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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

What owners actually said

360 reports
Mileage unknown · Jul 8, 2024
Visibility/wiper

Came outside and windshield had spontaneously cracked. No chip. No spider web. The windshield had just had several huge cracks in the middle of the windshield in front of the driver. The glass just fractured. Spontaneously. In my driveway. Not sure if due to temperature -- i had driven for an hour with the AC keeping the car c…

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Came outside and windshield had spontaneously cracked. No chip. No spider web. The windshield had just had several huge cracks in the middle of the windshield in front of the driver. The glass just fractured. Spontaneously. In my driveway. Not sure if due to temperature -- i had driven for an hour with the AC keeping the car comfortable at 70 degrees and parked, in my driveway, in the sun, and yes, it is 98 degrees outside. But whatever the reason, windshield just cracked! KIA dis-owning the problem. Despite many people here complaining of same problem.

NHTSA ODI #11600118

Mileage unknown · Jul 4, 2024
Suspension

Rear self leveling shocks failed, confirmed at 65,000 miles but issue had been present for months.

NHTSA ODI #11598814

Mileage unknown · Jun 18, 2024
Unknown Or Other

I am concerned with the solution to the vehicle recall. After taking care of the recall . You now have to disengage the parking break before driving the vehicle. What damage is happening if you do not do this or what potentially could happen if you do not disengage in the long run. Why was the engine not replaced?

NHTSA ODI #11595000

Mileage unknown · Jun 13, 2024
Unknown Or Other

Sunroof will not close. Arm malfunctioned. Taken to local dealer and awaiting instructions on further steps.

NHTSA ODI #11594194

Mileage unknown · Jun 9, 2024
Unknown Or Other

Sunroof exploded while driving on the highway.

NHTSA ODI #11593317

Mileage unknown · Jun 5, 2024
Engine

My car started having an oil leak on [XXX] of 2023 which is the date reported to Mark Martin Kia. They replaced the oil pan on [XXX] 2024 and said that the issue was fixed. I drove it home, and the next day oil was still coming from my engine. I took it back and they said that the housing was what was leaking. The tech told me …

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My car started having an oil leak on [XXX] of 2023 which is the date reported to Mark Martin Kia. They replaced the oil pan on [XXX] 2024 and said that the issue was fixed. I drove it home, and the next day oil was still coming from my engine. I took it back and they said that the housing was what was leaking. The tech told me that 10k parts were on backorder so I'd have to keep putting oil in until the part arrives. Over a month went by of me having to pour oil in. [XXX] was when they fixed it. [XXX] my engine is no longer functioning. Major nock. Needs replaced! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11592553

Mileage unknown · Jun 4, 2024
Electrical System

Driver's side door will lose power while in park or while driving. This causes the locks to not work and windows (driver's and passenger's) will not go up or down. The mirrors will not fold in. Lights on the door goes out. Controls goes completely unresponsible.

NHTSA ODI #11592316

Mileage unknown · Jun 4, 2024
Unknown Or Other

Sunroof on Kia Telluride will not close completely. Will begin closing and then will not set down into the closed position.

NHTSA ODI #11592315

Mileage unknown · May 29, 2024
Suspension

. Cannot drive the vehicle because the rear end bounces up and down and side to side violently making it difficult to control ehile driving. Kia dealership said rear shock absorbers need replacement and Kia warranty does not cover $1800 repair. Kia dealer said this has happened previously. There are many comments on the internet…

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. Cannot drive the vehicle because the rear end bounces up and down and side to side violently making it difficult to control ehile driving. Kia dealership said rear shock absorbers need replacement and Kia warranty does not cover $1800 repair. Kia dealer said this has happened previously. There are many comments on the internet from other Kia Telluride owners about the same problem. I opened a case with Kia Motor Company requesting they cover a portion of the repair given the numerous online complaints, and the obvious safety risks. They refused. Kia is clearly installing defective parts on this vehicle.

NHTSA ODI #11591240

Mileage unknown · May 21, 2024
Structure

Sunroof wind deflector snapped off after light use

NHTSA ODI #11589814

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.