Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government
holds on this vehicle.
Owners have filed 324 safety complaints
about the 2022 Kia Telluride with the US government. Of those, 10 describe a crash, 4 mention a fire, 9 people were injured and no death is recorded. 7 recall campaigns are open against it.
The most complained-about system is visibility and the wipers,
named in 73 complaints, 23% of the total.
The typical failure was reported at 34,000 miles,
the median across the 24
complaints that gave
an odometer reading.
Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files
· Covers July 2021 to September 2026 · How this is counted
What is on file
324 complaints on file
324
Complaints
10
Describe a crash
4
Mention fire
9
People injured
0
Deaths
A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a
finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts
them.
Complaints rose by half year on year: 66 in the twelve months to 2026-Q2, against 43 in the twelve before.
A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free.
Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can
answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a
model year.
Which system owners named
Complaints naming each system
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 80 · 25%
80 25%
VISIBILITY/WIPER 73 · 23%
73 23%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 69 · 21%
69 21%
ENGINE 30 · 9%
30 9%
POWER TRAIN 26 · 8%
26 8%
VISIBILITY 21 · 6%
21 6%
STRUCTURE 20 · 6%
20 6%
SERVICE BRAKES 14 · 4%
14 4%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 12 · 4%
12 4%
SEATS 10 · 3%
10 3%
SEAT BELTS 8 · 2%
8 2%
SUSPENSION 8 · 2%
8 2%
03569
Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it.
One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 324.
When the complaints arrived
By the year NHTSA received them
By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures
happened. They peaked in 2022 at 96.
104 78 52 26
212021222022232023242024252025262026
This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure
happened. The range runs from 2021 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA crashes a car into a barrier and a pole and measures what
happens to the dummies inside. This is what it awarded the 2022 Kia TELLURIDE, and it is a separate
question from what owners report going wrong later.
Test
SUV AWD
SUV FWD
Overall
Frontal crash
Frontal, driver
Frontal, passenger
Side crash
Side barrier
Side pole
Rollover
Chance of rollover
14.3%
15.5%
Stability control standard Forward collision warning standard Lane departure warning standard
A rating belongs to a tested body style and drivetrain, not to the model as a whole, which is why more than one is listed.
A dash means NHTSA did not rate that test for this vehicle.
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.
The risk
A fire increases the risk of injury.
The remedy
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will install an electronic fuse assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 13, 2026. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC374. This recall replaces NHTSA recall number 24V407. Vehicles already repaired under the previous recall will need to have the new remedy completed. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning July 17, 2026.
Kia America, Inc. · up to 462,869 vehicles across all model years covered
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.
The risk
A fire increases the risk of injury.
The remedy
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 customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC316.
Kia America, Inc. · up to 462,869 vehicles across all model years covered
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.
The risk
A vehicle roll away increases the risk of a crash or injury.
The remedy
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 mailed May 15, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC303.
Kia America, Inc. · up to 427,407 vehicles across all model years covered
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.
The risk
A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
The remedy
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. Owner notification letters were mailed April 12, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC247.
Kia America, Inc. · up to 36,417 vehicles across all model years covered
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2022 Sorento and Telluride vehicles. The vehicles may be equipped with an incorrect spare tire which, when installed, can impair the anti-lock braking system (ABS) and the traction control system (TCS). As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
The risk
Impaired anti-lock braking or traction control systems can increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the spare tire, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 27, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC244.
Kia Motors America · up to 8 vehicles across all model years covered
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2022 Telluride vehicles. Excess adhesive in a circuit board within the instrument cluster may cause the instrument cluster display screen to be blank. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Control and Displays."
The risk
A blank instrument cluster display screen will not show critical information, such as the odometer, which can increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will replace the instrument cluster assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 15, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC237.
Kia Motors America · up to 3,596 vehicles across all model years covered
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2022 Telluride vehicles. The LCD display screen may remain blank after startup. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Control and Displays."
The risk
A blank LCD display may be missing information, such as the digital speedometer, gear selection indicator, and odometer, which may increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will update the instrument cluster's software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 3, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC215.
Kia Motors America · up to 5,143 vehicles across all model years covered
In owners’ own words
Quoted from the complaint file
Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the
people who filed them, not findings of fault.
