2021 Kia Telluride: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2021 Kia Telluride: 5 recalls, 368 owner complaints and up to 23 mpg combined.
Recalls
5 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Airbags, Airbags Vehicle recall #21V164000 · 2021 · 142 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: 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.
Trailer hitch Vehicle recall #22V626000 · 2022 · 36,417 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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…
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #24V214000 · 2024 · 427,407 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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…
Seats Vehicle recall #24V407000 · 2024 · 462,869 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
Seats Vehicle recall #26V430000 · 2026 · 462,869 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 4 mention a fire, 9 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Other / unknown (102): the most common themes are noise or vibration (14), leaks (3).
- Engine (66): the most common themes are warning light on (27), excess oil use (25), stalls / loses power (21).
- Visibility/Wiper (64): the most common themes are noise or vibration (2), warning light on (2), electrical failure (2).
- Electrical (42): the most common themes are electrical failure (15), warning light on (11), door / lock issues (6).
The 2021 Kia Telluride has 368 owner complaints, ranking #2 of 7 Telluride model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 290). Complaints peaked in 2026 (95 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 3 years old, at a median of 3,150 miles. Neighboring years: 2020 (771 complaints, 7 recalls), 2022 (326 complaints, 7 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.8 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S8) | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 26 | 23 | Regular |
| 3.8 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 19 | 24 | 21 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2021 Kia Telluride.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/moHeads up: we may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Prices checked 2026-10 and can change. We never host or link to pirated manuals. Disclosure
FAQ
Does the 2021 Kia Telluride have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 5 vehicle recalls for the 2021 Kia Telluride. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2021 Kia Telluride problems?
Owners have filed 368 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are other / unknown (102), engine (66), visibility/wiper (64).
What gas mileage does the 2021 Kia Telluride get?
EPA ratings run up to 23 mpg combined (3.8 L, Automatic (S8)), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2021 Kia Telluride repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.