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2021 Kia Telluride: problems, recalls and fuel economy
NHTSA has 373 owner complaints on file for the 2021 Telluride[1]. It also has 5 recalls on file, including a seat motor fire risk that is covered by a newer recall[2][3].
Most reported problems
NHTSA lists 373 complaints for this model year[1]. Of these, 7 mention a crash, 4 a fire and 9 injuries[1]. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several parts.
The biggest group is "unknown or other" with 105 complaints[6]. After that:
- Engine: 70 complaints[7], 4 of them mentioning a fire[7]. The median mileage at failure is 63,000[7].
- Visibility/wiper: 64 complaints with a median mileage of 1,850[8].
- Electrical system: 42 complaints[9].
- Structure: 33 complaints[10].
- Power train: 28 complaints[11].
- Visibility: 23 complaints[12].
- Forward collision avoidance: 22 complaints, with 3 crashes and 2 injuries[13].
We also read a small sample of the complaint texts for four groups. Here is what owners describe in that sample.
Windshields. In the visibility/wiper sample, owners describe windshields that crack, or that spread from a small chip into a long crack. Several say it happened soon after they bought the car[8].
Electrical. In the electrical sample, some owners describe the car losing power or showing battery warnings while driving, and one describes an alternator failure. Others describe faulty gauges, windows or child locks[9].
Sunroof. In the structure sample, owners describe sunroof glass that shattered and sunroof tracks that broke and left the roof stuck open[10].
Engine. In the engine sample, some owners describe oil loss, leaks or burning oil, and one describes engine failure. Others describe a loud squeal on cold starts[7].
This is only a sample of complaints, so it cannot tell you how common any of these problems are.
Recalls
NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2021 Telluride[3]. Newest first:
- Front power seat motor (26V430). Dated July 2, 2026[2]. The seat motor may overheat because of a stuck seat slide knob or an improper repair under the earlier recall 24V407. That could cause a fire while parked or driving. Owners are told to park outside and away from buildings until repaired. Dealers will install an electronic fuse assembly[2]. Owner letters were expected on August 13, 2026[2]. Cars already repaired under 24V407 need the new remedy too[2].
- Front power seat motor (24V407). Dated June 5, 2024[14]. Same overheating and fire risk, caused by a stuck seat slide knob. The remedy was a bracket for the switch back covers and new slide knobs. This recall is replaced by 26V430[14][2].
- Driveshaft (24V214). Dated March 20, 2024[15]. Two front driveline parts, the intermediate shaft and the right front driveshaft, may not be fully connected. The vehicle could roll away while in park, which raises the risk of a crash or injury. Until repaired, owners are told to set the electronic parking brake by hand before getting out. Dealers will update the parking brake software and replace damaged shafts as needed[15].
- Tow hitch harness (22V626). Dated August 15, 2022[16]. It applies to a Genuine Kia 4-pin tow hitch harness[16], installed at the factory or bought as an accessory. Debris and moisture on the module's circuit board may cause a short and a fire. Owners are told to park outside until repaired. Dealers will fit a fuse and an extension for the wiring harness, and inspect or replace the harness as needed[16].[16].
- Passenger occupant classification (21V164). Dated March 11, 2021[17]. It covers 142 units[17]. The unit may not detect a child seat in the front passenger seat, so the passenger air bag could deploy with a child there. Dealers replace the unit[17].
The seat motor recall 24V407 and the driveshaft recall 24V214 also name other model years[14][15]. Ask a Kia dealer to check the current status of each recall for a specific car.
Fuel economy
Both versions use regular fuel and a 3.8L 6-cylinder engine with an Automatic (S8)[4][18].
| Version | City / Highway / Combined MPG | EPA annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| Put and after the MPG values too, or cite once in the sentence above the table.[4][18] | ||
| AWD[18] | 19 / 24 / 21 | $3,200 |
EPA fuel cost uses current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new.
Safety ratings
NHTSA gives the AWD version 5 stars overall, 4 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 4 stars rollover, with a rollover risk of 14.3%[5]. The FWD version has the same star ratings and a rollover risk of 15.5%[19].
