Head-to-head reliability
KIA Telluride vs Toyota Camry
How the KIA Telluride and Toyota Camry compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
KIA Telluride vs Toyota Camry: The Telluride averages 268 complaints per year with sudden engine shutdowns and windshield failures, while the Camry averages 208 per year with engine-off-in-drive and moonroof shattering. The Camry has fewer annual complaints and a longer history. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the KIA Telluride or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
KIA Telluride
The KIA Telluride is a large SUV that has generated a high volume of complaints relative to its time on the market, averaging 268 per year. Owners report sudden engine shutdowns while driving, windshield wiper fluid leaks, and catastrophic windshield failures from minor impacts. The electrical system also triggers false warnings and stalls, making the Telluride feel unpredictable in daily use.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a midsize sedan with a longer complaint history but a lower annual rate (208 per year). Common issues include the engine being turned off while still in drive, stuck ignition keys, and spontaneous moonroof shattering. Brake problems involve unintended activation and grinding noises, but the overall pattern is less severe than the Telluride's.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | KIA Telluride | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,876 Better | 2,081 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 33 | 28 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 38 Better | 177 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 268.0 | 208.1 Better |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 39 Better | 161 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 1 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
KIA Telluride
- 01UNKNOWN OR OTHER442
- 02VISIBILITY/WIPER341
- 03ENGINE280
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM264
- 05EXTERIOR LIGHTING204
Owners report the vehicle suddenly shutting off in traffic, with a red dashboard warning and a message to shift into park or neutral to restart. This can be dangerous if it happens at speed.
Windshield wiper fluid leaks from the front to the rear, and the laminated windshield can shatter catastrophically from minor debris, unlike federally regulated safety glass.
The engine overheats repeatedly when climbing mountain highways with the air conditioning on, and electronic safety/engine control systems malfunction while driving, causing sudden power loss.
The vehicle alarms and shuts off the engine mid-drive, requiring the driver to pull over and restart. This has occurred multiple times under similar conditions.
“I rented a car from Avis on [XXX] (a Friday) for a 24-hour rental. I rented it in Manhattan, and the car (a Kia Telluride) had a New York license plate [XXX] ). I drove to Boston to pick up my daughter from college and then returned the car Saturday morning (…”
“My 2025 Kia Telluride is suddenly shutting off in traffic. It first happened 6/24/26 I was pulling away from a stop light when my vehicle shut off. I received a red dash as you would for collision warning and a message to shift into park or neutral to restart…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN384
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER332
- 03ENGINE309
- 04SERVICE BRAKES288
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM233
The engine can be turned off and the key removed while the vehicle is still in drive, with no warning, allowing it to roll away. The ignition key also gets stuck even when the dash shows Park.
The moonroof can shatter spontaneously while driving, even in moderate temperatures and without external debris, sounding like a gunshot.
Some owners report excessive engine noise and a musty smell in the trunk, along with rust spots. A vibration sound occurs when the brake is pressed or depressed.
The braking system can activate erroneously, causing unintended deceleration, and there are grinding noises from the rear brakes that dealers sometimes cannot diagnose.
“The vehicle allows the engine to be turned off, key removed, while the vehicle is still in drive with no warning lights or sounds. I have tested and the vehicle can roll away. Complained to the toyota dealership and they said the service tech consulted with t…”
“My 2023 Toyota Camry has developed an intermittent defect where the ignition key becomes stuck and cannot be removed even though the dashboard shows the vehicle is in Park. The only way to remove the key is to disconnect the vehicle's battery, which is not a…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
KIA Telluride — 33 recalls
The defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Telluride vehicles. The door belt molding trim can delaminate and detach from the vehicle.
The risk: A detached trim piece can become a road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the belt molding trim assemblies as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 19, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall…
The defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 Telluride and 2026 Sorento vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with an incorrect spare tire which, when installed, can impair the anti-lock braking system (ABS) and the traction control system (TCS). As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the…
The risk: Anti-lock braking or traction control systems that do not function properly can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the spare wheel and tire assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 3, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC355. Vehicle Iden…
The defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 Telluride vehicles, equipped with power front seat(s). Due to a manufacturing error, the driver and passenger seat back frame assemblies may fail to properly restrain occupants in a crash.
The risk: A seat back frame that fails to properly restrain an occupant during a crash increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the front seat back frame assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning April 24, 2026. Owners may contact Kia Customer Service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number f…
The defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Telluride vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the wire harnesses for the second row seat side air bags may become damaged, causing them not to deploy in the event of a crash.
The risk: Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace, or secure the air bag wire harnesses, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 28, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for thi…
Toyota Camry — 28 recalls
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The lug nuts that attach the wheels to the vehicle may be loose, which can result in wheel detachment.
The risk: A wheel that detaches from a moving vehicle can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Dealers will inspect and tighten the lug nuts, and replace any damaged components, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short cir…
The risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue…
Buyer analysis
KIA Telluride or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Toyota Camry has fewer complaints per year (208 vs 268) and a longer track record, suggesting lower overall risk. In practice, the Telluride's sudden engine shutdowns and windshield failures are more alarming than the Camry's transmission and brake quirks.
Key differences
- Telluride has sudden engine shutdowns while driving; Camry has engine-off-in-drive but with key removal.
- Telluride windshield shatters from minor debris; Camry moonroof shatters spontaneously.
- Telluride has wiper fluid leaks; Camry has stuck ignition keys.
- Telluride engine overheats on mountain climbs; Camry brakes activate unintentionally.
- Check for windshield cracks or chips; even minor damage may lead to catastrophic shattering.
- Test the wiper system for fluid leaks from front to rear.
- Verify that the ignition key can be removed only when in Park, and that the engine-off-in-drive issue is absent.
- Inspect the moonroof for any signs of stress or prior shattering.
Before you buy
- Test drive the Telluride on a highway and simulate a sudden stop to check for engine shutdown.
- On the Camry, try removing the key in each gear to ensure it only comes out in Park.
- Spray windshield fluid on the Telluride and check for leaks at the rear.
- Listen for grinding brakes on the Camry during a slow stop.
- Review the vehicle's recall history and confirm all recalls have been performed.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | KIA Telluride | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 97 |
| 2025 | 90 | 140 |
| 2024 | 204 | 46 |
| 2023 | 197 | 60 |
| 2022 | 311 | 57 |
| 2021 | 337 | 154 |
| 2020 | 737 | 264 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific KIA Telluride or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- KIA Telluride vs Toyota Camry
- KIA Telluride total complaints
- 1,876
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,081
- KIA Telluride total recalls
- 33
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 28
- KIA Telluride avg complaints/year
- 268.0
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 208.1
- More reliable overall
- Toyota Camry
- KIA Telluride top complaint area
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN