NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 211 owner complaints for the 2023 Kia Telluride. Most complaints involve electrical system (51) and visibility/wiper (29). The EPA rates it 21–23 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.
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.
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.
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Telluride vehicles. The door belt molding trim can delaminate and detach from the vehicle.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“There was a low-speed collision with a deer (approximately 10-15 mph). The vehicle continued to run fine after the collision and we were able to drive it home. After the next start, the engine was shaking all over and started smoking from behind the engine. The battery was disconnected but it continued to smoke. After further inspection, we were able to find a fire and extinguished it using a fire extinguisher. We had issues with this car prior to the collision where the engine would misfire after the car would get wet, but would only produce temporary codes. This was checked out by the dealer and we were told there's nothing that they can do. A few weeks prior to the collision it happened again and the check engine light went to a confirmed/permanent code and it was related to cylinder misfires. If we would not have had a fire extinguisher or had been able to roll it away from the house, the occupants, vehicle, and house would have been in danger of the fire. The source of the ignition has been confirmed to be the ignition coils, but the root cause of this has not been determined and it has just been assumed that it is related to the collision, without an…”
“Three times over the past year minor debris or small rocks have hit the windshield causing major spidering affects that have run all across the windshield. Even when using the windshield repair kits.”
“My car just started making a knocking sound when I turn. Brought it in for diagnoses and was told it's the AWD Coupler, WHICH is a part of the powertrain component, but it's not covered under my 100,000 powertrain warranty, and is only covered up to 60,000 miles. This is a known issue according to Facebook, blogs, and reddit and many Kia users have had the same problem on their cars. It should be a recall and fixed if it's happening so frequently.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Telluride FWD Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 26 | 23 | $2,800 | 395 |
| Telluride AWD Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.8 L · All-Wheel Drive | 18 | 24 | 21 | $3,050 | 433 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
6 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.
Owners filed 211 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (51), visibility/wiper (29), power train (25). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2023 Kia Telluride at 21–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2023 Kia Telluride 5 out of 5 stars overall.