Frontal Collision Warning - Malfunction

[JMatty]

Sorry for the confusion, my original post was in a different thread and the comment was directed to jw_tx21 who saw my post and referred me to this one.

No, the brakes aren't locking, but the Forward Collision Warning is misfiring without any kind of threat, is taking control of the engine, and is slowing down the vehicle at speeds greater than 45/50 MPH, including highway speeds of more than 70+ MPH.

 

[jazzyone]

Sorry for the confusion, my original post was in a different thread and the comment was directed to jw_tx21 who saw my post and referred me to this one.

No, the brakes aren't locking, but the Forward Collision Warning is misfiring without any kind of threat, is taking control of the engine, and is slowing down the vehicle at speeds greater than 45/50 MPH, including highway speeds of more than 70+ MPH.

No problem, didn't realize you posted something different. I'm on two different forums so it can get confusing.....

So when it slows down you aren't using Smart Cruise Control, right?
Also it's not due to the "engine" braking effect that the Telluride is known for (in other words when you let go of the accelerator the deceleration is noticeably not very smooth, right?

 

[Drvelocity]

No problem, didn't realize you posted something different. I'm on two different forums so it can get confusing.....

So when it slows down you aren't using Smart Cruise Control, right?
Also it's not due to the "engine" braking effect that the Telluride is known for (in other words when you let go of the accelerator the deceleration is noticeably not very smooth, right?

I thought the same but OP states that the system issues an FCA warning first. OP is it possible the warning is flashing (and beeping) but it's not actually braking? So you're getting a warning of something in front of you but it's actually just engine braking? I.e. if you are accelerating while the warning is on does it stop you from accelerating as well?

 

[JMatty]

No problem, didn't realize you posted something different. I'm on two different forums so it can get confusing.....

So when it slows down you aren't using Smart Cruise Control, right?
Also it's not due to the "engine" braking effect that the Telluride is known for (in other words when you let go of the accelerator the deceleration is noticeably not very smooth, right?

No, it's not due to either of those things. I have never engaged the cruise control and it is not associated with releasing the accelerator. This is a very distinct, very sudden phenomenon, and occurs in conjunction with the audible forward collision "alarm" and display of related text on the dashboard.

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[JMatty]

I thought the same but OP states that the system issues an FCA warning first. OP is it possible the warning is flashing (and beeping) but it's not actually braking? So you're getting a warning of something in front of you but it's actually just engine braking? I.e. if you are accelerating while the warning is on does it stop you from accelerating as well?

No, it is 100% actively braking and slowing the vehicle down abruptly.

 

[jazzyone]

No, it is 100% actively braking and slowing the vehicle down abruptly.

That’s pretty bad then and sounds dangerous. Depending on how abruptly it brakes and weather condition, you could lose control or someone can rear end you. My EX doesn’t do that. I would demand a rental until they fix the problem. If they can’t fix it use the lemon law.

 

[BellyTelly]

No, it is 100% actively braking and slowing the vehicle down abruptly.

This can be deadly in icy snowy conditions. I have not got mine yet. But this has me worried.

 

[JMatty]

That’s pretty bad then and sounds dangerous. Depending on how abruptly it brakes and weather condition, you could lose control or someone can rear end you. My EX doesn’t do that. I would demand a rental until they fix the problem. If they can’t fix it use the lemon law.

Yes, it's terrifying and that's exactly what I explained to both the dealership (which is awesome) and Kia Consumer Affairs (which is useless). Forget the slippery conditions - I almost got crushed by a semi because it activated at 75mph on the highway.

I've been in a rental for 2+ weeks and still can't get any information as to where the issue lies (front camera sensor, software glitch, etc.), but my sense is that it's a multi-factor problem because it is both misfiring without threat, and activating above the supposed threshold. I am expecting a call from the regional manager on Monday and will report back.

This has been happening since day one of ownership so everything about it screams manufacturing defect.

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[Drvelocity]

Yes, it's terrifying and that's exactly what I explained to both the dealership (which is awesome) and Kia Consumer Affairs (which is useless). Forget the slippery conditions - I almost got crushed by a semi because it activated at 75mph on the highway.

