Kia Telluride Years to Avoid — Worst & Best Years to Buy
Every Kia Telluride model year (2020–2026) ranked by recall count, complaint volume, deaths, and injuries. Data sourced directly from NHTSA.
Kia Telluride Years to Avoid
1 recall · 429 complaints
9 reported injuries
Top issue: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Problem score: 450
2 recalls · 213 complaints
10 reported injuries
Top issue: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Problem score: 239
1 recall · 221 complaints
5 reported injuries
Top issue: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Problem score: 234
Best Kia Telluride Years to Buy
3 recalls · 67 complaints
Main area: ENGINE
Problem score: 88
3 recalls · 141 complaints
Main area: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Problem score: 154
1 recall · 151 complaints
Main area: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Problem score: 160
Found the right year? Verify that specific Telluride with a free VIN report.
Kia Telluride — Year-by-Year Problem Report
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Problem Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | Excellent |
| 2025 | 3 | 67 | 6 | — | 88 | Good |
| 2024 | 1 | 151 | 3 | — | 160 | Caution |
| 2023 | 3 | 141 | 2 | — | 154 | Good |
| 2022 | 2 | 213 | 10 | — | 239 | Caution |
| 2021 | 1 | 221 | 5 | — | 234 | Caution |
| 2020 | 1 | 429 | 9 | — | 450 | Avoid |
All 7 model years shown. Deaths and injuries from NHTSA complaint filings. Higher problem scores indicate more reported safety issues.
Kia Telluride Shopping Guide by Era
2018–Present
Best: 2026Recent Telluride models benefit from updated safety systems and revised engineering. The 2026 stands out with just 0 problem points. Always request a pre-purchase inspection and VIN history report.
Frequently Asked Questions
What year Telluride should I avoid?+
Avoid the 2020 Kia Telluride if possible. It has 1 recall, 429 owner complaints. The overall problem score is 450 — the highest in our dataset.
What is the best year Telluride to buy?+
The 2025 Kia Telluride is the lowest-risk year in our analysis, with a problem score of 88. It has only 3 recalls and 67 complaints on record with NHTSA.
Which Telluride has the fewest problems?+
The 2025, 2023, 2024 model years have the fewest documented problems. Even for low-problem years, verifying a specific vehicle's history via its VIN is always recommended before purchase.
More Kia Telluride Research
Check a Specific Kia Telluride VIN
Model-year rankings show statistical risk. A VIN-specific report reveals the individual vehicle's full history — accidents, odometer rollbacks, auction records, and open recall status.
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