Is the Dodge Durango more reliable than the KIA Telluride?

Based on our data, the Dodge Durango is more reliable with an average score of 72/100 compared to 66/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the Dodge Durango or the KIA Telluride?

Both have 27 recalls across their tracked years. Review individual year pages for details on what each recall covers.

Which has fewer owner complaints, the Dodge Durango or the KIA Telluride?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Dodge Durango has a lower complaint rate at 5.4 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 23.3 for the KIA Telluride. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Which is cheaper to maintain, the Dodge Durango or the KIA Telluride?

Based on independent repair cost estimates, the KIA Telluride is cheaper to maintain at $573/year versus $675/year for the Dodge Durango.

Is the Dodge Durango or KIA Telluride safer?

Based on NHTSA crash test ratings, the KIA Telluride has a higher overall safety rating of 5/5 stars compared to 4/5 for the Dodge Durango. Check sub-ratings (frontal, side, rollover) above for a more detailed safety comparison.

Last updated: 2026-07-26

Dodge Durango vs KIA Telluride: Reliability Compared

More Reliable

Dodge Durango

Good

KIA Telluride

Good

Choosing between the Dodge Durango and the KIA Telluride? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two full-size suvs.

Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Dodge Durango currently leads with an average score of 72/100 compared to 66/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Dodge Durango and KIA Telluride Generations Compare?

The Kia Telluride is currently in its first generation, which launched in 2019 for the 2020 model year and received a significant refresh in 2023. Being relatively early in its lifecycle, the Telluride benefits from improvements made during its 2023 facelift, which can address initial production issues and enhance reliability. In contrast, the Dodge Durango is in its third generation, which began in 2011. Now in its later stages, the Durango has undergone facelifts in 2014 and 2021, suggesting a mature platform that is typically well-sorted in terms of reliability. Buyers might find the Telluride's newer design appealing, but the Durango's established track record may provide added confidence in reliability.

Verdict

The Dodge Durango is more reliable than the KIA Telluride, scoring 72/100 vs 66/100.

The Kia Telluride and Dodge Durango are close competitors in terms of reliability, with the Durango slightly edging out with a reliability score of 74/100 compared to the Telluride's 71/100. Despite both having 27 recalls, the Dodge Durango has a significantly lower owner complaint rate of 5.4 per 10,000 sold versus the Telluride's 23.3. However, the Telluride benefits from lower estimated annual repair costs at $573 compared to the Durango's $675. Key differentiators are the Telluride's higher complaint rate and the Durango's slightly higher repair costs, making the Durango marginally more reliable overall.

Key Differences

1KIA Telluride costs $102 less per year to repair
2Dodge Durango has 17.9 fewer complaints per 10k sold
3Dodge Durango scores 6 points higher in reliability

Category Scoreboard

3Dodge Durango

—

2KIA Telluride

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencySafety Rating

Dodge Durango vs KIA Telluride: Which Is More Reliable?

Dodge Durango vs KIA Telluride at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Dodge Durango	KIA Telluride
Reliability Score	72/100	66/100
Years Tracked	9	6
Total Recalls	27	27
Complaints per 10k Sold	5.4	23.3
Annual Repair Cost	$675/yr	$573/yr
Repair Frequency	0.2/yr	0.4/yr
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2026 NHTSA	2025 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	5 (1 tied)	0 (1 tied)

What Are the Common Problems With the Dodge Durango and KIA Telluride?

The Kia Telluride exhibits a higher volume of complaints, with significant issues in the "UNKNOWN OR OTHER" and "VISIBILITY/WIPER" categories, while also showing a notable number of crash-linked complaints in the "SERVICE BRAKES" category. In contrast, the Dodge Durango has fewer overall complaints but a high incidence in the "ELECTRICAL SYSTEM" and "EXTERIOR LIGHTING" categories, along with a concerning number of crash-linked complaints in the "AIR BAGS" sector. Both vehicles present crash-linked issues in their electrical systems, but the Telluride's issues with visibility and the Durango's airbag concerns highlight distinct problem profiles. This data suggests that while the Telluride faces more widespread issues, the Durango's problems are more concentrated in critical safety components.

