Recall homework
There are 4 official recalls listed for this model year. Before buying, use the VIN to confirm which campaigns are still open and ask for dealer repair records on completed work.
Vehicle report
2021 Kia Telluride
Recalls, consumer complaints, safety ratings, fuel cost estimate, and next steps from official public data sources.
4 Total recalls
Jun 5, 2024 Latest recall date
315 Complaint reports
$2,576 Estimated fuel cost
Buyer interpretation
What this record means before you buy
The useful question is not just whether this page has records. It is what those records should make you verify before money changes hands.
Owner complaint pattern
Owner complaints most often mention unknown or other, visibility/wiper, engine. Scan those categories before the test drive so you know what symptoms, warning lights, or service history to ask about.
Service bulletin signal
91 manufacturer communications are listed. These are not recalls, but they can reveal repair instructions, warranty extensions, software notices, or known service patterns.
Ownership-cost check
The fuel-cost estimate is based on a representative EPA match, not every trim. Confirm the actual engine, drivetrain, and tire setup before comparing this listing with another year or model.
Questions to ask the seller
- Can you show the current VIN recall status for this 2021 Kia Telluride?
- Do you have dealer invoices or campaign paperwork for the listed recall repairs?
- Have you noticed any issues related to unknown or other, visibility/wiper, engine?
- Can I review recent maintenance records before the test drive?
Used-car checklist
Thinking of buying this vehicle?
Use our buyer checklist to know what to inspect, ask, and verify before the test drive.
2021 Kia Telluride Regular Gasoline
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Safety ratings
Official safety ratings were found for 2 tested variants of the 2021 Kia Telluride.
Safety ratings can vary by tested body style, trim, drivetrain,
or variant. Do not assume every trim has the same rating unless
the official record says so.
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Kia Telluride SUV FWD Default | 5/5 stars | 4/5 stars | 5/5 stars | 4/5 stars |
| 2021 Kia Telluride SUV AWD | 5/5 stars | 4/5 stars | 5/5 stars | 4/5 stars |
How many recalls does the 2021 Kia Telluride have?
Verify with official VIN lookup4 official recalls on record for the 2021 Kia Telluride. 34 matched quarterly completion reports are available.
Latest recall: June 5, 2024
Recall data is based on official records. This page is not an official VIN
recall check. Always confirm open recalls with an official VIN lookup, the
manufacturer, or an authorized dealer.
Completion reports are campaign-level, delayed, and not VIN-specific.
| Campaign | Component | Summary | Consequence | Remedy | Date | Completion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24V407000 | 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. | A fire increases the risk of injury. | 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. | Jun 2024 | 2026-1 |
| 24V214000 | 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. | A vehicle roll away increases the risk of a crash or injury. | 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. | Mar 2024 | 2026-1 |
| 22V626000 | 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. | A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury. | 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. | Aug 2022 | 2025-4 |
| 21V164000 | AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE | 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." | 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. | 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. | Mar 2021 | 2022-4 |
Are there manufacturer notices for the 2021 Kia Telluride?
Official records show 91 manufacturer communications on record for the 2021 Kia Telluride.
12 warranty 5 service campaigns 0 software/OTA
Manufacturer communications are not recalls. They can include
service bulletins, repair instructions, warranty extensions,
software updates, service campaigns, and other notices.
| Date | Type | Component | Summary | ID / document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 2026 | Warranty Program/Extension | ENGINE | WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: REIMBURSEMENT FORM (WTY045) - This document is a Reimbursement Request form that was mailed with the customer letter advising them to submit the form if they had paid for repairs for this same matter prior to the warranty extension campaign program launch. | 11031935 |
| Apr 2026 | Warranty Program/Extension | ENGINE | WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (WTY045) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage, to all owners, for certain repairs related to an engine oil leak from the oil filter housing gasket in certain 2020-2025 MY Telluride vehicles from 5 years / 60,000 miles to 15 years / 180,000 miles, whichever comes first, starting from the date the vehicle was first put into service. This warranty extension is to address the oil filter housing gasket leaking condition at no cost to you during this extended warranty period. | 11031933 |
| Apr 2026 | Warranty Program/Extension | ENGINE | WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: QUESTION AND ANSWER (WTY045) - This document is the Question and Answer Guide containing the most frequently asked questions regarding the Warranty Extension Campaign WTY045. | 11031915 |
| Apr 2026 | Warranty Program/Extension | ENGINE | WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: DEALER PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGER MEMO (WTY045) - This document is the announcement to the dealer Parts and Service managers advising that Kia is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage to all owners for certain repairs related to an engine oil leak from the oil filter housing gasket in certain 2020-2025 MY Telluride vehicles manufactured from January 9, 2019 through June 12, 2025, from 5 years / 60,000 miles to 15 years / 180,000 miles, whichever comes first, starting from the date the vehicle was first put into service. This warranty extension is to address the oil filter housing gasket leaking condition. | 11031928 |
| Apr 2026 | Warranty Program/Extension | ENGINE | WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO (WTY045) - This document is the announcement to the dealer principals advising that Kia is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage to all owners for certain repairs related to an engine oil leak from the oil filter housing gasket in certain 2020-2025 MY Telluride vehicles manufactured from January 9, 2019 through June 12, 2025, from 5 years / 60,000 miles to 15 years / 180,000 miles, whichever comes first, starting from the date the vehicle was first put into service. This warranty extension is to address the oil filter housing gasket leaking condition. | 11031920 |
| Feb 2026 | Emissions | ENGINE | VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (SC357) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign to improve the emissions software logic in the Electronic Control Module (ECM) for 2020-2025 MY Telluride vehicles to ensure compliance with emissions regulations. | 11029044 |
| Feb 2026 | Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: ECU EMISSIONS SOFTWARE LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SC357) - This bulletin provides information to upgrade the Engine Control Unit (ECU) system software to improve the emissions-related logic on 2020-2025MY Telluride (ON) vehicles equipped with the Lambda II 3.8L GDI engine, produced from January 9, 2019 through October 27, 2025. The subject vehicles may have engine calibrations that were not optimized for emissions standards under certain specific conditions, which may cause the vehicle to release air pollutants which exceed Federal and California standards. | 11029138 |
| Feb 2026 | Emissions | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | SC357_STKR: VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN COMPLETION LABEL/STICKER | 11028790 |
| Feb 2026 | Emissions | ENGINE | VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO (SC357) - This document is the announcement to the dealer principals advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign to improve the emissions software logic in the Electronic Control Module (ECM) to ensure compliance with emissions regulations for 2020-2025 MY Telluride vehicles manufactured from January 9, 2019 through October 27, 2025. | 11028786 |
| Feb 2026 | Emissions | ENGINE | VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: QUESTION AND ANSWER (SC357) - This document is the Question and Answer Guide containing the most frequently asked questions regarding the Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign SC357. | 11028788 |
What are the most common 2021 Kia Telluride complaints?
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 66
VISIBILITY/WIPER 52
ENGINE 33
STRUCTURE 20
VISIBILITY 14
POWER TRAIN 13
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 9
SUSPENSION 9
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 8
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE 5
315 total complaints on record
How much does the 2021 Kia Telluride cost in fuel?
Estimated annual cost $2,576 $215/month at 12,000 miles/year
Effective efficiency 21.0 MPG
Energy used 572 gal/yr
Price assumption $4.50 $/gal
Assumptions: 19 city / 24 highway / 21 combined MPG · Regular Gasoline · efficiency ratings from official public data when available · fuel price default: official public data (U.S. average, Jun 3, 2026)
428 g/mi CO2Fuel score 4/10Smog 5/10