Check ESC error when starting (2025)

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LisaLisa

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  • Jul 24, 2021
  • #1

Please help! my 2021 Telly S model won’t start, I get an error “Check ESC“. Has anyone had this problem? I will say that for the past few days I got a warning that “battery discharge due to external electrical devices”. At the time I didn’t know what that meant but I think it’s because I had a GPS plugged into the cigarette lighter. It was unplugged a couple of days ago so why still a problem? I did try to turn ESC off per instructions from owners manual but system was unresponsive.
I feel like the battery isn’t dead but….could it be? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Will be calling roadside assistance in the morning, don’t know what else to do. So glad I’m home and Telly is in the garage.

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jw_tx21

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  • Jul 24, 2021
  • #2

LisaLisa said:

Please help! my 2021 Telly S model won’t start, I get an error “Check ESC“. Has anyone had this problem? I will say that for the past few days I got a warning that “battery discharge due to external electrical devices”. At the time I didn’t know what that meant but I think it’s because I had a GPS plugged into the cigarette lighter. It was unplugged a couple of days ago so why still a problem? I did try to turn ESC off per instructions from owners manual but system was unresponsive.
I feel like the battery isn’t dead but….could it be? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Will be calling roadside assistance in the morning, don’t know what else to do. So glad I’m home and Telly is in the garage.

Did you try to jumpstart the vehicle?

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LisaLisa

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  • Jul 24, 2021
  • #3

Was able to jump start it so now is on the way to the dealer to address the ESC error. Thanks!

G

G-624631

  • Jan 23, 2022
  • #4

LisaLisa said:

Was able to jump start it so now is on the way to the dealer to address the ESC error. Thanks!

What came of this. Having same issue!

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G

G-835858

  • Feb 19, 2022
  • #6

Tammy said:

Me too . Did you ever figure out what the problem is ? Please share information..Thank you

Same…waiting to be jumped

G

G-678597

  • Feb 27, 2022
  • #7

It's on our Telluride and it won't start now ...Grrrr

G

G-233328

  • Mar 14, 2022
  • #8

My car is doing this too. It’s at the dealership and they can’t figure it out. Has anyone gotten theirs fixed?

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Nickbecchina

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  • May 18, 2022
  • #9

Also having issues with ESC. Does anyone have any suggestions or know what why it's doing this?

G

G-603743

  • May 29, 2022
  • #10

Sure seems like a lot of us are having this problem so why can’t dealer fixit?

G

G-207055

  • Aug 16, 2022
  • #11

Having the same problem now. Won’t go out of accessory mode and will not turn all the way off, but also engine will not start. It is saying check ESC. Hoping jumping it works.

G

G-237025

  • Aug 29, 2022
  • #12

G-207055 said:

Having the same problem now. Won’t go out of accessory mode and will not turn all the way off, but also engine will not start. It is saying check ESC. Hoping jumping it works.

Having the same problem. If I wait a few minutes it will finally start.

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421flyboy

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  • Sep 15, 2022
  • #13

I’ve had the battery to go dead twice for no reason at all. Check ESC flashes

G

G-617330

  • Oct 18, 2022
  • #14

Hello. I own a 2021 Kia Telluride (purchased Sept 2020) and experienced the same issue with the engine not turning over and the ESC light coming on. Did anyone get an answer to the problem from a dealership?

P

Phillyclemson

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  • Oct 18, 2022
  • #15

Hello. I own a 2021 Telluride and just experienced this same issue of the engine not turning over and the ESC light activating. Did the dealership uncover the issue for any of you?

G

G-195932

  • Oct 20, 2022
  • #16

jw_tx21 said:

Did you try to jumpstart the vehicle?

I am having the same issue with my 2020 telluride. So frustrating I've had so many issues with this car before it even hit 60,000 miles. My ESC light has come on three times now I waited a couple minutes tried to turn the wheel a little, and finally got it started, but I'm afraid to drive it around any longer. can anyone advise?

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G

G-124814

  • Oct 20, 2022
  • #17

Yes, jumpstarting the car worked but only temporarily. The next day, same issue of not turning over.

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soonercuz

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  • Nov 14, 2022
  • #18

Experiencing same ESC issue on 11/13/22. Did anyone get an answer from dealer?

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esadh

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  • Nov 14, 2022
  • #19

Similar issues with my 2020. First time wouldn't start and said "key not detected". Had it jumped, drove it to dealer...they couldn't find anything. Second time wouldn't start and said "battery discharge due to external electrical devices". Had it jumped again...drove to to the dealer. They still couldn't find anything. Today wouldn't start and said "check ESC". This time didn't get it jumped. Had it towed as is to the dealer and am waiting now. Uughh!!! I feel like jumping the battery and driving it to the dealer is giving the battery just enough charge that it's checking out okay once they check it. Has anyone had any resolution to these issue?

G

G-265921

  • Nov 15, 2022
  • #20

Im experiencing this same issue with my 2021 K5. Any one get a response from the dealer ship?

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