This page covers 5 recalls, 312 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2021 Kia Telluride.
21–23 mpg combined
10.2–11.2 L/100km
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 2 tested variants for this model year.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Complaints about the 2021 Telluride cluster most heavily around visibility and wiper systems, with the engine coming in second. On the visibility side, owners most commonly describe problems with the panoramic sunroof, clogged or failed drainage leading to interior water leaks, and in some cases the sunroof wind deflector detaching while driving and leaving the roof unable to close. Engine complaints center on oil leaks traced to the oil filter housing gasket, with owners finding significant oil loss on the ground and, in some cases, coolant levels dropping as a result. Structure complaints, while lower in volume, include reports of seat leather deteriorating and interior trim issues. A smaller number of owners also mention infotainment screens going blank and backup camera communication failures, though these appear less frequently than the sunroof and oil leak patterns.
312
Total Complaints
7
Crash-Related
4
Fire-Related
6
With Injuries
By System
The 2021 Kia Telluride has 5 recalls, with three posing a fire risk: a tow hitch harness that can short-circuit from moisture and debris, and a front power seat motor that can overheat if the seat slide knob sticks.
The seat motor fire risk deserves particular attention because an earlier repair attempt for this issue did not fully resolve it, and vehicles that received that prior fix may still be affected. In both cases, the overheating motor can ignite while the vehicle is parked or in motion. On the drivetrain side, the intermediate shaft and right front driveshaft may not be fully seated against each other, which can allow the vehicle to roll away even when the shifter is in PARK. This is a risk any time the vehicle is left unattended on any slope. The fifth recall involves the passenger seat sensor that determines whether a child restraint is in the front seat. If the sensor fails to detect a child seat, the front passenger airbag may deploy in a crash when the child is present, which can injure the child rather than protect them.
At a glance
What can fail
The front power seat motor can overheat if the power seat slide knob gets stuck or if a prior recall repair was done incorrectly, which may cause a fire.
What the fix does
Dealers will install an electronic fuse assembly at no cost to prevent the motor from overheating.
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front power seat motor can overheat if the power seat slide knob gets stuck, potentially causing a fire while the vehicle is parked or driven.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a bracket for the power seat switch back covers and replace the seat slide knobs at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The intermediate shaft and right front driveshaft may not fully engage, allowing the vehicle to roll when parked.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the electronic parking brake software and replace damaged intermediate shafts as needed, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Debris and moisture can accumulate on the tow hitch harness circuit board, causing an electrical short that may result in fire.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a new fuse and wiring harness extension, and inspect and replace the tow hitch harness assembly as needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The system that detects whether a child car seat is in the front passenger seat may fail to recognize it, potentially affecting airbag deployment.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the occupant detection system unit at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
