Last updated: 2026-10-10
Kia Telluride vs Subaru Ascent: Reliability Compared
Kia Telluride
Subaru Ascent
Choosing between the Kia Telluride and the Subaru Ascent? 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 midsize suvs.
Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Subaru Ascent currently leads with an average score of 69/100 compared to 66/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
Verdict
The Subaru Ascent is more reliable than the Kia Telluride, scoring 69/100 vs 66/100.
Key Differences
- 1Subaru Ascent has 14.1 fewer complaints per 10k sold
- 2Subaru Ascent has 11 fewer total recalls
- 3Subaru Ascent scores 3 points higher in reliability
Category Scoreboard
Kia Telluride vs Subaru Ascent: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Kia Telluride | Subaru Ascent |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 66/100 | 69/100 |
| Years Tracked | 6 | 7 |
| Total Recalls | 27 | 16 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 23.3 | 9.2 |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2025 NHTSA | 2026 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 1 | 4 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Kia Telluride and Subaru Ascent?
| Component | Kia Telluride | Subaru Ascent |
|---|---|---|
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 4.2Average | 1.4Low |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 2.8Low | 2.7Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 4.4Average | 1Very Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 1.7Low | 1.5Low |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 2.5Low | —None |
| ENGINE | 1.9Low | 0.3Very Low |
| STRUCTURE | 1.6Low | 0.2Very Low |
| VISIBILITY | 0.7Very Low | 0.5Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.3Very Low | 0.5Very Low |
| SUSPENSION | 0.6Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.1Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| SEAT BELTS | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| SEATS | —None | —None |
| LANE DEPARTURE | —None | —None |
| TIRES | —None | —None |
| WHEELS | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
How Does Kia Telluride vs Subaru Ascent Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Kia Telluride | Subaru Ascent | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 78/1002R / 32C | 76/1000R / 8C | Kia Telluride |
| 2024 | 69/1004R / 180C | 76/1000R / 43C | Subaru Ascent |
| 2023 | 68/1005R / 161C | 71/1003R / 36C | Subaru Ascent |
| 2022 | 63/1006R / 280C | 70/1001R / 50C | Subaru Ascent |
| 2020 | 55/1006R / 667C | 58/1004R / 310C | Subaru Ascent |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2024 Kia Telluride scored 69/100 and the 2024 Subaru Ascent scored 76/100 — the strongest shared model years that have been on the road for at least two years, where available.
Kia Telluride vs Subaru Ascent: Common Questions
- Is the Kia Telluride more reliable than the Subaru Ascent?
- Based on our data, the Subaru Ascent is more reliable with an average score of 69/100 compared to 66/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Kia Telluride or the Subaru Ascent?
- The Kia Telluride has more recalls (27) compared to the Subaru Ascent (16). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
- Which has fewer owner complaints, the Kia Telluride or the Subaru Ascent?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Subaru Ascent has a lower complaint rate at 9.2 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 23.3 for the Kia Telluride. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Is the Kia Telluride or Subaru Ascent safer?
- Both the Kia Telluride and Subaru Ascent received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.
Related Reliability Comparisons
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Decided between Kia Telluride and Subaru Ascent? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
How we score the Kia Telluride and Subaru Ascent
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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