Kia Telluride Complaints (2021)

374 consumer complaints on file.

#11751416July 19, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Children helping to unload groceries from trunk. 2 different kids have burnt their legs on exhaust pipe while leaning into car to reach.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#11751264July 18, 2026
SUSPENSION
The rear suspension on the car has completely failed. The car is extremely bouncy and would be unsafe for young children and elderly people.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11750819July 16, 2026
ENGINE, VISIBILITY/WIPER
Constant jerking and shuttering when accelerating/shifting gears. Oil consumption done last year as dealership thought it was engine related. Engine replaced. Problem continues. Fuel in MAP sensor. Continued shuttering at acceleration, shuttering at parked idle, shuttering at braking idle, engine stalls at red lights but car stays on. When car is started, exhaust is pushing out gusts of strong fuel smell and sputtering little puffs. Replaced engine, MAP, upper intake gaskets, spark plugs, cleaned throttle body, battery. Wiper pauses mid wipe (in driving view) when in intermittent setting and when turning them off.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11750569July 15, 2026
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Telluride. While the contact’s wife was driving approximately 60 MPH, the sunroof was open, and there was a loud sound coming from the sunroof, and metal pieces flew off the vehicle and fell inside the vehicle. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was out of warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 75,833.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11749295July 9, 2026
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Telluride. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed a trail of fluid leaking. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a warped oil filter. The contact was informed that the warped oil filter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact later received a warranty extension notification detailing a similar failure description. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, a case was filed, and a reimbursement claim remained pending. The failure mileage was approximately 93,157.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11748824July 7, 2026
Other/I am not sure
This car seat is missing any labels on the seat that have booster information. It is an all-in-one car seat and does have a booster mode. The manual does state the height, weight and age limit, but this is not noted anywhere on the stickers on the seat. This is a problem when the manual is not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11748358July 5, 2026
ENGINE
Engine is consuming excessive amounts of oil between oil changes, causing valve train to produce a metallic clanking noises. Vehicle did not display any type of warning sign on dashboard. Safety concerns if Engine would seize or shut off while driving on freeway/highway becoming a hazard on the road for self and other motorist. Vehicle has been taken to dealership multiple times, dealerships first remedy was replacing the oil filter housing. Dealership claimed oil filter housing was cracked causing oil to leak. Dealership replaced under warranty. Next oil change Dealership advised me again that oil was low in the engine and recommended an oil change and to replace the EGR valve. Service advisor also said to bring the vehicle back after driving it 1000 miles so they can run an oil consumption test. Vehicle was brought back to dealership after the 1000 miles, oil consumption test confirmed engine was consuming more oil than manufacturer allowance and valve train noise did return.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11747568June 30, 2026
SEATS
I noticed the button to fold captain’s chair began working intermittently beginning of Jun, then the seat began to fold on my granddaughter then my daughter on 2 different occasions. I called dealership to get a diagnostic done but they couldn’t get me in until 29 Jun. After diagnostic I was told the seat actuator wasn’t working, though it wasn’t damaged, and would cost me over $2400 to replace! Kia corporation stated because I was over the 150k warranty, by 30 mi I’d just driven home from airport, they couldn’t help me.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11747081June 28, 2026
VISIBILITY/WIPER
The sunroof won’t close properly, it looks like wind deflector is broken
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11746935June 27, 2026
SUSPENSION
I wish to amend my previous report dated 6/22/2026. #11745783. IT is is cv boot on the right side. I had a dealer do the repair. It is not under warranty, If you follow the Kia Telluride complaint page son FB, others have had the same issue. It cost $777.61 to repair. It should not need to be repaired at 72k miles. That is a third of the expected life expectancy. Thank you for considering this safety matter.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11746847June 26, 2026
ENGINE
NHTSA Vehicle Safety Complaint – 2021 Kia Telluride - VIN: [XXX] I am filing a safety complaint regarding my 2021 Kia Telluride. I purchased the vehicle on XXX, with approximately 124,000 miles. An oil and filter change was performed shortly before the sale. After about 2,000 miles/126K, the vehicle suddenly lost power and stopped. It was towed to a repair shop, where technicians found the engine oil level was extremely low or empty, despite no low-oil warning light appearing. The oil was serviced, and the vehicle was returned to operation. About 3,000/129K miles later, the vehicle again lost power and stopped in Ardmore TX. It was road side mobile mechanic found little to no oil and he refill the oil. After 100 miles/129.1K again same problem engine stopped and no oil. was towed to the same shop, where technicians found little to no oil and diagnosed severe engine damage requiring engine replacement. Mechanic informed there was no oil leak from the engine however, excessive oil burning in engine causing this issue. My concern is safety. On all three occasions, the vehicle lost power on the freeway at night while my family with two kids was in the vehicle. I believe excessive oil consumption and the lack of a warning before engine failure may represent a safety defect. I request that NHTSA investigate this issue and require Kia to review the vehicle’s engine design and warning systems. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11746823June 26, 2026
