The Kia Telluride has built a strong reputation as a spacious three-row SUV, but not every model year carries the same ownership history. Since Telluride debuted in 2020, there are only six completed model years to compare through 2025.
That makes it impossible to honestly divide the vehicle into five best years and five bad years without repeating models.
Current reliability data points toward the later Tellurides as stronger choices, with 2025 leading the group, while 2020 has generated considerably more complaints than the newer versions. For used shoppers, understanding those differences can help identify the most sensible purchases.
The Best Kia Telluride Years to Own
1. 2025 Kia Telluride
The 2025 Kia Telluride stands at the top of the current reliability rankings, making it the easiest model year to recommend to a buyer who wants the newest version of the first-generation SUV.
The Auto Reliability Index gives the 2025 model a 78 out of 100 score, considerably higher than the earlier Tellurides in its comparison. It lists two recalls and 32 complaints, although the lower complaint count partly reflects the vehicle’s shorter time on the road.
The biggest advantage here is age. A 2025 example has had less opportunity to accumulate suspension wear, interior deterioration, corrosion, drivetrain fatigue, and high-mileage engine problems. For a used buyer, that can translate into a lower immediate maintenance burden.
Power comes from the familiar 3.8-liter V6, producing 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission handles shifting, while buyers can choose between front-wheel drive and available all-wheel drive.
The powertrain’s conventional layout is useful for buyers who expect to keep the vehicle for many years. It also gives the Telluride enough output for carrying passengers and luggage without making the SUV dependent on a smaller turbocharged engine.
Technology is another strong point. The 2025 model provides the modern cabin equipment expected from a near-new three-row SUV, including advanced driver-assistance technology and a sophisticated infotainment system.
There is still a reason to inspect a 2025 carefully. Newer vehicles can have early-production issues that have not yet appeared at high mileage. Current reliability data also identifies windshield cracking and electrical concerns among reported problems.
For shoppers prioritizing the newest possible Telluride with the strongest current reliability data, the 2025 model is the standout choice.
2. 2024 Kia Telluride
The 2024 Kia Telluride offers a compelling balance between newer-vehicle condition and a slightly lower used purchase price. Its reliability score of 69 out of 100 places it second in the Auto Reliability Index’s current Telluride ranking, behind only the 2025 model. The database records four recalls and 180 complaints for the year.
Those complaint figures need context. Complaint databases count reports submitted by owners and do not represent the percentage of vehicles experiencing a problem. Nevertheless, the data gives prospective buyers useful areas to investigate.
Windshield issues deserve particular attention. Current reliability data identifies windshield cracking among the problems reported for 2024 models, sometimes occurring at very low mileage. Forward-collision avoidance concerns are also listed in the same data.
A test drive should therefore include more than checking whether the engine runs smoothly. Buyers should operate the driver-assistance features, inspect the windshield for chips or cracks, test the cameras, and make sure warning messages do not appear unexpectedly.
Mechanically, the 3.8-liter V6 remains the heart of the vehicle. Its 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque provide enough muscle for a large family SUV, while the eight-speed automatic keeps the powertrain relatively conventional.
The 2024 Telluride also benefits from a spacious cabin and modern safety technology. Higher trims can provide premium seating materials, advanced driver assistance, and additional convenience features that make the vehicle feel more expensive than its mainstream badge suggests.
The reason for including 2024 among the preferred years is its combination of relatively strong reliability data, modern equipment, and limited age-related wear. It can make more financial sense than purchasing a nearly new example when the used-market price difference is significant.
A VIN-specific recall check remains essential, but a properly maintained 2024 is one of the more attractive Tellurides for a used buyer.
3. 2023 Kia Telluride
The 2023 Kia Telluride is a particularly appealing choice because it combines the established first-generation platform with the refreshed styling and technology introduced for this model year. It also gives used buyers a newer vehicle without moving into the highest prices attached to the latest examples.
Current complaint data shows 2023 with 202 NHTSA owner complaints and six safety recalls in one database. The most frequently reported categories include electrical systems, visibility, driver assistance, and exterior equipment. These complaints are owner reports and should not be treated as confirmed defects or as a failure rate.
The 3.8-liter V6 remains the centerpiece, producing 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. It works with an eight-speed automatic transmission, while buyers can choose front-wheel drive or available all-wheel drive.
One reason this year stands out is its updated cabin and exterior design. The 2023 refresh brought a revised front end, updated infotainment technology, and additional available safety features. That gives the vehicle a more contemporary feel without requiring the buyer to purchase a brand-new SUV.
However, recall verification is important. Certain 2023 Tellurides were recalled because wiring beneath the second-row seats could become damaged, potentially affecting side-airbag deployment. Kia’s recall documents state that the affected harness could be damaged when the seat was folded or adjusted.
