The best Telluride years to buy are 2021 and 2022. Avoid the 2020: the first year drew about twice the complaints of later years, led by headlights, oil consumption and paint. Even its best years draw more complaints than most midsize SUVs.
Best years: 20212022 Years to avoid: 2020
Every Telluride year compared
Owner complaints per 100,000 cars sold. Lower is better. The newest years have had less time to collect complaints, so they are marked too new to judge.
Year by year
About the Telluride
The Telluride is Kia's three-row SUV, launched for 2020 with a 3.8-liter V6 and eight-speed automatic. It is popular and well reviewed, but its complaint rate is high. The 2020 drew many reports of failing high beams, oil consumption and peeling paint. Later years drew complaints about cracked windshields and exploding sunroofs.
- 2020-2022: Launch years. Headlight, oil use and windshield complaints.
- 2023 on: Refresh with new dash and X-Line trims.
Telluride warranty extensions and special coverage
Carmakers sometimes extend the warranty on a part that fails too often, or pay for a fix outside a recall. These notices come from the dealer bulletins Kia files with NHTSA. 220 Telluride bulletins are on file in total.
WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO (WTY040) - This document is the announcement to the dealer principals advising that Kia is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage, to all owners, for repairs relat...
WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: DEALER PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGER MEMO (WTY040) - This document is the announcement to the dealer Parts and Service managers advising that Kia is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage, ...
WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (WTY040) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage, to all owners, for repairs related to noisy and/or sti...
WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: QUESTION AND ANSWER (WTY040) - This document is the Question and Answer Guide containing the most frequently asked questions regarding the Warranty Extension Campaign WTY040.
WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT FORM (WTY040) - This document is a Reimbursement Request form that was mailed with the customer letter advising them to submit the form if they had paid for repairs for thi...
SELF-LEVELING REAR SHOCK ABSORBER INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT (WTY040) - This bulletin provides information associated with the Warranty Extension Program (WTY040) to inspect and, if necessary, replace the self-leveling rear shock a...
WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: SELF-LEVELING REAR SHOCK ABSORBER INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT (WTY040) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information.
WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: REIMBURSEMENT FORM (WTY045) - This document is a Reimbursement Request form that was mailed with the customer letter advising them to submit the form if they had paid for repairs for this same matte...
WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: OIL FILTER HOUSING GASKET REPLACEMENT (WTY045) - This bulletin provides information regarding the Warranty Extension Program (WTY045) for the inspection and, if necessary, replacement of the oil fil...
SUNROOF WIND DEFLECTOR ARMS AND MECHANISM PARTS REPLACEMENT (WTY049) - This bulletin provides information associated with the 'Warranty Extension Program' (WTY049) to diagnose and, if necessary, replace the front sunroof wind d...
Ask a dealer to check a specific car by VIN. Extensions usually have a time or mileage limit.
Government investigations into the Telluride
NHTSA opens an investigation when complaints point to a possible safety defect. Some end in a recall and some close without one.
Preliminary evaluation PE23002 · 2020 · opened Jan 2023, closed Apr 2024 · led to recall 24V148
On January 27, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE23002 to investigate allegations of loss of high beams with no warning and no re-engagement resulting in reduced visibility at night in the 2020 Kia Telluride.
Telluride vs rivals
Which years drew fewer problems per car soldKia Telluride vs Toyota Highlander
Which years drew fewer problems per car soldKia Telluride vs Honda Pilot
Which years drew fewer problems per car soldSubaru Ascent vs Kia Telluride
Which years drew fewer problems per car soldVolkswagen Atlas vs Kia Telluride
Which years drew fewer problems per car sold
Questions
What is the best year for the Kia Telluride?
2021 and 2022. The best Telluride years to buy are 2021 and 2022. Avoid the 2020: the first year drew about twice the complaints of later years, led by headlights, oil consumption and paint. Even its best years draw more complaints than most midsize SUVs.
Which Kia Telluride years should I avoid?
2020. These drew far more owner complaints per car sold than the Kia Telluride average.
Does the Kia Telluride burn oil?
Some owners of 2020-2022 Tellurides report the V6 using oil between changes. Check the oil level, ask for oil change records and check whether any engine warranty extension or recall applies by VIN.
Based on 1,931 complaints filed by owners with U.S. safety regulators for model years 2020 to 2024, and U.S. sales by calendar year. How we score.