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2021 Kia Telluride

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2021 Kia Telluride do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 215.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 40 of 360 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Visibility/wiper. Review the 63 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 62 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 40 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

7 crash reports4 fire reports7 injury reports

Unknown Or Other complaints

101 reports
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Mileage unknown · Mar 28, 2022
Unknown Or Other

Driving on smooth road about 40 mi/hr heard loud boom. Sunroof had broken, sounded like an explosion. No rain or anything overhead to cause breakage. Weather mild, above frost temp and overcast. Cover was closed so no glass in interior of car.

NHTSA ODI #11458647

Mileage unknown · Oct 8, 2021
Unknown Or Other

The sunroof exploded on us driving down the highway. We had the sunroof close, but the shade was open so glass fell down on us when driving. There was a loud pop when this happened, but we didn't see any objects flying towards our car before this happened. Looking this issue up, it appears to have happened to other owners of thi…

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The sunroof exploded on us driving down the highway. We had the sunroof close, but the shade was open so glass fell down on us when driving. There was a loud pop when this happened, but we didn't see any objects flying towards our car before this happened. Looking this issue up, it appears to have happened to other owners of this car. Glass hit me in the face while driving at highway speeds, luckily I remained in control of the car. There were no other symptoms prior to this happening, and the car was taken into the dealer for inspection afterwards.

NHTSA ODI #11436039

Mileage unknown · Oct 2, 2021
Unknown Or Other

3 cracks from separate small rock incidents in one week period on front windshield. Never had a crack on any of my cars in 10 years and in a week I got 3 different ones at different times with the Telluride.

NHTSA ODI #11435245

Mileage unknown · Aug 27, 2021
Unknown Or OtherInjury

Closed rear hatch door with button on dash (because button on hatch door only works if key is in hand)/walked back to rear of car to walk around/door was still closing and landed forcefully on my head, hitting it 3 times, with no ‘obstacle in path’ safety response, and knocking my feet out from under me, landing me on my butt/do…

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Closed rear hatch door with button on dash (because button on hatch door only works if key is in hand)/walked back to rear of car to walk around/door was still closing and landed forcefully on my head, hitting it 3 times, with no ‘obstacle in path’ safety response, and knocking my feet out from under me, landing me on my butt/door hit head so hard I saw stars, became light-headed, shot pain through my neck/left three bumps on my head, and a headache that has lasted for 3 days/If this had hit a child, we’d be having a much different conversation/The hatch never did release and return to an open position/It continued to close.

NHTSA ODI #11430741

Mileage unknown · Aug 13, 2021
Unknown Or Other

Speedometer, both analog and heads-up display failed to work while operating the vehicle. I pulled over to see if turning it off then back on would correct it, and it did not. I have a video I was unable to upload.

NHTSA ODI #11429059

Mileage unknown · Aug 3, 2021
Unknown Or Other

I was driving my car at about 35 mph when suddenly the window in the rear door behind the driver's seat exploded, crumbling into countless pieces and shards. I saw nothing hit the window. I called Murray Kia in Conshohocken, PA, today, who said he could do nothing to replace the window. He also tried to refute my statement th…

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I was driving my car at about 35 mph when suddenly the window in the rear door behind the driver's seat exploded, crumbling into countless pieces and shards. I saw nothing hit the window. I called Murray Kia in Conshohocken, PA, today, who said he could do nothing to replace the window. He also tried to refute my statement that the glass pieces had left about a dozen scratches in the paint. He had no idea what kind of glass Kia uses in these windows, despite the fact that he is David Murray, owner of the dealership. I believe this to be a safety issue and that Kia needs to correct their manufacturing processes. Tempered glass should not shatter unless defects develop during manufacturing and/or installation. Attached below are picture of the window frame with small pieces of glass to show that the glass is missing. We wrapped the window in plastic until the glass can be replaced.

