The 2021 Kia Telluride has 5 safety recalls and 373 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is unknown or other (105 complaints).
Recalls5safety recalls
Complaints373filed by owners
Crashes · fires7 · 4reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths9 · 0reported in complaints
2021 Kia Telluride in an NHTSA crash test
3 recalls for this model year carries an NHTSA park outside advisory. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA advisory: park outside and away from buildings until repaired (fire risk).
Problem: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Telluride vehicles. The front power seat motor may overheat due to a stuck power seat slide knob or an improper recall 24V407 repair, which can result in a fire while parked or driving.
Risk: A fire increases the risk of injury.
Fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will install an electronic fuse assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 13, 2026. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC374. This recall replaces NHTSA recall number 24V407. Vehicles already repaired under the previous recall will need to have the new remedy completed. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning July 17, 2026.
Seats › Front assembly › Power adjust
NHTSA recall 24V407000 · Jun 5, 2024 · 462,869 vehicles
NHTSA advisory: park outside and away from buildings until repaired (fire risk).
Problem: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Telluride vehicles. The front power seat motor may overheat due to a stuck power seat slide knob, which can result in a fire while parked or driving.
Risk: A fire increases the risk of injury.
Fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will install a bracket for the power seat switch back covers and replace the seat slide knobs, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 30, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC316.
Power train › Driveline › Driveshaft
NHTSA recall 24V214000 · Mar 20, 2024 · 427,407 vehicles
Problem: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Telluride vehicles. The intermediate shaft and right front driveshaft may not be fully engaged, which can result in vehicle roll away while in PARK.
Risk: A vehicle roll away increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: Owners are advised to manually engage the emergency parking brake prior to exiting the vehicle until the recall remedy is performed. Dealers will update the electronic parking brake software and replace any damaged intermediate shafts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 15, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC303.
Trailer hitches
NHTSA recall 22V626000 · Aug 15, 2022 · 36,417 vehicles
NHTSA advisory: park outside and away from buildings until repaired (fire risk).
Problem: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Telluride vehicles potentially equipped with a Genuine Kia 4-pin tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Kia dealership. Debris and moisture accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.
Risk: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will install a new fuse and a wiring harness extension. Dealers will also inspect and replace the tow hitch harness assembly, as necessary. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 12, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC247.
Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classification › Front passenger
NHTSA recall 21V164000 · Mar 11, 2021 · 142 vehicles
Problem: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021 Telluride, K5, and Forte vehicles. The Occupant Classification and Detection System (OCS/ODS) unit may not detect the presence of a child restraint system in the front passenger seat. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk: In the event of a crash, deployment of the front passenger air bag, with a child in that seat, can increase the risk of injury to the child.
Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the OCS/ODS unit, free of charge. The recall began March 18, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC207.
Components: Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classification › Front passenger; Air bags › Air bag/restraint control module
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA side barrier crash testNHTSA side pole crash test
2021 Kia Telluride SUV FWD
Overall
★★★★★
Frontal crash
★★★★★
Side crash
★★★★★
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
15.5%
Forward collision warning: Standard · Lane departure warning: Standard
2021 Kia Telluride SUV AWD
Overall
★★★★★
Frontal crash
★★★★★
Side crash
★★★★★
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
14.3%
Forward collision warning: Standard · Lane departure warning: Standard
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Telluride FWD
23mpg combined
City / highway
20 / 26 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3.8 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S8) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel
Telluride AWD
21mpg combined
City / highway
19 / 24 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3.8 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Unknown or other
105
0
0
5
3,000 mi
Engine
68
0
3
0
76,500 mi
Visibility/wiper
64
0
0
0
1,850 mi
Electrical system Instrument panel › Speedometer/odometer › Sensor/sending unit
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Jul 4, 2026Unknown or other Alternator died and had to get replaced at 80,000 miles. Car died while driving on the highway. Had to pull over and get the car towed. Had to get the alternator replaced and paid out of pocket.
Oct 16, 2026Unknown or other On Friday, October 16, 2026, while traveling approximately 70 mph on I-94 in Wisconsin, the smaller, operable sunroof above the front seats of our 2021 Kia Telluride suddenly exploded without warning. The sunroof was completely closed and flush with the roof, not tilted or vented. The sunshade was open, and the outside temperature was approximately 50â55 degrees. We heard an extremely loud bang resembling a gunshot. There was no apparent impact, no vehicles close enough ahead of us to have thrown debris onto the roof, and no bridge or overpass overhead that could have dropped an object onto the vehicle. The glass appeared to blow primarily upward and outward. When we stopped to inspect…
Sep 11, 2026Engine NHTSA Vehicle Safety Complaint â 2021 Kia Telluride I am the original owner of a 2021 Kia Telluride with approximately 78,000 miles. My vehicle has experienced recurring mechanical and drivability concerns, including an intermittent check-engine light, a previously reported camshaft-related diagnostic trouble code, and hesitation during acceleration. Of particular concern, there have been instances when I have pressed the accelerator pedal and the vehicle has hesitated before responding. This delayed acceleration creates a potential safety concern, particularly when entering traffic, merging, or navigating intersections where predictable engine response is essential. Additionally, the…
Oct 15, 2026Seats NHTSA Recall Number 26V430000.
Sep 25, 2026Engine I was attempting to accelerate on the freeway and the rpms kept going up but it felt like the engine didn't want to shift gears. Suddenly the rpms shot all the way up and then dropped to nothing and I was forced to coast off the freeway, thankfully we were by an exit. The vehicle had zero power and we were unable to move it off the road, despite assistance from passersby. The wheels were locked in place and would not move until the tow truck driver showed up and looked something up online to manually force the car into neutral. (Though it was displayed as being in neutral) This is a 2021 vehicle bought brand new and has been properly maintained. Approximately 2-3 weeks before this, my…
Sep 21, 2026Engine Vehicle was sitting all night and entered the garage in the morning and found the radiator fan at full speed. Car was not running, so backed it out, turned it off and the fan turned back on. Took it to a KIA dealer and kept it for a few days and just stated they couldn't duplicate the issue, although I couldn't get them to tell me technically what they checked. I kept the car parked outside for fear there might be an electrical issue and something overheats. Then was recently out and came out to my vehicle to find the fan running again. This time took multiple videos and it now consistently doing it. Took it home for the evening and disconnected the battery, and in the morning as soon as I…
Oct 1, 2026Seats Rear seats coming unlocked on there own and will not stay in locked position once pushed back into place this is the second row of seats motor of fold down button keeps running
Sep 4, 2026Engine On September 4, 2026, my son was driving our 2021 Kia Telluride on the highway at approximately 70 mph with cruise control engaged when the vehicle suddenly began making a clicking noise, followed by a catastrophic engine failure. We observed no oil-pressure warning or other advance dashboard warning before the failure. The sudden failure at highway speed created a significant safety risk. I am the original owner. The vehicle had approximately 115,000 miles at the time of failure. Its most recent oil change was performed on June 4, 2026, at 112,613 miles, approximately 2,400 miles before the incident. The servicing Kia dealership reported that the engine had a hole in it and essentially no…
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
