Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2021 Kia Telluride owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I was pulling out of a parking lot going about 3 mph. There were no other vehicles around and the windshield cracked right in front of me. I called my insurance and explained to them the strange event that just took place, and they said that it would be a deductable of $500.00 or around $1000.00. Reasearch has proven that quote. The next day I went out to the car to start it up so the kids wouldn't be so hot. I watched the 6 inch crack from the day before, turn into a a 3.5 foot crack. Kia dealer says it's a rock chip so outside of warrenty. There is absolutly no way that a rock hit my windshield with no other cars around, and me going 3 MPH. I contacted Kia customer service, and was told that the dealer said it was a rock chip, therefore it was out of warrenty. At this point I am so terrifed to put my kids in that car, because look what happened when going at very sluggish speeds. …
The vehicle had approx 10k miles and I simply tried to open the sunroof before leaving my driveway and something snapped. The Sunroof was then stuck in the open position, I could not close it. I called my regular dealership for help as it was under warranty and practically new. The dealership said they are too busy to help me, I have no garage and there was rain in the forecast. I called other dealerships and was able to find one who would take it in for a look. I was told it might take a few days and left the car. After a few days the dealership said they needed to order parts, that the entire sunroof track has to be replaced and it may take weeks. They were able to close the roof and I picked up the car, I had to take it back as wind was coming in as I drove and rain can too. I returned for repairs and issues approx 5 times until it was "repaired". …
Vehicle sunroof came off track on July 22, 2025. Possibly by the fault of the customer. Customer sought repair. Authorized Kia dealer recommended complete replacement of sunroof. On August 29, 2025, Customer paid authorized Kia dealer to replace sunroof with official Kia parts. On June 25, 2026, sunroof broke again through no fault of the customer. Wind deflector arms broke, got stuck open, and caused the glass to go off-track, rendering the sunroof inoperable and completely ruined. Took the vehicle to the same Kia dealer that repaired the sunroof originally. Even though the vehicle was within the 12 month warranty, it was over the 12,000 mile warranty, and Kia would not fix the sunroof. We opened a complaint with Kia Customer Care, and they did not resolve the issue for two months. Our claim was denied. …
In November 2024, the sunroof mechanism failed in a crooked, partially open position and would no longer move. The motor operated, but there was a grinding noise and no movement of the sunroof. I had to return from North Carolina to Alabama in the rain with a partially open sunroof. The service department at Bramlett Kia in Decatur, Alabama, confirmed the sunroof mechanism has to be replaced. The service technician said the electrical cable to the sunroof was caught in the mechanism. Parts were ordered and took several weeks to be shipped. The sunroof is to be repaired next week. This is obviously a defective design and could lead to safety issues if the sunroof were to become detached while the vehicle is moving. My sunroof has stayed in place but the mechanism is bent on both sides and loose in one corner. I don't know if the sunroof is still being held safely by the mechanism. …
After having a recall, performed on the emergency parking brake it would engage while parked, but when trying to put it in drive or reverse, it would not disengage this began happening approximately two weeks to one month after the recall was performed. It isn't happening constantly, but it does happen often. On occasion, while driving, it will engage and pull the car to the side nearly pulling me off the road. After looking for other instances of this online, I came across a post that stated it happens to their car, but only when it was over a certain temperature. After watching more closely, I had figured out that it only happens above 70 F and it would only happen occasionally it was not every time it was above this . I have also brought it to the repair shop and they have no idea is what is causing it. …
My 2021 Kia Telluride (60,500 miles) experienced failure of the panoramic sunroof wind deflector arm/mechanism. The broken component is available for inspection. The failure prevents the sunroof system from operating properly and may result in improper sealing, water intrusion, or further mechanical damage. The issue was confirmed by a Kia dealership. Kia has issued Technical Service Bulletin BOD 319 addressing Telluride sunroof wind deflector arm and mechanism failures. Despite this bulletin, I was quoted approximately $4,000+ for replacement of the entire sunroof assembly instead of the component repair procedure described by Kia. There were no warning lights or messages before failure. The issue occurred during normal vehicle use. I believe this known component failure presents a safety and reliability concern for Telluride owners.
I have used the sunroof on my 2021 Kia Telluride probably less than ten times in the 5 years I've owned it. I started getting a leak in front of my rearview mirror so I searched for the drains by opening the sunroof and fond them. Cleaned them out as best I could. closed the sunroof but was still having a leak. The next time I opened it to look at it, it jammed and wouldn't open completely or close. With a little help, i was able to get it back on track and close but still had the leak. Took to the dealership for service and to have them look for a problem with the sunroof. They said it wasn't closing completely and the entire frame would need replacing at about $3400.00. This seems to be a common problem from what I'm seeing on Kia Forums. I was wondering if you are considering a recall on this issue?
Hello, I've contacted customer service for Kia America and also, customer service in Puerto Rico since I'm a resident in Puerto Rico, so that I can address the safety recall with number SC303 and also a technical service bulletin with number BOD319. However, customer service advised that they can't pull up my SUV vehicle information with the VIN provided. I'm unable to address the safety recall and the technical service bulletin since Kia can't pull up the vehicle information. My vehicle is experiencing technical failure with the intermediate shaft as described on the safety recall. Also, the sunroof is experiencing technical difficulties compatible with the information included on the TSB. I ask for your support to address the described issues, accordingly. Thank you!
While driving, the fuel door body panel detached from the vehicle. Uncertain when or how it occurred. The component was there when the journey started, but upon arriving at the destination it was missing(12/08/2022). At the previous fuel stop almost 1 week prior(12/02/2022), there was no indication that the body panel attachment was compromised. This component failing and detaching at highway speeds could put the safety of others at risk. The panel was unable to be recovered after it fell off of the vehicle. No damage to the remaining components were found by the dealership. They claim it was stolen and not covered under warranty. Attached image does show a residue on the swing arm. Uncertain if that was an adhesive that failed.
While driving at interstate speeds the sunroof window shattered outward. This was not the result of a rock or flying ice event as no other cars where near by at the time. I have found that many others have experienced this issue and Kia refuses to cover the repairs even though it appears to be an issue with Kia Telluride sunroofs. If the sun shade had been open at the time both me and my 12 year old son would have been covered with glass and this could have caused a high speed accident from the glass and the sound of the explosion. Kia needs to address this issue but our request for compensation has been denied. Also Kia refused to provide documentation of this denial as it was in an email from the local dealer to Kia.
Body complaints in other Telluride years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2021 Kia Telluride?
NHTSA has 33 complaints about the body & structure of the 2021 Kia Telluride, 9% of the model year's 373 complaints. The component named most often is body (33 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2021 Kia Telluride body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 2021 Kia Telluride, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2021 Kia Telluride body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 4,000 miles, and 100% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.