This page covers 4 recalls, 57 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2025 Kia Telluride.
20–22 mpg combined
10.7–11.8 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.
The 2020 to 2025 Kia Telluride received an overall rating of 5 stars from the NHTSA New Car Assessment Program for US-market vehicles. In detailed testing, the Telluride earned 4 stars in frontal crash protection, 5 stars in side crash protection, 4 stars in rollover resistance, and 5 stars in side pole crash protection. NHTSA applies these ratings across model years until a significant redesign occurs, so this rating covers the entire 2020 to 2025 range shown.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Complaints about the 2025 Kia Telluride cluster most noticeably around visibility and seating. On the visibility side, owners report windshield cracking more readily than they'd expect, often from minor road debris, and a handful of reports describe the hood releasing and blocking the driver's view during low-speed impacts. Seat-related complaints make up the second-largest named group, though the specifics vary across reports. The electrical system draws a smaller but notable share of complaints, with owners describing sudden loss of motive power accompanied by warning messages prompting a restart sequence; some say the vehicle restarts after multiple attempts while others report the issue couldn't be reproduced at the dealer. A few owners also describe adaptive cruise control applying the brakes unexpectedly, including in situations where no vehicle was detected ahead.
57
Total Complaints
3
Crash-Related
1
Fire-Related
3
With Injuries
By System
The 2025 Kia Telluride has 4 recalls, the most serious being a front seat defect on power seat-equipped vehicles where the seatback recliner can loosen and fail to hold an occupant in place during a crash, raising the risk of injury. Note that recalls 1 and 2 describe the same underlying seat recliner defect filed separately, and both apply only to vehicles with power front seats.
There is also a spare tire concern: certain vehicles were fitted with an incorrect spare tire that, when put into service, can interfere with the anti-lock braking system and traction control, reducing the vehicle's ability to stop or maintain grip on slippery surfaces. On the exterior, the door belt molding trim can delaminate and pull away from the body, sending a piece of trim onto the road where it can become a hazard for following traffic.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver and passenger seat back frame assemblies may fail to properly restrain occupants during a crash due to a manufacturing error.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the front seat back frame assemblies as needed at no cost.
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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 seatback recliners may not be properly manufactured, causing the seatback to loosen and shift during a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the front seatback frame assemblies if necessary.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The spare tire is incorrect and, when installed, can disable the anti-lock braking system and traction control system, reducing braking effectiveness.
What the fix does
Dealers will install the correct spare wheel and tire assembly at no cost to you.
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.
