Kia Telluride Best and Worst Years (2020–2025)
The 2020 and 2021 Kia Telluride are the years to avoid, with complaint indexes of 100 and 80, the highest in the lineup, driven by electrical, visibility, and engine complaints. The 2025 Telluride rates Best with the lowest complaint index of 20.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
- Model years
- 6
- 2020–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 1,987
- Recall campaigns
- 17
- Crashes reported
- 39
- Fires reported
- 23
- Top problem area
- Electrical System
Telluride Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Kia Telluride problems and recalls by year
Telluride years to avoid: what went wrong
2020 Kia Telluride Index 100 · 761 complaints · 7 recalls
The 2020 Telluride has the highest complaint index in the lineup at 100 and leads with 761 complaints and 7 recall campaigns. Electrical System problems account for 31% of its complaints, with a median failure mileage of 7,976 miles. Engine complaints make up 21%, with failures reported around 76,500 miles. Visibility & Wipers issues, 20% of complaints, surfaced at a median of 4,650 miles. Owners also reported airbags not deploying in crashes and unintended acceleration while idling. Structure & Body recalls cover front power seat motors that can overheat and a driveshaft engagement issue tied to rollaway risk.
2020 electrical system problems →2020 engine problems →2020 visibility & wipers problems →
2021 Kia Telluride Index 80 · 365 complaints · 5 recalls
The 2021 Telluride has a complaint index of 80, second-highest in the lineup, with 365 complaints and 5 recall campaigns. Visibility & Wipers problems are the top area at 24% of complaints, occurring at a median of 1,900 miles. Engine complaints follow at 19%, with a much higher median mileage of 72,000. Electrical System issues, 13% of complaints, appeared at a median of 2,950 miles. Owners reported brake pressure loss leading to crashes and airbags failing to deploy during collisions. It shares the same seat-motor fire and driveshaft rollaway recalls as the 2020 model.
2021 visibility & wipers problems →2021 engine problems →2021 electrical system problems →
Most common Kia Telluride problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Electrical System477 (24%)
- Other475 (24%)
- Visibility & Wipers420 (21%)
- Engine384 (19%)
- Structure & Body212 (11%)
- Transmission & Powertrain170 (9%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras102 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires79 (4%)
- Brakes68 (3%)
- Fuel System44 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What Kia Telluride years should I avoid?
- NHTSA data points to the 2020 and 2021 Telluride as the years to avoid, with complaint indexes of 100 and 80, the two highest of the six model years covered.
- Which Kia Telluride year is best?
- The 2025 Telluride is rated Best, with the lowest complaint index of 20 among all years and only 113 total complaints.
- Why are the 2023 and 2024 Telluride rated Caution instead of Good?
- Both years have complaint indexes of 0 and 40, but each carries a verdict cap to Caution because of a Do Not Drive or Park Outside recall.
- What is the most common problem across all Telluride years?
- Electrical System complaints are the largest category overall, totaling 477 complaints and 24% of all reported issues across 2020-2025.
- Does the Kia Telluride have any recall campaigns related to fire risk?
- Yes, recall 24V407000 and 26V430000 cover a front power seat motor that may overheat and cause a fire, affecting 2020-2024 Telluride vehicles, with owners advised to park outside and away from structures.