Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2021 Kia Telluride, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Unknown or other105
- Engine68
- Visibility/wiper64
- Electrical system42
- Structure33
- Power train28
- Visibility23
- Forward collision avoidance22
- Suspension20
- Service brakes14
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 9 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 26 2021 Telluride vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 10 people died inside them, and 4 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2021 Kia Telluride failed the safety check 0.96% of the time — 2% more often than the average 2021 passenger car (0.95%). Median odometer at inspection: 33,784 miles.
19,106first inspections
0.96%failed on safety
33,784 mimedian odometer
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-star results for 2 variants; 2 of 2 rated variants score five stars overall. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Variant | Overall | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 Kia Telluride SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | 14.3 % |
| 2021 Kia Telluride SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | 15.5 % |
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
- Forward collision warning
- Standard
- Lane departure warning
- Standard
- Best overall rating
- 5 / 5
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 1 variant: combined 11.3 L/100 km (about 21 mpg US), CO₂ 265 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Telluride AWD · Sport utility vehicle: Small · Regular gasoline | 12.6 | 9.7 | 11.3 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
6 Transport Canada recalls for the 2021 Kia Telluride.
| 2026327 3 Jul 2026 | Electrical Issue: On certain vehicles, the recall repairs completed by a Kia dealer during service campaign RC207 (Transport Canada recall number 2024-323) may not have … |
| 2024549 15 Aug 2024 | Label Issue: On certain vehicles, the compliance label may be missing information in French. The words listed on the label for "Tires", "Rims", "Front" and "Rear" a… |
| 2024323 6 Jun 2024 | Electrical Issue: Under certain conditions, the switch for the driver- and/or passenger-front power seat motor(s) could become stuck and cause the seat motor(s) not to s… |
| 2024187 22 Mar 2024 | Powertrain Issue: On certain vehicles, the axle shaft(s) may not have been manufactured properly. As a result, the axle shaft(s) splines could become damaged. If this ha… |
| 2022468 16 Aug 2022 | Accessories Issue: Certain vehicles may be equipped with a 4-pin accessory trailer wiring harness kit that could fail. Over time, this could result in a short circuit tha… |
| 2021187 23 Mar 2021 | Other Issue: On certain vehicles, the owner's manual is missing information for how a person can contact Transport Canada to report a safety concern. As of Septembe… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
26V430000 · Seats2 Jul 2026 · 462,869 vehicles
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.
24V407000 · Seats5 Jun 2024 · 462,869 vehicles
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.
24V214000 · Power train20 Mar 2024 · 427,407 vehicles
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.
22V626000 · Trailer hitches15 Aug 2022 · 36,417 vehicles
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.
21V164000 · Air bags11 Mar 2021 · 142 vehicles
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."
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Kia told its dealers about the 2021 Kia Telluride: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 11008052 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: SELF-LEVELING REAR SHOCK ABSORBER INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT (WTY040) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information associated with the Warranty Extension Program (WTY040) to inspect and, if necessary, replace the self-leveling rear shock absorber(s) on certain 2020-2024MY Telluride (ON) vehicles manufactured from January 10, 2019 through September 14, 2023, AND equipped with self-leveling rear shock |
| 11007862 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SELF-LEVELING REAR SHOCK ABSORBER INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT (WTY040) - This bulletin provides information associated with the Warranty Extension Program (WTY040) to inspect and, if necessary, replace the self-leveling rear shock absorber(s) on certain 2020-2024MY Telluride (ON) vehicles manufactured from January 10, 2019 through September 14, 2023, AND equipped with self-leveling rear shock absorber(s) produced through June 04, 2023. The term of the warranty is being extended from 5 years / 60,000 miles to 15 years / 180,000 miles, whichever comes first, starting from |
