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2025 Kia Telluride: problems, recalls and fuel economy
The 2025 Telluride has fewer NHTSA owner complaints than any Telluride year from 2020 to 2024, with 122 on file[1][2]. Owners describe the engine shutting off while driving and windshields cracking, and the front seat back recall is the one to check before you buy[3][4][5].
Most reported problems
NHTSA has 122 owner complaints on file for the 2025 Telluride[1]. Of those, 3 mention a crash and 2 a fire. They report 5 injuries and no deaths[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one part of the car.
| Component group | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Engine[3] | 48 |
| Electrical system[8] | 22 |
| Unknown or other[9] | 22 |
| Visibility/wiper[4] | 18 |
| Power train[10] | 8 |
| Steering[11] | 8 |
| Seats[12] | 8 |
| Structure[13] | 6 |
Engine shutting off while driving. The engine group leads with 48 complaints, including 1 fire[3]. In a sample of engine complaints we read, owners describe the engine turning itself off while the car is moving, often at low speed or while slowing down. A dash message then tells them to shift to park or neutral and restart. Some say steering and braking felt harder when it happened, and several say the dealer could not reproduce the problem or find a cause[3]. Owners describe the same shut-off in electrical system complaints too[8].
Driver screen going dark. A few electrical complaints in our sample describe the instrument screen staying black, so the driver cannot see speed or fuel level[8].
Cracked windshields. Visibility/wiper has 18 complaints[4]. In the sample we read, owners describe windshields that crack with no clear impact, or where a small chip spreads quickly into a long crack[4].
Smaller groups. Power train, steering and seats have 8 complaints each and structure has 6[10][11][12][13]. The steering group includes 1 crash and 1 injury[11]. These are small numbers. The seat complaints we read are about the seat back recall below, not about seats failing in daily use[12].
Recalls
- Front seat back frames (26V105). Filed 2026-02-23 and covering 85,515 vehicles with power front seats[5]. A manufacturing error means the driver and passenger seat back frames may not hold occupants properly in a crash, which raises the risk of injury. Kia says dealers will inspect and replace the frames as needed at no cost, and owner letters went out starting April 24, 2026[5]. In the seat complaints we read, owners say the repair parts or remedy were not available yet when they contacted a dealer[12]. Ask a Kia dealer whether parts are in stock before you count on this being done.
- Wrong spare tire (25V745). Filed 2025-10-30 and covering 45 vehicles[14]. Some cars came with the wrong spare tire. Once it is mounted, it can stop the anti-lock brakes and traction control from working properly, which raises the risk of a crash. Dealers replace the spare wheel and tire for free[14].
- Door trim coming loose (25V494). Filed 2025-07-28 and covering 201,149 Tellurides from 2023 to 2025[15]. The door belt molding trim can peel apart and fall off, becoming a road hazard for other drivers. Dealers inspect it and replace it as needed at no cost[15].
You can check a specific car by its VIN on NHTSA.gov[5].
Fuel economy
Both versions use a 3.8L 6-cylinder with an Automatic (S8) on regular gas[6][16].
| Drive | City | Highway | Combined | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Front-wheel drive[6] | 20 | 26 | 22 | $3,050 |
| All-wheel drive[16] | 18 | 23 | 20 | $3,350 |
All-wheel drive costs about $300 more a year in fuel by EPA estimates[6][16]. The annual cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.
Safety ratings
NHTSA gives both the AWD and FWD Telluride 5 stars overall[7][17]. Each gets 4 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 4 stars rollover[7][17]. The estimated rollover risk is 14.3% for AWD and 15.5% for FWD[7][17].
Engine and size
The 3.8L 6-cylinder is rated at 291 hp[18].
| Measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Length[19] | 197 in |
| Width[19] | 78 in |
| Height[19] | 69 in |
| Wheelbase[19] | 114 in |
| Curb weight[19] | 4,343 lb |
These dimensions are Canadian-market specifications[19] and can differ slightly from US models.
How 2025 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 |
| 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 2025 has fewer complaints than every year from 2020 to 2024, and less than a sixth of the 2020 total[2]. Only the 2027 has fewer, with 43[2]. Its 3 recalls tie the 2027 for the lowest count in the list[2]. Keep in mind that newer cars have had less time on the road to collect complaints, and the counts are not adjusted for sales.
Should you buy a used 2025 Telluride?
On paper the 2025 looks better than earlier Tellurides, with fewer complaints than any year from 2020 to 2024 and fewer recalls[2]. It also earns 5 stars overall from NHTSA[7][17]. The engine shutting off while driving is the complaint pattern to take seriously, so ask the seller and a dealer whether it has happened to this car[3]. Before you buy, check the VIN for open recalls, and ask a dealer whether the seat back repair for 26V105 can actually be done yet[5][12]. If the recall work is done, or a dealer confirms it can be done now, it is a reasonable pick among Telluride years.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2025 Kia Telluride?
- The engine group has the most NHTSA complaints, 48 of 122[1][3]. In a sample of engine complaints we read, owners describe the engine shutting off while driving[3]. Visibility/wiper has 18 complaints, and in the sample we read, owners describe cracked windshields[4].
- How many recalls does the 2025 Kia Telluride have?
- Three: front seat back frames (26V105), a wrong spare tire (25V745) and loose door trim (25V494)[5][14][15]. In seat complaints we read, owners say the seat back remedy was not yet available when they asked dealers[12].
- What gas mileage does the 2025 Kia Telluride get?
- EPA rates the FWD at 22 mpg combined and the AWD at 20 mpg combined[6][16].
- Is the 2025 Telluride more reliable than older years?
- It has 122 complaints, fewer than any year from 2020 to 2024, which range from 209 to 776[2]. Counts are not adjusted for sales, and newer cars have had less time to collect complaints.
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 122 owner complaints on file for the 2025 Kia Telluride (3 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 5 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Kia Telluride model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- 48 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 18 complaints name the visibility/wiper component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 26V105, filed February 23, 2026: Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Telluride FWD, 3.8L 6-cyl, Automatic (S8), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 26 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. 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
- 22 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 22 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 8 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 8 complaints name the steering component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 8 complaints name the seats component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 6 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 25V745, filed October 30, 2025: Tires › Temporary / Emergency Spare Tire. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 25V494, filed July 28, 2025: Structure › Exterior Trim. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Telluride AWD, 3.8L 6-cyl, Automatic (S8), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 23 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. 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, 2025 Kia Telluride with 3.8L 6-cylinder: 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