I've been in a rental for 2+ weeks and still can't get any information as to where the issue lies (front camera sensor, software glitch, etc.), but my sense is that it's a multi-factor problem because it is both misfiring without threat, and activating above the supposed threshold. I am expecting a call from the regional manager on Monday and will report back.

This has been happening since day one of ownership so everything about it screams manufacturing defect.

Yeah I’d be asking for a new car pretty soon. It’s a liability issue on their part if they send you out in that car again and something happens.

Just looked it up and if a car is at the dealer for 30 days in a year it can be considered a lemon. So you’re close. Get yourself a cheap dash cam if you don’t have one to document future issues in case they try to pull a “we can’t replicate the issue” move.

 

[JMatty]

Yeah I’d be asking for a new car pretty soon. It’s a liability issue on their part if they send you out in that car again and something happens.

Just looked it up and if a car is at the dealer for 30 days in a year it can be considered a lemon. So you’re close. Get yourself a cheap dash cam if you don’t have one to document future issues in case they try to pull a “we can’t replicate the issue” move.

The dealership is awesome and experienced it right away the first time I took it in so thankfully I dont have to deal with that nonsense. NC Lemon Laws are even more favorable than the 30 day rule so we'll be heading that route shortly if they don't figure out the fix.

 

[JMatty]

Update after speaking with the Regional Manager:

After 14 days with no response from the engineers at TechLine (of which there are six by the way for the entire country), they apparently sent cookie cutter directions back to the dealership yesterday to do the exact same "repair" they attempted the first time I brought the vehicle back, which we already know will not solve the problem. They refuse to send an engineer out to actually investigate the case until the dealership walks through the same processes that previously failed, and it takes at least a month just to get an engineer out to the dealership.

I also spoke with the dealership after my discussion with the Regional Manager, and the dealership even agrees that this all appears to be pure guesswork, and that no one seems to know how to go about diagnosing the problem or providing a meaningful solution. The update received from engineering includes applying a stabilizer to the radar sensor connection to rule out a "loose connection," but of course a loose connection would more likely result in the system not functioning when it is supposed to, as opposed to it habitually misfiring and operating at speeds well in excess of the supposed operational threshold.

I will continue to provide updates to the thread as any information is received, but I have little confidence that an actual solution will be identified.

 

[Drvelocity]

Honestly that is total bullshit on Kia’s part. My guess is that the engineers in the know on this might not be in the USA so they’re stuck and hoping you’ll just forget about the issue. I don’t blame the dealer on this as it’s not their fault but it would be refreshing if they’d really go to bat for you on this.

I hope you get resolution soon by the lemon law because it seems like that’s all that can happen at this point.

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[bogie]

I will continue to provide updates to the thread as any information is received, but I have little confidence that an actual solution will be identified.

Any update...?

Excerpts from the manual (didn't copy the multitude of warning messages):
- The Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) is designed to detect and monitor a vehicle ahead or detect a pedestrian or cyclists in the roadway through radar signals and camera recognition to warn the driver that a collision is imminent, and if necessary, apply emergency braking.
- The warning light illuminates on the LCD display, when you cancel the FCA. The driver can monitor the FCA ON/OFF status on the LCD display. Also, the warning light illuminates when the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is turned off (Traction & Stability control disabled.). When the warning light remains ON with the FCA activated, take your vehicle to an authorized Kia dealer and have the system checked.
- The FCA system will operate if the vehicle speed is greater than 5 mph (8 km/h) and less than or equal to 100 mph...
----- For pedestrians and cyclists to be detected, the vehicle speed must be greater than or equal to 5 mph (8 km/h) and less than 55 mph...
- Additionally, some vehicle system intervention occurs by the engine management system to help decelerate the vehicle.
- The brake control is maximized just before a collision, reducing impact when it strikes a forward vehicle.
---- The FCA system will operate if the vehicle speed is greater than 5 mph (8 km/h) and less than or equal to 50 mph (80 km/h) on a forward vehicle.
---- For pedestrians and cyclists to be detected, the vehicle speed must be greater than or equal to 5 mph (8 km/h) and less than 45 mph...

So it appears there are several maximum speed levels, depending on what situation is being referred to:
- for warning about a collision with:
---- another vehicle, 100
---- a ped/cycle, 55
- for brake assist to avoid a collision with:
---- another vehicle, 50
---- a ped/cycle, 45
And, all of this is if the radar sensor area is not covered with snow or dirt to disrupt the radar.
Anybody else confused...????

