VehicleVerdict

2023 Kia Telluride problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2023 Kia Telluride is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 5 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 289 owner complaints run below the Telluride median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across other (54), electrical system (48), and visibility & wipers (40), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

289

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

11

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

4

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2023 compare to other Telluride years?

Telluride NHTSA complaints by model year, 2023 highlighted906 complaints2020: 906 complaints2021: 421 complaints2022: 403 complaints2023: 289 complaints2024: 299 complaints2025: 117 complaints2027: 12 complaints
Telluride NHTSA complaints by model year, 2023 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Telluride years to avoid →

What are the most common 2023 Kia Telluride problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Other5419%
Electrical System4817%
Visibility & Wipers4014%
Driver Assistance2910%
Engine228%
Transmission217%
Speed Control145%
Body & Structure145%
Steering103%
Suspension83%
Fuel System83%
Seat Belts72%
Brakes62%
Seats31%
Airbags31%
Tires & Wheels10%
Lighting10%

Does the 2023 Kia Telluride have recalls?

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

25V494000Body & StructureJuly 28, 2025 · 201,149 units

Defect

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Telluride vehicles. The door belt molding trim can delaminate and detach from the vehicle.

Consequence

A detached trim piece can become a road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the belt molding trim assemblies as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 19, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC347.

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.

23V298000Electrical SystemApril 26, 2023 · 108,936 units

Defect

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Sportage, Sportage Hybrid, Sportage Plug-in Hybrid, Niro Hybrid, Niro Plug-in Hybrid, Soul, and Telluride vehicles equipped with a digital instrument cluster containing a 4.2" LCD screen.  The instrument cluster may fail to display any information when the vehicle is started.  As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 101, "Control and Displays," and 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."

Consequence

A blank instrument cluster display will not show critical information, such as tire pressure, warning messages, and warning lights, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will update the instrument cluster software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 26, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC270.

23V035000AirbagsJanuary 29, 2023 · 31,943 units

Defect

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Telluride vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the wire harnesses for the second row seat side air bags may become damaged, causing them not to deploy in the event of a crash.

Consequence

Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace, or secure the air bag wire harnesses, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 28, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC262.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“My Vehicle is about 2 months old and the windshield is cracked. Its very concerning because it seems as though the windshield is very fragile and this is a huge safety issue for myself as well as others who get into my vehicle. I took my vehicle to Kia and expressed my concerns and problem and they…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · June 9, 2023

“Contact states large metal vehicle door trim came off while driving, unknown if accident was caused or other damage to surrounding vehicles. Further states, noticed when large rubber-like molding under door trim was flapping and thunking against door. Contact says water now intrudes into vehicle…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 13, 2025 · crash

“My Vehicle is about 2 months old and the windshield is cracked. Its very concerning because it seems as though the windshield is very fragile and this is a huge safety issue for myself as well as others who get into my vehicle. I took my vehicle to Kia and expressed my concerns and problem and they…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · June 9, 2023

“The contact owns a 2023 Kia Telluride. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the instrument cluster displayed a blank screen. Additionally, the parking brake inadvertently engaged while driving. The Auto Start/Stop was intermittently inoperable, and the doors failed to…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · February 4, 2023 · crash

“The contact owns a 2023 Kia Telluride. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, she was flagged down by another driver who informed her that there was a fire near the rear exterior of the vehicle. The contact merged to the shoulder of the road and discovered that the fire had…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 10, 2024 · fire

2023 Kia Telluride — common questions

Is the 2023 Kia Telluride reliable?

It is close to typical for the Telluride: 289 NHTSA complaints, 5 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2023 Telluride problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are other (54 complaints), electrical system (48 complaints), visibility & wipers (40 complaints).

Does the 2023 Kia Telluride have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2023 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 2023 Kia Telluride?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2023 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.