2021 KIA TELLURIDE Complaints

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Windshield chipped and cracked. Causes a safety issue due to temperamental glass and vision impairment. McKenneys garage has viewed the damage and confirms the damage. No. No.

May 9, 2026 Opened my Sunroof for first time this year. Would not open all the way. Jammed sideways. Couldn't get it shut. The arms in the track to move the window back and forth disinegrated. Slight water damage to right side headliner. Currently at glass company for repair. Need entire unit. $1,450 for a used one $5,000 for new. Are there any current recalls? 2021 Kia Telleride purchased new; Current mileage 38,000. Will attach copy of repair order when received.

I am submitting this complaint regarding my 2021 Kia Telluride experiencing repeated and dangerous electronic system failures while driving. Kia of East Syracuse (NY) diagnosed the issue as related to the backup camera assembly and communication/network failures. While driving, the vehicle experienced loss of power steering assist, instrument cluster failure, speedometer malfunction, incorrect gear indication, backup camera activation while driving forward, blind spot warnings activating incorrectly, flashing/blank temperature display, and multiple driver assistance system failures. The speedometer displayed 0 mph while the vehicle was in motion and later displayed approximately 40 mph while stopped at a traffic light. The vehicle also became stuck in reverse while backing out of my driveway and would not shift properly, leaving the vehicle stopped in the roadway. Multiple safety systems malfunctioned simultaneously, including Blind Spot Collision Avoidance Assist, Lane Following Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist, Smart Cruise Control, Parking Distance Warning, and Forward Collision Warning systems. The dealership documented multiple fault codes and stated the dashboard lit up “like a Christmas tree” while the instrument cluster stopped functioning entirely. These failures create a serious safety risk because critical driving information and driver assistance systems become unreliable or inoperative while the vehicle is moving. The failures occur unexpectedly and without warning. Photos and video evidence have been retained, including video of the backup camera activating while driving forward and the speedometer malfunctioning while the vehicle was in motion. I am asking NHTSA investigate these failures as a potential safety defect involving the camera system, instrument cluster communication systems, and CAN network communication failures in the Kia Telluride.