Last updated: 2026-03-04

78
GoodReliability score: 78 out of 100, rated Good
2025 Kia Telluride

2025 Kia Telluride Reliability Score & Common Problems

The 2025 Kia Telluride scores 78/100 ("Good"). With 2 recalls and 32 owner complaints, reliability is acceptable but not class-leading.

2025 is 2 years after the 2023 refresh refresh.

Recalls

2

Complaints

32

Complaint Rate

2.6

per 10k sold

Below avg

Est. Annual Cost

$573

Major Repair Risk

N/A

NHTSA Rating

5/5

Score Breakdown

Complaint Severity35%
80/100 (Excellent)

Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume

Repair Costs30%
70/100 (Good)

Independent repair cost ratings

Recall Impact20%
80/100 (Excellent)

Recall count weighted by severity

Issue Diversity15%
84/100 (Excellent)

Breadth of reported problem categories

Consider

Acceptable reliability — worth considering with a pre-purchase inspection.

Top Issues

VISIBILITY/WIPER (8)UNKNOWN OR OTHER (7)ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (5)

2 recalls on record

Generation & Refresh (US)

Post-Refresh

2025 is 2 years after the 2023 refresh refresh.

  • Year 6 in the First generation (ON; 2019) (2020–present).
  • Well-established in its generation — most early issues should be resolved.
  • 1st generation Telluride (US).

What this means for buyers

Post-refresh years tend to be among the most refined — updates have been applied and early kinks worked out.

First generation (ON; 2019)

2020redesign
2021
2022
2023refresh
2024
2025selected
Present

Should You Buy the 2025 Kia Telluride?

The 2025 Kia Telluride scores 78/100 ("Good"), placing it in acceptable but not class-leading territory. 2025 is 2 years after the 2023 refresh refresh.

With 32 owner complaints, some reported issues may need attention, but we don't yet see evidence of a single dominant failure mode.

A pre-purchase inspection is recommended for used examples, with particular attention to visibility wiper (8). An extended warranty may provide additional peace of mind.

See also the 2024 Kia Telluride for an earlier comparison.

Pros

  • Acceptable reliability score
  • Low recall count
  • Below-average complaint rate for SUV

Cons

  • VISIBILITY/WIPER: Owners of the 2025 Kia Telluride frequently report issues with windshield... (8 complaints)
  • UNKNOWN OR OTHER: Two primary issues with the 2025 Kia Telluride (7 complaints)

Compare 2025 Kia Telluride With

Common Problem Categories

Safety

  • 2 manufacturer recalls issued

Other

  • VISIBILITY/WIPER (8)
  • UNKNOWN OR OTHER (7)
  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (5)
  • STRUCTURE (4)
  • VISIBILITY (2)
  • EXTERIOR LIGHTING (2)
  • SEAT BELTS (1)
  • STEERING (1)
  • ENGINE (1)
  • POWER TRAIN (1)

See detailed breakdown by component ↓

Recall Overview

2

recalls on record

The 2025 Kia Telluride has 2 recalls on record. This is a low count. Recalls are manufacturer-initiated fixes for safety or compliance issues and are repaired at no cost to the owner at authorized dealerships.

NHTSA.gov →

Complaint Breakdown

2.6

per 10k sold

Segment avg: 4.1

LowAvgHigh
Low

Safety Incidents

Crashes

1

Fires

0

Injuries

1

Deaths

0

Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.

2025 Kia Telluride Recall Details

2 recalls have been issued for the 2025 Kia Telluride. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.

25V7450002025-10-31

TIRES

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 Telluride and 2026 Sorento vehicles. The vehicles are 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."

Consequence

Anti-lock braking or traction control systems that do not function properly can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the spare wheel and tire assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 3, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC355. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning November 13, 2025.

25V4940002025-07-28

STRUCTURE

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Telluride vehicles. The door belt molding trim can delaminate and detach from the vehicle.

