2021 Kia Telluride problems: what to check before you buy
The 2021 Kia Telluride has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns to check, the newest filed in 2026, plus 358 owner complaints, the second-most of the three Telluride model years in our 2015–2022 collection, with the engine (62) and the windshield wipers (62) named most often. Before you buy one, run its VIN through NHTSA's free recall lookup; the $14.99 original ClearVIN PDF shows title brands, odometer readings, accident and auction records on file.
Buying this 2021 Telluride? Enter its VIN.
The decode is free. The original ClearVIN PDF is $14.99 one time, with no account: title brands, odometer readings, accident and auction records on file for that VIN. Check open recalls with NHTSA’s free VIN lookup.
Title brands · Odometer records · Auction history, where reported
No subscription. No charge to check the VIN. Report contents vary by vehicle; applicable tax is shown at checkout.
See what the paid report includes →NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls for the 2021 Kia Telluride, alongside 358 owner complaints filed with the agency. Eligible recall remedies are generally free through the manufacturer's approved repair process, even after the warranty ends; some software remedies are delivered remotely. Federal no-charge coverage has an age limit for vehicles first sold more than 15 years before the recall notice; manufacturers may cover older vehicles voluntarily. Check the specific VIN — a previous owner may already have had the work done.
Half of the 41 NHTSA owner complaints on the 2021 Kia Telluride that list mileage came after 3,100 miles (NHTSA complaints file of November 11, 2026). How many miles will a Kia Telluride last? →
One VIN. One $14.99 history report.
For $14.99, VIN Lookup delivers an original ClearVIN vehicle-history PDF for the 2021 Kia Telluride VIN you enter: title brands, odometer readings, accident and auction records on file. ClearVIN is on the U.S. Department of Justice’s list of approved NMVTIS data providers; VIN Lookup sells that original report. The records returned vary by VIN.
The VIN decode is free. No card is needed until you choose to buy; applicable tax is shown at checkout. A missing record is not proof that an event never happened.No account · Refund reviewed if not delivered, unopenable or wrong VIN by our error · Sold by VIN Lookup (SH LLC, Sheridan, WY)Original provider PDF
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What to check before buying a used 2021 Telluride
Model-year data describes the production run, not the car in front of you: two cars of this model year can differ entirely, one with every recall repaired and the other with none. The counts below are from NHTSA data collected on 2026-09-15.
- Verify the 5 recall campaigns by VINCopy the 17-character VIN from the windshield or driver-door label, not from the listing, and run it through NHTSA's free recall lookup. It shows unrepaired recalls within its coverage and does not show completed repairs, so ask the seller for dated repair paperwork. The campaigns cover the seats, the powertrain, trailer hitches and the airbags. 1 of the 5 was filed in 2025 or 2026 and has had the least time to be repaired.
- Test-drive for what Telluride owners report most62 of the 358 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the engine: on the drive, start it cold, listen for knocking or ticking, watch for warning lights and smoke, and look for oil or coolant leaks. Another 62 name the windshield wipers: run the wipers at every speed and test the washers and defroster. Complaints are unverified owner reports, not proven defects, but they show where to look.
- Check the title and odometer in the history reportRecall and complaint data describe the 2021 production run, not this car's past. The VIN decode here is free; the $14.99 original ClearVIN PDF lists title brands, odometer readings, accident and auction records on file for that VIN. Records vary by vehicle, and a missing record does not prove nothing happened.
- Book an independent pre-purchase inspectionHave a mechanic you choose inspect this Telluride before you buy, and ask them to look hardest at the engine, the windshield wipers and the electrical system.
Is the 2021 Telluride a good car to buy used?
NHTSA's records cannot rate one used 2021 Kia Telluride; they can show how this model year compares with the other Telluride years in this site's 2015–2022 NHTSA collection. The 2021 has 358 owner complaints on file; of the three Telluride model years in this site's 2015–2022 NHTSA collection (2020–2022), one drew more and one drew fewer. The median of the Telluride years with enough complaints to compare is 358. The 2020 stands out instead, at 751. Its 5 recall campaigns compare with 5 to 7 across the Telluride years in the 2015–2022 collection; the 2020 and 2022 have the most. These counts track how many were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they rank years within the Telluride, not build quality; whether one 2021 Telluride is a good buy depends on its own history and condition.
Which 2015–2022 Telluride years have the most complaints?
