Even though it’s only been on the market for two years, the Kia Telluride is an extremely popular SUV. It’s spacious, dependable, and generally doesn’t garner many complaints from its owners. However, the Kia Telluride is notorious for having a serious problem with its windshield.

CarComplaints.com has dozens of testimonies detailing a windshield that either cracked on its own or from the tiniest impact. One Telluride owner even insinuated that Kia knew about the defective windshield before the car went on sale. Recently, another driver has reported that the car’s side windows are also prone to malfunctioning.

A frustrating issue

This Kia Telluride owner says that the windows can’t be rolled up if you’re driving at highway speeds. They believe this is due to an internal design flaw that lets the wind push the seal outwards. The problem appeared after 15,000 miles and the model in question was a Telluride SX Prestige.

Similar issues have been reported on Telluride forums. One driver reported that their Telluride’s driver-side window suddenly refused to roll up when they started the vehicle. Thankfully, it appears that this problem is fairly uncommon.

How can Kia Telluride drivers fix this problem?

The user on Car Complaints said they brought their Kia Telluride in to be inspected, but technicians couldn’t fix the problem. The issue hasn’t been reported to Kia on a large scale yet.  The automaker has offered to fix cracks in windshields before, but many drivers aren’t eligible since it was caused by road debris.

However, if you’re one of the unlucky ones with a defective window, one Kia Telluride driver on YouTube found a quick fix. If you crack the sunroof while driving on the highway, the windshield rolls up properly. Still, since the sunroof isn’t standard, it’s not a solution that everyone can use.

Is the Kia Telluride still a good SUV?

The Kia Telluride has some annoying problems, but they’re very few and far between. In fact, Consumer Reports lists it as one of the most reliable SUVs, meaning it’s built to last. According to owner surveys, over 91 percent of drivers said they would purchase the car again.

When working properly, the windows provide great insulation from exterior noise. The side windows and front windshield are quite wide, making for excellent visibility. It’s also easy to see out of the rear windshield, but several safety features are standard to detect blind spots.

Each Kia Telluride comes with rear parking sensors, rear cross-traffic alert, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitors, and lane-keeping assistance. Rear seat alert and driver drowsiness warning are also included for the safety of each rider. The Kia Telluride’s occupants are also comfortable thanks to the well-tuned suspension and plush seats.

The cabin is made with stylish materials, including faux wood and polished metal on higher trims. The Kia Telluride has three rows of seating, but the rear row isn’t as accommodating as some rivals. Still, it’s a nice place for smaller passengers and is easily accessible thanks to a sliding lever on the second-row seat. 

There’s only one engine for the Kia Telluride, a 3.8-liter V6 that makes 291 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. It gives the Telluride plenty of passing power and the eight-speed automatic transmission provides timely shifts. The SUV has prominent body lean, but the brakes kick in quickly and its stability control keeps its wheels on the ground. Available AWD combined with its traction control system also makes it a great SUV for winter weather.

Tales of faulty windows and expensive repairs will likely deter some shoppers from buying a Kia Telluride. However, all its good reviews vastly outweigh the complaints it has received.