First generation (ON)
2021 Kia Telluride
The most reported problem on the 2021 Kia Telluride is windshield, with 74 complaints, usually around 3,000 miles.
- 365owner complaints
- 5recalls
- 7involved a crash
- 30,000median miles at failure
Newest report Sep 24, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
What is your Telluride doing?
Each one opens a sheet built from the owner reports of that problem on the 2021 model year.
Is the 2021 Kia Telluride reliable?
The 2021 Kia Telluride has 365 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, 1.7 times the median of 216 for 2021 SUVs on this site. Of the 6 Telluride model years since 2020, it has the 2nd most complaints. Complaint counts rise with sales as well as faults, so read what owners report below before deciding.
At a glance
- Next to the 2020 and 2022
- At 61 complaints for each year on the road, the 2021 runs well under the 2020 (109) and close to the 2022 (65).
- Top problem
- Windshield leads with 74 of the 365 complaints (20%), ahead of stalling at 28. Windshield tends to show up early. Of the 17 owners who gave a mileage for it, half were under about 3,000 miles and a quarter under about 2,000.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- 16 of the 365 complaints (4%) report a crash, a fire or an injury, a little under the 6% typical of vehicles on this site. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 7 reports mention a crash, 4 mention a fire and 9 people were hurt. The most crash reports, 3 of 7, fall under false collision warning.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- No recall on file is on the same system as windshield, stalling and engine failure. For those, the complaints are all there is.
- When owners filed
- Filings peaked in 2024 at 72 (full calendar years only). In 2025 there were 61. So far in 2026, 92 more have come in.
When each problem shows up
Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: windshield cracks or distorts, 74 complaints.
middle half of reports, median tick. The heavier grey bars have 75 or more reports.
Behind you
Around your mileage
Ahead of you
How this compares
365 complaints is 1.9 times the median 2021 model on this site and 1.7 times the median 2021 SUV. Among the 7 Telluride model years here it ranks 2nd for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.
Service bulletins for the 2021 Kia Telluride
Kia filed 95 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2021 Kia Telluride. 17 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car, 2 of those a warranty extension. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Suspension noise, struts or alignment 1 bulletin · 20 complaints
REAR SHOCK ABSORBER ASSEMBLY NOISE This bulletin provides information to replace the rear self-leveling shock insulator and locking nut on some 2020-2021MY Telluride (ON) vehicles produced from January 1, 2019 through December 1, 2020 which may exhibit noise from the rear of the vehicle while ...
Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 9 bulletins · 15 complaints
DISPLAY AUDIO 2.0V/AVN5W SOFTWARE UPDATE This bulletin provides information to update the software on Display Audio 2.0 (D2V) and AVN 5.0 Wide (AVN5W) head units on certain 2021-2023MY Kia vehicles (refer to pages 5 and 16).
AVN 5.0 WIDE NON-RESPONSIVE RADIO ICON (AM, FM, SXM) This bulletin provides information to update the software on 5th Generation AVN wide on certain 2020-2024MY Kia vehicles (refer to model list on page 3) to remedy a 'non-responsive' or 'inoperative' radio (FM, AM, SXM, etc. ) concern.
7 more on this problem
AVN 5.0 WIDE SCREEN FREEZING OR MAP DELAY WITH WIRED APPLE CARPLAY This bulletin provides information to update the software on 5th Generation AVN wide on certain 2020-2023MY Kia vehicles to remedy an inaccurate map location, freezing AVN screen, or experiencing a delay when using Google Maps or Waze through wired Apple ...
UNEVEN/SLIPPERY ROAD WARNING DISPLAYED ON INSTRUMENT CLUSTER This bulletin provides information to update the software on 5th Generation AVN wide on certain 2020-2023MY Kia vehicles (refer to model list on page 3) to remedy a warning sound accompanied by a 'Slippery road ahead. Drive carefully' or 'Uneven road ahead.
FRONT VIEW CAMERA REPLACEMENT FOR DTC C160449 & C160649 This bulletin provides information on the inspection and replacement of the front camera on some vehicles. Due to an internal control chip concern inside the camera, the vehicle may exhibit a Forward Collision Avoidance Assist Warning Lamp (A) and/or Master ...
