Kia Telluride Instrument Cluster Lawsuit, Were You Affected? Telluride Defect That Allegedly Disappears During Dealer Inspections, O’Connell, et al. v. Kia America, Inc., et al.

Kia America is facing a class action lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California — O’Connell, et al. v. Kia America, Inc., et al. — alleging a defective 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster in 2023–2025 Kia Telluride vehicles that goes completely black while driving. The lawsuit was filed on June 1, 2026, and currently covers all New York and Pennsylvania persons who purchased or leased, and currently possess, a 2023–2025 Kia Telluride equipped with the 12.3-inch panoramic digital instrument cluster. No settlement exists yet. No claim form exists yet. If you own one of these vehicles, here is what you need to know right now.

Kia Telluride Instrument Cluster Defect Lawsuit — Key Facts

Field	Detail
Lawsuit Filed	June 1, 2026
Defendant	Kia America, Inc.
Alleged Harm	Defective 12.3-inch panoramic digital instrument cluster — display goes black while driving
Specific Law Alleged	State consumer protection laws, breach of warranty (specific statutes TBD — complaint not yet publicly docketed)
Who Is Affected	Owners and lessees of 2023–2025 Kia Telluride with 12.3-inch panoramic digital cluster (SX trim and above) in New York and Pennsylvania
Court & Case Number	U.S. District Court, Central District of California — O’Connell, et al. v. Kia America, Inc., et al. (docket number TBD — complaint newly filed June 1, 2026)
Current Court Stage	Newly filed — pre-certification
Lead Plaintiff Deadline	TBD — not yet set by court
Settlement Status	No settlement reached
Law Firms Involved	McCune Law Group
Last Updated	June 2, 2026

Who Is Kia America and Why Are They Facing a Telluride Instrument Cluster Lawsuit?

Kia America, Inc. is the U.S. sales and distribution arm of Kia Corporation, a South Korean automaker selling millions of vehicles annually across the United States. The Telluride is Kia’s flagship three-row SUV and one of its best-selling models in the American market. The lawsuit specifically applies to 2023–2025 Kia Telluride models equipped with the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, which is found on SX trims and above — lower trims with a 4.2-inch cluster are not part of the lawsuit. If you bought or leased a higher-trim Telluride during those model years, the screen behind your steering wheel is the one under scrutiny.

What Did Kia’s 12.3-Inch Telluride Display Do That Led to This Lawsuit?

The 2023–2025 Kia Telluride panoramic digital instrument cluster is a fully digital LCD display showing 35 separate warnings, gauges, and indicators — including the tachometer, turn signal indicators, temperature gauge, speedometer, warning lights, gear shift position indicator, odometer, trip computer, fuel gauge, and driver assistance features.

The lawsuit asserts the instrument panel cluster completely fails and appears black to a driver, making the display useless. The lawsuit further alleges there is no analog or mechanical backup for the all-digital instrument panel cluster, with some drivers reporting a black display screen the same day they purchased their Kia Tellurides.

The safety concern is real. When a driver can’t see their speedometer, warning lights, or driver assistance status, they’re operating a vehicle with significantly less information than the law requires. According to the lawsuit, a working instrument panel cluster is required by law, meaning the Telluride is not compliant when the display fails — putting the driver, occupants, and others at risk.

What makes this case particularly frustrating for owners is the intermittent nature of the defect. The screen goes dark at random — but then works perfectly when the car arrives at a dealership. Similar patterns of manufacturers knowing about defects before sale but delaying fixes appear in automotive class actions like the Subaru EyeSight brake system lawsuit covering 2022–2026 models, and in the Hyundai and Kia engine defect class action where the same knowledge-before-sale allegation was central to the case.

The plaintiffs also allege that Kia knew the instrument panel clusters would fail before the vehicles were first sold, and that neither the window stickers nor the sales representatives warned buyers the digital clusters were prone to failing.

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The Five Kia Telluride Owners Who Filed This Lawsuit — And What Happened to Each One

Five plaintiffs bring this case, and their stories follow a strikingly similar pattern — the defect shows up repeatedly on the road, then vanishes the moment a dealer looks at it.