| 11007164 | This Pitstop provides information regarding the disposal of the headlamp assembly desiccant/absorbent pack(s) on some 2020-2024MY Telluride (ON) vehicles equipped with either Halogen or LED lamps. The headlamp desiccant pack(s) may expand over time during normal vehicle operation. Desiccant pack expansion is normal. Desiccant packs are a consumable part and once the pack has fully expanded, it is no longer a functioning part. If the desiccant pack/bracket is determined to be expanded as shown below, it is recommended to be removed from the dust cap and then be discarded without a required repl |
| 11006805 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SUBSEQUENT REPAIR ACTION: RIGHT FRONT DRIVESHAFT INSPECTION AND REPLACEMENT (SC303Z) - This bulletin provides information to inspect and, if necessary, replace the right front driveshaft on certain 2020-2024MY Telluride (ON) vehicles manufactured from January 9, 2019 through October 19, 2023 that previously had the campaign SC303 completed. |
| 11006430 | WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT FORM (WTY040) - This document is a Reimbursement Request form that was mailed with the customer letter advising them to submit the form if they had paid for repairs for this same matter prior to the warranty extension campaign program launch. |
| 11006429 | WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: QUESTION AND ANSWER (WTY040) - This document is the Question and Answer Guide containing the most frequently asked questions regarding the Warranty Extension Campaign WTY040. |
| 11006428 | WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (WTY040) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage, to all owners, for repairs related to noisy and/or stiff self-leveling rear shock absorber(s) in 2020-2024 MY Telluride vehicles produced through September 14, 2023, AND equipped with one or both self-leveling rear shock absorber(s) produced through May 12, 2023. The term of the warranty is being extended from 5 years / 60,000 miles to 15 years / 180,000 miles, whichever comes first, starting from the date the vehicle was f |
| 11006427 | WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: DEALER PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGER MEMO (WTY040) - This document is the announcement to the dealer Parts and Service managers advising that Kia is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage, to all owners, for repairs related to noisy and/or stiff self-leveling rear shock absorber(s) in 2020-2024 MY Telluride vehicles produced through September 14, 2023, AND equipped with one or both self-leveling rear shock absorber(s) produced through May 12, 2023. The term of the warranty is being extended from 5 years / 60,000 miles to 15 years / 180,000 miles, whichever |
| 11006426 | WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO (WTY040) - This document is the announcement to the dealer principals advising that Kia is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage, to all owners, for repairs related to noisy and/or stiff self-leveling rear shock absorber(s) in 2020-2024 MY Telluride vehicles produced through September 14, 2023, AND equipped with one or both self-leveling rear shock absorber(s) produced through May 12, 2023. The term of the warranty is being extended from 5 years / 60,000 miles to 15 years / 180,000 miles, whichever comes first, starting from the |
| 11005362 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SUBSEQUENT REPAIR ACTION: WHEEL SPEED SENSOR REPLACEMENT (SC301Y) - This bulletin provides information related to the Technical Service Bulletin previously published under SC301, titled WSS Software Upgrade. |
| 11000787 | This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission is replaced. |
| 11000304 | VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (SC301) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign to inspect and, if necessary, replace the wheel speed sensor(s) in certain 2020-2024 MY Telluride vehicles. Kia will also update the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) software with improved logic. |
| 11000300 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: WSS SOFTWARE UPGRADE (SC301) - This bulletin provides information to update the Wheel Speed Sensor (WSS) software on certain 2020-2024MY Telluride (ON) vehicles manufactured from January 9, 2019 through March 10, 2024. |
| 11000155 | VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: QUESTION AND ANSWER (SC301) - This document is the Question and Answer Guide containing the most frequently asked questions regarding the Voluntary Service Campaign SC301. |
| 11000153 | VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: DEALER PARTS & SERVICE MANAGERS MEMO (SC301) - This document is the announcement to the dealer Parts and Service Managers that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign on all 2020-2023 MY and certain 2024 MY Telluride vehicles manufactured from January 9, 2019 through March 10, 2024. |
