Kia Telluride: Warning and indicator lights / Warning lights

The warning lights in your Kia Telluride are designed to alert you whenever a system requires your immediate attention or when vehicle operation may be affected. Understanding these indicators helps you respond quickly and maintain safe driving conditions.

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Air bag warning light

This warning light appears under the following conditions:

• When the ENGINE START/STOP button is switched to the ON position. The indicator performs a system check by illuminating for approximately 3–6 seconds before turning off.

• If a malfunction is detected within the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS). If the light remains illuminated or comes on while driving, have your Kia Telluride inspected by an authorized Kia dealer without delay.

Seat belt warning light

This indicator reminds the driver that the seat belt has not been properly fastened.

For additional information, refer to the Seat belts section.

Parking brake and brake fluid warning light

This warning light appears under the following circumstances:

• When the ENGINE START/STOP button is placed in the ON position.

  • The light remains illuminated for approximately 3 seconds as part of the normal system check.

  • It stays on if the parking brake is engaged.

• Whenever the parking brake is applied.

• If the brake fluid level in the reservoir becomes too low.

  • If the warning light stays illuminated after releasing the parking brake, inspect the brake fluid level immediately, as it may indicate insufficient brake fluid.

If the brake fluid level is low, follow these procedures:

1. Drive cautiously to the nearest safe location and bring the vehicle to a complete stop.

2. Turn the engine off and immediately inspect the brake fluid reservoir. Add the recommended brake fluid if necessary (refer to the Brake fluid section), then carefully check the entire brake system for signs of leakage.

   If you discover a brake fluid leak, if the warning light remains illuminated after refilling, or if the braking system does not operate normally, do not continue driving.

   Have your Kia Telluride transported to an authorized Kia dealer for inspection and repair.

Dual-diagonal braking system

Your Kia Telluride features a dual-diagonal braking system. Even if one hydraulic circuit becomes inoperative, braking capability remains available on two wheels to help maintain a degree of stopping performance.

However, when only one brake circuit remains functional, greater pedal effort and increased pedal travel will be required to slow or stop the vehicle.

Stopping distances will also increase whenever only part of the braking system is operating.

If a brake system malfunction occurs while driving, shift to a lower gear whenever appropriate to take advantage of engine braking, and stop the vehicle safely as soon as conditions permit.

WARNING

Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) warning light

This warning light appears under the following conditions:

• For approximately 3 seconds after the ENGINE START/STOP button is switched to the ON position while the ABS performs a self-diagnostic check.

• If an Anti-lock Brake System malfunction is detected. Conventional braking remains available, although ABS assistance will no longer function properly.

  Have the vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer as soon as possible.

EBD system warning light

If both the ABS warning light and the Parking Brake/Brake Fluid warning light illuminate simultaneously, the Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) system and the conventional brake system may not be operating correctly. In this situation, your Kia Telluride should be inspected by an authorized Kia dealer without delay.

WARNING

Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) warning light : (if equipped)

This warning light appears under the following conditions:

• For approximately 3 seconds after the ENGINE START/STOP button is switched to the ON position while the system performs its normal self-check.

• If the EPB system develops a malfunction. When this occurs, have your Kia Telluride inspected by an authorized Kia dealer as soon as possible.

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Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) warning light

This warning light appears under the following conditions:

• For approximately 3 seconds after the ENGINE START/STOP button is placed in the ON position during the system self-diagnosis.

• If the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) system is not operating correctly. If the warning light remains illuminated, have your Kia Telluride inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.

Charging system warning light

This warning light appears under the following circumstances:

• When the ENGINE START/STOP button is switched to the ON position as part of the normal bulb check.

• Whenever a malfunction is detected in the alternator or the vehicle's charging system.

If a charging system malfunction occurs, follow these steps:

1. Carefully drive to a safe location and stop the vehicle.

2. Turn the engine off and inspect the alternator drive belt for signs of looseness, damage, or breakage.

   If the problem cannot be identified or corrected, have your Kia Telluride inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.

Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL)

This warning light appears under the following conditions:

• For approximately 3 seconds after the ENGINE START/STOP button is switched to the ON position while the system performs its normal diagnostic check.

• Whenever a malfunction is detected in the engine, powertrain, or emission control system. If the MIL remains illuminated or comes on while driving, have your Kia Telluride inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.

NOTE

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Engine oil pressure warning light

This warning light appears under the following conditions:

• After the ENGINE START/STOP button is switched to the ON position and remains illuminated until the engine starts.

• Whenever engine oil pressure becomes too low.

If the engine oil pressure warning light comes on:

• Drive carefully to the nearest safe location and stop the vehicle as soon as conditions allow.

• Turn the engine off and immediately check the engine oil level (refer to Changing the engine oil and filter). Add the recommended engine oil if the level is below the specified range.

