VehicleVerdict

2025 Kia Telluride problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Among the better years

The 2025 Kia Telluride is among the quieter years of the Telluride on NHTSA's books: 117 complaints (61% below the model's median year), 3 recalls, and no open investigations.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across engine (21), visibility & wipers (17), and other (16), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

117

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

5

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

7

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2025 compare to other Telluride years?

Telluride NHTSA complaints by model year, 2025 highlighted906 complaints2020: 906 complaints2021: 421 complaints2022: 403 complaints2023: 289 complaints2024: 299 complaints2025: 117 complaints2027: 12 complaints
Telluride NHTSA complaints by model year, 2025 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Telluride years to avoid →

What are the most common 2025 Kia Telluride problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine2118%
Visibility & Wipers1715%
Other1614%
Electrical System1311%
Driver Assistance87%
Transmission76%
Seats76%
Speed Control65%
Body & Structure54%
Steering54%
Fuel System33%
Brakes33%
Seat Belts22%
Lighting22%
Suspension11%
Airbags11%

Does the 2025 Kia Telluride have recalls?

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

26V105000SeatsFebruary 23, 2026 · 85,515 units

Defect

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 Telluride vehicles, equipped with power front seat(s). Due to a manufacturing error, the driver and passenger seat back frame assemblies may fail to properly restrain occupants in a crash.

Consequence

A seat back frame that fails to properly restrain an occupant during a crash increases the risk of injury.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the front seat back frame assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning April 24, 2026. Owners may contact Kia Customer Service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC362. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 9, 2026.

25V745000Tires & WheelsOctober 30, 2025 · 45 units

Defect

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 Telluride and 2026 Sorento vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with an incorrect spare tire which, when installed, can impair the anti-lock braking system (ABS) and the traction control system (TCS). As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

Consequence

Anti-lock braking or traction control systems that do not function properly can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the spare wheel and tire assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 3, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC355. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning November 13, 2025.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“While driving, alarm bells go off and the display reads “engine is off. Pull over and put in p/n”. Car maintains radio but engine is off until able to be restarted. Has happened twice and been brought to dealership twice. They say there is no code showing and send us home without repairs.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 23, 2026

“The front windshield cracked without any impact. We drove from Arizona to California and nothing hit our windshield or vehicle. We parked our vehicle and a visible spot and can see our vehicle at all times and we walked out and our windshield was cracked down the middle all the way into the driver…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · October 31, 2025

“I was driving down the highway at approximately 70 mph, and a deer ran into the front driver's side corner of the car. The airbag fortunately didn’t deploy, but the hood flew up and covered the windshield, blocking my ability to see. I was somehow able to pull the vehicle over without being able…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · April 26, 2026 · crash · fire

“When I was driving in a parking lot on 10/03/25 my car displayed a warning light that my engine was off and I needed to shift to neutral or park. This occurred 2 other times. I was parked at a light on 10/10 and when we left dinner and turned at a light it also shut off. This is a huge safety…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · October 3, 2025

“The contact rented a 2025 Kia Telluride. The contact stated that there was damage to the rear bumper upon retrieval. While using lane assist, traveling around a curve at 55 MPH, the steering wheel was pushing and pulling, and failed to turn and continued going straight; the vehicle crossed the…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · December 13, 2025 · crash

2025 Kia Telluride — common questions

Is the 2025 Kia Telluride reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 117 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Telluride year, with 3 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2025 Telluride problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (21 complaints), visibility & wipers (17 complaints), other (16 complaints).

Does the 2025 Kia Telluride have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2025 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 2025 Kia Telluride?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2025 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.