2021 Kia TELLURIDE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
357 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
3,150 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 40 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Unknown Or Other is the most frequently named component, appearing in 100 of 357 complaints (28.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 24 | 6.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 19 | 5.3% |
| Engine operation | 16 | 4.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 12 | 3.4% |
| Steering behavior | 12 | 3.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 1.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other | 100 |
| Engine | 62 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 62 |
| Electrical System | 38 |
| Structure:Body | 33 |
| Power Train | 26 |
| Suspension | 20 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | 15 |
Unknown Or Other: 100; Engine: 62; Visibility/Wiper: 62; Electrical System: 38; Structure:Body: 33; Power Train: 26; Suspension: 20; Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings: 15
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 33 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 33; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (33). 317 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 17 |
| 2021 | 52 |
| 2022 | 35 |
| 2023 | 36 |
| 2024 | 72 |
| 2025 | 61 |
| 2026 | 84 |
2020: 17; 2021: 52; 2022: 35; 2023: 36; 2024: 72; 2025: 61; 2026: 84
Pattern summary
Unknown Or Other leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 24 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 19 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 16 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11433328 · 2021-09-17 (September 17, 2021)
The brakes on my 2021 Kia Telluride failed while pulling into my side entry garage. The Telluride's brakes went limp, losing pressure and dropped to the floorboard. The Telluride crashed into the interior of the garage, coming to a complete stop after slamming into the foundation of the house. Once stopped, the Telluride could be put in park and braking was restored. Home surveillance captured the event and it is available for viewing at: https://youtu.be/AdJ6tXyK57k
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11433328 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11478354 · 2022-08-09 (August 9, 2022)
Part number 97279-S9010 fell on my feet while I was driving from under dash. Part block access to the brake as it fell on my feet between my foot and the brake/gas making it impossible to apply the brake. Fortunately, was a rural road so I put in neutral and coasted to the side of the road. Very confusing until I saw the part blocking the brake and gas pedal.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11478354 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11507171 · 2023-02-14 (February 14, 2023)
Both high beam headlights failed while driving at night. One keeps failing, but this was the first time both failed. Headlight failure alert does appear on the dash. Mechanic said that it is a wiring issue, as LED bulbs do not fail so frequently. Interior lights also stop working randomly.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11507171 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11510304 · 2023-03-06 (March 6, 2023)
The alternator fails causing the battery to drain and die while driving and permanently kills the battery. When this occurs all power is lost to the vehicle and in rapid succession multiple warning lights illuminate and a cascading series of messages related to the vehicle saftey features appear one after another. While the engine remains on power steering, headlights, and all other saftey features shut off in rapid succession causing unsafe driving conditions and leaves the vehicle inoperable. The vehicle was towed to a local kia dealer tha…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11510304 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11532539 · 2023-07-16 (July 16, 2023)
Well, what I thought to be a solid build has succumbed to the known issues with this vehicle. The car has 17,7862 miles on it. I always follow the ‘severe’ maintenance schedule along with babying the heck out of it. I was driving the vehicle on city street, roughly 35-40mph when I got the Xmas tree of death light up on the dashboard (all the indicators went crazy), and a slight loss of power with engine and transmission. I shifted the gear shifter into manual so I could at least control the car and make it safely back home. Once I parked, I shu…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11532539 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11601307 · 2024-07-11 (July 11, 2024)
Since November 2023, the car's engine has been burning oil. There are no leaks in the driveway. On January 8th (87,000 miles), I took the Kia Telluride for service at Mission Viejo Kia for a Check Engine light. They said the car had low oil and indicated that the cause was a leaking oil housing. They completed an oil change and added new oil. On February 19th (90,000 miles), the AC drain was clogged and water was entering the passenger side inside the vehicle. In addition to this fix, Mission Viejo Kia noted that the oil level was down to 1/…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11601307 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11425571 · 2021-07-19 (July 19, 2021)
I DROVE MY BRAND NEW TELLURIDE OFF THE LOT WITH APPROXIMATELY 12 MILES ON IT. ABOUT A MONTH AFTER HAVING IT I NOTICED THE FOLLOWING: WHEN ENTERING A HIGHWAY FROM ABOUT 20-25 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GRADUALLY ACCELERATE ALLOWING ME TO ENTER THE HIGHWAY. AS I CONTINUE TO PRESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL THE RPMS WOULD EVENTUALLY JUMP UP AND THE VEHICLE WOULD LAUNCH ITSELF FORWARD. REACHING 5000-6000 RPMS. WHEN I LET OFF THE ACCELERATOR THE ENGINE WOULD DOWNSHIFT SIMILAR TO A MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND WOULD JERK AS IT CHANGED GEARS AND THE RPMs DEC…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11425571 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11457490 · 2022-03-20 (March 20, 2022)
Had a new transmission installed in February 2022. Now, beginning March 13, warning lights come on to check blind spot and forward collision systems. About 10 seconds after the car lurches violently. This has happened at full speed on interstate which is a huge risk for injury/death. I have video of this phenomenon.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11457490 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11375843 · 2020-11-22 (November 22, 2020)
THE STEERING WHEEL AND SEATS VIBRATE WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 60-80MPH. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE ON TELLURIDES AND PALISADES THAT IS FIXED BY REPLACING WITH A PROPERLY BALANCED DRIVESHAFT. HOWEVER THE DEALER REFUSES TO PROCEED AND KIA CONSUMER AFFAIRS HAS BEEN DIFFICULT TO WORK WITH.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11375843 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11454085 · 2022-02-25 (February 25, 2022)
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Telluride. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH into a right curve, the steering wheel did not respond while turning. The contact stated the "Take to Dealer Immediately" warning message was displayed. The contact was able to regain control of the steering wheel and drove the vehicle to her residence. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that a bolt had become loosened and fell off into the driver’s side from the steering column. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure …
Owner-reported narrative. 17,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11454085 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11425634 · 2021-07-20 (July 20, 2021)
I'M REPORTING A FUEL TANK FAILURE WHERE FUEL STARTED LEAKING FROM THE SEAL OF TANK (see photos). MY SAFETY & SAFETY OF MY KIDS WAS PUT AT RISK, AS THIS COULD HAVE LIKELY CAUSED A FIRE.THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER WHO CONFIRMED & STATED THAT THE SIDE OF GAS TANK DEVELOPED A HAIRLINE CRACK ABOUT 1-2 INCHES (see dealer photo) FROM A ROAD HAZARD CAUSING IT TO LEAK A DROP OF FUEL EVERY 10 SECONDS, THIS CREATING A POTENTIAL FIRE/EXPLOSION HAZARD. THOUGH FUEL LEAK PROBLEM IS CONFIRMED BY THE DEALER, THEY ARE TRYING TO PUT BLAME THAT AN OBJ…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11425634 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11709402 · 2026-01-07 (January 7, 2026)
On 12/24/25 the vehicle experienced the very same issue, on the highway, with my family in the car, coming from Christmas Eve festivities. The car decelerated and NO cel (check engine light) ever came on. when transporting to dealer, the car began rough idling like it wanted to die, but still no CEL. At this time, I am told there is a need for a new engine but no supporting documents or other diagnostic documentation has been shared with me and KIA at this time is refusing to resolve the issue under the powertrain warranty and the car is still …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11709402 at NHTSA ↗