# Kia Telluride brake warning light: complaints, recalls and what to do **Verdict:** Stop driving - **Owner complaints:** 25 - **Most complaints:** 2024 (8) - **Related recalls:** 0 - **Verdict:** Stop now ## Quick answer NHTSA has 25 owner complaints about the brake warning light on the Kia Telluride (2015-2026 models), most for the **2024** model year (8). No recall covers the parts behind this light, so a repair is usually at the owner's cost. Stop driving: If the light goes out when you release the parking brake, you are fine. ## Kia Telluride brake warning light complaints by model year | Model year | Complaints mentioning the brake light | All complaints that year | Share | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2020 | 6 | 777 | 1% | | 2021 | 3 | 374 | 1% | | 2022 | 5 | 330 | 2% | | 2023 | 2 | 213 | 1% | | 2024 | 8 | 227 | 4% | | 2025 | 1 | 124 | 1% | Counts are complaints filed with NHTSA whose description mentions this light. They show where owners have had trouble, not a failure rate: popular years collect more complaints simply because more cars are on the road. ## Is there a recall for the Kia Telluride brake warning light? Not for the parts behind this light, as of 2026-11-04. The Kia Telluride has 17 recalls for other parts in 2015-2026; see the [Kia Telluride page](/vehicles/kia-telluride) or check your VIN at [nhtsa.gov/recalls](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). ## What Kia Telluride owners report - "The message "Place Vehicle in Park - Press Brake to Restart" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 6,500." -- owner of a 2025 Kia Telluride, complaint filed 2026 - "I noticed the brakes fading when at a long stop light or stop sign. Vehicle would start to roll/creep forward and brake pedal would drop slightly. The longer the stop light the more this would happen. When this happened as I was parking I left the vehicle and called the Kia help number and had the vehicle..." -- owner of a 2024 Kia Telluride, complaint filed 2024 - "Problem is, pre-wired means a connector in the back of the vehicle, but no actual harness available that plugs into it to run trailer lighting/brakes. Contacted Kia several times, no harnesses, was advised to take it to U-haul and get a splice-in harness. It's a brand new car, I don't want to cut into factory..." -- owner of a 2023 Kia Telluride, complaint filed 2023 Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly cleaned for reading. They are owners' own accounts and have not been verified. ## What the brake warning light means The red brake warning light most often means the parking brake is still on. If it stays on after you fully release the parking brake, the brake fluid is likely low, which can mean worn pads or a leak in the brake system. A brake light that stays on while driving is a reason to pull over and check, because a fluid leak can lead to loss of braking. The most common causes, on any make: 1. **Parking brake on or not fully released** (most common) 2. **Low brake fluid from worn pads** (common) 3. **Brake fluid leak** (less common) 4. **Faulty fluid level sensor or parking brake switch** (less common) Full causes, what to do and how to reset it: [Brake warning light](/warning-lights/brake). ## Frequently asked questions ### Is there a recall for the Kia Telluride brake light? Not for the parts behind this light, as of 2026-11-04. A repair is usually at the owner's cost unless the car is under warranty. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, since new recalls are added often. ### Which Kia Telluride years have the most brake light complaints? In NHTSA's database the 2020, 2022 and 2024 Telluride model years have the most complaints mentioning the brake warning light, with 8 for 2024. Complaint counts reflect how many cars were sold as well as how often problems happen. ### Is it safe to drive a Kia Telluride with the brake light on? Stop driving. If the light goes out when you release the parking brake, you are fine. If it stays on, especially with a soft pedal, low fluid, or the ABS light also on, stop driving and have the car towed, because the brakes may fail. ### How do I check if my Kia Telluride has an open recall? Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask any Kia dealer. Open recalls are fixed free of charge, even if you are not the first owner. ## Sources - [NHTSA: Vehicle safety complaints and recalls (api.nhtsa.gov)](https://www.nhtsa.gov/nhtsa-datasets-and-apis) - [NHTSA: Check for recalls by VIN](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) ## Other Kia Telluride warning lights - [ABS warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/kia-telluride): 10 complaints - [Airbag (SRS) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/kia-telluride): 8 complaints - [Battery (charging system) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/battery/kia-telluride): 12 complaints - [Check engine light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/kia-telluride): 95 complaints - [Coolant temperature warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/kia-telluride): 27 complaints - [Oil pressure warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/kia-telluride): 38 complaints - [Power steering warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/kia-telluride): 31 complaints - [Traction control light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/kia-telluride): 16 complaints ## Brake warning light on other models - [Honda CR-V](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/honda-cr-v): 561 complaints - [Chevrolet Silverado](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/chevrolet-silverado): 383 complaints - [Honda Accord](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/honda-accord): 360 complaints - [Honda Pilot](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/honda-pilot): 223 complaints - [Jeep Cherokee](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/jeep-cherokee): 215 complaints - [Ram 1500](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/ram-1500): 208 complaints - [GMC Sierra](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/gmc-sierra): 206 complaints - [Honda Odyssey](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/honda-odyssey): 176 complaints - [Chevrolet Equinox](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/chevrolet-equinox): 154 complaints - [Jeep Grand Cherokee](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/jeep-grand-cherokee): 142 complaints ## Kia Telluride - [Kia Telluride specs and mpg by year](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/kia-telluride) --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/kia-telluride Updated: 2026-11-04 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.