Model year guide

2021 Kia Telluride

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2021 Kia Telluride is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 2 on record.

2021 Kia Telluride at a glance

Safety recalls4
Owner complaints321
Combined21–23 mpg

Free: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2021 Kia Telluride recalls 4

Air Bags: Air Bag/restraint Control Module NHTSA Campaign #21V164000 · 11/03/2021

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."

Fix: 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.

Trailer Hitches NHTSA Campaign #22V626000 · 15/08/2022

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.

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. Owne…

Power Train:driveline:driveshaft NHTSA Campaign #24V214000 · 20/03/2024

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.

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:front Assembly:power Adjust NHTSA Campaign #24V407000 · 05/06/2024

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.

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. Owners may contact Kia cus…

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

2021 Kia Telluride common problems

Owners have filed 321 complaints with NHTSA. These are the most-reported areas in a sample of the most recent — and what to check before you buy.

Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Vehicle Speed Control
Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.

2021 Kia Telluride MPG & running costs

Combined21–23 mpg
City20 mpg
Highway25 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,050
EPA size classSmall Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
TransmissionAutomatic (S8)
Engine start-stopYes
Passenger volume157 cu ft
Cargo volume21 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$3,250 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 2 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2021 Kia Telluride costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$15,250
Fuel only$15,250
Per mile$0.20

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2021 Kia Telluride trims & engines on record

Trims
SX · EX
Engines
3.8L 6-cyl 291 hp

2021 Kia Telluride vehicles on record

Other Kia Telluride model years

2021 Kia Telluride — frequently asked questions

Does the 2021 Kia Telluride have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2021 Kia Telluride. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are free.

What are the most common problems with the 2021 Kia Telluride?

Owners have filed 321 complaints with NHTSA; in a sample of the most recent, the most-reported problem areas are engine, electrical system, suspension.

What gas mileage does the 2021 Kia Telluride get?

The 2021 Kia Telluride has U.S. EPA estimates of 21–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (2 versions).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.