software upgrade that hasn’t even been released yet to dealers. It threw them initially because the tire pressure monitors wouldn’t connect back up to the BCM and they had to engage corporate tech support to figure it out. Notes say safety sensing system upgrades included but not sure of specifics.

 

[levtell]

Ok after 5 weeks in the dealer repair shop they think they fixed it. First they replaced the entire fuse box. (Seemed a strange diagnosis but…). Then they replaced the BCM (body control module). They determined that the BCM was not supplying output to ignition due to an internal short. I also replaced the battery as it was 3.5 years old and not fully recharging. Has been 2 days and no issues as of yet. Hope this helps someone with similar problem. Was done under warrantee so no out of pocket cost (other than 5 weeks without the vehicle!)

Do you know if they cover a rental if you have only 1 car?

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[Waterboy]

Do you know if they cover a rental if you have only 1 car?

I believe it's up to the dealer (mine was in Franklin TN). I didn't ask about it until the day they finally got it fixed. They were going to request a rental be approved if it didnt get fixed that day.

 

[G-180401]

Please help! my 2021 Telly S model won’t start, I get an error “Check ESC“. Has anyone had this problem? I will say that for the past few days I got a warning that “battery discharge due to external electrical devices”. At the time I didn’t know what that meant but I think it’s because I had a GPS plugged into the cigarette lighter. It was unplugged a couple of days ago so why still a problem? I did try to turn ESC off per instructions from owners manual but system was unresponsive.
I feel like the battery isn’t dead but….could it be? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Will be calling roadside assistance in the morning, don’t know what else to do. So glad I’m home and Telly is in the garage.

January 2023, I just got the same issue. Bad battery

 

[Diane E]

WOW, 5 weeks!! Sounds like they threw a "hail Mary". I sincerely hope it works out for you and there's no more problems. Seems like we all have the same problem but very different solutions. It's really very mind boggling.

I have the same issue as sooooo many other folks. I am very annoyed because I did replace the battery and worked fine for a couple of months but just did this again this morning. I will never buy a Kia again as I have had so many other problems!!!

 

[ksyrah]

I have the same issue as sooooo many other folks. I am very annoyed because I did replace the battery and worked fine for a couple of months but just did this again this morning. I will never buy a Kia again as I have had so many other problems!!!

Buh bye

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[2020tellUridee]

I have the same issue as sooooo many other folks. I am very annoyed because I did replace the battery and worked fine for a couple of months but just did this again this morning. I will never buy a Kia again as I have had so many other problems!!!

I'm totally with you on that. Not only has the car been nothing but problems but, so has the dealership. It was a fantastic car when I first got it, but not so much as to make up for the horrible build quality. And all I hear are excuses and how "rare" these problems are. Clearly they're not rare at all and only the lucky few who haven't had problems (YET) would say something that stupid. Good luck with your issues, I'm hoping for the best for you.

 

[chad7472]

hi, i don't have a Telluride, but we do have a Kia Seltos. i came across your forum when searching for the "check ESC" error and just wanted to share my results with you guys in hopes that it helps you. our Seltos did not start and made a clicking noise when pushing the start button. this can be indicative of several things, mostly electronic.

we were getting the "check ESC" error, along with "check smart cruise control system" error. neither of these errors made any sense to me, and i called 4 different Kia Service Departments to try to get an appointment scheduled for a diagnostic. all 4 Service Departments told me they were booked up for at least 5 weeks because of a backlog (short on labor, too many customers having issues, etc.).

i was gonna have to get the car towed on top of all this, which was fine. however, when i explained to each of the 4 Service Departments what the errors are and what the clicking noise was, none of them tried to make the recommendation that actually fixed my problem. it was caused by a 2-1/2 year old battery that had failed. the stop-start feature that causes the engine to turn off when the car isn't moving seems to cause more wear-and-tear on the battery. i figured it was either the battery, starter, or something with the alternator...but a $250 battery replacement was all i needed, saving 5 weeks of waiting and hundreds (or even more) of dollars.

i'd suggest getting a volt meter and test your battery before doing anything else. unfortunately the error codes make absolutely no sense in relation to the actual problem, in my case. i hope this helps someone.

 

[TellmeyourWHAT?]

hi, i don't have a Telluride, but we do have a Kia Seltos. i came across your forum when searching for the "check ESC" error and just wanted to share my results with you guys in hopes that it helps you. our Seltos did not start and made a clicking noise when pushing the start button. this can be indicative of several things, mostly electronic.

we were getting the "check ESC" error, along with "check smart cruise control system" error. neither of these errors made any sense to me, and i called 4 different Kia Service Departments to try to get an appointment scheduled for a diagnostic. all 4 Service Departments told me they were booked up for at least 5 weeks because of a backlog (short on labor, too many customers having issues, etc.).

i was gonna have to get the car towed on top of all this, which was fine. however, when i explained to each of the 4 Service Departments what the errors are and what the clicking noise was, none of them tried to make the recommendation that actually fixed my problem. it was caused by a 2-1/2 year old battery that had failed. the stop-start feature that causes the engine to turn off when the car isn't moving seems to cause more wear-and-tear on the battery. i figured it was either the battery, starter, or something with the alternator...but a $250 battery replacement was all i needed, saving 5 weeks of waiting and hundreds (or even more) of dollars.

i'd suggest getting a volt meter and test your battery before doing anything else. unfortunately the error codes make absolutely no sense in relation to the actual problem, in my case. i hope this helps someone.

