2021 Kia Telluride Problems & Complaints

Most common 2021 Kia Telluride problems

• Other / not specified~3,000 miles
  10628%
• Windows, wipers & sunroof~2,000 miles
  8623%
• Engine & cooling~63,000 miles
  7019%
• Electrical system~3,000 miles
  4211%
• Body & structure~4,000 miles
  339%
• Transmission & drivetrain~0 miles
  288%
• Driver assistance~9,000 miles
  257%
• Suspension~81,000 miles
  205%
• Brakes
  144%
• Lights~68,000 miles
  103%
• Seats~1,000 miles
  92%
• Fuel & propulsion system
  72%
• Steering~81,000 miles
  51%
• Air bags~21,000 miles
  41%
• Seat belts
  41%
• Speed control & acceleration~81,000 miles
  41%
• Wheels & tires
  31%
• Stability & traction control~1,000 miles
  10%
• Locks & latches~19,000 miles
  10%
• Equipment & accessories~66,000 miles
  10%

Share of the 373 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Kia Telluride complaints by model year

Best Telluride years: 2025, 2023. Compare all years →

2021 Kia Telluride recalls (5)

What 2021 Kia Telluride owners say

Windows, wipers & sunroof all 86 →

The contact owns a 2021 Kia Telluride. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, he heard an abnormal popping sound coming from the vehicle. The contact was able to drive the vehicle home and upon inspection, he discovered that the sunroof glass had exploded without incident or impact. The contact called the dealer and reported the failure. The contact was informed that a representative would call him back with more information. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 8,137.

The contact owns a 2021 Kia Telluride. While the contact's wife was driving approximately 60 MPH, the sunroof was open, and there was a loud sound coming from the sunroof, and metal pieces flew off the vehicle and fell inside the vehicle. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was out of warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 75,833.

Engine & cooling all 70 →

The contact owns a 2021 Kia Telluride. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH there was a loud rattling sound that came from under the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact then pulled over safety. The contact stated there were parts of the vehicle that fell onto the highway. When the contact was on the side of the vehicle they checked under the hood, and located smoke and fire from the engine. The contact exhausted the flames with liquid from a nearby driver. The CHP and fire arrived on the scene; however, the fire was extinguished by the time of their arrival. There was no CHP report filed that the contact was aware of. There were no injuries or medical treatments needed. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer and diagnosed two pistons came from the engine, and it was a catalytic failure. The vehicle currently was being repaired. …

The contact owns a 2021 Kia Telluride. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and turned off, there was smoke coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the engine located on the rear driver's side had caught on fire. The vehicle was extinguished by the Fire Department. A fire report was filed, and a fire report number was not provided. The cause of the failure was not yet been determined. A Police report was not filed. There were no occupants at the time of the failure. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

Electrical system all 42 →

My wife had placed our two children in the car in their car seats. She attempted to start the vehicle by pressing the brake and the starter button. Though all the dome lights and other normal electrical items were on at the time, as soon as she attempted to start the car, it instantly went dead. There was no power to anything, and all the interior dome lights did not work. No matter how often she attempted, she could not start the vehicle, even with accessory mode. It was almost as if the battery had been suddenly removed from the vehicle. At no point was the car moved outside of park. My wife removed our two kids from the vehicle, and shortly after, they were secured in our other vehicle; without my wife being in the Telluride, the car turned on itself. All interior lights were on, and the car was functional. She found that while the radio was on, the HVAC that had been on was now off. …

As I was driving down the highway in the rain, my check engine light came on and I was unable to accelerate my vehicle over 30mph and the speedometer stopped working. I was turning onto the road I live on, so I was able to make it home. I then shut my car off and turned it back on about 5 minutes later, and that issue was no longer happening. I had an upcoming appointment for an oil change at a Kia dealership, so I told the dealership about the issue. They told me that they hooked their computer up to the car and it was showing that there weren't any issues showing and the only way that they would be able to see that there was an issue is if the vehicle was brought in while it was malfunctioning. …

2021 Kia Telluride engines & fuel economy

EPA ratings. Class: Small SUV.