Among the three Telluride model years in this site's 2015–2022 NHTSA collection, the 2020 has the most owner complaints, 751. The 2021 has 358. Older and better-selling years have had more time and more owners to file reports.
2021 Kia Telluride recalls and reported problems at a glance
What owners report most
These are the vehicle systems named most often in complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2021 Kia Telluride. A complaint is an unverified owner report: it does not establish a defect, and a high count can simply reflect a popular model. Use it to decide where an inspection should look hardest.
| Vehicle system | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other | 101 |
| Engine | 62 |
| Visibility/wiper | 62 |
| Electrical System | 39 |
| Structure | 33 |
| Power Train | 27 |
Recall campaigns for the 2021 Kia Telluride
Each campaign below is an official NHTSA record. An eligible remedy is generally free through the manufacturer’s approved process, which may be an authorized service visit or remote software update. Federal no-charge coverage has a 15-year first-sale limit measured at the recall notice; manufacturers may cover older vehicles voluntarily. A campaign covers a production range. Check the VIN for open recalls within NHTSA’s coverage; confirm applicability and completed repairs with the manufacturer or an authorized dealer.
| Campaign | Component | Issue |
|---|---|---|
| 26V430000 | SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST | 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. |
| 24V407000 | SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST | 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. |
| 24V214000 | POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT | 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. |
| 22V626000 | TRAILER HITCHES | 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… |
| 21V164000 | AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE | 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… |
What this data cannot tell you
- A complete recall or repair history for one vehicle. NHTSA’s VIN lookup covers unrepaired recalls within its scope; confirm missing campaigns and completed work with the manufacturer or an authorized dealer.
- Whether a complaint is accurate. NHTSA publishes owner reports without verifying them.
- How reliable the model is overall: complaint volume tracks how many vehicles were sold as much as how they hold up.
- Anything about title brands, accident history, odometer records, or liens on an individual vehicle.
Primary sources behind this page
Open the underlying public source and verify that its scope matches the question you are asking.
- Recalls Lookup by VINNational Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Vehicle recall remedy age limitNational Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- NHTSA recall and complaint datasets: scope and API documentationNational Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Vehicle Product Information Catalog (vPIC)National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- NHTSA recall campaign 26V430000National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- NHTSA recall campaign 24V407000National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- NHTSA recall campaign 24V214000National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- NHTSA recall campaign 22V626000National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- NHTSA recall campaign 21V164000National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Approved NMVTIS Data Providers — checked October 26, 2026U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance
The 2026-09-15 data collection queried these NHTSA model names for 2021 Kia: TELLURIDE. Records appearing under more than one name are counted once. The documentation explains the collection endpoints; a campaign link opens its official record across all affected vehicles, not the recall status of a specific VIN.
2021 Kia Telluride questions
What should I check before buying a used 2021 Kia Telluride?
Check the 5 NHTSA recall campaigns against the car's VIN with NHTSA's free lookup and ask for dated repair paperwork. Owners name the engine and the windshield wipers most often in 358 complaints; those are unverified reports, not proven defects, but they show what to test on the drive. Recall data says nothing about this car's past: the $14.99 original ClearVIN PDF lists title brands, odometer readings, accident and auction records on file for the VIN. Finish with an independent pre-purchase inspection.
How many recalls does the 2021 Kia Telluride have?
NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls covering the 2021 Kia Telluride as of 2026-09-15. Whether a specific vehicle is affected — and whether the repair was already done — depends on its VIN.
What are the most common 2021 Kia Telluride problems?
Owners most often report problems with the engine, the windshield wipers and the electrical system to NHTSA. These are unverified owner reports and do not establish a defect, but they show where to focus an inspection.
Are Kia recall repairs free?
Generally, yes for eligible vehicles, even after the warranty ends. Federal law limits the required no-charge remedy when a vehicle was first sold more than 15 years before the recall notice; a manufacturer may still cover an older vehicle voluntarily. Check the VIN with the manufacturer for the approved remedy, which may be a dealer visit or a remote software update.
Can I check recalls on a specific 2021 Kia Telluride VIN?
Yes. NHTSA's free VIN lookup reports unrepaired recalls within its coverage. It excludes completed repairs and can omit some recent recalls, older campaigns and vehicles outside its coverage. A zero result is not a complete recall or repair history. Ask the seller or manufacturer for dated repair documentation.