Kia Telluride problems, complaints & recalls by model year
Across 6 model years (2020–2025), NHTSA has logged 1,945 owner complaints and 17 safety recalls for the Kia Telluride. That averages 73.6 complaints per year on the road — more complaints than typical (index 1.75 against all tracked vehicles). Within the Midsize SUVs segment it ranks #11 of 14 for fewest complaints per year; the segment average is 53.1.
Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Analysis
Across six model years from 2020 to 2025, NHTSA has logged 1,945 owner complaints and 17 safety recalls for the Kia Telluride, with the 2020 model year running at least 50% above the average at 112.1 complaints per year. The most common problem area is Body & structure, accounting for 27.6% of complaints where issues like "windshield", "sunroof", "crack", "chip" and "beams" appear 3.0 times as often as across all tracked vehicles. While the trend is improving with 2023 and 2024 models running 26% below earlier years, recent data shows a rising pace of complaints in the last 12 months versus the previous year. Owners report 41 injuries and 1 death across all model years, with 61 complaints describing a crash or fire, and three recalls including one with a do-not-drive warning.
Summary drafted by an AI model running on our own server from the figures on this page, and checked number by number against the data before publishing. The statistics and the analysis above come from our fixed methodology, not from the model.The trend is improving. Measured on complaints filed in the first two years on the road and compared with other vehicles of the same model year, the 2023 and 2024 models run 26% below the 2020 and 2021 models (141 early complaints per model year versus 150).
The 2020 model year has the highest rate (112.1 complaints per year) and the 2023 model year the lowest (55.5). The 2020 model year runs at least 50% above the model's own average — the one to research most carefully.
Across all tracked model years the most common problem area is Body & structure (27.6% of complaints), followed by Engine (16.4%) and Interior & equipment (16.3%). Body & structure complaints are 3.0 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. Recurring terms in owner reports: “windshield”, “sunroof”, “crack”, “chip” and “beams”. 61 complaints (3.1%) describe a crash or fire; across all model years owners report 41 injuries and 1 death.
In the last 12 months owners filed 560 complaints versus 330 in the previous 12 months — the pace is rising. The 2020 model year generated the most recent reports (158). Across model years, half of all reported incidents occur within 26 months of the model year's start.
Recalls: 17 recall campaigns across the tracked model years, most of them received in 2024 (4), 3 with a do-not-drive or park-outside warning. 1 NHTSA defect investigation has covered this model; the latest is “Complete Loss of High Beams” (opened 2023-01-27, closed 2024-04-17).
Segment peers with fewer complaints per year include Dodge Durango, Honda Passport, Nissan Pathfinder and Kia Sorento; Subaru Outback, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Hyundai Palisade have more.
Model years at a glance
| Year | Complaints | Complaints per year on the road | Complaint index | Complaints in first 2 years on the road | vs. same-year average | Last 12 months | Recalls | Most common issue | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Years to research carefully | 748 | 112.1 | 2.66 | 196 | 3.44 | 158 | 7 ⚠ | Body & structure | View › |
| 2021 | 354 | 62.4 | 1.48 | 104 | 1.7 | 105 | 5 ⚠ | Body & structure | View › |
| 2022 | 319 | 68.3 | 1.62 | 175 | 2.37 | 71 | 7 ⚠ | Body & structure | View › |
| 2023 Fewest complaints | 204 | 55.5 | 1.32 | 110 | 1.32 | 68 | 6 ⚠ | Body & structure | View › |
| 2024 | 215 | 80.4 | 1.91 | 173 | 2.46 | 68 | 5 ⚠ | Body & structure | View › |
| 2025 | 105 | 62.8 | 1.49 | — | — | 90 | 3 | Engine | View › |
1.00 means the same rate as the comparison group. 2.00 means twice as many complaints per year on the road. Complaints in first 2 years on the road: vs. same-year average. How we count
Trend · vs. same-year average
Complaints in first 2 years on the road ÷ All-vehicle average (1.00)
When complaints were filed
Last 12 months: 560 · Previous 12 months: 330 Rising
Problem areas
Interior & equipment ›
318 · 16.3% · 1.82 vs. all vehicles · Rising
- sunroof124
- glass64
- exploded47
- deflector23
Lighting ›
178 · 9.2% · 5.85 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- beams84
- high117
- headlights80
- night60
Transmission / powertrain ›
114 · 5.9% · 0.5 vs. all vehicles · Rising
- awd23
- coupler11
- vibration19
- snow mode9
Wheels, tires & suspension ›
58 · 3.0% · 1.2 vs. all vehicles · Steady
- shocks28
- rear44
- self leveling13
- self-leveling7
Driver-assist systems ›
42 · 2.2% · 0.38 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- collision23
- forward18
- cruise16
- control18
Airbags & seat belts ›
41 · 2.1% · 0.55 vs. all vehicles · Rising
- seatbelt17
- buckle10
- passenger17
- seat belt10
Other
39 · 2.0% · 1.11 vs. all vehicles · Rising
- seats15
- power seat5
- notification12
- front power3
Steering
11 · 0.6% · 0.09 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- steering9
- wheel7
- shaft3
- turn5
Fuel system
7 · 0.4% · 0.08 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Only problem areas with at least 40 complaints get their own page.