New York plaintiff Chris O’Connell bought a new 2023 Kia Telluride whose instrument panel cluster experienced multiple recurrent failures. He took the vehicle to the dealership three times for the same issue.

New York plaintiff Michael Roden bought a 2025 Kia Telluride and experienced multiple instrument panel failures. However, the issue did not appear when he took the vehicle to the dealership.

New York plaintiff Renee Sevor’s 2024 Kia Telluride experienced cluster failures, but the dealer service department was unable to replicate the problem, and the defect was not resolved.

New York plaintiff David Smollett’s 2025 Kia Telluride experienced multiple failures, but the Kia dealer said it could not find a problem.

Pennsylvania plaintiff Megan O’Neil purchased a certified pre-owned 2024 Kia Telluride. When she reported the repeated cluster failures, the Kia dealer told her the problem must first be seen at the dealership before they can fix it.

All five owners were stuck in the same loop: real, repeated failures at home — no evidence at the dealer — no repair.

Are You Part of the Kia Telluride Instrument Cluster Class Action?

Here is exactly how to know if this lawsuit includes you.

You may be included if:

• You own or lease a 2023, 2024, or 2025 Kia Telluride
• Your vehicle has the 12.3-inch panoramic digital instrument cluster (found on SX trim and above)
• You purchased or leased the vehicle in New York or Pennsylvania and currently still possess it
• You have experienced the cluster screen going black or failing to display information

You are likely NOT included if:

• Your Telluride has the smaller 4.2-inch cluster (lower trims) — that cluster is not part of this lawsuit
• You no longer own or possess the vehicle
• You purchased outside New York or Pennsylvania (though the class may expand as the case develops)

Kia Telluride Owners Outside New York and Pennsylvania — Are You Still Covered?

Right now, the class is limited to New York and Pennsylvania owners. The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, which handles federal cases nationally, and the class definition may expand to other states as the case progresses. If you own a qualifying 2023–2025 Telluride in another state and have experienced the same cluster failure, document your repair history now — you may be included if the class is broadened.

If you are unsure whether you qualify for the Kia Telluride instrument cluster lawsuit, a free consultation with a product liability attorney can help you assess your situation before any lead plaintiff deadline is set.

What Are Kia Telluride Owners Asking the Court to Award in the 2026 Instrument Cluster Lawsuit?

The complaint seeks compensation for Telluride owners who bought or leased vehicles with a defect Kia allegedly knew about. The dealers have been unable to repair the Tellurides even when the vehicles are still covered by their warranties — which is the core of the breach of warranty claim.

What Could Kia Telluride Owners Receive If the 2026 Instrument Cluster Case Settles?

No money is available yet. No claim form exists. What plaintiffs are typically seeking in defective vehicle cluster cases includes repair or replacement at no cost, reimbursement for out-of-pocket repair expenses, compensation for diminished vehicle value, and in some cases extended warranty coverage for the affected component.

How much any individual might recover depends on the number of class members, the strength of the evidence that Kia had prior knowledge, and what the parties ultimately negotiate. It is impossible to predict a figure at this stage. Consulting a product liability attorney now costs nothing — most work on contingency — and puts you in the best position if the case moves toward settlement.

What Should Kia Telluride Owners Do Right Now?

Most class members do not need to take any immediate legal action. You are not required to file anything today. But the steps below protect your rights:

1. Document every failure. Every time the screen goes black, note the date, your mileage, driving conditions, and how long the screen stayed dark. Take a video if it’s safe to do so.
2. Keep all dealer visit records. Even if the dealer couldn’t replicate the problem, get something in writing — a work order, a service receipt, or an email confirmation of the visit. “They couldn’t find anything” is still evidence.
3. Save all purchase and lease documents. Your contract, the window sticker (Monroney label), and any warranty paperwork establish when and where you bought the vehicle.
4. File an NHTSA complaint. Report your failure at nhtsa.gov. Federal safety complaint records are referenced in class action litigation and help establish the scope of a defect.
5. Monitor the case docket. The case is O’Connell, et al. v. Kia America, Inc., et al., filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. Court filings become public on PACER as the case develops.
6. Watch for a lead plaintiff deadline. The court has not yet set a deadline for class members who want to serve as lead plaintiffs. If you have the most documented losses, serving as lead plaintiff may entitle you to a larger recovery — consult an attorney soon.