| 11000143 | VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO (SC301) - This document is the announcement to the dealer principals that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign on all 2020-2023 MY and certain 2024 MY Telluride vehicles manufactured from January 9, 2019 through March 10, 2024. |
| 10253007 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: 4WD COUPLING NOISE INSPECTION AND SNAP RING REPLACEMENT - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information to inspect for a knocking/clicking noise present in the rear of the vehicle during low-speed driving (25MPH or less) on some 2020-2022MY Kia vehicles equipped with All Wheel Drive (AWD). The 4WD coupling snap ring may have excessive play between the drive gear set shaft and coupling flange. |
| 10250517 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: AVN 5.0 WIDE NON-RESPONSIVE RADIO ICON (AM, FM, SXM) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information to update the software on 5th Generation AVN wide on certain 2020-2024MY Kia vehicles (refer to model list on page 3) to remedy a 'non-responsive' or 'inoperative' radio (FM, AM, SXM, etc. ) concern. The affected AVN unit on the vehicles may not respond when pressing the 'RADIO' hard key/button on the AVN unit or when selecti |
| 10249179 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: DATC HEATER OPERATION LOGIC IMPROVEMENT - This bulletin provides information to upgrade the air condition (AIRCON) software logic on certain 2020-2023MY Telluride (ON) vehicles equipped with Dual Air Temperature Control (DATC), produced from January 9, 2019 through June 6, 2023. The affected vehicles may exhibit temporarily reduced heater performance in cold climates, especially during prolonged idle operation or coasting. |
| 10247556 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: AVN 5.0 WIDE SCREEN FREEZING OR MAP DELAY WITH WIRED APPLE CARPLAY - This bulletin provides information to update the software on 5th Generation AVN wide on certain 2020-2023MY Kia vehicles to remedy an inaccurate map location, freezing AVN screen, or experiencing a delay when using Google Maps or Waze through wired Apple CarPlay. |
| 10245266 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: 4WD COUPLING NOISE INSPECTION AND SNAP RING REPLACEMENT - This bulletin provides information to inspect for a knocking/clicking noise present in the rear of the vehicle during low-speed driving (25MPH or less) on some 2020-2022MY Kia vehicles equipped with All Wheel Drive (AWD). The 4WD coupling snap ring may have excessive play between the drive gear set shaft and coupling flange. |
| 10243928 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: UNEVEN/SLIPPERY ROAD WARNING DISPLAYED ON INSTRUMENT CLUSTER - This bulletin provides information to update the software on 5th Generation AVN wide on certain 2020-2023MY Kia vehicles (refer to model list on page 3) to remedy a warning sound accompanied by a 'Slippery road ahead. Drive carefully' or 'Uneven road ahead. Drive carefully' warning which is displayed on the instrument cluster. The current AVN software causes the warning sound and message to repeat approximately every ten (10) seconds, if the vehicle is not in motion, in 'PARK' or driving on even surfaces |
| 10242913 | PITSTOP: AWD SYSTEM CONCERN DUE TO TIRE CIRCUMFERENCE - This Pitstop provides information regarding potential concerns with the All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) system due to tire sizes of differing circumference. Some customers may complain of a chatter sensation felt in the drivetrain of the vehicle and/or the failure of drivetrain component(s). A difference in tire size (width, aspect ratio, construction, rim diameter etc.) may be the cause. |
| 10240758 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE REMINDER SETTING RESET PROCEDURE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information regarding the service reminder setting, which may have been auto-set by the Kia Vehicle Inspection and Delivery application (KVID) at time of Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI). Beginning with the 2023MY, Oil Life Monitoring (OLM) has been applied to all models, except Forte (BDm), Stinger (CK), Telluride (ON) and Soul (SK3). Refer to TSB ENG24 |
| 10239753 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: REAR SHOCK ABSORBER ASSEMBLY NOISE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information to replace the rear self-leveling shock insulator and locking nut on some 2020-2021MY Telluride (ON) vehicles produced from January 1, 2019 through December 1, 2020 which may exhibit noise from the rear of the vehicle while driving over bumps or on a bumpy road. Replacing the insulator instead of the complete rear shock assembly is recommended t |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)