AI Damage2021 KIA Telluride: common problems
Owners of the 2021 KIA Telluride filed 373 complaints with NHTSA, most often about visibility and engine. The maker issued 102 service bulletins for this year. We found 1 repair videos on YouTube. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 373
- involving a crash
- 7
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 102
- YouTube repair videos
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Visibility 23% of all complaints
- 2 Engine 18% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 11% of all complaints
- 4 Structure 9% of all complaints
- 5 Powertrain 8% of all complaints
- 6 Forward collision avoidance 6% of all complaints
- 7 Suspension 5% of all complaints
- 8 Service brakes 4% of all complaints
- Visibility: 86 complaints (23% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 8.
- Engine: 68 complaints (18% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 14.
- Electrical system: 42 complaints (11% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 54.
- Structure: 33 complaints (9% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 7.
- Powertrain: 28 complaints (8% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 12.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.8 L · petrol · 6 cylnamed in 1 complaints
- automatic, 8-speed
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 373 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 | 86 | 0 | 8 |
| Engine | 68 | 0 | 14 |
| Electrical system | 42 | 0 | 54 |
| Structure | 33 | 0 | 7 |
| Powertrain | 28 | 0 | 12 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 22 | 3 | 13 |
| Suspension | 20 | 0 | 11 |
| Service brakes | 14 | 3 | 6 |
| Exterior lighting | 10 | 0 | 3 |
| Seats | 9 | 0 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 5 | 0 | 1 |
| Vehicle speed control | 4 | 0 | 3 |
| Backover prevention | 4 | 0 | 1 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
I expected my Kia Telluride to engage it's safety features such as, Automatic Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Warning, and at the very least the Airbags, which none of them deployed at anytime during this collision. I was then rear-ended by an 18-wheeler; smashing my entire back window.
The emergency brakes failed to work, and we crashed into a wall/air conditioning unit. Luckily, we were going slow since we were in a parking garage and did not hit another car, but if we were on a highway and/ my entire family were in the car, someone could have died not only in my car but in other cars.
No warning lights were noticed. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed to an impound yard. The vehicle could possibly be totaled. There was a police report. The driver sustained injuries to the face, head, knee, chest, and shoulder. The passenger sustained back injuries.
I was broadsided by a chevy cobalt traveling over 40mph. The impact was so great it spun my vehicle. No airbags deployed at all and the rear passenger door took the brunt of the impact.
09/26/2020, 2:30pm cst, while vehicle was in stationary 'auto hold' position, stepped on accelerator, causing vehicle to lurch forward violently, resulting in a rear-end collision with another vehicle in front of telluride. Filed under progressive [ref], 09/26/2020.
My vehicle has experienced recurring mechanical and drivability concerns, including an intermittent check-engine light, a previously reported camshaft-related diagnostic trouble code, and hesitation during acceleration.
It was filled and seemed to be running perfectly fine so we didn't give it another thought until this happened but now we're wondering if this particular engine is prone to the excessive oil consumption that has been noted in several other kia motors.
I kept the car parked outside for fear there might be an electrical issue and something overheats. Then was recently out and came out to my vehicle to find the fan running again. This time took multiple videos and it now consistently doing it.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 168 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 8% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Telluride has 254 complaints (8 years in the data). This year has 373, above average.
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.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
EXCESSIVE ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION: This bulletin provides information on diagnosing and/or repairing a 2020-2025MY Telluride (ON) vehicle's engine, which may exhibit a symptom of excessive oil consumption. Follow the…
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
AWD COUPLER NOISE/VIBRATION LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (Revision 1) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This…
- WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN
REIMBURSEMENT FORM (WTY049) - This document is a Reimbursement Request form that was mailed with the customer letter advising them to submit the form if they had paid for repairs for this same matter prior to the…
- WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN
OWNER NOTIFICATION (WTY049) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage to owners for specific repairs related to the front sunroof wind deflector…
- WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN
QUESTION AND ANSWER (WTY049) – This document is the Question and Answer Guide containing the most frequently asked questions regarding Warranty Extension Campaign WTY049.
- WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN
DEALER PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGER MEMO (WTY049) - This document is the announcement to dealer Parts and Service managers advising that Kia is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage to owners for specific…
- WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN
DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO (WTY049) - This document is the announcement to the dealer principals advising that Kia is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage to owners for specific repairs related to the front…
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: OIL FILTER HOUSING GASKET REPLACEMENT (WTY045) - This bulletin provides information regarding the ‘Warranty Extension Program (WTY045)’ for the inspection and, if necessary, replacement of…
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM SOFTWARE UPDATE USING UPDATE.KIA.COM - This bulletin provides information and service procedures for updating the infotainment systems on applicable Kia vehicles using the Kia Navigation Updater…
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
4WD COUPLING NOISE/VIBRATION LOGIC IMPROVEMENT) - CLOSED & SUPERSEDED BY CHA129 - This bulletin is now closed and superseded by CHA129. This bulletin provides information to upgrade the 4-Wheel Drive ‘4WD’ system…
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
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…
- WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN
REIMBURSEMENT FORM (WTY045) - This document is a Reimbursement Request form that was mailed with the customer letter advising them to submit the form if they had paid for repairs for this same matter prior to the…
NHTSA lists 102 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
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.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2021 KIA Telluride?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: visibility, engine, electrical system. Total complaints: 373. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: windows, sunroof (32%), warning lights, check engine (13%), oil leak or consumption (9%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2021 KIA Telluride?
NHTSA lists 102 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2021 KIA Telluride from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2021 models
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.