KnownCarProblems2021 Kia Telluride Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 371 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Kia Telluride, most often about the other or unspecified (28% of complaints). It is the 2nd most complained-about Telluride model year since 2000 and has 5 recalls.
⚠ Safety advisory3 recalls for this car came with a park-outside warning. See below and check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Most common 2021 Kia Telluride problems
Other or unspecified
103 complaints · 28%Driver's side window remained stuck open about 1 inch when driver rolled down window with slight tap on window switch driving motion at highway speeds. Window would not go up or down while in motion when using switch to open or close window even after coming to complete stop (on shoulder of road) and shutting down…
Visibility and wipers
86 complaints · 23%Half of these problems showed up before 2,000 miles. Parts named most often: sun/moon roof assembly, windshield.
The windshield has a chip and 12-inch crack after 2000 miles of highway driving. There was a minor rock hit but nothing that should have caused this sort of issue.
Bought Kia Telluride 2021 in dec 2020, its windshield broke it self which appears to be frame stress related issue, dealership engineers came to the same conclusion. I researched more and found the same reported issues on year 2019 and 2020 Telluride. Looks like Kia has not fixed this critical defect and refusing to…
Engine
70 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 63,000 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system.
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Telluride. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the check engine warning light had previously illuminated; however, the warning light then turned off independently. The vehicle was taken to the…
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Telluride. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and turned off, there was smoke coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the engine located on the rear driver's side had caught on fire. The vehicle was extinguished by the fire department. A fire report was filed, and…
Electrical
42 complaints · 11%Parts named most often: instrument panel.
Last week the front collision warning and lane departure warning illuminated on the dash and today the windshield has a crack in it, nothing has hit the windshield it was parked in the driveway. 2021 s model 2800 miles on the clock
Driver's side window remained stuck open about 1 inch when driver rolled down window with slight tap on window switch driving motion at highway speeds. Window would not go up or down while in motion when using switch to open or close window even after coming to complete stop (on shoulder of road) and shutting down…
Body and structure
33 complaints · 9%Parts named most often: body.
While driving the vehicle on a rural highway, taking my children to school, I heard a loud pop noise coming from the top of the car. At the time this happened, the vehicle was on a straight section of the highway moving at approximately 55 MPH. The drivers side window was open slightly and often vibrates at certain…
While driving at highway speeds on the highway, we heard a loud crack and our sunroof burst open and showered US with temped glass. It was very startling and caused my wife to veer into the opposite lane momentarily. The sunroof burst open in an upward fashion. Nothing hit the sunroof glass. The weather was clear.…
Transmission
28 complaints · 8%Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
Driver assistance
23 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: warnings, automatic emergency braking, warning, blind spot detection.
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Telluride. The contact stated that while engaging the forward collision avoidance system per the manufacturerâs instructions, the forward collision avoidance system failed to engage. The contact stated that the forward collision avoidance system was inoperable. The contact stated that…
Suspension
20 complaints · 5%The contact owns a 2021 Kia Telluride. The contact stated that the passengerâs side drive shaft boot was leaking. The steering and mileage were affected by the failure. While making a turn, the steering wheel was readjusting. The accelerator pedal was depressed; after the pedal was released, the pedal jerked. There…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2021 Kia Telluride recalls
Seats: power adjust
Risk: A fire increases the risk of injury.
Fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will install an electronic fuse assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed august 13, 2026. Owners may contact kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is sc374. This recall replaces NHTSA recall number 24v407. Vehicles already repaired under the previous recall will need to have the new remedy completed. Vehicle identification numbers (vins) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning july 17, 2026.
Full defect summary
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 or an improper recall 24v407 repair, which can result in a fire while parked or driving.
Seats: power adjust
Risk: A fire increases the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Transmission: driveshaft
Risk: A vehicle roll away increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Equipment: trailer hitches
Risk: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: front passenger
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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."
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2021 Kia Telluride
- What are the most common problems with the 2021 Kia Telluride?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: other or unspecified (103 complaints); visibility and wipers (86 complaints, typically around 2,000 miles); engine (70 complaints, typically around 63,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2021 Kia Telluride have?
- 5 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from July 2, 2026 (seats). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2021 a bad year for the Kia Telluride?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about Telluride model year since 2000, with 371 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.