Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2022 Kia TellurideRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls and 330 owner complaints for the 2022 Kia Telluride. Most complaints involve visibility/wiper (74) and electrical system (70). The EPA rates it 21–23 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
21–23mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
7campaigns
Latest Jul 2026
Owner complaints
330
Top: visibility/wiper
Fuel cost / yr
$2,800est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

7 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Seats: power adjust

Park outsideFree remedy

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.

SeatsReported Jul 2, 2026NHTSA 26V430000

Seats: power adjust

Park outsideFree remedy

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.

SeatsReported Jun 6, 2024NHTSA 24V407000

Trailer hitches

Park outsideFree remedy

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.

Trailer hitchesReported Aug 15, 2022NHTSA 22V626000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

330 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jul 2021 – Oct 2026
  1. Visibility/wiper74
  2. Electrical system70
  3. Engine32
  4. Power train26
  5. Visibility21
  6. Structure20
  7. Service brakes14
  8. Forward collision avoidance12
  9. Seats11

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Telluride model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2020777
2021374
2022330
2023211
2024226
2025124
20270
Crashes reported
10
Fires reported
4
Injuries reported
9
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Visibility/wiper

74 reports
“My 2022 Kia Telluride LX AWD center screen began failing intermittently around October 2025 and failed completely around August 2026. Dates are approximate; 10/29/2025 represents my estimate of about one year ago, not an exact day. Dealer intake was 10/1/2026 at about 75,000 miles; mileage at first failure is unknown. The screen failure prevents the backup-camera image from displaying in reverse, increasing the risk of striking an unseen person or obstacle. No crash, fire, injury, fatality or police report occurred. I also reported intermittent loss of speedometer information. On 10/22 the dealer confirmed the failed center screen and rear-camera display, but said the cluster worked and it had not reproduced the cluster symptom. A common cause is unproven. Speed and warning lamps at first failure are unknown. The dealer recommended head-unit 96560-S9420CDD replacement for $7,799.79. Replacement is not authorized; I requested preservation of components and diagnostic records. After repeated assistance requests and escalation, Kia's 10/29 response concluded its review and denied warranty coverage without technical findings. Please investigate whether loss of the…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 29, 2026Electrical system, Visibility/wiperODI 11774568

Electrical system

70 reports1 crash1 fire
“Car has been degrading and fully depleting batteries, one per year, since car was purchased new. Some undiagnosed electrical drain is resulting the car not starting, either at home or at a stoplight when 'auto-stop' causes the car to stop and restart in traffic. Vehicle has been to dealership to investigate a cause 4 times without a conclusive finding for the cause of the draw. Short battery life and repeated battery failure, paraticularly when the car will not re-start at traffic light stops, is a safety hazard for users of the vehicle. More detail available upon request.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 19, 2026Electrical systemODI 11757946

Engine

32 reports1 fire
“I have been having issues with my car cutting off at random times. I crunk it up at Walmart and it shut right back off twice. I was on the way to a mechanic yesterday 10/29/26 and it sputtered as if it was going to cut off at any moment. It drinks oil like crazy. I have already had a oil leak that was "fixed" under warranty and the water pump replaced from a leak I never knew about or experienced issues with. The main issue is the random turning off. I can crank it right back up like nothing ever happened. This is a huge safety issue and very concerning.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 30, 2026EngineODI 11774610
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
3.8L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S8)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Telluride FWD
Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
202623$2,800395
Telluride AWD
Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.8 L · All-Wheel Drive
192421$3,050429
  • Telluride FWD
    Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.8 L
    20 city · 26 hwy · $2,800/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Telluride AWD
    Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.8 L
    19 city · 24 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Kia Telluride SUV AWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
14.3%
Overall
5 / 5
Kia Telluride SUV FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
15.5%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 3, 2026Vehicle 15957Vehicle 15954
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2022 Telluride questions

How many recalls does the 2022 Kia Telluride have?

7 safety recalls as of Nov 3, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2022 Kia Telluride problems?

Owners filed 330 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are visibility/wiper (74), electrical system (70), engine (32). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2022 Kia Telluride get?

The EPA rates the 2022 Kia Telluride at 21–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2022 Kia Telluride?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2022 Kia Telluride 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026