Engine and size
The EPA test car list rates the 3.8L 6-cylinder at 291 hp[20]. A second entry, listed with an electric motor, also shows 291 hp[21].
Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models[22].
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Length | 197 in |
| Width | 78 in |
| Height | 69 in |
| Wheelbase | 114 in |
| Curb weight | 4,343 lb |
Source for the table:[22].
How 2021 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 776 | 7 |
| 2021 | 373 | 5 |
| 2022 | 327 | 7 |
| 2023 | 209 | 6 |
| 2024 | 222 | 5 |
| 2025 | 122 | 3 |
| 2027 | 43 | 3 |
NHTSA complaint and recall counts by Telluride model year[3]:
- 2020: 776 complaints, 7 recalls
- 2021: 373 complaints, 5 recalls
- 2022: 327 complaints, 7 recalls
- 2023: 209 complaints, 6 recalls
- 2024: 222 complaints, 5 recalls
- 2025: 122 complaints, 3 recalls
- 2027: 43 complaints, 3 recalls
Only 2020 has more complaints than 2021. For recalls, 2020 and 2022 have 7 each and 2023 has 6, all more than 2021. 2024 has the same number, 5. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so they show reports on file and not how likely a problem is.
Should you buy a used 2021 Telluride?
The 2021 Telluride has 5-star overall safety ratings[5][19]. It also has recalls to check, including a seat motor fire risk and a driveshaft roll-away risk[2][15]. Before buying, ask a Kia dealer to confirm the status of every recall for the exact car, including the newer seat motor recall[2]. Owner complaints in our sample point to windshields, sunroofs and electrical power as areas to inspect[8][9][10]. This sample is small, so treat these as things to check and not as a verdict on every car.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2021 Kia Telluride?
- NHTSA lists 373 complaints, and the largest named groups are engine with 70 and visibility/wiper with 64[1][7][8]. In a small sample we read, owners describe windshield cracks, sunroof failures and electrical power loss[8][9][10].
- Does the 2021 Kia Telluride have recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA lists 5 recalls, covering the seat motor, driveshaft, tow hitch harness and passenger occupant classification unit[3][2][14][15][16][17].
- What is the gas mileage of the 2021 Kia Telluride?
- EPA rates the FWD version at 23 combined MPG and the AWD version at 21 combined MPG[4][18].
- Is the 2021 Kia Telluride safe?
- NHTSA gives both drive types 5 stars overall, with 4 stars for frontal and rollover tests[5][19].
- Is 2021 a good year for the Telluride?
- Only 2020 has more complaints than 2021 in NHTSA's counts, and 2021 has 5 recalls[3]. The counts are not adjusted for sales.
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 373 owner complaints on file for the 2021 Kia Telluride (7 mention a crash, 4 a fire, 9 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 26V430, filed July 2, 2026: Seats › Front Assembly › Power Adjust. NHTSA recall database
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Kia Telluride model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Telluride FWD, 3.8L 6-cyl, Automatic (S8), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 26 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 14.3%. NHTSA vehicle records
- 105 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 5 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 70 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 4 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 63,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 64 complaints name the visibility/wiper component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 1,850). NHTSA vehicle records
- 42 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 33 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 28 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 23 complaints name the visibility component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 22 complaints name the forward collision avoidance component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 24V407, filed June 5, 2024: Seats › Front Assembly › Power Adjust. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 24V214, filed March 20, 2024: Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 22V626, filed August 15, 2022: Trailer Hitches. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 21V164, filed March 11, 2021: Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification › Front Passenger. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Telluride AWD, 3.8L 6-cyl, Automatic (S8), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 24 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 15.5%. NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA Test Car List, 2021 Kia Telluride with 3.8L 6-cylinder: rated 291 hp. www.epa.gov
- EPA Test Car List, 2021 Kia Telluride with electric motor: rated 291 hp. www.epa.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TELLURIDE 4DR SUV: length 197 in, width 78 in, height 69 in, wheelbase 114 in, curb weight 4,343 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov