Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 206 complaints with NHTSA about the 2023 Kia Telluride, and it carries 6 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unknown or other | 37 | 18% |
| Visibility/wiper | 20 | 10% |
| Electrical system | 17 | 8% |
| Power train | 10 | 5% |
| Structure | 9 | 4% |
| Engine | 7 | 3% |
| Suspension | 7 | 3% |
| Unknown or other | 5 | 2% |
| Electrical system | 4 | 2% |
| Seat belts | 4 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
Screen go black or blanks out. Sometime when shifting from reverse to drive the reverse screen stay on.
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
Three times over the past year minor debris or small rocks have hit the windshield causing major spidering affects that have run all across the windshield. Even when using the windshield repair kits.
NHTSA complaint: Visibility/wiper
While driving 2023 Kia Telluride driver side over head visor detached tangling in front of driver obscuring vision.
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
On XXX, at approximately 7:40 a.m., my 2023 Kia Telluride, VIN [XXX], experienced a sudden mechanical failure while traveling approximately 65+ mph southbound on [XXX]. The vehicle suddenly locked up, causing the driver
NHTSA complaint: Power train
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Telluride. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V430000 (Seats); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted and confirme
NHTSA complaint: Seats
This is an update to my original NHTSA complaint (ID 11755209) regarding an intermittent no-start/no-crank defect on my 2023 Kia Telluride (VIN [XXX]). Since my original filing, the identical defect has recurred twice mo
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
CLEAR COAT PEELING OFF IN SHEETS ON A 2023 KIA TELLURIDE. IT'S A KNOWN PROBLEM AMOUNG KIA OWNERS HOWEVER KIA IS NOT ACCEPTING RESPONSIBLITY FOR A MANUFACTURER DEFECT.
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
A P0741 warning light comes on and off leading driver to believe the problem is intermittent when in fact it is a torque converter failed. The intermittent nature of the warning light could lead drivers to believe the
NHTSA complaint: Power train
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2023 Kia Telluride. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Telluride vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the wire harnesses for the second row seat side air bags may become damaged, causing them not to deploy in the event of a crash.
Risk: Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace, or secure the air bag wire harnesses, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 28, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer servic
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Sportage, Sportage Hybrid, Sportage Plug-in Hybrid, Niro Hybrid, Niro Plug-in Hybrid, Soul, and Telluride vehicles equipped with a digital instrument cluster containing a 4.2" LCD screen. The instrument cluster may fail to display any information wh
Risk: A blank instrument cluster display will not show critical information, such as tire pressure, warning messages, and warning lights, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the instrument cluster software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 26, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for
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.
Risk: A vehicle roll away increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: Owners are advised to manually engage the emergency parking brake prior to exiting the vehicle until the recall remedy is performed. Dealers will update the electronic parking brake software and repl
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, which can result in a fire while parked or driving.
Risk: A fire increases the risk of injury.
Fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will install a bracket for the power seat switch back covers and replace the seat slide knobs,
| Reliability raw | 76 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 77 | good |
| Maintenance | 75 | good |
| Depreciation | 61 | average |
| Performance | 59 | average |
| Efficiency | 42 | below average |
| Safety | 93 | excellent |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 206 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and unknown or other is the most reported area with 37 of them (18%). There are 6 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 76/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 77/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2023 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 71/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.