Last updated: 2026-10-10
Kia Telluride Reliability by Year
KIA Telluride reliability is good, but 2020 brings dead high beams, cracking windshields and oil burning. The 2024 is the used year to buy.
Kia Telluride Reliability Overview
Reliability is good, though below average among SUVs. Windshields that crack from small chips and a V6 that burns oil with no warning light are the problems that matter most. Skip the 2020 model year. The 2024 is the safer pick among years that have been on the road a while. Estimated annual repair cost is $573.
Current generation: 1st gen (2020–present), facelifted 2023.
Best & Worst Kia Telluride Years
Best Kia Telluride Years to Buy
Based on reliability index scoreThe 2024 has far fewer complaints than the 2020, and it has been on the road long enough for the count to mean something. Its top complaints are electrical faults and windshield cracks, not failing high beams or oil burning. Watch for a blank instrument cluster and loose exterior trim.
Kia Telluride Years to Avoid
Owners filed 667 complaints, the most of any year. High beams die on both sides while the low beams keep working, and dealers quote near $1,700 for a new headlamp assembly. Windshields crack from small chips, and the V6 can burn oil with no warning light before it knocks or seizes.
Kia Telluride Reliability Score Trend
Kia Telluride reliability has improved in recent years, with newer models scoring an average of 72/100 compared to 60/100 for older years.
Scores 0–100. Higher is better.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 55/100 | Mixed |
| 2021 | 63/100 | Good |
| 2022 | 63/100 | Good |
| 2023 | 68/100 | Good |
| 2024 | 69/100 | Good |
| 2025 | 78/100 | Good |
Year-by-Year Reliability
2025 Kia Telluride
2 recalls · 32 complaints
Rated best of the six Telluride years and the last of the first generation, held back by bursting sunroof glass and cracking windshields.
2024 Kia Telluride
4 recalls · 180 complaints
Rated good and among the stronger Telluride years, but owners report blank instrument clusters, spontaneous windshield cracks, and loose exterior trim.
2023 Kia Telluride
5 recalls · 161 complaints
Mid-pack among Telluride years, this refresh year brings blank instrument clusters and windshields that crack without impact, with fewer complaints than the 2022.
2022 Kia Telluride
6 recalls · 280 complaints
Among the weaker Telluride years, with 280 complaints and six recalls, led by cracking windshields and blank instrument clusters; the 2023 rates better.
2021 Kia Telluride
4 recalls · 280 complaints
Good reliability with far fewer complaints than the 2020, but cracking windshields, sunroof failures and oil-burning engines are the issues to check.
2020 Kia Telluride
6 recalls · 667 complaints
Weakest of the six Telluride years, with 667 owner complaints, V6 oil consumption, high beam failures, and six recalls.
Common Kia Telluride problems
Problem areas with the most owner complaints, each with the years affected, symptoms, and fixes.
Found Your Kia Telluride? Check Its History
Visibility wiper (8) problems come up most in Kia Telluride owner complaints, and 27 recalls cover the years we track. A VIN check shows whether the car you found had its recall work done, plus accident and title history.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
Kia Telluride Repair Costs
Reliability Rating
3.5/5
Annual Repair Cost
$573
Repair Frequency
0.4/yr
Kia Telluride Resale Value
The Kia Telluride is estimated to retain about 70.4% of its original value after 5 years, based on observed used-car listings.
- Value Retained
- 70.4%
- Depreciation
- 29.6%
- Listings Analyzed
- 360
after 5 years
over the same period
U.S. used-car listings
Listings observed in . Actual resale value varies by trim, mileage, condition, and location.
Explore Kia Telluride depreciation and resale value on CarResaleValue.comKia Telluride Years to Avoid
See which model years have the most problems
Most Reliable Kia Models
Compare all Kia models by reliability
Compare Kia Telluride With Similar SUVs
The Kia Telluride competes with other midsize suvs such as Hyundai Palisade, Toyota Grand Highlander, and Mazda CX-90.
Telluride vs Hyundai Palisade
7 years tracked · 1908 complaints
Telluride vs Toyota Grand Highlander
3 years tracked · 204 complaints
Telluride vs Mazda CX-90
3 years tracked · 280 complaints
Telluride vs Nissan Pathfinder
8 years tracked · 457 complaints
Telluride vs Toyota Highlander
9 years tracked · 1892 complaints
More Kia Telluride comparisons
- Telluride vs Buick Enclave
- Telluride vs Chevrolet Blazer
- Telluride vs Chevrolet Tahoe
- Telluride vs Chevrolet Traverse
- Telluride vs Dodge Durango
- Telluride vs Ford Explorer
- Telluride vs GMC Acadia
- Telluride vs Honda Passport
- Telluride vs Honda Pilot
- Telluride vs Hyundai Santa Fe
- Telluride vs Jeep Grand Cherokee
- Telluride vs Mazda CX-50
- Telluride vs Mazda CX-9
- Telluride vs Subaru Ascent
- Telluride vs Subaru Outback
- Telluride vs Toyota Venza
- Telluride vs Volkswagen Atlas
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the best year for a used KIA Telluride?
- The 2024 is the site pick among years that have been on the road at least two years. It has far fewer complaints than the 2020 and 2022. The 2025 shows the fewest complaints, but it is too new to judge, so that count mostly reflects less time on the road.
- Is the KIA Telluride reliable long term?
- Reliability holds up well, though it rates below average against other SUVs on the site. Long-term risks are specific. High-beam failures cluster between 45,000 and 75,000 miles, and V6 oil burning usually begins between 61,000 and 94,000 miles. Windshield cracking can show up within the first few thousand miles.
- What are the most common KIA Telluride problems?
- Windshield and wiper complaints lead, with 288 reports of glass that chips and cracks easily. Electrical faults come next, including no-starts, stalling, and a dead instrument cluster. Exterior lighting follows, mostly high beams that stop working. Engine complaints are fewer but more serious, since the V6 can burn oil without warning.
- How much does it cost to maintain a KIA Telluride?
- Independent repair-cost data puts the estimated annual repair cost at $573. Individual repairs can run far higher. Owners report dealer quotes near $1,700 for a headlamp assembly, and one owner was quoted $8260 for sunroof glass that shattered, after being told warranty would not cover it.
- Does the KIA Telluride have engine problems?
- Some do. Owners filed 127 engine complaints, mostly about the V6 burning a quart or more of oil every 1,000 miles. No low-oil or check-engine warning appears first, so owners learn of it through knocking, stalling, or a seized engine. Several reports ended in a full engine replacement. Check the oil level often.
How we score the Kia Telluride
Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
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