Kia Telluride reliability and problems by year
Owners have filed 2,033 complaints about the Kia Telluride with NHTSA since 2020, most often about other or unspecified and visibility and wipers. Kia has filed 4 warranty extensions and 13 service campaigns for it, and there are 19 safety recalls on file.
From NHTSA's public data files, downloaded 2026-10-10.
How reliable is the Kia Telluride? What NHTSA's records show
We don't give the Telluride a reliability score. NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. Here is what's on file for model years 2020 on.
- Owner complaints
- 2,033
- Filed with NHTSA, all model years
- Warranty extensions
- 4
- Filed by Kia
- Service campaigns
- 13
- Filed by Kia
- Safety recalls
- 19
- Each covers part of the model
Every model year compared
Complaints rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so a newer or rarer year will show fewer. Compare years of the Telluride with each other.
| Year | Complaints | Most named | Recalls | Warranty / campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 25 | Seat belts (28%) | 2 | 1 |
| 2025 | 116 | Engine (37%) | 3 | 2 |
| 2024 | 220 | Other or unspecified (29%) | 5 | 7 |
| 2023 | 207 | Other or unspecified (29%) | 6 | 6 |
| 2022 | 326 | Other or unspecified (25%) | 7 | 8 |
| 2021 | 368 | Other or unspecified (28%) | 5 | 6 |
| 2020 | 771 | Exterior lights (24%) | 7 | 10 |
Look up one model year, or a VIN
See the complaints, recalls and warranty extensions for a single Telluride model year, with the typical mileage when owners reported each problem.
Acknowledged by Kia
Warranty extensions and service campaigns Kia filed with NHTSA for the Telluride, in its own words. A warranty extension means Kia pays for the repair beyond the normal warranty.
- Warranty extensionSep 2026· Visibility and wipers· model years 2020–2022
OWNER NOTIFICATION (WTY049) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage to owners for specific repairs related to the front sunroof wind deflector on certain 2020-2022 MY Telluride vehicles manufactured from…
- Warranty extensionApr 2026· Engine· model years 2020–2025
OWNER NOTIFICATION (WTY045) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage, to all owners, for certain repairs related to an engine oil leak from the oil filter housing gasket in certain 2020-2025 MY Telluride…
- Warranty extensionSep 2024· Suspension· model years 2020–2024
SELF-LEVELING REAR SHOCK ABSORBER INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT (WTY040) - This bulletin provides information associated with the ‘Warranty Extension Program (WTY040)’ to inspect and, if necessary, replace the self-leveling rear shock absorber(s) on certain 2020-2024MY Telluride (ON)…
- Warranty extensionOct 2023· Exterior lights· model years 2020
WARRANTY EXTENSION: OWNER RE-NOTIFICATION - This document is the owner re-notification advising that Kia is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage for the halogen headlamp assembly in certain 2020 MY Telluride LX/S/EX vehicles from 5 years / 60,000 miles to 15 years…
- Service campaignAug 2026· Brakes· model years 2027
VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (SC377) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign on certain 2027 MY Telluride vehicles to adjust the brake booster pushrod.
- Service campaignFeb 2026· Electrical system· model years 2020–2025
VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: ECU EMISSIONS SOFTWARE LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SC357) - This bulletin provides information to upgrade the Engine Control Unit (ECU) system software to improve the emissions-related logic on 2020-2025MY Telluride (ON) vehicles equipped with the…
- Service campaignAug 2025· Electrical system· model years 2024
VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (SC344) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign to upgrade the software logic of the front radar system to prevent unnecessary reduction in vehicle speed by the Smart…
- Service campaignJun 2024· Electrical system· model years 2024
VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: STARTER SOLENOID POSITIVE (+) TERMINAL NUT RE-TIGHTENING (SC313) - This bulletin provides the procedure to re-tighten the starter solenoid positive (+) terminal nut on certain 2024MY Telluride (ON) vehicles produced from January 8, 2024 through…
- Service campaignJun 2024· Fuel and propulsion· model years 2024
VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: VCMC SOFTWARE LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SC311) - This bulletin provides information to upgrade the software on the Vehicle Charge Management System (VCMS) in certain 2022-2024MY EV6, EV6 GT (CV) vehicles produced from November 17, 2021 through December 27,…
- Service campaignMay 2024· Electrical system· model years 2020–2024
VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (SC301) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign to inspect and, if necessary, replace the wheel speed sensor(s) in certain 2020-2024 MY Telluride vehicles.
- Service campaignAug 2023· Electrical system· model years 2023
VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: POSITIVE BATTERY TERMINAL NUT RE-TIGHTENING (SC274) - This bulletin provides information to re-tighten the positive (+) battery terminal nut on certain 2023MY Kia Telluride (ON) vehicles produced from February 8, 2023 through May 22, 2023.
- Service campaignJan 2023· Engine and cooling· model years 2022–2023
VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: DRIVE BELT INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT (SC254) - This bulletin provides information to inspect and if necessary, replace the v-ribbed drive belt on certain 2022MY Telluride (ON) vehicles produced from September 10, 2021 through September 15, 2022*.
