2021 Kia Telluride Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
BestComplaint Index
20/100
#5 most-complained of 6 Telluride years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2021 Kia Telluride ranks Best among the 6 model years, with a Complaint Index of 20 and 365 NHTSA complaints. Top problem areas are Visibility & Wipers (24%) and Engine (19%), with 5 recalls on file.
- Complaints
- 365
- Recalls
- 5
- Crashes / fires
- 7 / 4
- Injuries / deaths
- 9 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 22
- 19.5 city / 25 hwy
Top 2021 Kia Telluride problems
NHTSA owner 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%)
What owners report
- Brakes reportedly lose pressure and drop to the floorboard, sometimes while parking or slowing in a garage, leading to low-speed collisions.
- Some drivers report the vehicle lurching forward on its own while stationary in 'auto hold' before braking was applied.
- Airbags did not deploy in multiple reported crashes, including a 40mph broadside impact and a 70mph tree collision.
- 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 parked with smoke coming from the rear driver's side and while driving, in one case tied to a rod bearing failure with oil leakage.
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 has a Complaint Index of 20, the lowest among the 6 model years, earning a 'Best' verdict relative to other Telluride years.
- What problems does the 2021 Kia Telluride have?
- The top reported problem area is Visibility & Wipers, at 24% of complaints (86 complaints), followed by Engine issues at 19% (70 complaints), which included 4 reported fires.
- Does the 2021 Kia Telluride have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2021 Telluride, including a power seat motor overheating/fire recall, a driveshaft engagement issue affecting PARK, and an airbag occupant detection system recall.
- How does the 2021 Telluride compare to other years?
- The 2021 model has 365 complaints and a Complaint Index of 20, well below the 2020 model's index of 100 and better than 2022 (60), 2024 (80), though slightly above 2023's index of 0.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2021 Kia Telluride?
- EPA rates the 2021 Telluride at 22 mpg combined (19.5 city / 25 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,950.