NHTSA ODI #11427603

Mileage unknown · Jul 30, 2021
Unknown Or Other

Windshield cracked. No noticeable rock hit, but does have small pit near drivers side. Started small 4 “ or so, but now crack has grown across the whole drivers side. Directly in line of vision. Touching the windshield makes it crack more

NHTSA ODI #11427181

3,100 miles · May 11, 2021
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW REMAINED STUCK OPEN ABOUT 1 INCH WHEN DRIVER ROLLED DOWN WINDOW WITH SLIGHT TAP ON WINDOW SWITCH DRIVING MOTION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. WINDOW WOULD NOT GO UP OR DOWN WHILE IN MOTION WHEN USING SWITCH TO OPEN OR CLOSE WINDOW EVEN AFTER COMING TO COMPLETE STOP (ON SHOULDER OF ROAD) AND SHUTTING DOWN VEHICLE. WAS…

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DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW REMAINED STUCK OPEN ABOUT 1 INCH WHEN DRIVER ROLLED DOWN WINDOW WITH SLIGHT TAP ON WINDOW SWITCH DRIVING MOTION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. WINDOW WOULD NOT GO UP OR DOWN WHILE IN MOTION WHEN USING SWITCH TO OPEN OR CLOSE WINDOW EVEN AFTER COMING TO COMPLETE STOP (ON SHOULDER OF ROAD) AND SHUTTING DOWN VEHICLE. WAS ABLE TO FIX WHEN PUTTING VEHICLE IN ACCESSORY MODE (NOT RUNNING OR IN MOTION) AND PLACE HANDS GENTLY ON BOTH SIDES OF WINDOW TO GENTLY MOVE UP TO HIGHEST ALLOWED POSITION THEN CLOSE WINDOW WITH SWITCH. THIS FIXED THE PROBLEM AND WINDOW SWITCH OPERATED AS USUAL. VEHICLE MILEAGE WAS AROUND 3,100. WE BELIEVE THE CAUSE IS A SAFETY SENSOR IN THE WINDOW SWITCH COMPONENT THAT DETECTS OBSTRUCTION IN WINDOW WHICH STOPS WINDOW FROM OPERATING. READ OTHER FORUMS THAT STATED WINDOW GOT STUCK OPEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND WOULD NOT MOVE. THEIR FIX WAS TO OPEN SUN ROOF AND THEN SHUT DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW. THIS DID NOT WORK FOR US. HTTPS://TELLURIDEFORUM.ORG/THREADS/LESS-THAN-40-MILES-AND-THE-WINDOW-IS-BROKEN.912/ [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI #11416153

20 miles · Jan 28, 2021
Unknown Or OtherVisibility/wiper

THE KIA TELLURIDE HAS A SERIOUS ISSUE WITH AIR FLOW BETWEEN SECOND AND THIRD ROWS AND ON LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE OUTPUT FLOWS. IT MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO KEEP AIR FLOW EVEN IN THE CAR AND WITH CHILDREN IN THE CAR IT REQUIRES FREQUENT STOPS ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO ADDRESS THE TEMPERATURE ISSUES OR ME TRYING TO CHANGE IT WHILE DRIVIN…

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THE KIA TELLURIDE HAS A SERIOUS ISSUE WITH AIR FLOW BETWEEN SECOND AND THIRD ROWS AND ON LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE OUTPUT FLOWS. IT MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO KEEP AIR FLOW EVEN IN THE CAR AND WITH CHILDREN IN THE CAR IT REQUIRES FREQUENT STOPS ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO ADDRESS THE TEMPERATURE ISSUES OR ME TRYING TO CHANGE IT WHILE DRIVING WITH KIDS WHO ARE TOO HOT OR COLD AND HOPING I DON'T CRASH. IT'S A DANGEROUS SITUATION AND VERY INCONVENIENT. SECOND ISSUE IS THAT I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY NOT CLOSE TO ANY OTHER CARS AND I HEARD A FAINT NOISE AND IT LOOKED LIKE BIRD POOP BUT WHEN I LOOKED CLOSER I SAW A CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD. I HAVE DRIVEN FOR 22 YEARS AND HAD MUCH HARDER THINGS HIT A WINDOW WITHOUT BREAKING IT - WHATEVER DID HIT THE WINDOW WHICH WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO HEAR SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CAUSE DAMAGE. THIS CAR HAS FAULTY WINDSHIELD AND FAULTY VENTILATION SYSTEM IN LAST TWO ROWS.