Kia Telluride Instrument Cluster Lawsuit Timeline

Milestone	Date
2023–2025 Kia Tellurides with 12.3-inch cluster sold	Ongoing through model years
Earliest reported cluster failures	TBD — referenced in complaint as pre-sale known defect
Lawsuit filed	June 1, 2026
Case assigned to judge	TBD — newly filed
Kia response deadline	TBD — typically 21 days after service
Class certification motion	TBD — expected several months after filing
Lead plaintiff deadline	TBD — not yet set by court
Expected resolution	TBD — active litigation, no settlement reached

Kia Telluride Instrument Cluster Lawsuit — Frequently Asked Questions, O’Connell, et al. v. Kia America, Inc., et al.

Is there a class action lawsuit against Kia for the Telluride instrument cluster defect right now?

Yes. The lawsuit was filed on June 1, 2026, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. It is in its earliest stage — Kia has not yet responded to the complaint.

Do I need to do anything right now to be included in the Kia Telluride instrument cluster class action?

Not yet. Most class members are automatically included once a class is certified by the court. Your most important job right now is to document your failures and keep every dealer service record.

When will the Kia Telluride instrument cluster case settle?

There is no way to predict this. The lawsuit was filed June 1, 2026, and Kia has not yet responded. Cases like this typically take one to three years to resolve, depending on whether Kia fights certification or moves toward settlement.

My Kia dealer says they can’t find a problem. Does that hurt my claim?

No — it actually strengthens it. The inability of Kia dealers to replicate the failure is central to the plaintiffs’ argument, and all five named plaintiffs in this lawsuit faced the exact same situation. Keep that service visit documented regardless.

Can I file my own lawsuit against Kia for the Telluride instrument cluster defect instead of joining the class?

Yes. Individual claims are always an option, especially if your losses are significant — for example, if an accident occurred because the cluster failed while driving. A product liability attorney can help you weigh the individual claim route against waiting for a class settlement.

What specific laws does Kia allegedly violate in this instrument cluster lawsuit?

The complaint alleges violations of state consumer protection laws and breach of warranty claims in New York and Pennsylvania. The lawsuit specifically asserts that Kia knew about the defect before selling the vehicles and failed to disclose it, which is the foundation for both the warranty and consumer fraud theories. The full statutory citations are TBD — the formal docket had not been publicly assigned as of June 2, 2026.

How much could Kia Telluride owners receive from a future instrument cluster settlement?

No money is available yet and no settlement figure has been proposed. Recoveries in defective vehicle component cases typically include repair reimbursement, out-of-pocket costs, and sometimes a cash payment for diminished value. The actual amount depends on total class size and evidence strength. A product liability attorney can give you a realistic estimate based on your specific situation.

How will I find out if the Kia Telluride lawsuit settles?

If a settlement is reached, court-approved notice will be mailed or emailed to all class members. You can also monitor the docket on PACER and bookmark this page for updates.

Sources Used in This Kia Telluride Instrument Cluster Lawsuit Article

• CarComplaints.com — Lawsuit Says Kia Telluride Instrument Panel Clusters Not Working, June 1, 2026: https://www.carcomplaints.com/news/2026/lawsuit-kia-telluride-instrument-panel-cluster-not-working.shtml
• Autoblog — Kia Sued As Telluride Digital Dash Keeps Going Blank, June 1, 2026: https://www.autoblog.com/news/kia-telluride-instrument-display-lawsuit

Prepared by the AllAboutLawyer.com Editorial Team and reviewed for factual accuracy against CarComplaints.com primary reporting and Autoblog’s June 1, 2026 coverage of the filed complaint. Last Updated: June 2, 2026.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws vary by state and individual circumstances differ. For advice about your specific situation, consult a qualified attorney.