Own a Kia Telluride in the Phoenix area? EZ Swap LLC repairs and maintains the Kia Telluride for model years 2020 to 2025, 2027. Our shop at 9050 N 9th St handles everything from routine service to diagnostics and major repairs.
To help Telluride owners know what to watch for, we reviewed public records from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). For these model years NHTSA has 2,030 owner complaints on file for the Telluride and 17 safety recall campaigns. The most-reported problem areas are visibility/wiper (349), engine (336), electrical system (293).
Most-Reported Kia Telluride Problems
These problem areas come up most often in NHTSA owner complaints for the Telluride (all model years combined). Complaint counts reflect reports filed, not the share of vehicles affected, so popular and older models naturally have more.
| Problem area (NHTSA component) | Complaints | Share | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility/Wiper | 349 | 17% | |
| Engine | 336 | 16% | |
| Electrical System | 293 | 14% | |
| Exterior Lighting | 209 | 10% | |
| Power Train | 171 | 8% | |
| Structure | 157 | 7% | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 90 | 4% | |
| Visibility | 83 | 4% |
Visibility/Wiper
349 of the 2,030 complaints (17%) mention lighting and visibility. Lights, wipers and visibility items are quick to fix and are on every rideshare inspection checklist. We check them as part of our inspection prep. See our rideshare inspection prep page.
Engine
336 of the 2,030 complaints (16%) mention the engine and cooling system. Engine and cooling complaints are best caught early in Phoenix, where heat pushes cooling systems and engine oil to their limits. We diagnose warning lights and check coolant, hoses and oil condition. See our check engine light diagnostics and oil change & maintenance pages.
Electrical System
293 of the 2,030 complaints (14%) mention the electrical system. Electrical problems are made worse by desert heat, which ages batteries, cables and connectors. We test the battery, starter and charging system and trace faults to the actual part. See our battery replacement and starter & alternator repair pages.
Kia Telluride Complaints by Model Year
The Telluride model years with the most NHTSA complaints on file are 2020, 2021, 2022. Older model years have had more time to collect reports, so use this table as a guide for what to inspect, not as a verdict on any one vehicle.
| Model year | Complaints on file | |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 776 | |
| 2021 | 373 | |
| 2022 | 327 | |
| 2023 | 209 | |
| 2024 | 223 | |
| 2025 | 122 |
Most Common Kia Telluride Check Engine Codes
Owners often put the exact trouble code in their NHTSA complaint. These are the codes cited most often for the Telluride. The most-cited is P0741 (torque converter clutch circuit performance), mentioned in 3 complaints. Counts reflect complaints that name a code, not every car on the road.
| Code | What it means | Complaints citing it |
|---|---|---|
| P0741 | Torque converter clutch circuit performance Torque converter clutch or solenoid problem; shuddering or poor mileage. | 3 |
A code is a clue, not a diagnosis. The same code can have several causes, so we test before replacing parts. See our check engine light diagnostics, and read whether it is safe to drive with the check engine light on.
Kia Telluride Safety Recalls
NHTSA lists 17 recall campaigns for the Telluride in these model years, most often involving electrical system, seats, air bags. Recalls are repaired by the manufacturer at no charge to you, but each applies only to certain vehicles. Look up your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- 2026 recall, Seats (campaign 26V430000): Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Telluride vehicles. The front power seat motor may overheat due to a stuck power seat slide knob or an improper recall 24V407 repair, which can result in a fire while parked or driving.
- 2026 recall, Seats (campaign 26V105000): 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.
- 2025 recall, Structure (campaign 25V494000): Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Telluride vehicles. The door belt molding trim can delaminate and detach from the vehicle.
- 2025 recall, Tires (campaign 25V745000): 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...
- 2024 recall, Exterior Lighting (campaign 24V148000): Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2020 Telluride vehicles. The high beam headlights may fail.
- 2024 recall, Power Train (campaign 24V214000): Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Telluride vehicles. The intermediate shaft and right front driveshaft may not be fully engaged, which can result in vehicle roll away while in PARK.
Serious Incident Reports
Of the NHTSA complaints on file for the Telluride, 40 involved a crash, 23 involved a fire, 42 reported injuries. These numbers are drawn from self-reported complaints and are not verified findings. If your vehicle has an open recall, get it repaired promptly.
Keeping a Kia Telluride Reliable in Phoenix
Arizona heat is the hardest test a Kia will face. Batteries, belts, hoses, tires and engine oil all wear faster here, and a Telluride that spends its life in stop-and-go Valley traffic needs maintenance earlier than the owner's manual's normal schedule suggests.
Our recommendation for Telluride owners: follow the severe-service schedule, test the battery before every summer, inspect brakes and tires twice a year, and have any warning light diagnosed instead of ignored. If you are shopping for a used Kia Telluride, a pre-purchase inspection shows what the paperwork does not.
Kia Telluride Services at EZ Swap LLC
Get the details on our Phoenix Kia Telluride repair service, or choose a service below.
Rideshare Inspection Prep
Get approved for Uber, Lyft and more.
Details →Check Engine Light Diagnostics
Scan, test and pinpoint the real cause.
Details →Oil Change & Maintenance
Oil, filters, fluids, tires and scheduled service.
Details →Battery Replacement
Test, replace and protect against Phoenix heat.
Details →Starter & Alternator Repair
Charging and starting system repair.
Details →Kia Telluride FAQ
What are the most common problems with the Kia Telluride?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints, the most-reported problem areas for the Kia Telluride are visibility/wiper (349), engine (336), electrical system (293). Complaint counts reflect reports filed, not the share of vehicles affected.
Which Telluride model years have the most complaints?
The Telluride model years with the most NHTSA complaints on file are 2020, 2021, 2022. Older years have had longer to collect reports, so inspect any specific vehicle before buying.
What are the most common check engine codes on the Kia Telluride?
In NHTSA owner complaints for the Kia Telluride, the codes cited most often are P0741 (torque converter clutch circuit performance). A code points to a system, and testing confirms the actual failed part.
Does the Kia Telluride have any safety recalls?
NHTSA lists 17 recall campaigns for the Kia Telluride across model years 2020 to 2025, 2027. Each recall applies only to certain vehicles, so enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is affected.
Do you repair the Kia Telluride in Phoenix?
Yes. EZ Swap LLC repairs and maintains Kia vehicles including the Telluride, at 9050 N 9th St in Phoenix. Call or text (602) 246-9063 for an appointment.
Is a pre-purchase inspection worth it for a used Kia Telluride?
Yes. An inspection checks the engine, transmission, brakes, suspension, A/C and electrical system, and scans for stored codes, so you know the real condition before you buy.
How often should I service my Kia Telluride in Phoenix?
Follow the severe-service schedule in your owner's manual, since heat and stop-and-go driving count as severe use. Test the battery before summer and inspect brakes and tires regularly.
More Kia Models We Service
Source: public complaint and recall records from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov). Counts reflect reports filed and do not predict the condition of any individual vehicle.