Last updated: 2026-10-10
Kia Telluride Wiper And Visibility Problems
Kia Telluride windshields chip and crack easily, often within the first few thousand miles, and cracks can spread across the driver's view.
- Owner complaints
- 344
- Share of all complaints
- 22%
- Crash / fire / injury reports
- 0 / 0 / 2
- Related recalls
- 0
Telluride wiper and visibility complaints by model year
The 2020 model year has by far the most complaints in this area, and also the highest rate per car sold. The 2021 and 2022 years sit well below it but still have a lot. The 2023 and 2024 years have far fewer. The 2025 year has the fewest, but it is the newest and has had the least time to collect reports, so low numbers do not show it is better. Windshield cracking shows up in every year's complaint summary, from 2020 through 2025.
- 2020134 · 17.8/10k sold
- 202170 · 7.5/10k sold
- 202279 · 7.9/10k sold
- 202326 · 2.3/10k sold
- 202425 · 2.2/10k sold
- 202510 · 0.8/10k sold
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA under visibility/wiper, visibility. Newer model years have had less time to collect complaints.
What goes wrong
Windshield cracking is the main complaint. Owners describe a small pebble, or no visible impact at all, that turns into a long crack within minutes or hours. Some cracks start under the trim or show up overnight while the car sits parked. Many report it in the first few thousand miles, and a few within days of buying the car. Replacement glass has cracked the same way for some owners.
The risk is mostly to visibility. Cracks often run into the driver's line of sight and add glare at night. A cracked windshield usually needs full replacement, not a chip repair. On the cars with a lane-keeping camera, replacement also means recalibrating the camera. Federal records show no crashes and no fires from this problem area. Two injuries are listed, both in 2020 and 2021 reports that involved other parts of the car. The cars stay drivable, but owners worry about weak glass and about dealers who decline warranty coverage.
Symptoms owners report
Cracks from small pebbles
A tiny chip from road debris spreads into a long crack, sometimes within a day. Owners say the damage looks far bigger than the impact. Cracks often reach the driver's view, so the glass has to be replaced.
Cracks with no visible impact
Windshields crack while parked in a garage or driveway, after a cold night, or after a pop while driving. Some cracks start at the edge under the molding. Owners find no chip or bullseye.
Repeat replacement failures
Several owners replaced the windshield two or three times. Replacement glass has failed the same way. One 2022 owner reported over $2000 for two replacements, and some cars needed two in under 18 months.
Sunroof and side glass shattering
Sunroof glass bursts at highway speed with a loud bang and no impact. Rear door and side glass have also shattered while driving. Sunroof tracks and arms break, and some roofs will not close.
Washer and wiper faults
A driver-side washer jet pools fluid low on the glass at road speed. Other reports describe a passenger wiper stopping in heavy rain, wipers working only in bursts in snow, and a cracked washer hose near the firewall.
When the problems start
Many windshield failures come early. Owners report cracks at under 100 miles, 250 miles, 300 miles, and under 1,000 miles. Others report them near 2,000, 4,000, 7,500, and 8,000 miles. Some chip repeatedly by 13,000 or 16,500 miles. A few non-windshield failures come later, such as a sunroof that would not close at 44,100 miles and a rear door window that shattered at about 37,000 miles.
Repairs and recalls
Federal recall records list no recalls in this area. Fixes are mostly full windshield replacement, and owners say it is not always covered. Dealers often decline warranty claims, and add-on glass plans sometimes refuse too. Owners of 2020 cars mention a Kia replacement program and a class action, but say dealers turned away cars outside the covered date range. One 2020 owner was reimbursed for a first replacement. One dealer quoted $1,600 for a replacement that needed camera recalibration. One 2020 owner waited six weeks for glass. Sunroof repair quotes run into the thousands.
Checking a used Telluride for wiper and visibility problems
- Look over the whole windshield in daylight for cracks, chips, and pitting, especially at the edges under the molding and at the lower corners.
- Ask for the glass replacement history. Check whether the windshield is original, and whether a past replacement was paid by Kia or the owner.
- Ask whether the lane-keeping camera was recalibrated after any new windshield. Confirm the driver assistance features work on a test drive.
- Run the washers and wipers at speed. Watch for fluid pooling low on the glass, weak spray, or a wiper that stalls.
- Open and close the sunroof several times. Listen for grinding, and check the sunshade closes fully.
- Check the glass warranty and any add-on glass plan in writing before you buy. Owners report claims being refused.
A VIN check shows whether the car you're looking at had its recall work done, plus accident and title history.
Kia Telluride Wiper And Visibility Problems: common questions
- Which Kia Telluride years have the most windshield problems?
- The 2020 model year has the most complaints in this area and the highest rate per car sold. The 2021 and 2022 years follow. The 2023 through 2025 years have fewer, but newer cars have had less time to collect complaints. Windshield cracking appears in every year.
- Is it safe to drive a Telluride with a cracked windshield?
- Owners say cracks spread fast and often reach the driver's view, which hurts visibility and adds glare at night. Federal records list no crashes or fires in this area. Get a crack inspected quickly, since most cracks cannot be repaired and the glass needs replacing.
- Is there a recall for Telluride windshield cracking?
- Federal recall records list no recalls in this area. Some 2020 owners mention a Kia replacement program and a class action, but they say dealers turned away cars outside the covered date range. Ask a Kia dealer about the car's own VIN.
- How much does a Telluride windshield replacement cost?
- Owners give few exact prices. One 2022 owner reported over $2000 for two replacements. One dealer quoted $1,600 for a replacement that required recalibrating the lane-keeping camera. Many owners say warranty coverage was declined, so they paid out of pocket or used insurance.
- Can a Telluride windshield crack when parked?
- Yes, owners across 2020 to 2025 describe cracks that appear or spread while the car sits in a garage or driveway, sometimes overnight or after a cold night. Some report loud cracking noises. Others find cracks starting under the trim with no visible impact.
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