FRONT VIEW CAMERA REPLACEMENT AND SOFTWARE UPGRADE INSTALLATION This bulletin provides the procedure to update the software logic of the Front Camera (FR_CMR) system on the vehicles listed below, which have had a new replacement Front View Camera installed without software upgrade.
PITSTOP: BLUETOOTH MEMORY AND VOICE RECOGNITION CONCERN WITH AVN 5.0/W This Pitstop provides information for resolving a memory concern with the AVN 5.0 Wide head unit while downloading the contact list from a paired phone. The concern also affects Voice Recognition (VR) functionality.
SVM/AVM CAMERA DISPLAY IMAGE QUALITY AND TPMS LIGHT ON This bulletin provides the procedure to repair, the female coaxial cable terminals located in the respective locations as shown below on some 2020-2021MY Telluride (ON) vehicles produced June 1, 2020 to September 2, 2020, equipped with Side View Monitor or ...
PITSTOP: MFC, CONCERNS FOR DISABLED OPERATION This Pitstop provides information regarding concerns with disabled operation of Multi-Function Camera (MFC) on some Kia vehicles.
Engine leaks oil 2 bulletins · 12 complaints
WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (WTY045) This document is the owner notification advising that 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 housing gasket in certain 2020-2025 MY Telluride vehicles ...
WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: DEALER PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGER MEMO (WTY045) This document is the announcement to the dealer Parts and Service managers advising that 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 housing gasket in certain ...
Headlights too dim or fail 2 bulletins · 9 complaints
INFORMATION FOR HEADLAMP CONDENSATION AND MOISTURE This bulletin provides information relating to some Kia models that may exhibit fogging, condensation, and/or moisture inside a headlamp assembly.
HEADLAMP SOFT CONNECTION INSPECTION This bulletin provides information to inspect and ensure proper internal connections of the headlamp on some 2021MY K5 (DL3a) vehicles produced from March 27, 2020 through April 14, 2021 and some 2020-2021MY Telluride (ON) vehicles produced from January 9, ...
Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 1 bulletin · 7 complaints
4WD COUPLING NOISE/VIBRATION LOGIC IMPROVEMENT This bulletin provides information to upgrade the 4-Wheel Drive “4WD” system software on certain 2020-2022MY Telluride (ON) vehicles produced from January 9, 2019, through September 1, 2022.
A/C blows warm or the compressor fails 1 bulletin · 5 complaints
DATC HEATER OPERATION LOGIC IMPROVEMENT This bulletin provides information to upgrade the air condition (AIRCON) software logic on certain 2020-2023MY Telluride (ON) vehicles equipped with Dual Air Temperature Control (DATC), produced from January 9, 2019 through June 6, 2023.
Transmission jerks, lurches or bangs into gear 1 bulletin · 5 complaints
AWD COUPLER NOISE/VIBRATION LOGIC IMPROVEMENT This bulletin provides information to upgrade the 4-Wheel Drive ‘4WD’ system software on some 2020-2025MY Telluride (ON) vehicles produced from January 08, 2019 through December 17, 2025.
Complaints filed by year
92 complaints came in 2026. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.
Recalls that include the 2021 Kia Telluride
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: 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.
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.
Risk and remedy
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.
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.
Risk and remedy
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.
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.
Risk and remedy
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.
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."
Risk and remedy
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.
All 5 recalls on the 2021 Kia Telluride, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
Guide Buying one used? How to research one car’s history before you pay
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2021 Kia Telluride?
Windshield, with 74 of the 365 complaints. Owners who gave a mileage for it put the median at about 3,000 miles.
At what mileage do 2021 Kia Telluride problems start?
Of the 87 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 4,000 miles and half by about 30,000.
Is the 2021 Kia Telluride better or worse than the 2020 and 2022?
Counted per year on the road, the 2021 has fewer complaints than the 2020 and about as many complaints as the 2022: 61 a year against 109 and 65.
How many 2021 Kia Telluride complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
16 of them (4%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for windshield on the 2021 Kia Telluride?
No recall on file for the 2021 Kia Telluride is on the same system as windshield. Another recall may still cover your car, so check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.