2021 Kia Telluride Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

Incident: October 18, 2026 · Filed: October 28, 2026

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 jagged, fractured metal edges of the loose spring are at high risk of shifting to puncture the front tire or sever the brake lines, which would cause a sudden, catastrophic loss of vehicle control and braking ability. DEALER & CORPORATE RECORD: The vehicle is currently located at an authorized Kia dealership service center. Dealership technicians have physically inspected the vehicle and confirmed that the coil spring is broken into two pieces while the surrounding shock absorber/strut assembly remains entirely undamaged. This structurally isolates the failure to a metallurgical or manufacturing defect of the spring itself, rather than external impact damage. Despite their technicians confirming the failure, Kia has denied goodwill repair assistance for this severe safety defect under Kia Corporate Case Number 26498926.

Incident: July 4, 2026 · Filed: October 19, 2026

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.

Incident: October 16, 2026 · Filed: October 19, 2026

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 vehicle, the remaining glass around the opening was turned upward. Glass fragments were scattered throughout the passenger compartment, including across all the seats and the floor. I have filed a complaint with Kia Corporate but the vehicle is in our driveway at the moment. I am waiting for further instructions from Kia. We were traveling with three passengers and a dog. We had to remove glass to protect everyone from injury and did not retain the fragments that fell inside the vehicle. As we slowed down and searched for a safe exit, several other motorists pulled alongside us and gestured to make sure we were all right so clearly it was visible from the outside. Fortunately, I maintained control of the vehicle. However, the sudden failure was extremely frightening and created a serious potential hazard at highway speed. A driver could easily be startled or distracted enough to lose control. I am concerned about a potential defect involving the front sunroof glass or its assembly, particularly given reports of similar incidents involving Kia Tellurides. I request that NHTSA document this incident and evaluate whether it may be part of a broader safety defect affecting these vehicles.

Incident: September 11, 2026 · Filed: October 16, 2026

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 vehicle has exhibited rough operation while reversing and unusually harsh engine behavior when the automatic engine stop-start system engages. Despite multiple visits to a Kia-authorized dealership, including a monitored 1,000-mile oil consumption test, these concerns remain unresolved. The dealership advised that the vehicle passed the oil consumption test but subsequently recommended a dynamic engine cleaning procedure. I was informed that the technician was approximately 85% confident this procedure would resolve the issue. However, no definitive explanation of the underlying mechanical problem was provided. I have requested written documentation of the diagnostic findings and the basis for the recommended procedure. I have also opened a formal case with Kia America Consumer Affairs regarding these unresolved concerns. I am submitting this complaint because I am concerned that the recurring acceleration hesitation and related engine symptoms may indicate a safety-related defect that has not been adequately identified or resolved. I respectfully request that NHTSA document these concerns and evaluate whether similar complaints involving 2021 Kia Telluride vehicles indicate a broader safety issue.

Incident: October 15, 2026 · Filed: October 15, 2026

NHTSA Recall Number 26V430000.

Incident: September 25, 2026 · Filed: October 9, 2026

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 move it off the road, despite assistance from passersby. The wheels were locked in place and would not move until the tow truck driver showed up and looked something up online to manually force the car into neutral. (Though it was displayed as being in neutral) This is a 2021 vehicle bought brand new and has been properly maintained. Approximately 2-3 weeks before this, my husband randomly checked the oil and it was about 2qts low. It was filled and seemed to be running perfectly fine so we didn't give it another thought until this happened but now we're wondering if this particular engine is prone to the excessive oil consumption that has been noted in several other kia motors.

Incident: September 21, 2026 · Filed: October 8, 2026

Vehicle was sitting all night and entered the garage in the morning and found the radiator fan at full speed. Car was not running, so backed it out, turned it off and the fan turned back on. Took it to a KIA dealer and kept it for a few days and just stated they couldn't duplicate the issue, although I couldn't get them to tell me technically what they checked. I kept the car parked outside for fear there might be an electrical issue and something overheats. Then was recently out and came out to my vehicle to find the fan running again. This time took multiple videos and it now consistently doing it. Took it home for the evening and disconnected the battery, and in the morning as soon as I reconnected the battery the fan started up to full speed again. Dropped it off to another KIA dealership and it was still doing it and showed it to the service advisor and gave him the videos. They are currently looking at it now. Also, there were never any warning lights or alarms that anything was wrong. There are so many postings out there on this issue on forums, FB, Telluride sites, etc., that I'm shocked there isn't at least a KIA TSB on this problem.

Incident: October 1, 2026 · Filed: October 7, 2026

Rear seats coming unlocked on there own and will not stay in locked position once pushed back into place this is the second row of seats motor of fold down button keeps running

Incident: September 4, 2026 · Filed: October 5, 2026

On September 4, 2026, my son was driving our 2021 Kia Telluride on the highway at approximately 70 mph with cruise control engaged when the vehicle suddenly began making a clicking noise, followed by a catastrophic engine failure. We observed no oil-pressure warning or other advance dashboard warning before the failure. The sudden failure at highway speed created a significant safety risk. I am the original owner. The vehicle had approximately 115,000 miles at the time of failure. Its most recent oil change was performed on June 4, 2026, at 112,613 miles, approximately 2,400 miles before the incident. The servicing Kia dealership reported that the engine had a hole in it and essentially no oil remaining. The oil filter and drain plug were in place, and the dealership reported no external oil leak that explained the missing oil. An oil-filter-housing leak had previously been repaired in January 2026. The cause of the oil loss and engine failure has not been conclusively established. I am concerned about possible excessive internal oil consumption and the absence of an advance warning before catastrophic failure. I request that NHTSA investigate whether this condition affects other Tellurides and creates a risk of sudden engine failure or loss of propulsion at highway speed. Kia denied my initial request for goodwill repair assistance. The case has been escalated, but remains unresolved. The vehicle and failed engine are available for inspection through the servicing dealership.

Incident: September 24, 2026 · Filed: September 24, 2026

Unfortunately, beginning in June 2025, I experienced a serious engine problem. While driving, the vehicle began sputtering and stalled twice in traffic. I immediately brought it to the dealer, where I was told the engine had no oil, despite no prior warning of abnormal oil loss (no engine warning lights and no leaks). The service department added oil and initiated an Oil Consumption test. On October 4, 2025, the same problem occurred again. While driving, the Telluride began sputtering again, and the dealer again determined that the engine had no oil. I was charged for another oil change and instructed to complete another Oil Consumption test. During this process, the maintenance supervisor acknowledged that excessive oil consumption was a known and serious issue affecting Kia Tellurides and other models, and explained that engine replacement was the appropriate solution. I also observed another Telluride at the dealership undergoing the same type of engine repair. After completing the required testing, the dealer ultimately installed a rebuilt engine in my vehicle to address the excessive oil consumption problem with the original engine. I am now back in the same situation. On September 8, 2026, less than one year after the rebuilt engine was installed, my Telluride once again began sputtering while I was driving. I brought the vehicle to back to the dealer on on September 9, 2026. The service personnel again told me there was no oil in the vehicle, despite it being well within its recommended oil-change interval. More importantly, I was informed that the rebuilt engine currently installed in my vehicle is suspected of having the same excessive oil-consumption problem as the original engine. After following the instructions on yet another engine recheck and Oil Consumption test, I 've been told that the engine is burning oil at an exponential rate.