Whenever any car of mine wouldn't start - and had the dreaded clicking noise of the starter - first thing I would do is check the battery - I would check the battery terminals for corrosion and looseness. And it always needed at least jump to get going. I would then go for a 1/2 drive to charge the battery. If that failed, I would either have a dead battery or perhaps a faulty alternator.

Thanks for post - this topic needs to be discussed often as too many never even lift the hood.

 

[2020tellUridee]

Whenever any car of mine wouldn't start - and had the dreaded clicking noise of the starter - first thing I would do is check the battery - I would check the battery terminals for corrosion and looseness. And it always needed at least jump to get going. I would then go for a 1/2 drive to charge the battery. If that failed, I would either have a dead battery or perhaps a faulty alternator.

Thanks for post - this topic needs to be discussed often as too many never even lift the hood.

I am in agreement with you guys. For the most part. When I first experienced my issue, I was so confident that it was the battery, I didn't even check it, I went out and bought a new one. That's because it's almost always the battery. Unfortunately my problem persisted. Long story short, 8 months later, after getting the California Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR), the BBB and the NHTSB involved, along with, the lead engineer for the Telluride from Korea, it ended up being the IBU assembly unit. It was keeping the car "awake". It was by far one of the most insane, horrible experiences I've ever had with a vehicle the dealership and with a car manufacturer. If I hadn't lived it, I wouldn't believe it.

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[TellmeyourWHAT?]

I am in agreement with you guys. For the most part. When I first experienced my issue, I was so confident that it was the battery, I didn't even check it, I went out and bought a new one. That's because it's almost always the battery. Unfortunately my problem persisted. Long story short, 8 months later, after getting the California Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR), the BBB and the NHTSB involved, along with, the lead engineer for the Telluride from Korea, it ended up being the IBU assembly unit. It was keeping the car "awake". It was by far one of the most insane, horrible experiences I've ever had with a vehicle the dealership and with a car manufacturer. If I hadn't lived it, I wouldn't believe it.

The cars I was talking about didn't have IBU assemblies. I've only crossed that bridge to the 21st century recently.

 

[2020tellUridee]

The cars I was talking about didn't have IBU assemblies. I've only crossed that bridge to the 21st century recently.

This is my first run-in with an IBU assembly as well. That's why I immediately went out and bought a battery when the issue first came about. I didn't even know what an IBU assembly was.

 

[Scott Retired Navy]

So my 2021 Telluride just gave me the same "Check ESC" caution when trying to start it. Never had any other "leading up to it" warnings at all. 2.5 yr old car, about 49K miles. Battery doesn't "seem" to be bad but may have to check it out. Trying to start the car I get flashing hazards, a clicking noise in sync with the lights. Only difference is that I got an oil change at Kwik Kar yesterday and had them rotate the tires too. May try to jump it today and see if that helps.
Update 3 hrs later: After letting a home battery charger to charge up battery for a couple hours - it DID start... but keeping the charger on for a "trickle" charge.... will see how it goes next day or so... maybe after 2.5 yrs a new battery is needed??
..... One "weird" thing I've noticed sometimes when I start the car is that one of the overhead reading lights (often in 2nd row) is ON for no known reason... but I think the car is smart enough to shut off all of those after a minute or so once the engine is shut off, no?

 

[TellmeyourWHAT?]

Only difference is that I got an oil change at Kwik Kar yesterday and had them rotate the tires too.

So -- do you believe in coincidences?
We're not talking about trained mechanics here - minimum wage jobs at places like Kwik Kar.

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[2020tellUridee]

Well, that's pretty much how my problem began. It came out of nowhere, everything was great one day then, not so great the next. Good luck.

 

[adarnold542]

My 2020 telluride ex just started doing this after I had some body work completed last week. Sunday it did it but after waiting a bit was able to get it to start. Today I can't get it to start at all. If it was a dead battery the electronics wouldn't work at all right? Like lights, ac, infotainment, etc. work if I just press start button three times without actually trying to start the engine. Trying to start makes everything go crazy and you hear the clicking of the starter.

In addition to that on three occasions now one of my rear windows will randomly crack itself and I have to follow the reset procedure from a tsb to clear it.

Like what the actual hell? Calling Kia roadside to either try a jump start or get it towed to a Kia dealership. I'm so frustrated with this right now.

 

[G-782567]

Same issue. Whats the resolution

 

[adarnold542]

Same issue. Whats the resolution

I got a new battery which has solved it for now, but I'm not 100% sure it won't pop up later

 

[2020tellUridee]

My 2020 telluride ex just started doing this after I had some body work completed last week. Sunday it did it but after waiting a bit was able to get it to start. Today I can't get it to start at all. If it was a dead battery the electronics wouldn't work at all right? Like lights, ac, infotainment, etc. work if I just press start button three times without actually trying to start the engine. Trying to start makes everything go crazy and you hear the clicking of the starter.

In addition to that on three occasions now one of my rear windows will randomly crack itself and I have to follow the reset procedure from a tsb to clear it.

Like what the actual hell? Calling Kia roadside to either try a jump start or get it towed to a Kia dealership. I'm so frustrated with this right now.

Yup..same exact thing happened to me. It was the IBU ASSEMBLY UNIT behind the dash.