AI DamageKIA Telluride: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the KIA Telluride across 8 model years: 2,030 owner complaints and 218 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Visibility 21% of all complaints
- 2 Engine 17% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 14% of all complaints
- 4 Exterior lighting 10% of all complaints
- 5 Powertrain 8% of all complaints
- 6 Structure 8% of all complaints
- 7 Forward collision avoidance 4% of all complaints
- 8 Suspension 4% of all complaints
- Visibility: 425 complaints (21% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 35.
- Engine: 336 complaints (17% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 85.
- Electrical system: 293 complaints (14% of all), 6 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 259.
- Exterior lighting: 209 complaints (10% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 23.
- Powertrain: 171 complaints (8% of all), 5 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 58.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.5 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl 2027
- 3.8 L · petrol · 6 cyl 2020–2025named in 3 complaints
- 2.5 L · hybrid · turbo · 4 cyl 2027
- automatic, 8-speed 2020–2027
- dual-clutch (DCT), 6-speed 2027
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 2,030 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility | 425 | 1 | 35 |
| Engine | 336 | 1 | 85 |
| Electrical system | 293 | 6 | 259 |
| Exterior lighting | 209 | 2 | 23 |
| Powertrain | 171 | 5 | 58 |
| Structure | 157 | 2 | 29 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 90 | 11 | 46 |
| Suspension | 73 | 0 | 46 |
| Service brakes | 65 | 9 | 38 |
| Vehicle speed control | 58 | 2 | 14 |
| Seats | 54 | 1 | 12 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 43 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 40 | 1 | 5 |
| Seat belts | 35 | 4 | 1 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
My airbags did not deploy and though I was wearing my seat belt I was still propelled upward cutting my eye on the visor and bruising on my chin and lower lip from the steering wheel. I am concerned as to why the air bags did not deploy or the seatbelt lock.
Neither my nor my daughters air bags deployed nor did either of your seatbelts lock. I was able to grasp the steering wheel and brace but my daughter flew forward and hit her head on the dash board. The vehicle was towed to Caliber Collision Center in Minnetonka, MN on 1/19/2026.
While using lane assist, traveling around a curve at 55 MPH, the steering wheel was pushing and pulling, and failed to turn and continued going straight; the vehicle crossed the highway and crashed into a ditch. There were no warning lights illuminated.
For nearly two years, I have unknowingly driven this vehicle with multiple active safety recalls, including: •Airbag wiring harness defect (airbags may not deploy) •Seatbelt pretensioner/tensioner defects •Front power seat motor overheating (fire hazard) •Driveshaft engagement defect (vehicle may roll out of Park) Kia…
I put the car in park, then turned off the vehicle, and removed my seatbelt. The car then began rolling back on its own. When I hit the break, it did not work to stop or slow the vehicle. Instead, the break hit the floor, and was "floppy". The car then crashed.
Contact is concerned about other trim pieces coming off and penetrating other vehicles at speed with "sharp and pointed edges", as well as electrical fire from water intrusion corrosion. Contact demands further investigation and action by vehicle safety regulators.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Exterior lighting. Headlamps, leveling, sensors and mounts after a frontal hit.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- RELEASE NOTES
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
- WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN
- WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN
- WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN
- WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN
- WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN
- This Pitstop provides diagnostic guidance information for technicians to replace certain components for…
- RELEASE NOTES
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
- How to rebuild a completely destroyed Kia 2020 telluride like goonzquad!! Part 2! Must watch
- 2021 Kia Telluride taillight removal
- Kia Telluride Part 1 #2024 #car #cars #collisionrepair #metal #repair #restoration #viral #welding
- Kia Telluride Recall 2025 | Over 201,000 SUVs Affected | Serious Safety Concerns
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.