- Service campaignDec 2022· Electrical system· model years 2022
VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: HECU INSPECTION /REPLACEMENT (SC252A/B/C) - This bulletin provides information to inspect and, if necessary, replace the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) on certain K5 (DL3a) and Telluride (ON) and Sorento (MQ4a) vehicles produced on the dates…
- Service campaignAug 2022· Stability control· model years 2020–2022
VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: FRONT RADAR FCA/SCC MISDETECTION PREVENTION LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SC243) - This bulletin provides information to update the software logic of the Front Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) and Smart Cruise Control (SCC) system on certain 2020-2022MY…
- Service campaignMar 2020· Engine and cooling· model years 2020
PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: ENGINE COOLANT FILLING MODE- This Pitstop provides information regarding the âÂÂEngine Coolant Filling Modeâ under KDS âÂÂS/W Managementâ for some vehicles equipped with an Electric Thermostat (ECT).
- Service campaignJan 2020· Exterior lights· model years 2020
Product Improvement Campaign (PI2001) - TSB - LIGHT EMITTING DIODE (LED) HEADLAMP AIM INSPECTION AND ADJUSTMENT - This bulletin provides the procedure to inspect and, if necessary, adjust the headlamp aim on some 2020MY Kia Telluride (ON) vehicles equipped with Light Emitting…
- Service campaignJan 2020· Seats· model years 2020
VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN (SC183) - TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TELLURIDE OWNER'S MANUAL UPDATES - This bulletin provides information to (1) correct a typographical error on the Maximum Tongue Weight, and (2) add a Warning label to the manual regarding the adjustment of the 2nd…
What owners report most
The parts of the car owners named in their complaints, across every Telluride model year. Unverified, and not a failure rate.
- Other or unspecified478 (24%)
- Visibility and wipers347 (17%)
- Engine330 (16%)
- Electrical system293 (14%)
- Exterior lights185 (9%)
- Transmission and drivetrain177 (9%)
- Body and structure156 (8%)
- Automatic emergency braking and collision warning64 (3%)
Safety recalls
19 recalls cover at least one Telluride model year. Each covers a range of VINs, not every car. Check one car at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
The front power seat motor may overheat due to a stuck power seat slide knob or an improper recall 24V407 repair, which can result in a fire while parked or driving.
The driver seat belt emergency locking retractor may lock, causing the seat belt strap not to extend.
The rear center seat belt anchor buckle in the 2026 K4 and the third-row center seat belt anchor buckle in the 2027 Telluride may not latch properly.
Due to a manufacturing error, the driver and passenger seat back frame assemblies may fail to properly restrain occupants in a crash.
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).
The door belt molding trim can delaminate and detach from the vehicle.
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.
The intermediate shaft and right front driveshaft may not be fully engaged, which can result in vehicle roll away while in PARK.
The high beam headlights may fail.
The engine valve springs may break while driving, which can result in a loss of drive power and possibly create a hole in the engine block.
The instrument cluster may fail to display any information when the vehicle is started.
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.
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.
The vehicles may be equipped with an incorrect spare tire which, when installed, can impair the anti-lock braking system (ABS) and the traction control system (TCS).
Excess adhesive in a circuit board within the instrument cluster may cause the instrument cluster display screen to be blank.
And 4 more recalls on NHTSA.
NHTSA investigations
Defect investigations NHTSA opened. Many close without a recall.
- PE23002Preliminary evaluation· opened Jan 2023, closed Apr 2024· Exterior lights· model years 2020
Complete Loss of High Beams
Led to recall 24V148.
NHTSA's own page for the 2027 Kia Telluride has the complaint text and every document.
Was the work actually done on the car you're looking at?
Model-year records can't tell you about one car. A Kia service history check returns that vehicle's own dealer records by VIN.
Check a Kia's service historyCommon questions
Is the Kia Telluride reliable?
We don't score reliability: NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. What's on file for model years 2020 on: 2,033 owner complaints, 4 warranty extensions and 13 service campaigns Kia filed, and 19 safety recalls. The model years with the most complaints are 2020 (771), 2021 (368), 2022 (326). Whether a known problem was fixed on one car is what its service records show.
What are the most common problems with the Kia Telluride?
Across every model year since 2020, owners' complaints to NHTSA most often name other or unspecified (24%), visibility and wipers (17%), engine (16%). Kia has filed 4 warranty extensions covering the Telluride, listed on this page.
Which Telluride model years have the most complaints?
2020 (771), 2021 (368), 2022 (326). Complaint counts rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so compare years of the Telluride with each other rather than with other models.
Has Kia extended the warranty on the Telluride?
Yes: visibility and wipers (model years 2020–2022); engine (model years 2020–2025); suspension (model years 2020–2024), and 1 more. A dealer does a covered repair for free within the extended time or mileage.
How do I check recalls on a Telluride?
Enter the car's 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. That answers for one vehicle; the 19 recalls listed here are for the model, and each covers only part of it.