2021 Kia Telluride

I was traveling on the interstate going around 70-75 mph with my [XXX] daughter in the passenger seat. We were traveling for around 30 minutes when we heard a loud bang above our heads. It was similar to the sound of a gunshot. Immediately following, we heard glass fragments moving. The sunroof had completely busted out of nowhere. There was no construction around me and no large trucks. No rock and debris hit the vehicle. I had my daughter hold the manual cover closed while I veered off to the nearest exit. This frightened us both to death in which I almost swerved into the cars that were traveling alongside me. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11776532

Incident

Nov 7, 2026

While operating the vehicle, severe unaddressed oil consumption has led to powertrain concerns and potential engine failure. Additionally, the vehicle is subject to unresolved safety recall 24V-407 regarding the power seat motor fire hazard. Despite bringing the vehicle to the dealership for routine maintenance and presenting these safety and mechanical issues, the service department has failed to provide necessary repairs or authorize a safe replacement/loaner vehicle, leaving the vehicle a safety concern.

NHTSA ID

11775424

Incident

May 17, 2023

The contact owns a 2021 Kia Telluride. The contact stated that upon opening the sunroof for the first time, the sunroof wind deflector dislodged, causing the sunroof to remain stuck open. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the failure was confirmed. The contact was informed that the failure resulted in sunroof motor failure, which also required replacement. The contact informed the dealer that the failure was associated with Kia TSB Number: BOD319 (Sunroof Wind Deflector Arms and Mechanism Parts Replacement). The vehicle remained at the dealer awaiting the repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone, and a case was filed. A manufacturer case manager left a voicemail message for the dealer inquiring about the parts required for replacement. The failure mileage was approximately 41,400.

NHTSA ID

11775350

Incident

Sep 20, 2026

Mileage

41,400 mi

The engine cooling fan remains on after the vehicle is switched off. After disconnecting the negative battery terminal for hours and even days, as soon as the negative battery terminal is re connected, the fan turns back on without the ignition being switched on nor the key in the vicinity of the vehicle. As of right now the vehicle can not be used as a daily driver and the car is just sitting in the yard with the negative battery terminal disconnected. This could ultimately be a fire hazard if left unattended and or drain the battery life. This is the second time this has happened. The first time (July 2026), we took it into a shop and the car would never act this way. This was a week after leaving the car in the yard with the negative battery terminal disconnected. We had to wait for an appointment. The technician could never get the car to act up and there were no active codes. Now, 3 months later, we are having same issues again. I see online where this is easily a $1000.00 repair. I believe this should fall back on the manufacturer for faulty parts and a fire hazard and inconvenience

NHTSA ID

11775249

Incident

Oct 29, 2026

Spontaneous structural failure of the front driver-side suspension coil spring occurred while operating the vehicle at a low speed on smooth pavement (leaving a parking lot). There was absolutely no impact, road hazard, or pothole involved. The coil spring cleanly fractured into two distinct pieces near the top. The shock absorber and surrounding strut components remain completely undamaged, proving this was a spontaneous metallurgical or manufacturing defect rather than impact damage. The broken section of the spring unseated from the upper strut mount and is resting loosely in the wheel well, causing severe grinding and banging noises. This poses an immediate, critical safety hazard: the jagged, fractured metal edges of the loose spring are at high risk of shifting to puncture the front tire or sever the brake lines, which would cause a sudden, catastrophic loss of vehicle control and braking ability. DEALER & CORPORATE RECORD: The vehicle is currently located at an authorized Kia dealership service center. Dealership technicians have physically inspected the vehicle and confirmed that the coil spring is broken into two pieces while the surrounding shock absorber/strut assembly remains entirely undamaged. This structurally isolates the failure to a metallurgical or manufacturing defect of the spring itself, rather than external impact damage. Despite their technicians confirming the failure, Kia has denied goodwill repair assistance for this severe safety defect under Kia Corporate Case Number 26498926.

NHTSA ID

11774202

Incident

Oct 18, 2026

Alternator died and had to get replaced at 80,000 miles. Car died while driving on the highway. Had to pull over and get the car towed. Had to get the alternator replaced and paid out of pocket.

