2021 Kia Telluride: problems, recalls and what it’s worth
5 recall campaigns to confirm with a dealer. A lot of owner complaints, 24% about visibility & wipers.
Ask for the VIN and check it, then get a pre-purchase inspection.
Known problems on the 2021 Kia Telluride
No generation-wide weak spot is flagged in GarageIntel’s research for this year and model. A specific car can still have its own problems, so get it inspected.
2021 Kia Telluride recalls
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2021 Kia Telluride. Repairs are free at a dealer for the brand, and a dealer can confirm by VIN which were already done.
- SeatsPark outsideFire risk
A fire increases the risk of injury.
Details 26V430000
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.
Fix: 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.
- SeatsPark outsideFire risk
A fire increases the risk of injury.
Details 24V407000
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.
Fix: 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.
- Trailer HitchesPark outsideFire risk
A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Details 22V626000
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Telluride vehicles potentially equipped with a Genuine Kia 4-pin tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Kia dealership. Debris and moisture accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.
Fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will install a new fuse and a wiring harness extension. Dealers will also inspect and replace the tow hitch harness assembly, as necessary. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 12, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC247.
- Transmission & drivetrain
A vehicle roll away increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Details 24V214000
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.
Fix: 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.
- Airbags
In the event of a crash, deployment of the front passenger air bag, with a child in that seat, can increase the risk of injury to the child.
Details 21V164000
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021 Telluride, K5, and Forte vehicles. The Occupant Classification and Detection System (OCS/ODS) unit may not detect the presence of a child restraint system in the front passenger seat. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the OCS/ODS unit, free of charge. The recall began March 18, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC207.
2021 Kia Telluride safety investigations and free repairs
No open safety investigations.
Free repairs to ask about (warranty extensions):
- Engine: Kia is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage, to all owners, for certain repairs related to an engine oil leak from the oil filter…
- Suspension: Kia is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage, to all owners, for repairs related to noisy and/or stiff self-leveling rear shock…
- Wheels: Kia is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign to inspect and, if necessary, replace the wheel speed sensor(s) in certain 2020-2024 MY Telluride vehicles.
A dealer for the brand can check these by VIN.
Source: NHTSA, Sep 24, 2026.
2021 Kia Telluride safety and fuel
From NHTSA’s crash tests and the EPA’s fueleconomy.gov.
What owners complain about
364 complaints filed with NHTSA for this year and model, which is a lot.
Share of complaints that mention each area. One complaint can mention several.
Other Kia Telluride years
Printable inspection checklist · Out-the-door price calculator