YearToAvoid

2025 Kia Telluride Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Good

Complaint Index

40/100

#4 most-complained of 6 Telluride years

The 2025 Kia Telluride has a Complaint Index of 40 and ranks 4th out of 6 model years, earning a "Good" verdict. It has 113 complaints, 3 recalls, and no do-not-drive recalls, with Engine issues the top problem area at 42% of complaints.

Complaints
113
Recalls
3
Crashes / fires
3 / 2
Injuries / deaths
5 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
21
19 city / 24.5 hwy

Top 2025 Kia Telluride problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine47 (42%)
  2. Electrical System23 (20%)
  3. Other22 (19%)
  4. Visibility & Wipers20 (18%)
  5. Structure & Body14 (12%)
  6. Steering8 (7%)
  7. Transmission & Powertrain8 (7%)
  8. Collision Avoidance & Cameras6 (5%)
  9. Fuel System4 (4%)
  10. Brakes3 (3%)

What owners report

  • Owners report lane-assist steering pulling and pushing the wheel, failing to turn on curves and causing the vehicle to leave the road.
  • Owners describe engine fires preceded by electrical fault codes and an engine management system error message.
  • Owners report windshields cracking on their own within days or weeks of purchase, with cracks spreading from the bottom or side of the glass.
  • Owners describe the vehicle stalling for about 10 seconds at low speeds around 3 to 10 mph before suddenly accelerating, accompanied by a tapping or grinding noise.
  • Owners report the sunroof shattering while driving at highway speed with no impact involved.
  • Owners describe rough, trembling acceleration along with headlights that leave dark blind spots at night and visible exhaust smoke.
2025 Kia Telluride complaints: complaints filed per month23Nov 2024Apr 2025Jul 2025Nov 2025Feb 2026May 2026Aug 2026
162 complaints filed with NHTSA from Nov 2024 to Sep 2026; peak May 2026 (23).

2025 Kia Telluride recalls

3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 26V105000Feb 23, 2026Structure & Body85,515 vehicles

    Seats:front assembly:recliner

    Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 Telluride vehicles, equipped with power front seat(s). Due to a manufacturing error, the driver and passenger seat back frame assemblies may fail to properly restrain occupants in a crash.

    Risk: A seat back frame that fails to properly restrain an occupant during a crash increases the risk of injury.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the front seat back frame assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning April 24, 2026. Owners may contact Kia Customer Service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC362. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 9, 2026.

  2. NHTSA 25V745000Oct 30, 2025Suspension, Wheels & Tires45 vehicles

    Tires:temporary/emergency spare tire

    Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 Telluride and 2026 Sorento vehicles. 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). As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

    Risk: Anti-lock braking or traction control systems that do not function properly can increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the spare wheel and tire assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 3, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC355. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning November 13, 2025.

  3. NHTSA 25V494000Jul 28, 2025Structure & Body201,149 vehicles

    Structure:exterior trim

    Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Telluride vehicles. The door belt molding trim can delaminate and detach from the vehicle.

    Risk: A detached trim piece can become a road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the belt molding trim assemblies as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 19, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC347.

2025 Kia Telluride fuel economy and fuel cost

City
19 MPG
Highway
24.5 MPG
Combined
21 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,100
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.

2025 compared with other Telluride years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100202020212022202320242025
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2023Best0207622
2024Avoid80217521
2025Good40113321

All Kia Telluride years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2025 Kia Telluride reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2025 Telluride carries a Complaint Index of 40 and ranks 4th out of 6 model years, earning a "Good" verdict relative to other Telluride years.
What are the most common problems with the 2025 Kia Telluride?
NHTSA data shows Engine complaints lead at 42% of the total, followed by Electrical System at 20% and Visibility & Wipers issues, mainly windshield cracking, at 18%.
Does the 2025 Kia Telluride have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2025 Telluride: a front seat back frame assembly issue, an incorrect spare tire that can impair ABS, and door belt molding trim that can detach. None are do-not-drive recalls.
How does the 2025 Telluride compare to other model years?
The 2025 model's Complaint Index of 40 is lower than the 2020 (100), 2022 (60), and 2024 (80) model years, but higher than the 2021 (20) and 2023 (0) model years, which have the "Best" verdicts.
How many complaints and crashes does the 2025 Kia Telluride have?
NHTSA lists 113 complaints for the 2025 Telluride, including 3 crashes, 2 fires, and 5 injuries, with no reported deaths.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.