VehicleVerdict

2021 Kia Telluride problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2021 Kia Telluride sits mid-pack among Telluride years: 421 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 299, with 4 recalls and no defect investigations. Complainants reported 13 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across other (89), visibility & wipers (82), and engine (54), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

421

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

13

Crash-involved

4

Fires reported

13

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2021 compare to other Telluride years?

Telluride NHTSA complaints by model year, 2021 highlighted906 complaints2020: 906 complaints2021: 421 complaints2022: 403 complaints2023: 289 complaints2024: 299 complaints2025: 117 complaints2027: 12 complaints
Telluride NHTSA complaints by model year, 2021 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Telluride years to avoid →

What are the most common 2021 Kia Telluride problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Other8921%
Visibility & Wipers8219%
Engine5413%
Electrical System389%
Body & Structure307%
Driver Assistance307%
Transmission256%
Suspension174%
Brakes133%
Lighting102%
Fuel System72%
Steering51%
Seat Belts41%
Airbags41%
Seats41%
Speed Control41%
Tires & Wheels41%
Latches & Locks10%

Does the 2021 Kia Telluride have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

24V407000SeatsJune 5, 2024 · 462,869 units

Defect

Kia 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.

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.

24V214000TransmissionMarch 20, 2024 · 427,407 units

Defect

Kia 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.

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.

22V626000Trailer HitchAugust 15, 2022 · 36,417 units

Defect

Kia 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 harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.

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.

21V164000AirbagsMarch 11, 2021 · 142 units

Defect

Kia 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 the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“I don’t ever use my sunroof but noticed it was slightly open bc I saw light coming through. I tried to close it and it came off it’s track on one side. Given that the vehicle has had several recalls having to do with electronic features causing fires, I worry about this issue causing a fire.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · August 20, 2024

“A small foreign object hit our windshield and created a small chip on our brand new 2021 Kia Telluride (bought in April). When the repair company (that was sent out by insurance) came out repair the small chip the windshield cracked even further when the technician put pressure on the chip to…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · August 10, 2021

“Driving on the highway when all the lights on the dashboard came on and heard a loud sound. Pulled over and noticed flames coming out. The front part of the car 911 was called. An incident report was made. The flames were out quickly. The car was towed and is at the dealership.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 9, 2026 · fire

“09/26/2020, 2:30PM CST, WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN STATIONARY 'AUTO HOLD' POSITION, STEPPED ON ACCELERATOR, CAUSING VEHICLE TO LURCH FORWARD VIOLENTLY, RESULTING IN A REAR-END COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE IN FRONT OF TELLURIDE. FILED UNDER PROGRESSIVE CLAIM #201457380, 09/26/2020.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 26, 2020 · crash

“There were 2 lanes going in the same direction and I was on the right. The road was turning to the right and ended up hitting a car in the lane on the right. Road conditions were wet but no puddling. I depressed the brake pedal to reduce my speed for the turn, but and I kept going as if I hadn't…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · December 1, 2023 · crash

2021 Kia Telluride — common questions

Is the 2021 Kia Telluride reliable?

It is close to typical for the Telluride: 421 NHTSA complaints, 4 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2021 Telluride problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are other (89 complaints), visibility & wipers (82 complaints), engine (54 complaints).

Does the 2021 Kia Telluride have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2021 Kia Telluride. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Kia Telluride years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Telluride years to avoid are 2020. The cleanest record among Telluride years belongs to 2027.

How safe is the 2021 Kia Telluride?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2021 Kia Telluride earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.