Consequence

A detached trim piece can become a road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the belt molding trim assemblies as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 19, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC347.

2025 Kia Telluride NHTSA Safety Ratings

Overall Safety Rating

Overall safety rating: 5 out of 5
Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)

Gas Powertrain

Driver: 4/5Passenger: 4/5

Rollover risk: 15.5%

Safety Technologies

Dynamic Head Restraints (Not Available)Head Restraint (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row, 3rd row)Advanced Belt Feature (Not Available)Seat Belt Pretensioners (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Seat Belt Load Limiters (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Adjustable Upper Belt Anchorage (Driver, Front Passenger)Seat Belt Reminder System (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row, 3rd row)Frontal Air Bag (Driver, Front Passenger)Head Protection (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row, 3rd row)Torso and/or Pelvis Protection (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Knee (Driver)Additional Air Bags (Not Available)Meets Side Air Bag Out-of-Position Requirements (Yes)Unattended Child Reminder Direct Sensing System (Yes)LATCH Locations (2nd row, 3rd row)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) (Standard/Optional)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) locations (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row/Roof)
View full safety data on NHTSA.gov →

Kia Telluride Repair Costs & Maintenance

Maintenance Rating

3.5Maintenance rating: 3.5 out of 5

Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.

Est. Annual Maintenance

$573

Repair Frequency

0.4

unscheduled repair visits per year

Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.

When Buying a Used 2025 Kia Telluride

Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing, based on the most common reported issues.

  • Inspect windshield for cracks or chips
  • Check sunroof glass for any signs of stress or damage
  • Test LCD instrument cluster for proper functionality
  • Verify proper operation of automatic braking system
  • Inspect headlights for fogging and check visibility
  • Check for excessive noise from windows indicating poor sealing
  • Examine A/C condenser for damage from road debris

Check Any 2025 Kia Telluride's History Before You Buy

Reliability scores tell you what to expect from the 2025 Telluride in general — but every car has its own story. Uncover past accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and service records for a specific Kia Telluride with a free VIN lookup.

Powered by VINExposed.com — free vehicle history reports using public title and safety data.

2025 Kia Telluride Common Problems by Component

32 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.

8
7
5
4
VISIBILITY/WIPER (8)UNKNOWN OR OTHER (7)ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (5)STRUCTURE (4)VISIBILITY (2)EXTERIOR LIGHTING (2)SEAT BELTS (1)STEERING (1)Other (2)

VISIBILITY/WIPER

8 complaints

Owners of the 2025 Kia Telluride frequently report issues with windshield cracking. Complaints often describe cracks appearing spontaneously without any apparent impact, or from minor incidents such as small pebbles hitting the windshield, which then rapidly extend. Several owners note that these cracks appear shortly after purchase, with some vehicles having fewer than 5,000 miles. There are no reports of crashes, fires, or loss of control related to these issues, but the visibility impairment from cracks could pose a safety risk, especially at night due to glare. Additionally, some owners experience problems with windshield wipers failing to operate consistently, even after attempted repairs.

8 complaints total

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

7 complaints

Owners report two primary issues with the 2025 Kia Telluride. Firstly, several complaints describe the front windshield cracking spontaneously without any known impact, often while parked or after a drive, rendering the vehicle undrivable. Secondly, there are reports of the sunroof shattering suddenly while driving, creating a loud explosion-like noise and posing a risk of distraction or loss of control. Additionally, one complaint highlights a vehicle stalling issue where the car shuts off in traffic and fails to restart, requiring police assistance and a tow, which owners find dangerous. These issues are mentioned in new vehicles, some less than seven months old, indicating potential early-life reliability concerns.

7 complaints total

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

5 complaints

Owners of the 2025 Kia Telluride report several electrical system issues, with some common patterns emerging. Multiple owners describe problems with the LCD instrument cluster failing to activate, leaving them unable to view essential information such as speed and fuel levels. These issues are noted in vehicles with as few as 430 miles. Additionally, there are reports of the vehicle's automatic braking system activating without warning during highway driving, despite clear road conditions, posing a potential safety risk due to unexpected deceleration. Another issue involves the car unexpectedly shutting off and prompting a shift to neutral or park, which some owners encounter at low speeds or when stationary. These complaints highlight potential safety implications, particularly concerning sudden braking and engine shutdowns.

