2021 KIA Telluride Problems and Recalls (352 Complaints)

The most-reported problem on the 2021 KIA Telluride is Glass / wipers / cameras (23% of 352 owner reports). There are 5 safety recalls. Check the VIN and inspect Glass / wipers / cameras — this is the NHTSA file, not a score.

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-09-07 352 complaints · 5 recalls

What problems show up on the 2021 KIA Telluride?

80 of 352 filings named Glass / wipers / cameras (23% of the file). That is what owners wrote, not a shop diagnosis of the vehicle in the driveway.

Second is Engine (48 reports).

There are 5 official safety recalls on this year. They were filed about Airbags and Transmission / driveline. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov — a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific truck.

The 2020 has 744 reports on file; this year has 352. A smaller lifetime total is not a clean bill of health. If you need a fairer comparison, use the equal-time view.

What to check before you buy a 2021 KIA Telluride

A useful visit to this page takes five minutes. YearTell does not score years and cannot see the vehicle in front of you.

  1. Look up the VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov. This year has 5 campaigns on file below.
  2. Glass / wipers / cameras. Check windshield, wipers and any camera or sensor the listing claims is there.
  3. Engine. Have a shop check for oil consumption, coolant leaks, rough idle and unusual engine noise.
  4. Body / frame. Look for rust, collision repair and body gaps that do not match a clean truck.
  5. Skim a few owner reports below for Glass / wipers / cameras. Look for the same symptom repeating.
  6. Take that list to a mechanic. Do not turn the complaint total into a score.

What owners reported

System named most often: Glass / wipers / cameras 80 complaints · 22.7% of the file
Crashes, fires, injuries and deaths in those filings:
  • Crashes 7
  • Fires 4
  • Injuries 9
  • Deaths 0
All KIA Telluride years →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Which systems owners named

Share of owner complaints filed against each vehicle system. These shares are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold.

Which systems owners named Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY) appears in 80 of 352 owner complaints (22.7%) in this vehicle snapshot. Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY): 80 complaints, 22.7% of reports Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY) 80 · 22.7% Engine (ENGINE): 48 complaints, 13.6% of reports Engine (ENGINE) 4 fire reports 48 · 13.6% Body / frame (STRUCTURE): 25 complaints, 7.1% of reports Body / frame (STRUCTURE) 25 · 7.1% Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN): 23 complaints, 6.5% of reports Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 23 · 6.5% Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM): 17 complaints, 4.8% of reports Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 17 · 4.8% Suspension (SUSPENSION): 16 complaints, 4.6% of reports Suspension (SUSPENSION) 16 · 4.6% Automatic braking / collision warning (FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE): 15 complaints, 4.3% of reports Automatic braking / collision warning (FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE) 3 crash reports 15 · 4.3% Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING): 9 complaints, 2.6% of reports Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) 9 · 2.6% Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES): 5 complaints, 1.4% of reports Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 1 crash reports 5 · 1.4% Unclassified NHTSA leftover: 168 complaints, 47.7% of reports Unclassified NHTSA leftover 4 crash reports 1 fire reports 168 · 47.7% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

“Unclassified NHTSA leftover” is not a car part. It is a filing bucket and always sits last.

View component data as a table
System / Component Complaints Share of Reports Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires)
Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY) 80 22.7% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Engine (ENGINE) 48 13.6% 0 crashes · 4 fires
Body / frame (STRUCTURE) 25 7.1% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 23 6.5% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 17 4.8% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Suspension (SUSPENSION) 16 4.6% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Automatic braking / collision warning (FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE) 15 4.3% 3 crashes · 0 fires
Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) 9 2.6% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 5 1.4% 1 crashes · 0 fires
Unclassified NHTSA leftover 168 47.7% 4 crashes · 1 fires
NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

When reports and recalls showed up

When owners filed reports, and when recall campaigns showed up.