• If the warning light remains illuminated after adding oil, or if engine oil is unavailable, do not continue driving. Have your Kia Telluride inspected by an authorized Kia dealer immediately. Operating the vehicle with low oil pressure may result in severe engine damage or complete engine failure.

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When engine oil pressure drops because of insufficient engine oil or another condition affecting lubrication, the engine oil pressure warning light will illuminate to alert the driver.

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Exhaust system (GPF) warning light (Gasoline Engine)

This warning light appears under the following conditions:

• When the Gasoline Particulate Filter (GPF) system detects a malfunction.

• In some cases, the warning light may turn off after the vehicle is driven under appropriate operating conditions.

  • Drive for at least 30 minutes at speeds of approximately 50 mph (80 km/h) or higher whenever traffic and road conditions safely permit.

  • During this drive, ensure the transmission remains in 3rd gear or higher and the engine speed stays between 1,500 and 4,000 rpm.

If the warning light continues to blink even after following the recommended driving procedure (while the corresponding LCD warning message remains displayed), have the GPF system on your Kia Telluride inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.

NOTE

Low fuel level warning light

This warning light illuminates when the amount of fuel remaining in the tank becomes very low. Refuel your Kia Telluride as soon as possible to avoid running out of fuel.

If the fuel level approaches empty, do not delay refueling.

NOTE

Master warning light

This warning light may illuminate for any of the following conditions:

• LED headlamp malfunction (if equipped)

• Exterior lamp malfunction

• High Beam Assist malfunction (if equipped)

When the Master Warning Light appears, refer to the LCD display for a detailed description of the detected condition.

Once the underlying issue has been corrected, the Master Warning Light will automatically turn off.

Low tire pressure warning light

This warning light appears under the following conditions:

• For approximately 3 seconds after the ENGINE START/STOP button is switched to the ON position as part of the normal system check.

• When one or more tires are significantly underinflated. The LCD display identifies the location of the affected tire.

For additional information, refer to the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) section.

If this warning light blinks for approximately 60 seconds and then remains illuminated, or repeatedly flashes at intervals of about 3 seconds, the TPMS itself may be malfunctioning. In this case, have your Kia Telluride inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.

For additional operating information, refer to the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).

WARNING

WARNING

If you notice that the vehicle becomes unstable while driving, immediately release the accelerator pedal, apply the brakes gently and progressively, and carefully guide your Kia Telluride to a safe location away from traffic before stopping.

LED headlamp warning light

• For approximately 3 seconds after the ENGINE START/STOP button is switched to the ON position as part of the normal system self-check.

• Whenever a malfunction is detected in the LED headlamp system.

Have your Kia Telluride inspected by an authorized Kia dealer as soon as possible.

• When a fault is detected in a component related to the LED headlamp system.

Have the vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer without delay.

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Forward Safety warning light

This warning light appears:

• For approximately 3 seconds after the ENGINE START/STOP button is switched to the ON position.

• Yellow: Indicates that the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist Forward Safety function has been turned off, disabled, or that the system has detected a malfunction.

  If the yellow warning light remains illuminated after any dirt, snow, or obstruction has been removed from the sensor and Forward Safety has been re-enabled, have your Kia Telluride inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.

This warning light flashes red whenever the Forward Safety or Forward Cross-Traffic Safety system is actively intervening.

For additional information, refer to the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) (Sensor Fusion) section.

Emergency steering warning light : (if equipped)

This warning light appears:

• For approximately 3 seconds after the ENGINE START/STOP button is placed in the ON position.

• Yellow: Indicates that the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist Forward/Side Safety function has been switched off, disabled, or that a system malfunction has been detected.

  If the warning light remains on after the sensors have been cleaned or any obstruction has been removed while the Forward/Side Safety system is enabled, have your Kia Telluride checked by an authorized Kia dealer.

This warning light flashes red whenever the Forward/Side Safety function is actively operating.

For additional operating information, refer to the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) (Sensor Fusion) section.

Icy road warning light : (if equipped)

This warning light appears when the outside temperature gauge indicates approximately 40°F (4°C) or below, warning the driver that icy road conditions may be possible. Before the warning is displayed, the outside temperature indicator flashes and a single warning chime sounds.

Washer fluid warning light

This warning light illuminates when the windshield washer fluid reservoir is nearly empty. Refill the washer fluid reservoir as soon as practical to maintain proper windshield visibility.

Door ajar warning light

This warning light appears whenever one or more doors are not completely closed or securely latched.

Liftgate open warning light

Forward Attention Warning light : (if equipped)

• For approximately 3 seconds after the ENGINE START/STOP button is switched to the ON position during the normal system check.

• When the Forward Attention Warning system is disabled or a malfunction has been detected. If the warning light remains illuminated after the in-cabin camera has been cleaned or any obstruction has been removed, have your Kia Telluride inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.

• When the Forward Attention Warning system detects that the driver should refocus attention on the road ahead.

For additional details, refer to the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) (Sensor Fusion) section.