SERVICE BRAKES
2 injured
I was driving the vehicle and came to a stop sign. When I accelerated to turn and drive what was a steep windy downhill Road my car jerked some and the check engine light battery light and oil light came on the dash when I went to push the brakes they went all the way to the floor and the car did not stop. I continued to try the brakes and had to use the emergency break to pull up and down to stop and drive up on a hill to not crash into other vehicles I have my vehicle at Kia and they are claiming there is absolutely nothing wrong with the vehicle and I am to pick it up and leave the lot. They have not offered a loaner car or shown any concerns of my safety leaving the lot. I have asked …
NHTSA complaint 11737637, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
AIR BAGS
1 injured · crash · towed
I was hit on the front driver side of my car by someone who flew through a red light. The impact was so hard that my head slammed against the driver side window and shattered the glass. No airbags in my car deployed. The other drivers airbag deployed. I had to crawl out of the passenger side door because her car was slammed into mine. I sustained a concussion and injury to my arm from the impact. I’m 5’10” and was wearing a seatbelt
NHTSA complaint 11475254. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
AIR BAGS
1 injured · crash · towed
I was rear ended at a high rate of speed, causing me to fly down a 15 foot embankment, where I sideswiped a telephone pole. The latter causing damage to the passenger side front quarter panel. The airbag did not deploy after either impact, nor did the seatbelt stop me from hitting the steering wheel multiple times.
NHTSA complaint 11634875. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
POWER TRAIN
1 injured
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Telluride. The contact stated that the client's vehicle was parked in the driveway and turned off, while the client was reaching into the rear driver-side seat area the vehicle began to erroneously roll backward causing the rear door to make contact with the client, and the client was knocked to the ground. The EMS was called to the scene and the client was transported to the hospital. A police report was taken at the scene. During the incident, the client sustained an injured left leg, injured left side, neck, and back injuries. The client also suffered emotional distress due to the incident. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and …
NHTSA complaint 11580661, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
POWER TRAIN
The AWD coupler is shuttering and making the vehicle shake on turns . It is a common issue with KiA awd systems which is why I don’t understand why it’s not a recall! It puts people’s life’s at risk because upon accelerating at an intersection the binding does not let the full acceleration of the vehicle to take place . I have not yet got it serviced because it’s a pricey job . I just bought the vehicle last month and the warranty expired at the beginning of this month ! How do I purchase a vehicle and expected to to pay for a repair that is known to KIA AWD SYSTEMS !!! My vehicle only has 40k miles on it and from horror stories I hear it goes out more then one time .
NHTSA complaint 11766138. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ENGINE
I had my vehicle checked for oil consumption for it failed the test. After Kia approved an engine swap an engine light came up with faulty O2 sensor. Not just one but both O2 sensors. Replaced both sensors but the problem persist. Kia changed the engine harness with the assumption that the technician damaged the harness while installing the engine. My vehicle has been at the dealership for four months and I honestly don’t know what to do.
NHTSA complaint 11766244. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Appears to be a parasitic drain on batteries. I just replace the 3rd battery yesterday. Kia does not address the underlying cause of battery drain.
NHTSA complaint 11764774. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
One year ago, my headlight warning came on while driving back to [XXX] from [XXX]. I pulled over and tried wiggling my connector to my light which stopped the waring. I thought maybe just the bad roads had caused the connection to come apart. Throughout the year, the problem has happened. About 4 weeks ago the warning came back on but his time a triangle warning also appeared. I took it into the Lawton Kia dealership to be checked out. I was told it was due to my moister bearing being wet and needed to be changes with my head lights. I approved the work and this was done a week later when the parts were in. With in the week, the light came back on. I took it back in and was told that the …
NHTSA complaint 11764191, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
STRUCTURE:BODY
Sunroof / moonroof failing close. Driving on roads / high speeds exposed to the elements for a moonroof that will not close leaving me and my family in danger when its our only vehicle and means of transportation. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? - Yes Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? - No Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? - No
NHTSA complaint 11762077. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
POWER TRAIN
Our 2022 Telluride is binding when turning at low speed or accelerating on the highway we took it to our trusted mechanic, he believes it to be the all-wheel-drive coupling unit and that is a common failure point with these vehicles. I called our local Kia dealership and stated that the mechanic told me they need to check the firmware for the ECU to see if that may fix the issue. The dealership stated that they were just gonna have to replace the all-wheel-drive coupling unit instead of diagnosing the problem. After reading several reports from this government agency and other forms, etc. it sounds like the all-wheel-drive coupling unit is a common failure point and needs to be addressed as …
NHTSA complaint 11759775, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's
lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How
many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by
the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.
Complaints: NHTSA's ODI
complaint file, published October 2, 2026. One
complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.
Recalls: NHTSA's recall
campaign API, newest campaign on this vehicle filed July 2, 2026.
Investigations: NHTSA's ODI
investigation file, published October 2, 2026.
A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by
us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that
sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.
G
Compiled and maintained by guarledes Independent developer and analyst