Common terms in reports
- windshield426
- sunroof225
- crack250
- chip111
- beams95
- glass177
- small162
- rock112
Vehicle age at incident
Median age at incident: 26 months
What owners report
My stepson became entangled in the left/driver-side third-row seat belt of my 2025 Kia Telluride. The seat belt webbing became wrapped/tangled around him and the seat belt retractor entered a locked condition.
Driving and brakes malfunctioned and would not stop causing an accident into a tree
After receiving a Kia‑issued transmission control module (TCM) software update, my 2021 Kia Telluride experienced a severe and dangerous transmission malfunction while descending a high mountain pass in Colorado.
While driving 2023 Kia Telluride driver side over head visor detached tangling in front of driver obscuring vision.
The left side of my screen where speed, gas and other essential safety features will not show
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Segment peers · Midsize SUVs
| # | Models | Complaints | Complaints per year on the road | Complaint index | Trend | Recent activity | Recalls | Most common issue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dodge Durango | 752 | 15.2 | 0.36 | Improving | Steady | 18 | Lighting |
| 2 | Honda Passport | 652 | 17.6 | 0.42 | Improving | Rising | 16 | Engine |
| 3 | Nissan Pathfinder | 566 | 20.1 | 0.48 | Worsening | Rising | 12 | Engine |
| 4 | Kia Sorento | 1,382 | 36.2 | 0.86 | Stable | Rising | 17 | Engine |
| 5 | Ford Edge | 2,164 | 43.6 | 1.04 | Improving | Steady | 20 | Engine |
| 6 | Chevrolet Traverse | 1,657 | 43.8 | 1.04 | Stable | Steady | 13 | Transmission / powertrain |
| 7 | Toyota Highlander | 2,062 | 44.5 | 1.06 | Improving | Rising | 21 | Transmission / powertrain |
| 8 | Hyundai Santa Fe | 1,968 | 58.3 | 1.38 | Worsening | Rising | 26 | Engine |
| 9 | Ford Explorer | 3,122 | 65.6 | 1.56 | Improving | Steady | 70 | Transmission / powertrain |
| 10 | Honda Pilot | 2,824 | 67.4 | 1.6 | Stable | Steady | 26 | Engine |
| 11 | Kia Telluride | 1,945 | 73.6 | 1.75 | Improving | Rising | 17 | Body & structure |
| 12 | Subaru Outback | 3,749 | 77.0 | 1.83 | Improving | Steady | 15 | Body & structure |
| 13 | Jeep Grand Cherokee | 3,335 | 85.9 | 2.04 | Worsening | Rising | 49 | Electrical |
| 14 | Hyundai Palisade | 2,277 | 102.2 | 2.43 | Worsening | Steady | 13 | Airbags & seat belts |
Recalls by year received
- Campaigns: 17
- Do-not-drive / park-outside: 3
- Over-the-air fix: 0
Safety recalls: 2020 (7) · 2021 (5) · 2022 (7) · 2023 (6) · 2024 (5) · 2025 (3)
Investigations
- Complete Loss of High Beams Closed
On January 27, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE23002 to investigate allegations of loss of high beams with no warning and no re-engagement resulting in reduced visibility at night in the 2020 Kia Telluride. The investigation revealed that the halogen bi-function projector beam, used in vehicles built between January 2019 and November of 2019, is composed of one halogen bul…
Frequently asked questions
Which Kia Telluride model year has the most complaints?
The 2020 model year has the highest rate (112.1 complaints per year) and the 2023 model year the lowest (55.5).
Is the Kia Telluride getting better or worse?
The trend is improving. Measured on complaints filed in the first two years on the road and compared with other vehicles of the same model year, the 2023 and 2024 models run 26% below the 2020 and 2021 models (141 early complaints per model year versus 150). In the last 12 months owners filed 560 complaints versus 330 in the previous 12 months — the pace is rising.
What are the most common Kia Telluride problems?
Across all tracked model years the most common problem area is Body & structure (27.6% of complaints), followed by Engine (16.4%) and Interior & equipment (16.3%). Recurring terms in owner reports: “windshield”, “sunroof”, “crack”, “chip” and “beams”.
How does the Kia Telluride compare with other Midsize SUVs?
Within the Midsize SUVs segment it ranks #11 of 14 for fewest complaints per year; the segment average is 53.1. Segment peers with fewer complaints per year include Dodge Durango, Honda Passport, Nissan Pathfinder and Kia Sorento; Subaru Outback, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Hyundai Palisade have more.
Does the Kia Telluride have recalls or open investigations?
Recalls: 17 recall campaigns across the tracked model years, most of them received in 2024 (4), 3 with a do-not-drive or park-outside warning. 1 NHTSA defect investigation has covered this model; the latest is “Complete Loss of High Beams” (opened 2023-01-27, closed 2024-04-17).