I've had the FCA warning and chime pop up, and the engine slow up, a couple of times when someone was turning out of my lane and I got a little closer than the system liked; but, have not had the brakes engage.

Driving in snow for the first time today - had the "Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) system disabled. Radar blocked" warning pop up, which disables the Smart Cruise Control that was in use at the time and popped a couple of yellow 'idiot' lights on the dash... that was interesting... you think they would have put a heating element of some sort to keep the sensor cover from collecting snow...

I hope they have either solved your issue or replaced your vehicle; and compensated you for your inconvenience...

 

[JMatty]

Thanks for checking in, and I appreciate the support.

After two months of nonsense, the vehicle is finally going to be replaced and hopefully this will all be wrapped up within a week or two. Fortunately, the dealership has been great throughout this entire process, fully supported my complaint, and even identified the right person from KMA to bring into the conversation in order to meaningfully advance the issue and find a path to resolution.

Unfortunately I do not have any information to share about how to actually address a repair of this defect. Mine is apparently the first vehicle in the country where the FCW/A misfire has been replicated at the dealership level, so hopefully KMA will take this unit, strip it down to the frame, and find out precisely what was causing the misfire so that to the extent other vehicles experience a similar problem, a fast and effective repair can be performed.

 

[Tim-in-CA]

Thanks for checking in, and I appreciate the support.

After two months of nonsense, the vehicle is finally going to be replaced and hopefully this will all be wrapped up within a week or two. Fortunately, the dealership has been great throughout this entire process, fully supported my complaint, and even identified the right person from KMA to bring into the conversation in order to meaningfully advance the issue and find a path to resolution.

Unfortunately I do not have any information to share about how to actually address a repair of this defect. Mine is apparently the first vehicle in the country where the FCW/A misfire has been replicated at the dealership level, so hopefully KMA will take this unit, strip it down to the frame, and find out precisely what was causing the misfire so that to the extent other vehicles experience a similar problem, a fast and effective repair can be performed.

Sorry to hear but good that they are finally addressing. Be sure that they also compensate you for any Sales Tax and Registration you will have to pay on the new vehicle. Good luck!!

 

[critrider]

Thanks for checking in, and I appreciate the support.

After two months of nonsense, the vehicle is finally going to be replaced and hopefully this will all be wrapped up within a week or two. Fortunately, the dealership has been great throughout this entire process, fully supported my complaint, and even identified the right person from KMA to bring into the conversation in order to meaningfully advance the issue and find a path to resolution.

Unfortunately I do not have any information to share about how to actually address a repair of this defect. Mine is apparently the first vehicle in the country where the FCW/A misfire has been replicated at the dealership level, so hopefully KMA will take this unit, strip it down to the frame, and find out precisely what was causing the misfire so that to the extent other vehicles experience a similar problem, a fast and effective repair can be performed.

Jumping in a little late, but could have been a wiring harness issue. I had a FCA malfunction warning display, (with NO unintended braking) which turned out to be a wiring harness short. Required a complete main harness replacement. Not sure if that was considered....but FYI, the fix was perfect, and I've had no further issues.

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[bogie]

Sounds like you have a great dealer supporting you and Kia is going to do the right thing...

Do keep us posted thru the conclusion - whatever that may be.

 

[drizzt]

No, it is 100% actively braking and slowing the vehicle down abruptly.

I've had this happen just once when I had cruise enabled. I immediately disabled cruise, and then re-enabled cruise. It never repeat after that and hope it never will.

 

[G-780583]

Has anyone experienced any malfunctions with the 2020 Telluride in regards to the Frontal Collision Warning System? My husband and I have had multiple instances where the FCW system has engaged sporadically when not neccessary causing the brakes to lock and the vehicle to slide needlessly. When we took it to the dealer to be inspected they found no error code and stated that the FCW system was only supposed to engage when cruise control was in use. The instances these "sporadic malfunctions " occurred cruise control was NOT in use. We were told to monitor the situation and try to log when and if it reoccured, time of day etc...Any others having this problem?

Yes with my kia forte 2019

 

[drizzt]

Yes with my kia forte 2019

Sounds like a good reason to get a dash cam, if anything, for documentation. It will also serve its purpose for collisions, etc.