Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
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).
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.
WINDSHIELD GLASS ISSUEs Purchases Telluride 5/23/21 First chip on drivers side (lower area) repaired 5/25. Slightly visible. Second chips (2) on passenger side (lower area)-medium chips with some spidering: repaired 6/23 but still visible. Third chips (2) center windshield below the rear view mirror-large and spidering. Very visible and right near sight lines. To big for repair. Requesting replacement 7/24. Waiting for confirmation to replace. Safelite Auto Glass has been very responsive and do a nice job on all repairs. Did mention to Mark Kia in general conversation about glass issues. I was told not covered under warranty. I will be back to Mark Kia this week for oil change and will mention to them again. The safety concern is that this has all happened within 2 1/2 months of owning the brand new vehicle. …
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". …
My wife was driving with my kids when there sounded like an explosion and the sunroof exploded. There was nothing around that hit the glass and we haven't been involved in any accidents that may have compromised the integrity of the glass. The sound sounds like an explosion and luckily when it scared my wife while driving, she didn't jerk the wheel and flip the vehicle. Also, thankfully the sunroof shade was closed otherwise glass would have exploded everywhere inside the vehicle hitting my kids and wife. It appears that it explodes up and in the middle of the sunroof by looking at how the glass was missing. It seems this is a common occurrence with the 2021 kia telluride. There's no warning, no cracking, no signs of it going to bust; it just does it. …
Driving on the highway on 11/20/22, at approximately 65-70 mph, when there was a loud bang above the driver's head causing the driver to become startled and swerve. The wind noise became louder and there was also a noise like something was moving on top of the sunshade. Exited the highway and pulled into a parking lot. Got out and the front sunroof had exploded and shards of glass were on top of the closed sunshade. The glass that remained was blown outward as if something inside the vehicle caused it to explode. Luckily the sunshade was closed and contained the glass or it would have come into the vehicle cabin and potential caused an accident or injuries to the occupants, and one could have been my one year old daughter. There were no cars around, no debris in the road, and not near an overpass.
Went to pick up our new car from the dealer on Saturday 4/17 and noticed the windshield had a chip. Waited a couple of hours for the dealer to fill the chip. On Sunday 4/18 I noticed a second windshield chip, so I called Safelite and scheduled an appointment to have it filled Tuesday 4/20 which was their first available date. However, the chip turned into a crack on Monday 4/19 even though it was parked in the garage overnight. The initial crack was about 4 inches long and since then it has traveled across the windshield. The cracked windshield impacts visibility, and I'm also concerned about the integrity of the windshield and the possibility of glass shards breaking away and becoming a hazard for the driver and occupants.
2021 Kia Telluride. Driving home from work 6/8/23. Small crack developed in the windshield on passenger side lower corner. Has spread quickly across windshield. Left message with service department of local KIA dealership in Murfreesboro Tennessee inquiring about Kia "Customer Satisfaction Initiative" concerning windshield cracking. No call back after 8 days. Left email on KIA Corporate Customer Service Website on 6/12/23 inquiring about windshield "Customer Satisfaction Initiative". No response from Kia after 6 days. The Kia Web Site claims they will respond to inquiries within 48 hours but have not. Because this defect affects driver visibility I would consider this a safety issue.
The front wiper blades get stuck when in use. This most often occurs when they are at their upper most point, but happens in a lower position as well. I had a previous issue where the left blade components had to be replaced because of stripped nuts/gears. This does not appear to be the same issue. I've taken it to the dealer and to another mechanic, neither of who could recreate the problem. This is quite dangerous as it impedes my visibility while driving in precipitation. The other issue is with buttons on the steering column that either do not work or miscommunication. This has been repaired/replaced but with the same issue.
Window & Wiper complaints in other Telluride years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 2021 Kia Telluride?
NHTSA has 86 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 2021 Kia Telluride, 23% of the model year's 373 complaints. The component named most often is sun/moon roof assembly (12 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2021 Kia Telluride window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof 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 window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 2,000 miles, and 94% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to windows, wipers & sunroof problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.