What are the most common Kia Telluride problems?
According to Au7o's analysis of 456+ owner reports, the 2025 Kia Telluride has 11 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Door Belt Molding Delamination / Detachment (Recall SC347), Incorrect Spare Tire Impairing ABS and Traction Control (Recall SC355), Front Seat Back Frame Assembly Manufacturing Defect (Recall SC362 / NHTSA 26V105). Of these, 4 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
Is the Kia Telluride reliable?
The 2025 Kia Telluride has 11 known issues documented across 456+ owner reports. 4 issues are rated critical: Door Belt Molding Delamination / Detachment (Recall SC347) and Incorrect Spare Tire Impairing ABS and Traction Control (Recall SC355) and Front Seat Back Frame Assembly Manufacturing Defect (Recall SC362 / NHTSA 26V105) and Panoramic Sunroof Glass Spontaneously Shattering. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
How much does it cost to fix common Kia Telluride problems?
Repair costs for known Kia Telluride issues range from $0 to $2,500, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
What is the 2023-2025 Kia Telluride Door Belt Molding Delamination / Detachment (Recall SC347)?
NHTSA recall 25V494000 (Kia SC347) covers certain 2023-2025 Telluride vehicles. The door belt molding trim can delaminate and detach from the vehicle, creating a road hazard for other traffic. Severity: high.
What is the 2025 Kia Telluride Incorrect Spare Tire Impairing ABS and Traction Control (Recall SC355)?
NHTSA recall 25V745000 (Kia SC355) covers certain 2025 Telluride vehicles equipped with an incorrect spare tire. If installed, the tire can impair anti-lock braking and traction control, and the vehicle does not comply with FMVSS 110. Severity: high.
What is the 2025 Kia Telluride Front Seat Back Frame Assembly Manufacturing Defect (Recall SC362 / NHTSA 26V105)?
Kia recalled approximately 85,448 model-year 2025 Tellurides equipped with power front seats because a manufacturing error in the driver and passenger seat back frame assemblies may leave them unable to properly restrain occupants in a crash. This is a structural seat-frame defec… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
What is the 2020-2025 Kia Telluride Panoramic Sunroof Glass Spontaneously Shattering?
Telluride owners report the fixed or sliding panoramic sunroof glass exploding without any impact — typically while driving, described consistently as sounding like a gunshot followed by glass raining into the cabin. The failure mode is characteristic of tempered panoramic panels… Repairs typically run $900-$2,500. Severity: high.
What is the 2020-2025 Kia Telluride Rear Self-Leveling Shock Absorber Insulator Failure and Shock Blow-Out (Knock/Thump Over Bumps)?
Tellurides fitted with the rear self-leveling (load-leveling) shock absorbers — standard on tow-package and higher trims — develop a distinct knock, thump or pop from the rear of the vehicle over bumps and expansion joints, often accompanied by a harsh, stiff ride. Kia first addr… Repairs typically run $0-$1,400. Severity: medium.
What is the 2020-2025 Kia Telluride Parasitic 12V Battery Drain from Telematics Modem / Intelligent Battery Unit (Repeat No-Start)?
Tellurides repeatedly go dead overnight or after a few days parked, with owners jump-starting and replacing perfectly good batteries only to have the problem return. The Telluride's always-on cellular telematics modem (Kia Access / UVO remote start and remote climate) never fully… Repairs typically run $200-$1,200. Severity: medium.
What is the 2020-2025 Kia Telluride Power Liftgate Motor and Gas Strut Failure (Won't Close, Three-Beep Fault)?
The Smart Power Liftgate on EX and above fails in two related but distinct ways. The gas struts on either side of the gate weaken — often within the first year or two, and much faster in cold climates — so the gate stops closing fully, reverses partway, or drops. Separately, the… Repairs typically run $180-$1,500. Severity: medium.
What is the 2020-2025 Kia Telluride Oil Dilution from Short Trip Driving (3.8L V6)?
The 3.8L Lambda II V6 in the Telluride experiences fuel dilution of the engine oil when driven primarily on short trips (under 10 miles). Fuel washes past the piston rings during cold starts and does not fully evaporate because the oil never reaches full operating temperature. Th… Repairs typically run $50-$500. Severity: medium.
What is the 2020-2025 Kia Telluride Premature Windshield Cracking?
Telluride owners report unusually high rates of windshield cracking from minor road debris that would not crack windshields on other vehicles. Over 46% of NHTSA visibility complaints for the Telluride relate to windshield cracking. Cracks typically originate from the lower passen… Repairs typically run $250-$1,000. Severity: low.
What is the 2020-2025 Kia Telluride Paint Bubbling at Hood and Roof Seams?
Tellurides develop paint bubbling and peeling at body panel seams, particularly the hood leading edge, roof rail joints, and rear liftgate seams. The issue is caused by insufficient e-coat coverage at spot-welded seams, allowing moisture to penetrate under the paint. The bubbling… Repairs typically run $0-$1,500. Severity: low.
What is the 2020-2025 Kia Telluride Third Row Seat Latch Jamming?
The third-row seat fold-down mechanism in the Telluride jams, preventing the seats from folding flat or locking back into the upright position. The latch mechanism uses a cable-actuated release that stretches and binds over time. When the latch jams in the released position, the… Repairs typically run $50-$500. Severity: low.