SUSPENSION, POWER TRAIN
AWD coupler assembly failed twice and company will not repair. Rear shocks thumping and noisy, company repaired twice but still inop.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11746310June 24, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
Bought car on a Saturday (6-20-26)and that night noticed the drive mode was broke and the forward Collison is broke and will go on and off. Dealership said they did the whole inspection on the car before they put it on the lot to sell. Also, oil was extremely low when I left the lot and had to go back for an oil change. Took it to them on 6-22 to repair and have had to call to ask about my cars status when they said they would call me. Never would get an answer as to what was going on.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11745783June 22, 2026
SUSPENSION
The CV axel is bad and needs replaced. I am only at 72,000 miles. If I had not gotten an oil change and the technician saw it, it could have broken while driving this coming weekend for 14 hours. Independent service center is replacing. No warning. This could have caused a serious accident.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11744846June 17, 2026
STEERING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL, SUSPENSION
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Telluride. The contact stated that the passenger’s side drive shaft boot was leaking. The steering and mileage were affected by the failure. While making a turn, the steering wheel was readjusting. The accelerator pedal was depressed; after the pedal was released, the pedal jerked. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who confirmed there were no open recalls associated with the VIN. The brakes were reprogrammed. The vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the front boot was leaking, and the axle and tires needed to be replaced, and an alignment performed. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to another local dealer, Kia Mentor (9090 Mentor Ave., Mentor, OH 44060); who provided the same diagnosis. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed there was no warranty coverage on the vehicle. The BBB was contacted and the Attorney General. The approximate failure mileage was 81,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11744031June 14, 2026
ENGINE
My 2021 Kia Telluride (approximately 82,000 miles) suffered catastrophic engine failure caused by excessive and abnormal oil consumption. The engine consumed oil at a dangerous rate with no warning lights or dashboard indicators of any kind. The only symptom prior to failure was an unusual engine noise. There was no opportunity to take corrective action before the engine failed completely. This failure occurred while I was driving with my children in the vehicle, creating a serious and immediate safety risk. A sudden engine failure at highway or city speeds — with no prior warning — presents the risk of loss of vehicle control, inability to accelerate out of traffic, and potential collision. The failure has been confirmed by two independent service centers: Vanguard Kia in Arlington, Texas and Christian Brothers Automotive. Both confirmed engine failure. The vehicle and failed components are available for inspection upon request. Kia America has declined to provide warranty assistance or goodwill repair coverage despite this being a widely reported issue among 2021 Telluride owners with the same Lambda II V6 engine. No recall has been issued. Repair cost is approximately $11,000. I am still carrying a loan on this vehicle. I am requesting NHTSA investigate this as a systemic safety defect and consider a mandatory recall.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11743248June 10, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Sunroof wouldnt close. Broken assembly.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11743201June 10, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The sunroof failed and is stuck open. This creates a hazard as you cannot secure the vehicle, it is open to the elements, and you have highway noise. This is not a simple small motor fix it is $3000+ and a complete replacing of the track/cassette.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11742831June 8, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY
Sunroof won't fully close which becomes a big issue when driving or parking the vehicle in the rain. Kia dealership diagnosed that the full sunroof assembly needs to be replaced at a total expense of $6,441.56 since the vehicle is out of the 5-year warranty period. No warning messages were displayed on the vehicle prior to this issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11739870May 25, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
I own a 2021 Kia Telluride with approximately 111,000 miles. I initially brought the vehicle to a Kia dealership for an oil consumption issue and engine noise. The dealership diagnosed and repaired a timing chain and tensioner issue, stating the vehicle was “working properly” upon return. After picking up the vehicle, I immediately began experiencing electrical warning lights, including the battery warning light and system alerts (blind spot and general warning indicators). I returned to the dealership, where they performed diagnostic testing and indicated a potential alternator issue, but stated it was in a “borderline” range and that the vehicle was safe to drive. Shortly after leaving the dealership, while driving with my family in the vehicle, the electrical system began to fail. Multiple warning lights illuminated, and the vehicle lost electrical function while in motion. The vehicle ultimately became completely inoperable and shut down in a parking lot, creating a serious safety concern. Prior to the dealership visit and repairs, the vehicle had no history of electrical issues, warning lights, or charging system problems. The dealership later acknowledged that the alternator issue was not present when the vehicle was initially brought in. I am submitting this complaint due to the sudden and complete electrical system failure while driving, which posed a significant safety risk. The progression from no prior symptoms to total failure immediately following dealership service and diagnosis raises concerns about vehicle reliability and potential safety defects related to the charging system.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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