5 complaints total
STRUCTURE (4 complaints)

STRUCTURE

4 complaints

Owners of the 2025 Kia Telluride report several structure-related issues. A common complaint involves excessive noise from both passenger and driver side windows, described as resembling the sound of open windows, despite the dealer's confirmation that seals are intact. Another issue involves the front grille design, which owners say allows road debris to damage the A/C condenser, leading to costly repairs. Additionally, there are reports of the sunroof glass unexpectedly exploding, causing damage to the vehicle's exterior and potentially posing a safety risk, as one incident occurred at just 300 miles. These issues are important considerations for potential buyers, particularly regarding repair costs and safety implications.

4 complaints total
VISIBILITY (2 complaints)

VISIBILITY

2 complaints

Owners of the 2025 Kia Telluride report issues with the sunroof glass exploding while driving at highway speeds, with no prior impact or warning. Complaints frequently mention a loud noise resembling a gunshot followed by the discovery of shattered glass. These incidents are reported at relatively low mileages, specifically around 1,470 and 5,899 miles. Although no injuries or crashes are reported, the sudden nature of the sunroof failure could pose a distraction risk to drivers. Potential buyers should be aware of these reports when considering the vehicle, especially if planning to use the sunroof frequently.

2 complaints total
EXTERIOR LIGHTING (2 complaints)

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

2 complaints

Owners report issues with the 2025 Kia Telluride's exterior lighting, particularly the headlights. Complaints frequently mention that the headlights become foggy after a hand wash, with one owner noting a dealership's willingness to replace the gasket due to ventilation needs. Another common issue is inadequate headlight visibility, described as having blind spots and incomplete projection, which remains unresolved according to a dealership technician. These issues occur under various conditions, including clear roads and very dark environments, potentially impacting night-time driving safety. No specific mileage range is mentioned, but the symptoms suggest concerns that may affect visibility and collision warning systems.

2 complaints total
SEAT BELTS (1 complaints)

SEAT BELTS

1 complaint
2025-05-29

We have a 2025 KIA Telluride and in the second row seats the right hand seat receiver you have to grab it and hold it up tight to insert the seat belt. You have to be strong to do this. We went to Billion KIA in Rapid City SD toi get it fixed and they can't fix it. So they called KIA Corp and KIA said it is not a design flaw and they won't fix it. Someone could get hurt or killed in an accident. Thank you for any help.

STEERING (1 complaints)

STEERING

1 complaintSafety-related
2025-12-13Crash reported1 injury

The contact rented a 2025 Kia Telluride. The contact stated that there was damage to the rear bumper upon retrieval. While using lane assist, traveling around a curve at 55 MPH, the steering wheel was pushing and pulling, and failed to turn and continued going straight; the vehicle crossed the highway and crashed into a ditch. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact sustained injuries to his back and had bruises, but no medical assistance was provided. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The air bags deployed. There was no reported fire. A police report was filed. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The rental company was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified OF THE FAILURE. The failure mileage was approximately 33,000. The VIN was not available.

ENGINE (1 complaints)

ENGINE

1 complaint
2025-09-15

ENGINE SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE WARNING "Engine off! Shift to P or N, then start engine". THE ENGINE SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD IN REGARDS TO HAVING ENOUGH TIME TO PULL OVER FOR ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND STALLING AT/IN A STOPLIGHT/INTERSECTION. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT YET BEEN REPRODUCED BY THE DEALERSHIP. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN INSPECTED BY THE MANUFACTURER WITH THE SERVICE CENTER STATING "COULD NOT DUPLICATE CONCERN AT THIS TIME, VEHICLE HAS ALREADY BEEN DRIVEN ABOUT 68 MILES AND VEHICLE IS OPERATING NORMALLY". THERE WERE NO OTHER warning lamps, messages or other symptoms OF THE PROBLEM PRIOR TO FAILURE. FIRST APPERANCE ON 8/4/25. OTHER INSTANCES OCCURED ON 9/15/25 AND 10/6/25.

