Enter a Kia Telluride VIN for a free NHTSA vPIC decode: build details and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. Owner reports follow below.
Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.
Kia has sold the Telluride in the US since the 2020 model year. Across those years NHTSA lists 17 vehicle recall campaigns and 1,998 owner complaints. The 2020 has the most complaints of any model year (767). EPA rates it at 20–23 mpg combined. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.
One generation in the data, 2020–2025: 17 NHTSA recall campaigns and 1,998 owner complaints.
Mentions in 1,998 NHTSA complaints.
5XYP5DHC?MG······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2021 Kia Telluride SX, built in GeorgiaNHTSA has 17 campaigns on file for Telluride model years 2020–2025, and the 2020 and 2022 show up in the most (7 each). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.
Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.
Canada rows: Transport Canada recalls database. Transport Canada recalls that match an NHTSA campaign are folded into that row by VinNumber.net; rows with the Canadian flag have no NHTSA match. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.
Between them, the 2020 and 2021 hold 1,132 of the 1,998 complaints, or 57%. Tap any bar or generation.
Mentions in 1,998 complaints, 2020–2025.
The 2020 is the outlier. On its own it has 767 of the ON’s 1,998 complaints (38%), more than any other Telluride model year. By area, nothing stands out. Visibility leads with 425, with engine and cooling (324) and the electrical system (297) close behind.
Cracked windshields are a leading NHTSA complaint across the 2020–2022, and on the 2020 many owners also report high beam headlights that stop working, plus oil consumption. CarComplaints, with about 45 reports for 2020, ranks oil consumption first, followed by high beams that stopped working. Recalls cover high beams that may fail on 2020 models, an intermediate shaft and right front driveshaft on 2020–2024 models that may not be fully engaged, letting the vehicle roll away in Park, and a front power seat motor on 2020–2024 models that can overheat and cause a fire. [1] [2] [3]
Counts: NHTSA complaints file, records to October 1, 2026, one count per complaint; areas are NHTSA component groups.
Owner summary updated September 25, 2026.
Telluride owners are largely happy and often say they would buy it again, citing the features, smooth ride and family space for the money. Several report reaching high mileage with only routine maintenance. Complaints focus on frequent recalls, exterior trim pieces coming loose, uneven dealer service with slow parts, and heavy fuel use. Oil consumption comes up often, though owners who check their levels mostly say theirs is fine.
Opinions of individual owners, summarized in our own words. Not verified data; check recalls and complaints above.
Every Telluride version is counted together. Tap a year to see its top systems.
Crashes 8 · fires 9 · injuries 11 · complaints reporting a death 1
Crashes 7 · fires 4 · injuries 9
Crashes 10 · fires 4 · injuries 9
Crashes 5 · fires 2 · injuries 3
Crashes 6 · fires 2 · injuries 4
Crashes 3 · fires 2 · injuries 5
Systems as NHTSA names them; a complaint can list several. Source: NHTSA complaints data, records to October 1, 2026.
EPA lists 12 Telluride versions for model years 2020–2025. The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 395 g/mi (2023). Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.
20–23 mpg · CO₂ 395–442 g/mi
Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Source: fueleconomy.gov.
Take 2020–2025. NHTSA lists 17 recall campaigns for the Telluride, against 13 for the Hyundai Palisade and 20 for the Honda Pilot. Pick a range to compare.
Model years 2020–2025
Model years 2020–2025
Model years 2020–2025
NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.
Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.
Photo: Hans Haase, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped
Illustration: VinNumber.net
Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0; edited and VIN pins added by VinNumber.net
Two secondary labels worth verifying on the Telluride: the B-pillar label and the cargo area sticker. The primary VIN plate sits at the lower driver's windshield, with the door jamb sticker as the first secondary.
The 2020 leads with 767, ahead of the 2021 (365) and 2022 (324). Those first two alone make up 57% of the 1,998 Telluride complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.
NHTSA’s recall records show 17 vehicle campaigns for model years 2020–2025, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns.
NHTSA’s record names a fire risk in 22V-626, 24V-407, 26V-430 and 24V-077. Park-outside advisories came with 22V-626, 24V-407 and 26V-430. Each should show as closed on a VIN check.
It varies. EPA rates the 2020–2025 Telluride at 20–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive (fueleconomy.gov).
For 2020–2025 models the Telluride has 17 NHTSA recall campaigns. The Hyundai Palisade has 13, the Honda Pilot 20. Complaints run 1,998, 2,320 and 1,547 in that order, with no sales adjustment.
NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2025 Telluride 5 stars overall. Both rated versions, FWD and AWD, get that score.