2021 Kia Telluride problems and recalls

Owners filed 169 complaints on the 2021 Kia Telluride in the last three full years, out of 373 on record. The most cited component is the Unknown Or Other.

373
Complaints
5
Recalls
7
Crash reports
4
Fire reports
9
Injuries
39.1
Severity index

Severity index 39.1 Low. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 39.1p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 86 of 94 by severity index among 2021 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 9% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2021 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 105 complaints (28.2%)105 28%EngineEngine: 68 complaints (18.2%)68 18%Visibility/WiperVisibility/Wiper: 64 complaints (17.2%)64 17%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 42 complaints (11.3%)42 11%StructureStructure: 33 complaints (8.8%)33 9%Power TrainPower Train: 28 complaints (7.5%)28 8%VisibilityVisibility: 23 complaints (6.2%)23 6%Forward Collision Avoid…Forward Collision Avoidance: 22 complaints (5.9%)22 6%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
UNKNOWN OR OTHER10528.2%
ENGINE6818.2%
VISIBILITY/WIPER6417.2%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM4211.3%
STRUCTURE338.8%
POWER TRAIN287.5%
VISIBILITY236.2%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE225.9%

Complaints filed per year

0501002020: 172021: 522022: 352023: 362024: 722025: 612026: 100 (partial year)20212223242526100
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
202017
202152
202235
202336
202472
202561
2026 (year to date)100
Filings in 2023 to 2025 ran 1.6x those in 2020 to 2022 (169 against 104).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
21V16400011/03/2021AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULEKia 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
22V62600015/08/2022TRAILER HITCHESKia 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 har
24V21400020/03/2024POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFTKia 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.
24V40700005/06/2024SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUSTKia 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.
26V43000002/07/2026SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUSTKia 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.

Other Kia Telluride model years

Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 7 years side by side.

Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-10-23. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.