NHTSA ODI #11390583

Mileage unknown · Dec 17, 2020
Power TrainUnknown Or Other

THE VEHICLE STARTED VIBRATING WITHIN A MONTH OF THE PURCHASE AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 60-80. SEVERAL TRIPS TO KIA WITH KIA TECH LINE AND THEY DENY THE VEHICLE HAS AN ISSUE. THEY SAID THE VIBRATION MEASURED WITH A PICOSCOPE WAS WITHIN THE NORMAL RANGE. AFTER FIGHTING WITH KIA CONSUMERS, I TOOK IT TO A DRIVESHAFT SPECIALIST FOR AN INDEP…

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THE VEHICLE STARTED VIBRATING WITHIN A MONTH OF THE PURCHASE AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 60-80. SEVERAL TRIPS TO KIA WITH KIA TECH LINE AND THEY DENY THE VEHICLE HAS AN ISSUE. THEY SAID THE VIBRATION MEASURED WITH A PICOSCOPE WAS WITHIN THE NORMAL RANGE. AFTER FIGHTING WITH KIA CONSUMERS, I TOOK IT TO A DRIVESHAFT SPECIALIST FOR AN INDEPENDENT DIAGNOSIS. THE FINDINGS FROM THE DRIVESHAFT SPECIALIST WERE QUITE ALARMING AND IT'S OBVIOUS KIA IS TRYING TO HIDE THE PROBLEM AND FORCING CUSTOMERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM TO LIVE WITH IT. DRIVESHAFT SPECIALIST TOLD ME THIS PROBLEM WOULD GET WORSE AND AFFECT OTHER AREAS OF THE VEHICLE. I HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING A KIA FORUM AND THEY ARE LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF TELLURIDE AWD'S WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. YESTERDAY I TRADED MY VEHICLE OFF AT A $6K LOSS SO I DID NOT HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE HEADACHES AND KEEP FIGHTING KIA. THIS IS NOT RIGHT TO CONSUMERS AND HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE THEIR 2020 AWD TELLURIDE. IT APPEARS TO BE A MANUFACTURING DESIGN FLAW. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE TEXAS ATTORNEY GENERAL #CGS-266219 IN OCTOBER. I HAVE FILED NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS WITH KIA CONSUMER ASSISTANCE CASE #13767404. THEY OFFERED ME $2500 AND WANTED ME TO SIGN OFF ON THE COMPLAINT. I HAVE NOT SIGNED ANYTHING OR RECEIVED ANY MONIES. I JUST LOST $6,000 BECAUSE OF THESE PEOPLE SO $2500 IS NOT COVERING MY LOSS. I HAVE RECENTLY RECOVERED FROM SURGERY, CHEMO, AND RADIATION AND DO NOT HAVE THE STRENGTH TO FIGHT THIS GIANT. THEY NEED TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. THERE IS A KIA FORUM ON VIBRATION WHERE THERE ARE LITERALLY SEVERAL HUNDRED PEOPLE WITH THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP US HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11383869

Official recalls

5

26V430000 · Seats:front Assembly:power Adjust

Jul 2, 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A fire increases the risk of injury.

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.

24V407000 · Seats:front Assembly:power Adjust

Jun 5, 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A fire increases the risk of injury.

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.

24V214000 · Power Train:driveline:driveshaft

Mar 20, 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A vehicle roll away increases the risk of a crash or injury.

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.

22V626000 · Trailer Hitches

Aug 15, 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

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.

21V164000 · Air Bags: Air Bag/restraint Control Module; Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification:front Passenger

Mar 11, 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."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification:front Passenger

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."

Consequence: 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.

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.

Air Bags: Air Bag/restraint Control Module

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."

Consequence: 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.

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.