2021 Kia Telluride recalls

5 safety recalls, 374 owner complaints and a 5-star NHTSA crash rating. Official NHTSA data.

2027202520242023202220212020
5Recalls
374Complaints
11Crashes & fires reported
5/5NHTSA overall rating

Not every 2021 Kia Telluride is affected by every recall. Check your VIN to see open recalls on your exact vehicle.

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2021 Kia Telluride recall list

Seats recall

Park outside26V-430
July 2, 2026 · Kia America, Inc.
Problem
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 or an improper recall 24V407 repair, which can result in a fire while parked or driving.
Safety risk
A fire increases the risk of injury.
Remedy
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will install an electronic fuse assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 13, 2026. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC374. This recall replaces NHTSA recall number 24V407. Vehicles already repaired under the previous recall will need to have the new remedy completed. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning July 17, 2026.

Seats recall

Park outside24V-407
June 6, 2024 · Kia America, Inc.
Problem
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.
Safety risk
A fire increases the risk of injury.
Remedy
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will install a bracket for the power seat switch back covers and replace the seat slide knobs, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 30, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC316.

Power Train recall

24V-214
March 21, 2024 · Kia America, Inc.
Problem
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.
Safety risk
A vehicle roll away increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy
Owners are advised to manually engage the emergency parking brake prior to exiting the vehicle until the recall remedy is performed. Dealers will update the electronic parking brake software and replace any damaged intermediate shafts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 15, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC303.

Trailer Hitches recall

Park outside22V-626
August 15, 2022 · Kia America, Inc.
Problem
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.
Safety risk
A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will install a new fuse and a wiring harness extension. Dealers will also inspect and replace the tow hitch harness assembly, as necessary. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 12, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC247.

Air Bags recall

21V-164
March 11, 2021 · Kia Motors America
Problem
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."
Safety risk
In the event of a crash, deployment of the front passenger air bag, with a child in that seat, can increase the risk of injury to the child.
Remedy
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the OCS/ODS unit, free of charge. The recall began March 18, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC207.

2021 Kia Telluride owner complaints

374 complaints filed with NHTSA, including 7 crashes, 4 fires, 9 injuries and 0 deaths.

Problems by component

Unknown or Other105
Engine68
Visibility/Wiper64
Electrical System42
Structure33
Power Train28
Visibility23
Forward Collision Avoidance22
Suspension21
Service Brakes14

Recent complaints

October 28, 2026Suspension

Spontaneous structural failure of the front driver-side suspension coil spring occurred while operating the vehicle at a low speed on smooth pavement (leaving a parking lot). There was absolutely no impact, road hazard, or pothole involved. The coil spring cleanly fractured into two distinct pieces near the top. The shock absorber and surrounding strut components remain completely undamaged, proving this was a spontaneous metallurgical or manufacturing defect rather than impact damage. The broken section of the spring unseated from the upper strut mount and is resting loosely in the wheel well, causing severe grinding and banging noises. This poses an immediate, critical safety hazard: the j

October 19, 2026Unknown or Other

On Friday, October 16, 2026, while traveling approximately 70 mph on I-94 in Wisconsin, the smaller, operable sunroof above the front seats of our 2021 Kia Telluride suddenly exploded without warning. The sunroof was completely closed and flush with the roof, not tilted or vented. The sunshade was open, and the outside temperature was approximately 50–55 degrees. We heard an extremely loud bang resembling a gunshot. There was no apparent impact, no vehicles close enough ahead of us to have thrown debris onto the roof, and no bridge or overpass overhead that could have dropped an object onto the vehicle. The glass appeared to blow primarily upward and outward. When we stopped to inspect the v

October 19, 2026Unknown or Other

Alternator died and had to get replaced at 80,000 miles. Car died while driving on the highway. Had to pull over and get the car towed. Had to get the alternator replaced and paid out of pocket.

October 16, 2026Unknown or OtherEngine

NHTSA Vehicle Safety Complaint – 2021 Kia Telluride I am the original owner of a 2021 Kia Telluride with approximately 78,000 miles. My vehicle has experienced recurring mechanical and drivability concerns, including an intermittent check-engine light, a previously reported camshaft-related diagnostic trouble code, and hesitation during acceleration. Of particular concern, there have been instances when I have pressed the accelerator pedal and the vehicle has hesitated before responding. This delayed acceleration creates a potential safety concern, particularly when entering traffic, merging, or navigating intersections where predictable engine response is essential. Additionally, the vehicl

October 15, 2026Seats

NHTSA Recall Number 26V430000.

2021 Kia Telluride crash test ratings

VersionOverallFrontalSideRollover
2021 Kia Telluride SUV FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
2021 Kia Telluride SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

Driver aids on the tested 2021 Kia Telluride: electronic stability control standard, forward collision warning standard, lane departure warning standard. Rollover risk: 15.5%.

2021 Kia Telluride recall FAQ

Does the 2021 Kia Telluride have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls for the 2021 Kia Telluride. The most recent, filed July 2, 2026, concerns the seats.

What are the most common 2021 Kia Telluride problems?

Owners have filed 374 complaints with NHTSA. The most reported area is unknown or other (105 reports), followed by engine.

Is the 2021 Kia Telluride safe?

The 2021 Kia Telluride earned up to a 5-star overall safety rating in NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program crash tests.

How do I get a recall fixed on my 2021 Kia Telluride?

Contact any authorized Kia dealer. Recall repairs are free, even if you are not the original owner or the warranty has expired.