2021 Kia Telluride: Is It Reliable?
Problems, Recalls & Buyer Verdict
Shopping for a used 2021 Kia Telluride? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Current data includes 307 complaints, with Uncategorized Issues as the top reported area.
2021 Kia Telluride Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 2 2021 Kia Telluride trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 2 trims analysed.
2021 Kia Telluride Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Program2 variants tested — showing 2021 Kia Telluride SUV FWDOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
15.5% rollover risk
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
15.5% probability
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2021 Kia Telluride has 307 owner complaints, 7 crash-related complaints, and 4 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Uncategorized Issues. NHTSA reliability signal: Notable Issues.
- Make
- Kia
- Model
- Telluride
- Model year
- 2021
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 307
- Crash-related complaints
- 7
- Safety recall campaigns
- 4
- Top reported component
- Uncategorized Issues
- Reliability signal
- Notable Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 23
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 20 / 26
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
- NHTSA overall safety rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA frontal crash rating
- 4/5 stars
- NHTSA side crash rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA rollover rating
- 4/5 stars
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
Most Common 2021 Kia Telluride Problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Uncategorized Issues
Visibility/Wiper
Engine Problems
Complaint patterns center on Uncategorized Issues, Visibility/Wiper, Engine Problems. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Should You Buy a Used 2021 Kia Telluride?
The 2021 Kia Telluride shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase.
Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report.
What to Check Before Buying a Used 2021 Kia Telluride
Inspection Focus
- Investigate uncategorized issues by requesting detailed service records.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for visibility/wiper and engine components.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle, focusing on reported components.
Before You Close the Deal
- Investigate uncategorized issues by requesting detailed service records.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for visibility/wiper and engine components.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle, focusing on reported components.
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2021 Kia Telluride, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
What the Complaint Data Suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Complaints for the 2021 Kia Telluride are concentrated in uncategorized issues, visibility/wiper problems, and engine concerns. Crash-related complaints are low relative to total complaints, but the confidence level is low due to limited data.
- Uncategorized Issues account for the highest number of complaints at 85.
- Visibility/Wiper complaints total 58, indicating a recurring theme.
- Engine Problems are the third most reported component with 49 complaints.
- Uncategorized Issues
- Visibility/Wiper
- Engine Problems
All 2021 Kia Telluride Complaints by Category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2021 Kia Telluride. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uncategorized Issues | 85 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 58 | — | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 49 | — | 4 | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 33 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 28 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 23 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 22 | — | — | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB | 18 | 3 | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 13 | — | — | — | |
| Brake System | 13 | 3 | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 10 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Back Over Prevention | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 4 | 3 | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Lane Departure | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 | 1 | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Real Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2021 Kia Telluride. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
The sunroof wind screen broke off while driving. The sunroof then stayed open and would not shut. The electrical components in the middle seat are not working properly with the buttons on the seats. The leather is ripping on the seats and the center console even with regular …
There is no incident that lead to this part breaking. My sunroof broke when it was opened. A part fell out of the assembly into the car. The sunroof will now not open fully or close fully. It's a hazard because I'm not sure if the glass is properly attached to my car and can fly …
Sunroof wouldn’t fully close when a rainstorm hit, causing driver panic attack. This appears to be a known issue under TSB BOD-319.
