2021 Kia Telluride recalls and problems

5 recalls and 373 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2021 Kia Telluride.

5
recalls
373
owner complaints
7
complaints mentioning a crash
4
mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2021 Kia Telluride recalls

Seats: front assembly, power adjust

NHTSA campaign 26V430000 · reported July 2, 2026 · Kia America, Inc. · 462,869 vehicles potentially affected

The 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.
The risk
A fire increases the risk of injury.
The fix
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: front assembly, power adjust

NHTSA campaign 24V407000 · reported June 5, 2024 · Kia America, Inc. · 462,869 vehicles potentially affected

The 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.
The risk
A fire increases the risk of injury.
The fix
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: driveline, driveshaft

NHTSA campaign 24V214000 · reported March 20, 2024 · Kia America, Inc. · 427,407 vehicles potentially affected

The 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.
The risk
A vehicle roll away increases the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix
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

NHTSA campaign 22V626000 · reported August 15, 2022 · Kia America, Inc. · 36,417 vehicles potentially affected

The 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.
The risk
A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
The fix
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: sensor, occupant classification, front passenger · Air bags: air bag/restraint control module

NHTSA campaign 21V164000 · reported March 11, 2021 · Kia Motors America · 142 vehicles potentially affected

The 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."
The 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.
The fix
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.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Oct 19, 2026 · Unknown 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…

Oct 19, 2026 · Unknown 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.

Oct 16, 2026 · Engine

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…

Oct 15, 2026 · Seats

NHTSA Recall Number 26V430000.

Oct 9, 2026 · Engine

I was attempting to accelerate on the freeway and the rpms kept going up but it felt like the engine didn't want to shift gears. Suddenly the rpms shot all the way up and then dropped to nothing and I was forced to coast off the freeway, thankfully we were by an exit. The vehicle had zero power and we were unable to…

Telluride model years compared

YearRecallsComplaintsCrashesFires
2020 777789
2021 537374
2022 7327104
2023 620962
2024 522362

Across all years, the 2020 Telluride has the most complaints (777). All Kia Telluride years →

Questions

Does the 2021 Kia Telluride have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2021 Kia Telluride, the most recent reported on July 2, 2026 (Seats: front assembly, power adjust). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Kia Telluride?
Owners have filed 373 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is unknown or other (105 complaints), followed by engine (68).
How many 2021 Kia Telluride complaints mention a crash or fire?
7 of 373 complaints report a crash and 4 a fire; 9 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received October 19, 2026.