Dodge Durango vs KIA Telluride common problem areas comparison
Component	Dodge Durango	KIA Telluride
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	0.2Very Low	4.4Average
VISIBILITY/WIPER	—None	4.2Average
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	1.3Low	2.8Low
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	1.3Low	2.5Low
POWER TRAIN	0.5Very Low	1.7Low
ENGINE	0.3Very Low	1.9Low
STRUCTURE	0.1Very Low	0.9Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES	0.3Very Low	0.5Very Low
AIR BAGS	0.2Very Low	0.2Very Low
STEERING	0.1Very Low	0.3Very Low
SUSPENSION	0.1Very Low	0.3Very Low
VISIBILITY	—None	0.3Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	—None	0.2Very Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	—None	0.2Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	0.1Very Low	—None
SEAT BELTS	—None	0.1Very Low
BACK OVER PREVENTION	—None	—None
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	—None	—None
SEATS	—None	—None

Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Dodge Durango or KIA Telluride?

According to industry estimates, the Kia Telluride incurs an annual repair cost of $573 with an average of 0.4 visits per year, while the Dodge Durango costs $675 annually with a lower repair frequency of 0.2 visits per year. Over five years, this translates to a $510 savings with the Telluride. However, the Durango has a notable 13% risk of major repairs, which can significantly impact long-term expenses. For cost-conscious buyers, the Kia Telluride appears to be the better option. Despite a slightly higher frequency of visits, its lower annual repair cost and absence of a major repair risk make it a more economically sound choice over time.

How Does Dodge Durango vs KIA Telluride Reliability Compare by Year?

Dodge Durango vs KIA Telluride year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Dodge Durango	KIA Telluride	Edge
2025	78/1000R / 5C	78/1002R / 32C	Tie
2024	78/1000R / 6C	69/1004R / 180C	Dodge Durango
2023	75/1002R / 27C	68/1005R / 161C	Dodge Durango
2022	71/1006R / 47C	63/1006R / 280C	Dodge Durango
2021	65/1007R / 159C	63/1004R / 280C	Dodge Durango
2020	72/1003R / 62C	55/1006R / 667C	Dodge Durango

Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Dodge Durango scored 78/100 and the 2025 KIA Telluride scored 78/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Dodge Durango vs the KIA Telluride?

If you prioritize lower owner complaints and fewer repair visits, the Dodge Durango may be the better choice for you. With a reliability score of 74/100, it edges out the Kia Telluride slightly in overall dependability. Durango owners report only 5.4 complaints per 10,000 vehicles sold and enjoy a lower repair frequency of 0.2 times per year. However, be aware that it carries a 13% risk of major repairs, which is worth considering if long-term durability is a concern. On the other hand, if keeping annual repair costs down is more important, the Kia Telluride might suit you better. It has an estimated annual repair cost of $573, which is more budget-friendly compared to the Durango's $675. While the Telluride's reliability score is slightly lower at 71/100, it offers a reasonable balance of reliability and affordability, despite a higher complaint rate of 23.3 per 10,000 sold. Choose the Telluride if cost efficiency is your main priority.

Dodge Durango vs KIA Telluride: Common Questions

Is the Dodge Durango more reliable than the KIA Telluride?: Based on our data, the Dodge Durango is more reliable with an average score of 72/100 compared to 66/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Dodge Durango or the KIA Telluride?: Both have 27 recalls across their tracked years. Review individual year pages for details on what each recall covers.
Which has fewer owner complaints, the Dodge Durango or the KIA Telluride?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Dodge Durango has a lower complaint rate at 5.4 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 23.3 for the KIA Telluride. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Dodge Durango or the KIA Telluride?: Based on independent repair cost estimates, the KIA Telluride is cheaper to maintain at $573/year versus $675/year for the Dodge Durango.
Is the Dodge Durango or KIA Telluride safer?: Based on NHTSA crash test ratings, the KIA Telluride has a higher overall safety rating of 5/5 stars compared to 4/5 for the Dodge Durango. Check sub-ratings (frontal, side, rollover) above for a more detailed safety comparison.

More Dodge Durango comparisons

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More KIA Telluride comparisons

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How We Calculate Reliability Scores

Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.

Key Ranking Factors

Complaint Severity

NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

Recall Impact

Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.

Issue Diversity

Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.

Scores are grouped into four tiers:

80–100: Excellent— Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
60–79: Good— Reliable with some minor concerns
40–59: Mixed— Notable issues, research before buying
0–39: Risky— Significant problems, proceed with caution

Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.

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