NHTSA ID

11772136

Incident

Jul 4, 2026

On Friday, October 16, 2026, while traveling approximately 70 mph on I-94 in Wisconsin, the smaller, operable sunroof above the front seats of our 2021 Kia Telluride suddenly exploded without warning. The sunroof was completely closed and flush with the roof, not tilted or vented. The sunshade was open, and the outside temperature was approximately 50–55 degrees. We heard an extremely loud bang resembling a gunshot. There was no apparent impact, no vehicles close enough ahead of us to have thrown debris onto the roof, and no bridge or overpass overhead that could have dropped an object onto the vehicle. The glass appeared to blow primarily upward and outward. When we stopped to inspect the vehicle, the remaining glass around the opening was turned upward. Glass fragments were scattered throughout the passenger compartment, including across all the seats and the floor. I have filed a complaint with Kia Corporate but the vehicle is in our driveway at the moment. I am waiting for further instructions from Kia. We were traveling with three passengers and a dog. We had to remove glass to protect everyone from injury and did not retain the fragments that fell inside the vehicle. As we slowed down and searched for a safe exit, several other motorists pulled alongside us and gestured to make sure we were all right so clearly it was visible from the outside. Fortunately, I maintained control of the vehicle. However, the sudden failure was extremely frightening and created a serious potential hazard at highway speed. A driver could easily be startled or distracted enough to lose control. I am concerned about a potential defect involving the front sunroof glass or its assembly, particularly given reports of similar incidents involving Kia Tellurides. I request that NHTSA document this incident and evaluate whether it may be part of a broader safety defect affecting these vehicles.

NHTSA ID

11772087

Incident

Oct 16, 2026

NHTSA Vehicle Safety Complaint – 2021 Kia Telluride I am the original owner of a 2021 Kia Telluride with approximately 78,000 miles. My vehicle has experienced recurring mechanical and drivability concerns, including an intermittent check-engine light, a previously reported camshaft-related diagnostic trouble code, and hesitation during acceleration. Of particular concern, there have been instances when I have pressed the accelerator pedal and the vehicle has hesitated before responding. This delayed acceleration creates a potential safety concern, particularly when entering traffic, merging, or navigating intersections where predictable engine response is essential. Additionally, the vehicle has exhibited rough operation while reversing and unusually harsh engine behavior when the automatic engine stop-start system engages. Despite multiple visits to a Kia-authorized dealership, including a monitored 1,000-mile oil consumption test, these concerns remain unresolved. The dealership advised that the vehicle passed the oil consumption test but subsequently recommended a dynamic engine cleaning procedure. I was informed that the technician was approximately 85% confident this procedure would resolve the issue. However, no definitive explanation of the underlying mechanical problem was provided. I have requested written documentation of the diagnostic findings and the basis for the recommended procedure. I have also opened a formal case with Kia America Consumer Affairs regarding these unresolved concerns. I am submitting this complaint because I am concerned that the recurring acceleration hesitation and related engine symptoms may indicate a safety-related defect that has not been adequately identified or resolved. I respectfully request that NHTSA document these concerns and evaluate whether similar complaints involving 2021 Kia Telluride vehicles indicate a broader safety issue.

NHTSA ID

11771698

Incident

Sep 11, 2026

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SUNROOF WIND DEFLECTOR ARMS AND MECHANISM PARTS REPLACEMENT - (CLOSED & SUPERSEDED BY BOD360/WTY049) - This bulletin is now closed and superseded by BOD360/WTY049. This bulletin provided information to perform a partial replacement of the sunroof wind deflector and mechanism arms on some 2019-2022MY Telluride (ON) vehicles produced from February 15, 2019 through January 19, 2022. The affected vehicles may experience the sunroof open/close operation inoperative and/or the sunroof wind deflector function inoperative.

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SUNROOF WIND DEFLECTOR ARMS AND MECHANISM PARTS REPLACEMENT (WTY049) - This bulletin provides information associated with the 'Warranty Extension Program' (WTY049) to diagnose and, if necessary, replace the front sunroof wind deflector arms and certain mechanism components on certain 2020-2022MY Telluride (ON) vehicles produced from January 9, 2019, through July 27, 2022. The affected vehicles may experience the sunroof open/close operation inoperative and/or the sunroof wind deflector function inoperative. The warranty coverage for repairs related to the front sunroof wind deflector will be extended from 5 years / 60,000 miles to 15 years / 150,000 miles, whichever comes first, starting from the date the vehicle was first put into service.

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: EXCESSIVE ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION (REV 1) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information on diagnosing and/or repairing a 2020-2025MY Telluride (ON) vehicle's engine, which may exhibit a symptom of excessive oil consumption.

WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: REIMBURSEMENT FORM (WTY049) - This document is a Reimbursement Request form that was mailed with the customer letter advising them to submit the form if they had paid for repairs for this same matter prior to the warranty extension campaign program launch.

WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (WTY049) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage to owners for specific repairs related to the front sunroof wind deflector on certain 2020-2022 MY Telluride vehicles manufactured from January 9, 2019 through July 27, 2022. For these specific model & model years, Kia will extend the warranty for a condition where the customer is unable to open/close the front sunroof and/or the sunroof wind deflector does not operate or function properly from 5 years / 60,000 miles to 15 years / 150,000 miles, whichever comes first, starting from the date the vehicle was first put into service.

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: EXCESSIVE ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION: This bulletin provides information on diagnosing and/or repairing a 2020-2025MY Telluride (ON) vehicle's engine, which may exhibit a symptom of excessive oil consumption. Follow the flowchart on page 2 in this procedure to repair a vehicle exhibiting excessive oil consumption.