The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 52 of 126 complaints (41%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (3) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 229 in 2024 to 126 in 2025.
At a glance
- NHTSA complaints
- 126
- Recall campaigns
- 3
- EPA fuel cost per year
- $2,850–$3,100
- Combined MPG
- 20–22
Complaints by model year
Where owners report problems
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Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2027 | vs. 2025 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,700–2,950 | 2,850–3,100 | 2,850–3,100 | 1,800–3,300 | |
| Combined MPG | 21–23 | 20–22 | 20–22 | 19–35 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 18–20 / 24–26 | 18–20 / 24–26 | 18–20 / 23–26 | 17–34 / 22–36 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 395–433 | 398–442 | 398–442 | 251–467 | |
| Complaints filed | 214 | 229 | 126 | 28 | |
| Recalls issued | 6 | 5 | 3 | 2 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 6 | 6 | 3 | 2 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 4 | 4 | 5 | 1 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2025 Kia Telluride have?
3 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Nov 7, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2025 Kia Telluride?
Engine: 52 of 126 NHTSA complaints (41%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2025 Kia Telluride get?
EPA rates it 20–22 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2025 Kia Telluride?
EPA estimates $2,850–$3,100 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (2)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S8) | 6 | 3.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 20 mpg (high) | 26 mpg (high) | 22 mpg (high) | $2,850 (low) | 398 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S8) | 6 | 3.8L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 18 mpg (low) | 23 mpg (low) | 20 mpg (low) | $3,100 (high) | 442 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 52 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 23 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 9 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 10 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 24 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 23 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (3)
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
- Defect
- Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 Telluride vehicles, equipped with power front seat(s). Due to a manufacturing error, the driver and passenger seat back frame assemblies may fail to properly restrain occupants in a crash.
- Consequence
- A seat back frame that fails to properly restrain an occupant during a crash increases the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the front seat back frame assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning April 24, 2026. Owners may contact Kia Customer Service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC362. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 9, 2026.
TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE
- Defect
- 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.
STRUCTURE:EXTERIOR TRIM
- Defect
- 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.