The Lemon Index2021 Kia Telluride.
The 2021 Kia Telluride is one of the worst years by owner complaints: 212 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 204, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about wipers & visibility, it has 5 recalls, and it gets 21 to 23 mpg combined. It's the best Kia Telluride year we track.
Lemon alert. 2× the average car's complaints.
Worst year 2020
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 371 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Kia Telluride year. 2021 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 0K to 16K miles on the car (40 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
Recalls 5
- seats 2026
The front power seat motor may overheat due to a stuck power seat slide knob or an improper recall 24V407 repair, which can result in a fire while parked or driving.
- seats 2024
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.
- transmission & drivetrain 2024
The intermediate shaft and right front driveshaft may not be fully engaged, which can result in vehicle roll away while in PARK.
Show all 5 recalls
- trailer hitches 2022
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.
- airbags 2021
The Occupant Classification and Detection System (OCS/ODS) unit may not detect the presence of a child restraint system in the front passenger seat.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Kia told dealers about
Kia sent dealers 102 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Technical service bulletin: service action: door belt line molding inspection and replacement…
- BATTERY DEALER / CUSTOMER MODE SWITCH - This bulletin has been revised to include additional
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kia Telluride SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Kia Telluride SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2800–3050 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.8L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Anytime going through the car wash the front and back parking sensors donât work and gives an error. It is now permanently stuck with this error.
2021 Kia Telluride owner · NHTSA complaint 11633021
More owner reports
Went to open sunroof and the plastic rail that Kia uses broke causing the sunroof glass to derail. Not able to retract the glass back in. In addition to the guide rail failing the wind deflector also broke.
NHTSA complaint 11553684
Track for sunroof broke and will not properly open or close. I was able to close it back but will not touch until the part can be repaired/replaced.
NHTSA complaint 11617369
Quick answers
Is the 2021 Kia Telluride reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew 2× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 204; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Kia Telluride year by this measure since 2010 is 2023.
What are the most common 2021 Kia Telluride problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are wipers & visibility (26%), electrical (10%) and body structure (10%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2021 Kia Telluride have?
5 safety recalls (latest: seats). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Kia Telluride get?
21 to 23 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2021 Kia Telluride safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2021 Kia Telluride problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 800 and 16,500 miles. The middle report was at 3,200 miles, from 40 complaints.
Does the 2021 Kia Telluride have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2021 Kia Telluride cost in fuel a year?
About $2800 to $3050 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2021 Kia Telluride have?
3.8L 6-cyl.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works