CarBrief

The 2022 Telluride has 327 owner complaints on file with NHTSA[1] and seven recalls[2]. The recalls include a seat motor fire risk[3] and a roll-away risk[4], so a used buyer should check that every repair is done.

327owner complaints[1]
7recalls[2]
21–23MPG combined (EPA)[5]
5★NHTSA overall rating[6]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 327 owner complaints for this model year[1]. Ten mention a crash, 4 a fire and 9 an injury[1]. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one component.

The biggest groups by count are:

Component group Complaints
Unknown or other[7] 81
Visibility/wiper[8] 73
Electrical system[9] 69
Engine[10] 32
Power train[11] 26
Visibility[12] 21
Structure[13] 20
Brakes[14] 16

We read a small sample of the complaint texts in the larger groups. These are the themes we saw, not a measure of how common they are.

Instrument screen. In the electrical sample, owners describe the screen behind the steering wheel staying dark or blank at startup. Some say it hid speed, gear and driver-assist feedback. Some say a dealer software update did not cure it[9]. The median mileage for electrical complaints is 28,000[9]. Two recalls cover blank instrument displays (see below)[15][16].

Windshield. In the visibility/wiper sample, owners describe windshields that chip or crack from small impacts, or with no impact they noticed. Several of those texts come from owners who had just bought the car[8].

Roll-away and vibration. In the power train sample, owners describe the car rolling while parked, and others describe vibration or humming at highway speed with repeat dealer visits. The roll-away theme matches a recall, covered below[11][4]. Power train has 26 complaints, with 2 crashes and a median mileage of 36,800[11].

Overheating. In the engine sample, owners describe overheating, sometimes linked to a failed drive belt. Some describe knocking or low oil[10].

Brakes have 16 complaints, including 2 crashes and 2 injuries[14]. We did not read a sample for this group, so we cannot describe what owners say about it.

Recalls

NHTSA lists seven recalls for this model year[2]. Newest first:

NHTSA says VINs for recall 26V430 are searchable on NHTSA.gov[3].

Fuel economy

The EPA rates the front-wheel drive Telluride at 20 city, 26 highway and 23 combined MPG[5]. Its estimated annual fuel cost is $2,900[5]. The all-wheel drive version is rated 19 city, 24 highway and 21 combined MPG, with an estimated $3,200 a year[20]. Both use regular fuel and a 3.8L 6-cylinder with an Automatic (S8)[5][20]. The EPA fuel cost uses its current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the all-wheel drive version 5 stars overall, 4 stars for frontal crashes, 5 stars for side crashes and 4 stars for rollover[6]. Its rollover risk is 14.3%[6]. The front-wheel drive version has the same star ratings, with a rollover risk of 15.5%[21].

Engine and size

The EPA test car list shows 291 hp for the 3.8L 6-cylinder[22]. A second entry, labeled with an electric motor, also shows 291 hp[23].

These are Canadian-market specifications, so US models can differ slightly[24].

Measure Value
Length[24] 197 in
Width[24] 78 in
Height[24] 69 in
Wheelbase[24] 114 in
Curb weight[24] 4,343 lb

How 2022 compares with other years

2020: 776 complaints, 7 recalls20202021: 373 complaints, 5 recalls20212022: 327 complaints, 7 recalls32720222023: 209 complaints, 6 recalls20232024: 222 complaints, 5 recalls20242025: 122 complaints, 3 recalls20252027: 43 complaints, 3 recalls2027
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Telluride model year. The 2022 is highlighted[2].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20207767
20213735
20223277
20232096
20242225
20251223
2027433

NHTSA's counts for each Telluride model year show where 2022 sits. These counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold[2].

Model year Complaints Recalls
2020[2] 776 7
2021[2] 373 5
2022[2] 327 7
2023[2] 209 6
2024[2] 222 5
2025[2] 122 3
2027[2] 43 3

The 2022 year has the third most complaints of the years listed. It ties 2020 for the most recalls[2].

Should you buy a used 2022 Telluride?

The 2022 Telluride earns 5 stars overall from NHTSA[6][21], but it also carries seven recalls[2]. Before buying, check the VIN on NHTSA.gov[3] and ask for proof that the seat motor, driveshaft and instrument cluster recalls were done. Pay attention to the seat motor recall, because it replaces an earlier one and cars already repaired need the new fix[3]. Complaint counts are unverified and not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a list of things to check on a test drive, such as the instrument screen and the windshield[9][8]. We have no data on price or reliability scores, so compare those separately.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2022 Kia Telluride?
By count, the biggest complaint groups are unknown or other (81), visibility/wiper (73) and electrical (69)[7][8][9]. In a small sample we read, owners describe blank instrument screens and windshield cracks.
How many recalls does the 2022 Kia Telluride have?
NHTSA lists seven recalls for this model year[2]. They cover seat motor fires, driveshaft roll-away, a tow hitch harness, the spare tire and the instrument cluster[3][4][18][19][15][16].
What is the gas mileage of the 2022 Kia Telluride?
The EPA rates front-wheel drive at 23 combined MPG[5] and all-wheel drive at 21 combined MPG[20].
Is the 2022 Telluride safer than other years?
We only have NHTSA star ratings for this year, which are 5 stars overall[6][21]. Our data does not rate other years.
Is 2022 a good year for the Kia Telluride?
It has fewer complaints than 2020 (776) and 2021 (373), and more than 2023 (209) and 2024 (222), but these counts are not adjusted for sales[2].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 327 owner complaints on file for the 2022 Kia Telluride (10 mention a crash, 4 a fire, 9 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Kia Telluride model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. Recall 26V430, filed July 2, 2026: Seats › Front Assembly › Power Adjust. NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 24V214, filed March 20, 2024: Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft. NHTSA recall database
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. 81 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 2 fires, 4 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 73 complaints name the visibility/wiper component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 69 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 28,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 32 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 2 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 26 complaints name the power train component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 36,800). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 21 complaints name the visibility component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 20 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. 16 complaints name the brakes component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  15. Recall 22V344, filed May 17, 2022: Electrical System › Instrument Cluster / Panel. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 21V577, filed July 28, 2021: Electrical System › Instrument Cluster / Panel. NHTSA recall database
  17. Recall 24V407, filed June 5, 2024: Seats › Front Assembly › Power Adjust. NHTSA recall database
  18. Recall 22V626, filed August 15, 2022: Trailer Hitches. NHTSA recall database
  19. Recall 22V509, filed July 19, 2022: Tires › Temporary / Emergency Spare Tire. NHTSA recall database
  20. 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
  21. 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
  22. EPA Test Car List, 2022 Kia Telluride with 3.8L 6-cylinder: rated 291 hp. www.epa.gov
  23. EPA Test Car List, 2022 Kia Telluride with electric motor: rated 291 hp. www.epa.gov
  24. 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

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.