Another major recall covered certain 2020 through 2024 Tellurides because a front power-seat motor could overheat and potentially cause a fire.
Those campaigns make a VIN check essential, but a repaired vehicle should not automatically be rejected.
For used shoppers, 2023 offers a strong blend of newer styling, proven mechanical hardware, family-friendly space, and modern technology. A well-maintained example with completed recalls is therefore a compelling choice.
4. 2022 Kia Telluride
The 2022 Kia Telluride stands out for another reason. It offers much of the same basic package found in newer Telluride models while generally costing less on the used market. Its 3.8-liter V6 and eight-speed automatic provide familiar performance, while available all-wheel drive makes it a practical choice for buyers who frequently drive in poor weather.
The reliability picture is not perfect. Current NHTSA-based data records more than 300 owner complaints for this model year, with electrical, exterior-equipment, and visibility categories appearing frequently. Because these are unverified owner reports, the figures should be used as signals for inspection rather than as a direct measure of vehicle failure.
One reported issue concerns the instrument cluster. Certain 2022 Tellurides were recalled because excess adhesive in a circuit board could cause the cluster screen to become blank, potentially preventing the driver from seeing important information. The official recall remedy called for replacement of the instrument cluster assembly.
The year also carries a notable safety history involving the power-seat system. A 2026 recall covers certain 2020 through 2024 Tellurides because a front power-seat motor may overheat under specific circumstances and create a fire risk. Owners of affected vehicles were advised to park outside until repairs were completed.
These points do not erase the strengths of the 2022 model. Its V6 provides 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, and the cabin offers the three-row practicality that made the Telluride popular in the first place.
For a used buyer, the key is finding an example with complete service documentation and documented recall repairs. The instrument cluster, power seats, cameras, driver-assistance equipment, and infotainment system should all be tested before purchase.
The 2022 Telluride makes sense when its lower used price creates meaningful savings while the vehicle remains relatively modern. It is not the cleanest reliability choice in the lineup, but a carefully inspected example can still be a worthwhile purchase.
5. 2021 Kia Telluride
The 2021 Kia Telluride earns its place among the better years because it represents an early refinement of the SUV rather than its initial launch version. Kia carried forward the same basic 3.8-liter V6 and eight-speed automatic combination, giving buyers a familiar mechanical package while adding another year of production experience to the platform.
Reliability information presents a mixed but generally manageable picture. Consumer Reports currently describes the 2021 Telluride as having about average reliability compared with other vehicles from the same model year.
NHTSA complaint databases also contain reports involving visibility, engine, electrical equipment, body components, and suspension. Importantly, NHTSA owner complaints are not verified defects, so they should be treated as warning signs rather than proof that every vehicle has a particular problem.
The suspension deserves a close inspection on a used example. CarComplaints lists reports involving rear shock failures and unusually stiff rear shocks, with one reported failure occurring around 75,000 miles. During a test drive, knocking sounds, excessive bouncing, or an unusually harsh rear ride would justify further investigation.
Recall history should also be checked by VIN. Certain 2021 Tellurides were included in a tow-hitch wiring recall, while later campaigns have covered the front power-seat system. NHTSA reported that the tow-hitch harness could allow moisture into the module and create an electrical short capable of causing a fire.
Despite those considerations, the 2021 model offers a compelling combination of space, power, technology, and relatively manageable age. A properly serviced example with completed recall work can be a sensible used family SUV.
The Kia Telluride Year That Raises Concerns
1. 2020 Kia Telluride
The 2020 Kia Telluride deserves the most scrutiny because it was the first production year for the nameplate and has accumulated the highest complaint volume in current NHTSA-based records. RoadVitals lists 747 owner complaints, seven safety recalls, and one NHTSA investigation for this model year.
The complaint pattern is broader than a single isolated problem. Exterior lighting accounts for 183 reports, visibility has 151, and engine-related complaints total 143. Powertrain and electrical concerns are also represented.
Engine complaints are particularly worth investigating. The Centre for Auto Safety’s records include owner reports describing excessive oil consumption, stalling, low oil levels, and drivability problems.
These reports are not proof that the entire model year suffers from an engine defect, but they provide a strong reason to check oil level, maintenance records, warning lights, and engine operation carefully.
Lighting also deserves attention during a test drive. Buyers should activate the headlights, high beams, turn signals, brake lights, and other exterior lighting functions rather than assuming everything works correctly.
The recall history adds another layer. Certain 2020 Tellurides equipped with an accessory tow-hitch wiring harness were recalled because moisture could enter the module and create an electrical short capable of causing a fire. NHTSA advised owners of affected vehicles to park outside until the issue was repaired.
A later recall also covers certain 2020 to 2024 Tellurides because a front power-seat motor may overheat and create a fire risk.
The 2020 therefore raises concerns not because every example is unreliable, but because buyers have newer alternatives with a more favorable complaint history.