The sunroof on my 2021 Kia Telluride broke and is stuck open. We had to take it to Kia to have the repair quoted and they want to charge $6k to have it replaced. This is a huge safety issue, as it is winter and we have rain/snow getting in the car, as well as the potential for so…
The sunroof wind deflector mechanism on my 2021 Kia Telluride failed due to what appears to be a known defect. The passenger side wind deflector arm broke off and upon trying to close the sunroof it made grinding noises. This caused the sunroof to malfunction and created a situa…
I recently pressed the button to open the sunroof, and it only retracted a few inches before I heard a loud noise. The sunroof stopped, and simply would not go any further. Thankfully, the vehicle is garaged at home (I was stationary and heading out when this occurred), but with …
In December of 2025 at approximately 95,000 my 2021 Kia Telluride (VIN [XXX] ) showed the oil level was about two quarts low. My car has had regular maintenance including oil changes at Santa Fe Kia. At the next oil change appointment in March, I pointed out the oil consumption c…
Bought my 2021 kia telluride sx with a cpo warranty with a little over 69,000 miles. at about 73,000 my car began to smoke and the dealership that I bought the vehicle from kept it for the day and sent me on my way with no diagnosis just simply stating they couldnt duplicate the …
Kia has 110,000 miles on it. We’ve regularly changed the oil at 3-5k mile intervals. A week ago, I heard loud knocking from the front of the car, along with loss of power. We drove it to our local Kia dealer (Kia of Bedford, OH), where upon inspection, they found cylinder bank 2 …
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 adv…
Recently our 2021 Kia Telluride, had a fluttering/metal knocking/mechanical sound and I scheduled a shop visit at our trusted local mechanic. After their inspection, they found that the oil was extremely low and there was metal shavings in the oil filter housing. This was found w…
I have 2 issues going on with my vehicle. The trim on the outside of my doors is coming off which I know was a recall for some telluride vehicles about this old. Also ive been having some electrical issues/hot smell like something is burning if the heated seats get turned on.
Code P0087 on a Kia Telluride indicates that the fuel rail pressure is too low. This means the engine is not receiving enough fuel, often resulting in poor acceleration, stalling, rough idle, and decreased power. It is frequently caused by a faulty high-pressure fuel pump... Thi…
I have 2021 Kia Telluride with 38000 miles on it. When I wash my car, I normally wash the roof and in order to do that I put one foot on 3 step ladder and one foot on the back tire. I always had a plenty space above the tire and under the fender and I could stand up on the tire w…
Opens sunroof and part broke
Sunroof mechanism failure in May 2025. Had sunroof repaired and paid out of pocket at KIA dealership. The sunroof was off track therefore the roof was exposed to elements. March 2026 sunroof mechanism has broken again. Sunroof has not been operated since repair in May 2025 for f…
I am a 2nd owner of a kia telluride and the engine failed without warning at less than 90,000 miles. No check engine light, no temp gauge, no low oil level light. No warning at all. Just failure of the "push rod bearing" ny Kia was regularly maintained and when I took it to the …
Driving on the highway when all the lights on the dashboard came on and heard a loud sound. Pulled over and noticed flames coming out. The front part of the car 911 was called. An incident report was made. The flames were out quickly. The car was towed and is at the dealership.
Kia had a safety recall which required a software update to address the potential of the car moving/ rolling away while parked. Kia addressed this by updating the software to automatically set the parking brake when the vehicle is turned off. In the northeast/ rust belt states …
The 3.8L Lambda II GDI V6 engine suffered catastrophic failure at approximately 102,000 miles. The root cause is excessive oil consumption documented by an independent repair shop well before the 100,000-mile powertrain warranty expired. At 81,207 miles, during a routine oil chan…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2021 Kia Telluride.
2021 Kia Telluride Recalls
4 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2021 Kia Telluride. 4 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
2021 Kia Telluride Buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2021 Kia Telluride reliable?▾
Notable Issues. NHTSA currently shows 307 owner complaints, 7 crash-related complaints, and 4 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2021 Kia Telluride shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Kia Telluride?▾
#1: Uncategorized Issues (85 complaints). #2: Visibility/Wiper (58 complaints). #3: Engine Problems (49 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2021 Kia Telluride?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2021 Kia Telluride?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2021 Kia Telluride, NHTSA complaints include 7 crash-related reports and 4 fire reports out of 307 total complaints. 7 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2021 Kia Telluride have any recalls?▾
Yes. 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2021 Kia Telluride. A major recall area is AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE. 4 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2021 Kia Telluride?▾
The 2021 Kia Telluride shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report. Pay extra attention to Uncategorized Issues during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Kia Telluride reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2021 Kia Telluride based on your ownership experience.
Add your rating:
Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Check the Exact Vehicle History Before You Buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.