When reports and recalls showed up Owner reports in this snapshot begin in Jul 2020; the first recall shown was reported in Mar 2021. 2020-Q3: 3 owner reports 3 2020-Q4: 14 owner reports 14 2021-Q1: 8 owner reports 8 2021-Q2: 15 owner reports 15 2021-Q3: 16 owner reports 16 2021-Q4: 13 owner reports 13 2022-Q1: 16 owner reports 16 2022-Q2: 10 owner reports 10 2022-Q3: 6 owner reports 6 2022-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2023-Q1: 8 owner reports 8 2023-Q2: 13 owner reports 13 2023-Q3: 7 owner reports 7 2023-Q4: 7 owner reports 7 2024-Q1: 12 owner reports 12 2024-Q2: 16 owner reports 16 2024-Q3: 26 owner reports 26 2024-Q4: 18 owner reports 18 2025-Q1: 10 owner reports 10 2025-Q2: 15 owner reports 15 2025-Q3: 17 owner reports 17 2025-Q4: 19 owner reports 19 2026-Q1: 21 owner reports 21 2026-Q2: 33 owner reports 33 2026-Q3: 27 owner reports 27 Owner reports Jul 2020 Jul 2026 Recall campaign 21V164000 ◆ Recall campaign 21V164000 Recall campaign 22V626000 ◆ Recall campaign 22V626000 Recall campaign 24V214000 ◆ Recall campaign 24V214000 Recall campaign 24V407000 ◆ Recall campaign 24V407000 Recall campaign 26V430000 ◆ Recall campaign 26V430000
  • Campaign 24V214000 was reported 1,214 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 24V407000 was reported 1,347 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 26V430000 was reported 2,104 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
View timeline records as a table
Date Record type Count Record identifier
2020-Q3 Owner reports 3
2020-Q4 Owner reports 14
2021-Q1 Owner reports 8
2021-Q2 Owner reports 15
2021-Q3 Owner reports 16
2021-Q4 Owner reports 13
2022-Q1 Owner reports 16
2022-Q2 Owner reports 10
2022-Q3 Owner reports 6
2022-Q4 Owner reports 2
2023-Q1 Owner reports 8
2023-Q2 Owner reports 13
2023-Q3 Owner reports 7
2023-Q4 Owner reports 7
2024-Q1 Owner reports 12
2024-Q2 Owner reports 16
2024-Q3 Owner reports 26
2024-Q4 Owner reports 18
2025-Q1 Owner reports 10
2025-Q2 Owner reports 15
2025-Q3 Owner reports 17
2025-Q4 Owner reports 19
2026-Q1 Owner reports 21
2026-Q2 Owner reports 33
2026-Q3 Owner reports 27
Recall campaign 1 21V164000
Recall campaign 1 22V626000
Recall campaign 1 24V214000
Recall campaign 1 24V407000
Recall campaign 1 26V430000
NHTSA Safety Recalls Snapshot 2026-09-06 Open source record

Safety Recalls (5)

Official campaigns. Each one says what could go wrong and what the dealer was told to fix.

In short, these campaigns were filed about Airbags and Transmission / driveline.

  1. Recall campaign 21V164000

    Airbags

    Report date
    Component:
    Airbags (AIR BAGS)
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  2. Recall campaign 22V626000

    Safety recall 22V626000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  3. Recall campaign 24V214000

    Transmission / driveline

    Report date
    Component:
    Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  4. Recall campaign 24V407000

    Safety recall 24V407000

    Report date
    Component:
    Unclassified NHTSA leftover
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  5. Recall campaign 26V430000

    Safety recall 26V430000

    Report date
    Component:
    Unclassified NHTSA leftover
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

What owners actually wrote

Short excerpts from the public NHTSA file. Look for the same symptom repeating.

