Last updated: 2026-03-04
Kia Telluride vs Toyota Grand Highlander: Reliability Compared
Kia Telluride
Toyota Grand Highlander
Choosing between the Kia Telluride and the Toyota Grand Highlander? 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 Toyota Grand Highlander currently leads with an average score of 75/100 compared to 66/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the Kia Telluride and Toyota Grand Highlander Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Toyota Grand Highlander is more reliable than the Kia Telluride, scoring 75/100 vs 66/100.
The Toyota Grand Highlander demonstrates superior reliability with an average score of 85 out of 100 compared to the Kia Telluride's 71. While the Grand Highlander has experienced 10 recalls over three years, the Telluride has seen 27 across six years, indicating a more frequent need for manufacturer interventions. Additionally, the Grand Highlander reports a lower owner complaint rate of 8.2 per 10,000 sold, significantly better than the Telluride's 23.3. Although the Telluride has a reported annual repair cost of $573, the Grand Highlander's lower complaint rate and higher reliability score make it the more reliable choice overall.
Key Differences
- 1Toyota Grand Highlander has 17 fewer total recalls
- 2Toyota Grand Highlander has 15.1 fewer complaints per 10k sold
- 3Toyota Grand Highlander scores 9 points higher in reliability
Category Scoreboard
Kia Telluride vs Toyota Grand Highlander: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Kia Telluride | Toyota Grand Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 66/100 | 75/100 |
| Years Tracked | 6 | 3 |
| Total Recalls | 27 | 10 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 23.3 | 8.2 |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2025 NHTSA | 2026 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 0 (1 tied) | 1 (1 tied) |
What Are the Common Problems With the Kia Telluride and Toyota Grand Highlander?
The Toyota Grand Highlander and Kia Telluride exhibit distinct problem profiles, with the Grand Highlander having a relatively lower total complaint count of 204 compared to the Telluride's 1600. Notably, the Grand Highlander's most significant issues are concentrated in the "UNKNOWN OR OTHER" and "POWER TRAIN" categories, while the Telluride experiences the highest complaint frequency in "UNKNOWN OR OTHER" and "VISIBILITY/WIPER." The Telluride also has a higher incidence of crash-linked complaints, particularly in the "POWER TRAIN" and "SERVICE BRAKES" categories, raising potential safety concerns. Both models face challenges with their electrical systems, but the Telluride's 191 complaints, including three crash-linked incidents, suggest a more pronounced issue in this area compared to the Grand Highlander's 16 complaints.
| Component | Kia Telluride | Toyota Grand Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 4.4Average | 1.7Low |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 4.2Average | —None |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 2.8Low | 0.6Very Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 1.7Low | 1.4Low |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 2.5Low | —None |
| ENGINE | 1.9Low | 0.2Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.2Very Low | 1.1Low |
| STRUCTURE | 0.9Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| SUSPENSION | 0.3Very Low | 0.4Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.2Very Low | 0.4Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.5Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | —None | 0.6Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.3Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| VISIBILITY | 0.3Very Low | —None |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| SEAT BELTS | 0.1Very Low | —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: Kia Telluride or Toyota Grand Highlander?
How Does Kia Telluride vs Toyota Grand Highlander Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Kia Telluride | Toyota Grand Highlander | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 78/1002R / 32C | 80/1003R / 33C | Toyota Grand Highlander |
| 2024 | 69/1004R / 180C | 69/1007R / 171C | Tie |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Kia Telluride scored 78/100 and the 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander scored 80/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Kia Telluride vs the Toyota Grand Highlander?
Kia Telluride vs Toyota Grand Highlander: Common Questions
- Is the Kia Telluride more reliable than the Toyota Grand Highlander?
- Based on our data, the Toyota Grand Highlander is more reliable with an average score of 75/100 compared to 66/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Kia Telluride or the Toyota Grand Highlander?
- The Kia Telluride has more recalls (27) compared to the Toyota Grand Highlander (10). 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 Toyota Grand Highlander?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Toyota Grand Highlander has a lower complaint rate at 8.2 per 10,000 sold versus 23.3 for the Kia Telluride. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Is the Kia Telluride or Toyota Grand Highlander safer?
- Both the Kia Telluride and Toyota Grand Highlander 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
More Kia Telluride comparisons
More Toyota Grand Highlander comparisons
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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