NHTSA (USA)Park Outside
At a glance
What can fail
This page covers 8 recalls, 181 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2023 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
Electrical and visibility issues dominate what 2023 Telluride owners report. On the electrical side, owners describe a range of problems including doors unlatching or showing as open while driving, warning lights triggering unexpectedly, and various sensor or module faults. Visibility complaints center heavily on windshields and windows cracking or shattering without impact, owners frequently report spontaneous windshield cracks originating at the edges, and side windows fracturing while driving at highway speeds. The powertrain draws fewer complaints but owners do mention transmission hesitation, unexpected lurching from a stop, and slipping without any warning light appearing. A smaller number of reports involve seatbelt retractors failing to spring back, particularly in second-row seating positions where the belt goes slack and won't pull tight again.
181
Total Complaints
5
Crash-Related
2
Fire-Related
3
With Injuries
By System
The 2023 Kia Telluride has 8 recalls, the most serious being two fire and rollaway risks: a power seat motor that can overheat and catch fire while parked or driving, and a driveshaft that may not fully engage, allowing the vehicle to roll away while in Park.
The seat motor fire risk deserves extra 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. On the occupant safety side, two recalls cover the second-row side airbags. In some vehicles the wiring harness for those airbags was damaged during manufacturing, while in others the wiring is simply too long and gets pinched or cut by the seat frame when the seat is folded or adjusted. Either way, the result is the same: the second-row side airbags may not deploy in a side-impact crash, and an airbag warning light may come on as an early sign of the problem.
Two structural recalls involve exterior trim pieces along the door beltline. The door belt molding can delaminate and pull away from the vehicle body, and a separate faceplate on the same trim strip can loosen and separate as well. Both pieces, once free, become debris in the road for other drivers. Finally, on vehicles equipped with a 4.2-inch digital instrument cluster, the screen can go completely blank at startup, leaving the driver without access to warning lights, tire pressure readings, or any other dashboard information while driving.
At a glance
What can fail
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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 →
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.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The exterior trim piece below the window on each door may not be properly attached, allowing the face plate to loosen and separate from the vehicle.
What the fix does
Kia will mail you instructions to visit a dealership, where they will replace the exterior trim piece below each door's window.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The trim molding that runs along the door edges can separate and peel away from the vehicle.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the trim molding and replace it if needed at no cost to you.
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
The digital instrument cluster screen may go blank when you start the vehicle, leaving you without dashboard information or tire pressure warnings.
What the fix does
Your dealer will update the instrument cluster software at no cost to restore normal display function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The wiring for second-row side airbags may be too long, allowing it to contact and damage when the seat is folded or adjusted. Damaged wiring could prevent the airbag from deploying in a side crash.
What the fix does
A technician will inspect the second-row side airbag wiring. Damaged wiring will be replaced; undamaged wiring will be secured to prevent contact with the seat frame.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Second row seat side air bag wire harnesses may be damaged during manufacturing, preventing the air bags from deploying in a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the wire harnesses and replace or secure them as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
