2021 Kia Telluride Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2021 Kia Telluride ranks 2nd-worst of 6 model years with a complaint index of 80 and 365 NHTSA complaints, earning an Avoid verdict. Top issues are visibility/wipers (24%), engine (19%), and electrical (13%), plus 5 recalls including a seat-motor fire risk.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 80/100
- #2 of 6 Telluride years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 365
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 5
- 3 Park Outside
- Crashes
- 7
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 4
- Injuries
- 9
- Top issue
- Visibility & Wipers
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 22
- 19.5 city / 25 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 9 / 0
Top 2021 Kia Telluride problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Other103 (28%)
- Visibility & Wipers86 (24%)
- Engine70 (19%)
- Electrical System49 (13%)
- Structure & Body41 (11%)
- Transmission & Powertrain28 (8%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras24 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires22 (6%)
- Brakes15 (4%)
- Fuel System7 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Brakes reportedly lose pressure and drop to the floor, sometimes causing the vehicle to roll into a wall or garage before regaining braking power once shifted into park.
- Airbags failed to deploy in multiple reported crashes, including a broadside impact at over 40 mph and a frontal collision where automatic emergency braking also did not activate.
- Owners describe loud rattling noises from underneath the vehicle at highway speed, with parts reportedly falling off onto the road.
- Engine fires were reported both while driving and while the vehicle was parked and off, in one case tied to a rod bearing failure that caused an oil leak.
- Sudden unintended acceleration was reported while the vehicle was in the 'auto hold' position, leading to a rear-end collision.
2021 Kia Telluride recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 26V430000Jul 2, 2026Structure & Body462,869 vehiclesPark Outside
Seats:front assembly:power adjust
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.
Risk: 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 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.
- NHTSA 24V407000Jun 5, 2024Structure & Body462,869 vehiclesPark Outside
Seats:front assembly:power adjust
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 24V214000Mar 20, 2024Transmission & Powertrain427,407 vehicles
Power train:driveline:driveshaft
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.
Risk: 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.
2021 Kia Telluride fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19.5 MPG
- Highway
- 25 MPG
- Combined
- 22 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,950
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2021 compared with other Telluride years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2021 Kia Telluride reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2021 Telluride ranks 2nd-worst of the 6 model years tracked, with a complaint index of 80 and an Avoid verdict.
- What are the most common problems on the 2021 Kia Telluride?
- NHTSA complaint data shows Visibility & Wipers issues make up 24% of complaints, followed by Engine problems at 19% and Electrical System issues at 13%.
- Does the 2021 Kia Telluride have recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2021 Telluride, including a front power seat motor that may overheat and cause a fire, and an airbag occupant detection system issue.
- How does the 2021 Telluride compare to other model years?
- The 2021 has a complaint index of 80, worse than 2022 (60), 2023 (0), 2024 (40), and 2025 (20), but better than 2020 (100), which is the worst year.
- Are there engine fires reported on the 2021 Kia Telluride?
- Yes, NHTSA complaints include 4 fires tied to the Engine problem area, with owners reporting fires both while driving and while the vehicle was parked.