POWER TRAIN (1 complaints)

POWER TRAIN

1 complaint
2025-01-31

Issue: Engine stall & loud tapping/grinding noise Vehicle only has 1,100 miles and has stalled about 5 times when slowing down to about 10mph & then accelerating again. Issue has also happened when going about 3mph & then accelerating. About 10sec stall & then vehicle takes off. Several of the stalls happened even though the Auto/Start switch was engaged to disable feature since I thought maybe a bad switch was the issue causing the stalls, but stalling happens with it on & off. Another issue engine makes a tapping noise when in gear & accelerating up to about 1200rpm. Issue has been getting louder since purchase. At 1100 miles started car & pulled into garage after vehicle set for about 2hours (75F outside), upon doing this the engine sounded terrible like there were a handful of marbles in the engine, super loud sound, at this point made appointment with dealer, but they are so backed up vehicle can't go in for service for about 2 weeks per no loaner car available until then, since it can take up to 1 week to get looked at. Will update with their findings but looking at form pages & You-tube videos it seems like the ongoing engine tapping complaint resulting in an engine replacement & maybe part of the 2024 recall Valve Spring breaking resulting in the loud marble sound I am hearing. Car stalling is a major safety concern since a few of the stalls happened when pulling in front of traffic going 60mph.

When Do 2025 Kia Telluride Problems Start?

Based on owner complaint patterns, here's when common issues tend to appear.

300–5,899 milesSunroof explosion
0–5,000 milesWindshield cracking
430–1,100 milesElectrical system failures

Best & Worst Kia Telluride Years

Best Kia Telluride Years to Buy

The best Kia Telluride year is 2025 with a reliability score of 78/100, rated good. Other strong picks include 2024 (69/100) and 2023 (68/100).

Kia Telluride Years to Avoid

The worst Kia Telluride year is 2020 with a score of 55/100, primarily due to exterior lighting (170) issues.

See full Kia Telluride years-to-avoid analysis →

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.

avg 66
20
21
22
23
24
25

Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.

Kia Telluride reliability scores by year
YearScoreRating
202055/100Mixed
202163/100Good
202263/100Good
202368/100Good
202469/100Good
202578/100Good

Kia Telluride Reliability Compared to Other Years

Reliability scores compared across model years
YearScorevs Prior YearRatingRecallsComplaints
2025(selected)78/100+9Good232
202469/100+1Good4180
202368/100+5Good5161
202263/1000Good6280
202163/100+8Good4280
202055/100Mixed6667

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2025 Kia Telluride reliable?
The 2025 Kia Telluride has a "Good" reliability rating with a score of 78/100. It is reasonably reliable with 2 recalls and 32 owner complaints, though some issues have been reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2025 Kia Telluride?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2025 Kia Telluride include: VISIBILITY/WIPER (8 complaints), UNKNOWN OR OTHER (7 complaints), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (5 complaints), STRUCTURE (4 complaints), VISIBILITY (2 complaints). These issues were identified from owner complaints analyzed by Auto Reliability Index.
How many recalls does the 2025 Kia Telluride have?
The 2025 Kia Telluride has 2 recalls on record. Recalls are safety or compliance fixes issued by the manufacturer and repaired at no cost at authorized dealerships.
Is the 2025 Kia Telluride expensive to maintain?
The 2025 Kia Telluride has estimated annual repair costs of $573/year. With a reliability score of 78/100, some repairs may be needed, but overall ownership costs are manageable.

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

1

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.

2

Repair Costs

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

3

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.

4

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.

See incorrect data? Report an issue