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2021 Kia Telluride: problems, recalls and reliability

5 recalls and 365 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is visibility/wiper (22% of complaints).

Data updated weekly · 20 new complaints in the last 90 days · latest recall Jul 2026

5
recalls
365
owner complaints
4
fire reports
8,000
typical failure mileage, mi

All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.

NHTSA crash testOverall ★★★★★Front ★★★★★Side ★★★★★Rollover ★★★★★
5-star NHTSA overall safety ratingWeak spot: visibility/wiper (22%)4 fire reportsProblems reported early (median 8,000 mi)

Common problems

Computed from 365 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.

Visibility/Wiper (windshield, wipers, defroster, mirrors)22% · 61 complaints
Engine (engine mechanics)19% · 53 complaints
Structure (body, frame, doors, rust)10% · 27 complaints
Electrical System (battery, wiring, electronics)8% · 23 complaints
Power Train (transmission, axles, driveline)7% · 20 complaints
Visibility (windshield, wipers, defroster, mirrors)7% · 19 complaints
“Every time the wiper blades are in intermittent mode they randomly stop at various spots on the windshield. I have to switch to low or high or turn them off completely for the motor to engage and work again.”Owner report · Visibility/Wiper · Sep 2026
“The sunroof on vehicle is not able to open/close correctly due to track/clips broken. Vehicle was purchased used January 2023. The sunroof has been used less than 5 times during this period. I spoke to a service advisor at the local dealership, Bulldog Kia of Athens , Ga. He confirmed that there is a continual issue with this and that He advises customers to NOT use the sunroof after 60,000 miles. With further research, Kia is aware of this issue and has yet to offer a solution. The cost to repair is $6000.00 for a new sunroof. There is a kit that could be used by dealers to repair.”Owner report · Visibility/Wiper · Aug 2026
“Sunroof broke when trying to open it. Now it's in the open, venting, position unable to close. Dealership can't look at it for a week so I'm risking water damage. Vehicle only has 31,000 miles on it and is just past the 5 yr warranty of course”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Aug 2026
Show 7 more owner reports
“Spontaneous shatter of sunroof. Danger to myself, passengers in the car, and others on the road. Insurance claim complete and the sunroof is now replaced/repaired No warning signs, no impacts prior or at the time of shattering. Glass puckered up as if pressure from the car caused the shatter rather than something external to the car.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Aug 2026
“Constant failure of the rear self leveling shocks there is tsb on the issue but manufacturer will only replace first set of shocks which causes the owner to pay every 20k plus miles for new rear shocks”Owner report · Suspension · Aug 2026
“The sunroof is stuck open and is loose on the tracks, if even on the tracks at all. Very dangerous, as it could fly off while I am driving. This is a common problem with the Telluride, and I believe it should be recalled.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Aug 2026
“While driving this vehicle in route to Philadelphia airport JFK, i experienced a total malfunction of the instrument cluster. All of the warning lights continued to go on and off and were illuminating on the cluster non stop along with a audible chiming, all of wich lasted the 3 hour trip. The car is available anytime. Warning lights/alarms were not only distracting but affected the spedometer which would shut down totally. No dealer or service center has been contacted yet.”Owner report · Forward Collision Avoidance · Jul 2026
“The contact owns a 2021 Kia Telluride. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V430000 (Seats). The contact was concerned about a vehicle fire. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired due to parts being on back order. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact had not experienced a failure.”Owner report · Seats · Jul 2026
“I opened my sunroof to let the heat out as we were getting back in after seeing a movie and the track popped and the sunroof glass was not broken, but not able to close because of the track. Kia dealership claimed not a warranty item and $7,000 to have fixed since it was the track that was faulty. Full mechanism needs replacing. Charged $250 for the diagnostic review and disabled the use of sunroof and moon roof until I pay to have the whole thing fixed. We were not driving when this happened. We were parked in a parking lot.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jul 2026
“The rear suspension on the car has completely failed. The car is extremely bouncy and would be unsafe for young children and elderly people.”Owner report · Suspension · Jul 2026

When filing, owners marked a crash in 7 of these complaints and injuries in 9 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.

Recalls - 5 campaigns

Driveshaft (power train)24V214000 · Mar 2024

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.

Remedy: 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.

Front passenger (air bags)21V164000 · Mar 2021

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."

Remedy: 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.

Power adjust (seats)24V407000 · Jun 2024

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.

Remedy: 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 adjust (seats)26V430000 · Jul 2026

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.

Remedy: 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.

Trailer hitches22V626000 · Aug 2022

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.

Remedy: 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.

Trouble codes owners mention

OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.

Specifications

Factory options offered for the 2021 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.

Drive type4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4 · 4x2

How other years compare

Counts are not adjusted for time on the road here - see all Telluride years ranked fairly for the age-adjusted comparison.

Check your exact Telluride by VIN

Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.

Open VIN decoder

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Kia Telluride reliable?

NHTSA has 365 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2021 Kia Telluride. The most complained-about area is visibility/wiper (22% of complaints).

At what mileage do 2021 Kia Telluride problems usually appear?

Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 8,000 miles or less.

Does the 2021 Kia Telluride have open recalls?

5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning power train. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.