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-09-07
Safety incident filters
Showing 4 of 352 complaints · page 1 of 15
2026-09-02Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 11761741
CrashFireInjuryDeath
After receiving a Kia‑issued transmission control module (TCM) software update, my 2021 Kia Telluride experienced a severe and dangerous transmission malfunction while descending a high mountain pass in Colorado. When I attempted to downshift for engine braking, 3rd gear completely disengaged, causing the vehicle to accelerate uncontrollably downhill. None of the lower gears would engage or hold as they had prior to the software update. This forced me to slam on the brakes and ride them continuously down the mountain, creating a serious loss‑of‑control hazard and risk of brake failure. Downshifting is essential for safe descent on steep grades, and the vehicle’s inability to do so created an extremely dangerous situation. The issue was duplicated by the Kia dealership technicians, and Kia field engineers have confirmed awareness of the problem. Despite this, Kia Corporate refuses to authorize transmission replacement or reversal of the software update, leaving the vehicle in an unsafe condition. This is a critical safety defect involving gear disengagement, loss of engine braking, unintended acceleration, and brake‑dependent descent control. The vehicle is unsafe to operate on mountain roads, and Kia has declined to perform the necessary repairs.
2026-08-29Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 11760550
CrashFireInjuryDeath
I had recall 26V430000 service performed at: Regal Kia [XXX] After the work was performed, both front power seats were inoperative. I was never informed by the service rep that the power seats were inoperative. I received a text of the multi-point inspection which included a quote for $546.87 for both front seat power switches. Never had the service rep discuss this with me while I was at Regal Kia, but reviewing my invoice at home I saw where the technician stated the power seats were inoperative after performing the recall SC374 service. The technician stated after following the applicable TSB for the recall they recommend replacement of both power seat switches at a cost of of $546.87 which Regal Kia wanted me to pay. It appears the TSB maybe doesn’t resolve the issue or perhaps a technician error during installation. I contacted Kia Customer Care ([XXX]) to see if I could have a local repair shop review the repair. They said only a dealership could do recall repairs. They recommended the next closest dealership in [XXX], but it is a one hour drive for me. They assigned case XXX and said they would contact Regal Kia and someone would call me back. I received no return call. I share the vehicle with my wife and she is now unable to adjust the driver seat to a comfortable and safe position. Why I was never informed prior to leaving Regal Kia is unacceptable as seat position is very important while driving. As both fronts seats were operative prior to the recall work, I don’t believe I should be responsible for the cost of new switches. As my power seats no longer work, I do not believe Regal Kia resolved the recall 26V430000 issue without cost to me. I would like to formally file a complaint against Regal KIA for not correcting the recall issue without cost to vehicle owner. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2026-08-29Suspension (SUSPENSION)
NHTSA ODI 11760537
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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
2026-08-26Body / frame (STRUCTURE)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 11759860
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Vehicle sunroof came off track on July 22, 2025. Possibly by the fault of the customer. Customer sought repair. Authorized Kia dealer recommended complete replacement of sunroof. On August 29, 2025, Customer paid authorized Kia dealer to replace sunroof with official Kia parts. On June 25, 2026, sunroof broke again through no fault of the customer. Wind deflector arms broke, got stuck open, and caused the glass to go off-track, rendering the sunroof inoperable and completely ruined. Took the vehicle to the same Kia dealer that repaired the sunroof originally. Even though the vehicle was within the 12 month warranty, it was over the 12,000 mile warranty, and Kia would not fix the sunroof. We opened a complaint with Kia Customer Care, and they did not resolve the issue for two months. Our claim was denied. We cannot afford to fix the sunroof again after 10 months, and if we do, we are concerned about it malfunctioning again. I am concerned that the sunroof glass could come dislodged while driving and strike another vehicle or cause a collision.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems on the 2021 KIA Telluride?

Owners named Glass / wipers / cameras most often — 80 of 352 reports (23%). That is the NHTSA file, not a diagnosis of every vehicle.

Are there recalls for the 2021 KIA Telluride?

NHTSA lists 5 safety recall campaigns. They were filed about Airbags and Transmission / driveline. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov; a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific vehicle.

What should I inspect before buying a 2021 KIA Telluride?

Look up the VIN for open recalls. Check windshield, wipers and any camera or sensor the listing claims is there. Then skim owner filings for the same symptom and take that list to a mechanic.

Does a high complaint count mean I should skip this year?

No. Counts are reports people chose to file and they are not adjusted for sales volume. YearTell does not publish scores or a list of years to skip. Inspect the vehicle.

EPA Fuel Economy Database Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record

Estimated Ownership Cost

EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates

Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-08-21
Supported range: 1,000–60,000 miles per year
Supported range: $1.50–$10.00 per gallon
55% city45% highway
Estimate unavailable

EPA fuel-economy data is unavailable for this vehicle.

No estimate is shown when required EPA values are unavailable.

 Open Ownership Cost Calculator →

Adjacent Model Years

Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Methodology & Data Integrity

Source: NHTSA ODI / recalls, snapshot 2026-09-07. YearTell is not a government agency.

Read our complete data methodology → Sources