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#BS-2021-KIATEL-2C9D2021 Kia Telluride
Based on reports from 358 owners and 4 recalls for this exact model.
Preliminary Verdict
Red Flag
Based on 358 complaints, 13 crashes, 3 fires, and 4 recalls. Complaint rate is 2.1x the class average.
Top reported problems
rear shocks are hard stiff
2 complaints • Severity 9/10
rear shocks failed due to design flaw tsb113
1 complaints • Severity 8/10
sunroof glass shattered on the freeway
1 complaints • Severity 10/10
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Mechanic Inspection Checklist
57 owners reported visibility issues — failures commonly reported around 3K miles.
Failure Timeline by Mileage
Peak failure range: 0–30K miles (37 reports) • Median: 3K miles
30,000-Mile Cost Projection
Best Case
Most Likely
Worst Case
Top cost driver: Visibility (57 reports).
Also in your report
Owner Intelligence
AI-synthesized themes from real complaints
Buyer Lot Checklist
Questions, test drive checks, walk-away triggers
Negotiation Talking Points
Data-backed dollar deductions
Buy / Skip Verdict
Final recommendation with conditions
Where the complaints fall
2021 Kia Telluride: Known Issues & Problem Areas
Visibility Issues
Visibility complaints account for 16% of all reports filed for the 2021 Kia Telluride, with 57 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. The median mileage at time of complaint is 3,000 miles, suggesting issues tend to surface around the 3K-mile mark.
Engine Issues
Engine complaints account for 10% of all reports filed for the 2021 Kia Telluride, with 36 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to engine-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Electrical Issues
Electrical complaints account for 8% of all reports filed for the 2021 Kia Telluride, with 27 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to electrical-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Structure:body Issues
Structure:body complaints account for 7% of all reports filed for the 2021 Kia Telluride, with 26 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to structure:body-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Data sourced from NHTSA owner complaints and community reports. The full report analyzes severity, repair costs, and failure patterns for each category.
Complaint trend by year
Complaints filed with NHTSA by year for the 2021 Kia Telluride. Recent trend: decreasing.
Don't negotiate blind — know what this car costs to own
Repair costs • Negotiation scripts • Mechanic checklist • Buy/skip verdict
Recall History (4 recalls)
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021 Telluride, K5, and Forte vehicles. The Occupant Classification and Detection System (OCS/ODS) unit may not detect the presence of a child restraint system in the front passenger seat. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
TRAILER HITCHES
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Telluride vehicles potentially equipped with a Genuine Kia 4-pin tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Kia dealership. Debris and moisture accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Telluride vehicles. The intermediate shaft and right front driveshaft may not be fully engaged, which can result in vehicle roll away while in PARK.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Telluride vehicles. The front power seat motor may overheat due to a stuck power seat slide knob, which can result in a fire while parked or driving.
Recall severity analysis & seller scripts
The full report rates each recall's severity and gives you scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.
The worst model year for the Kia Telluride is the 2020 — worth knowing if you're cross-shopping years. The biggest problem area is lights.
2021 Kia Telluride vs. Class Average (Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD)
This vehicle
358
Class avg
172
2.1x the class average — significantly more complaints than typical small sport utility vehicle 2wd vehicles.
Complaint counts correlate with sales volume — popular vehicles naturally generate more reports. The full report normalizes for this.
About this data
NHTSA Complaints
Federal database of owner-filed safety complaints. 358 records for this vehicle.
NHTSA Recalls
Manufacturer-issued safety recalls. 4 recalls found for this vehicle.
Repair Cost Data
Real-world repair costs from owner reports and independent databases.
2021 Kia Telluride: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common problem with the 2021 Kia Telluride?
Is the 2021 Kia Telluride reliable?
How much does it cost to fix 2021 Kia Telluride problems?
Does the 2021 Kia Telluride have any recalls?
What mileage do Kia Telluride problems start?
What’s in the full report?
How is this different from free NHTSA data?
How is this different from Carfax?
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Get the Full 2021 Kia Telluride Report
10 sections of AI analysis based on 358 owner reports. Know before you buy.