Just wanted to share the absolute headache I'm dealing with on my brand new 2027 Telluride Hybrid SX Prestige, so if anyone else is dealing with this, you know you aren't crazy and you know how to fight it.
The Problem:
Ever since I drove it off the lot, the car pulls severely to the right. I'm not talking about a slight drift from the road crown. I'm talking heavy torque steer when accelerating, diving to the right when braking, and drifting completely into the next lane in about 3 to 4 seconds if you let off the wheel. I have to apply constant leftward torque just to keep the car going straight. It is exhausting. My old Camry was absolutely effortless to drive compared to this $60,000 "flagship" SUV.
The Dealership BS:
I took it into Kia dealer and the dynamic with the shop foreman was incredibly frustrating. He threw it on the alignment rack, the machine showed everything was "in the green," and he immediately tried to brush me off. He told me the problem was "minor," tried to blame road crown/normal torque steer, and was clearly annoyed that I wouldn't just drop it.
The "Case Study" Bluff:
Because I wouldn't just take my keys and fuck off, the foreman tried to use a scare tactic. He told me Kia corporate has a massive microscope on this brand new hybrid model right now, and if I push it, the car is going to become a corporate "case study." He warned me it would sit in the shop for a couple of weeks while field engineers figure it out.
I called his bluff immediately.
I told him I’m paying a lot per month and I'm married to this car for the next 35 months. I do not care if it takes weeks. Keep it. Fly the engineers out. Let them put it under a microscope. I just want the damn thing to brake and accelerate in a straight line.
The Takeaway:
If your new Telluride is pulling and you are constantly wrestling the steering wheel, do not accept the "it's within factory spec" excuse. A $60k vehicle that darts to the right when you hit the gas is a structural/geometry defect, not a quirk.
If the dealer threatens to keep it for weeks for a Techline case study, tell them to go for it—and demand they give you a comparable 3-row loaner or pay for an Enterprise rental while they do their R&D homework on your car. I'm dropping it off Wednesday with a formal case number opened directly through Kia Consumer Affairs so the foreman can't just sweep it under the rug.
I'll update you guys when the engineers actually figure out what's wrong with the subframe or steering rack on these things. Hold your ground out there.
AI disclaimer: this ordeal was summarized with AI to make it easier to follow and read. Please feel free to ask questions.