2021 Kia Telluride

2021 Kia Telluride recalls (4)

• AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE

  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."

  Remedy: 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.

• TRAILER HITCHES

  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.

  Remedy: 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.

• POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

  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.

  Remedy: 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.

• SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST

  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.

  Remedy: 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.

2021 Kia Telluride safety ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP ratings.

2021 Kia Telluride owner complaints (15)

• SEATS

  I noticed the button to fold captain’s chair began working intermittently beginning of Jun, then the seat began to fold on my granddaughter then my daughter on 2 different occasions. I called dealership to get a diagnostic done but they couldn’t get me in until 29 Jun. After diagnostic I was told the seat actuator wasn’t working, though it wasn’t damaged, and would cost me over $2400 to replace! Kia corporation stated because I was over the 150k warranty, by 30 mi I’d just driven home from airport, they couldn’t help me.

• VISIBILITY/WIPER

  The sunroof won’t close properly, it looks like wind deflector is broken

• SUSPENSION

  I wish to amend my previous report dated 6/22/2026. #11745783. IT is is cv boot on the right side. I had a dealer do the repair. It is not under warranty, If you follow the Kia Telluride complaint page son FB, others have had the same issue. It cost $777.61 to repair. It should not need to be repaired at 72k miles. That is a third of the expected life expectancy. Thank you for considering this safety matter.

• SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN

  AWD coupler assembly failed twice and company will not repair. Rear shocks thumping and noisy, company repaired twice but still inop.

• ENGINE

  NHTSA Vehicle Safety Complaint – 2021 Kia Telluride - VIN: [XXX] I am filing a safety complaint regarding my 2021 Kia Telluride. I purchased the vehicle on XXX, with approximately 124,000 miles. An oil and filter change was performed shortly before the sale. After about 2,000 miles/126K, the vehicle suddenly lost power and stopped. It was towed to a repair shop, where technicians found the engine oil level was extremely low or empty, despite no low-oil warning light appearing. The oil was serviced, and the vehicle was returned to operation. About 3,000/129K miles later, the vehicle again lost power and stopped in Ardmore TX. It was road side mobile mechanic found little to no oil and he refill the oil. After 100 miles/129.1K again same problem engine stopped and no oil. was towed to the same shop, where technicians found little to no oil and diagnosed severe engine damage requiring engine replacement. Mechanic informed there was no oil leak from the engine however, excessive oil burning in engine causing this issue. My concern is safety. On all three occasions, the vehicle lost power on the freeway at night while my family with two kids was in the vehicle. I believe excessive oil consumption and the lack of a warning before engine failure may represent a safety defect. I request that NHTSA investigate this issue and require Kia to review the vehicle’s engine design and warning systems. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

• ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

  Bought car on a Saturday (6-20-26)and that night noticed the drive mode was broke and the forward Collison is broke and will go on and off. Dealership said they did the whole inspection on the car before they put it on the lot to sell. Also, oil was extremely low when I left the lot and had to go back for an oil change. Took it to them on 6-22 to repair and have had to call to ask about my cars status when they said they would call me. Never would get an answer as to what was going on.

• SUSPENSION

  The CV axel is bad and needs replaced. I am only at 72,000 miles. If I had not gotten an oil change and the technician saw it, it could have broken while driving this coming weekend for 14 hours. Independent service center is replacing. No warning. This could have caused a serious accident.

• STEERING,SUSPENSION,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  The contact owns a 2021 Kia Telluride. The contact stated that the passenger’s side drive shaft boot was leaking. The steering and mileage were affected by the failure. While making a turn, the steering wheel was readjusting. The accelerator pedal was depressed; after the pedal was released, the pedal jerked. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who confirmed there were no open recalls associated with the VIN. The brakes were reprogrammed. The vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the front boot was leaking, and the axle and tires needed to be replaced, and an alignment performed. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to another local dealer, Kia Mentor (9090 Mentor Ave., Mentor, OH 44060); who provided the same diagnosis. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed there was no warranty coverage on the vehicle. The BBB was contacted and the Attorney General. The approximate failure mileage was 81,000.

• ENGINE

  My 2021 Kia Telluride (approximately 82,000 miles) suffered catastrophic engine failure caused by excessive and abnormal oil consumption. The engine consumed oil at a dangerous rate with no warning lights or dashboard indicators of any kind. The only symptom prior to failure was an unusual engine noise. There was no opportunity to take corrective action before the engine failed completely. This failure occurred while I was driving with my children in the vehicle, creating a serious and immediate safety risk. A sudden engine failure at highway or city speeds — with no prior warning — presents the risk of loss of vehicle control, inability to accelerate out of traffic, and potential collision. The failure has been confirmed by two independent service centers: Vanguard Kia in Arlington, Texas and Christian Brothers Automotive. Both confirmed engine failure. The vehicle and failed components are available for inspection upon request. Kia America has declined to provide warranty assistance or goodwill repair coverage despite this being a widely reported issue among 2021 Telluride owners with the same Lambda II V6 engine. No recall has been issued. Repair cost is approximately $11,000. I am still carrying a loan on this vehicle. I am requesting NHTSA investigate this as a systemic safety defect and consider a mandatory recall.

• UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  The sunroof failed and is stuck open. This creates a hazard as you cannot secure the vehicle, it is open to the elements, and you have highway noise. This is not a simple small motor fix it is $3000+ and a complete replacing of the track/cassette.

• UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  Sunroof wouldnt close. Broken assembly.

• STRUCTURE

  Sunroof won't fully close which becomes a big issue when driving or parking the vehicle in the rain. Kia dealership diagnosed that the full sunroof assembly needs to be replaced at a total expense of $6,441.56 since the vehicle is out of the 5-year warranty period. No warning messages were displayed on the vehicle prior to this issue.

• POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE

  I own a 2021 Kia Telluride with approximately 111,000 miles. I initially brought the vehicle to a Kia dealership for an oil consumption issue and engine noise. The dealership diagnosed and repaired a timing chain and tensioner issue, stating the vehicle was “working properly” upon return. After picking up the vehicle, I immediately began experiencing electrical warning lights, including the battery warning light and system alerts (blind spot and general warning indicators). I returned to the dealership, where they performed diagnostic testing and indicated a potential alternator issue, but stated it was in a “borderline” range and that the vehicle was safe to drive. Shortly after leaving the dealership, while driving with my family in the vehicle, the electrical system began to fail. Multiple warning lights illuminated, and the vehicle lost electrical function while in motion. The vehicle ultimately became completely inoperable and shut down in a parking lot, creating a serious safety concern. Prior to the dealership visit and repairs, the vehicle had no history of electrical issues, warning lights, or charging system problems. The dealership later acknowledged that the alternator issue was not present when the vehicle was initially brought in. I am submitting this complaint due to the sudden and complete electrical system failure while driving, which posed a significant safety risk. The progression from no prior symptoms to total failure immediately following dealership service and diagnosis raises concerns about vehicle reliability and potential safety defects related to the charging system.

• VISIBILITY/WIPER

  Windshield chipped and cracked. Causes a safety issue due to temperamental glass and vision impairment. McKenneys garage has viewed the damage and confirms the damage. No. No.

• UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  May 9, 2026 Opened my Sunroof for first time this year. Would not open all the way. Jammed sideways. Couldn't get it shut. The arms in the track to move the window back and forth disinegrated. Slight water damage to right side headliner. Currently at glass company for repair. Need entire unit. $1,450 for a used one $5,000 for new. Are there any current recalls? 2021 Kia Telleride purchased new; Current mileage 38,000. Will attach copy of repair order when received.