2022 KIA Telluride

Recalls, Specs & Safety Report

Expert Verdict
⚠️Elevated Concerns

The 2022 Kia Telluride faces notable reliability challenges, particularly with its electrical system and associated components. With six recalls highlighting critical issues, owners should remain vigilant, especially within the first 40,000 miles where failures are most prevalent.

Key Factor:Multiple electrical recalls

📋Why This Matters

The multiple recalls affecting the 2022 Kia Telluride underscore serious concerns regarding its electrical systems, specifically the instrument cluster and spare tire integrity. Given that the Telluride is positioned as a family-friendly SUV that competes in a crowded segment, reliability is crucial for brand loyalty. When potential buyers encounter such defects, it could impair their confidence in both this model and Kia's overall reliability reputation.

Focus Area:Safety Profile
📊

Expert Analysis

  • 📈
    Recall Trend:No Change in recalls
  • ⚠️
    Primary Risk Area:Warning
  • ⚖️
    Vs Brand: Worse than avg (1.9)
    📝
    Summary: Year-over-year safety trends indicate that while Kia has made significant strides in building a strong reputation for quality, the Telluride's current issues place it below segment expectations. The combination of recurring electrical concerns paired with complaints suggests a broader risk profile than one would typically expect from this emerging SUV powerhouse.

Safety & Reliability Score

37/100

Score Breakdown

Recall Impact-48
Complaint Impact-5
Investigation Impact-10

Technical Specifications

Key specifications for the 2022 KIA Telluride

Model Year2022
MakeKIA
ModelTelluride
Fuel TypeGasoline
Body ClassPassenger Vehicle

Safety History Timeline

Scroll for more →
Jan22
NEWProduction
Jan22
RECALLRecall Issued
Jan22
RECALLRecall Issued
Jan22
RECALLRecall Issued
Jan22
RECALLRecall Issued
Jan22
RECALLRecall Issued
Apr23
INVInvestigation Opened
Apr23
INVInvestigation Opened
Aug23
ISSUEFirst Report
May24
RECALLRecall Issued

Consumer Complaint Analysis

⚠️

Most Reported Issue

17 complaints (17% of total)
➡️

Complaint Trend

Stable
No trend data

Safety Incidents

No critical incidents

Complaint Severity Distribution

Breakdown of 100 consumer complaints by severity level.

🟠High
18(18%)
🟡Medium
21(21%)
🟢Low
61(61%)

Mileage Failure Analysis

⚙️Engineering Insight

With peak failure occurrences noted between 20,000 and 40,000 miles, owners should be particularly aware of potential issues as they approach this mileage range. This period often marks the transition from initial warranty to early ownership fatigue; metrics suggest proactive vigilance will be key to mitigating risks as these vehicles age.

📊 Mileage data extracted from 20 of 100 complaints (20% coverage)
0-20k
4 reports (20%)
20k-40k
8 reports (40%)
40k-60k
4 reports (20%)
60k-80k
2 reports (10%)
80k-100k
1 reports (5%)
100k+
1 reports (5%)
* Analysis based on mileage data extracted from consumer complaint descriptions. Actual failure rates may vary.

🛠️ DIY Diagnosis Center

Experiencing an issue? Select a symptom to find official manufacturer solutions (TSBs).

Primary Risk Areas

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMTIRESTRAILER HITCHESPOWER TRAINSEATS

🎯Risk Areas & Recommended Actions

Based on recall data, these components require verification:

1

Electrical System

Issue: Frequent instrument cluster failures leading to blank displays.

Schedule an immediate inspection of the instrument cluster and verify software updates.

🔍

Inquire about any completed recall repairs or software updates related to electrical systems before purchasing.

2

Spare Tire

Issue: Incorrect spare tires may impede ABS and TCS functionality.

Check if your vehicle has been fitted with the correct spare tire as per recall guidelines.

🔍

Confirm tire specifications and whether all recalls have been addressed prior to buying.

💡Visit NHTSA.gov or contact your KIA dealer to verify recall completion status.

Official Safety Recalls (6)

Campaign: 21V577000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

Summary

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2022 Telluride vehicles. The LCD display screen may remain blank after startup. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Control and Displays."

Consequence

A blank LCD display may be missing information, such as the digital speedometer, gear selection indicator, and odometer, which may increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will update the instrument cluster's software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 3, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC215.

Additional Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Manufacturer: Kia Motors America

Campaign: 22V344000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

Summary

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2022 Telluride vehicles. Excess adhesive in a circuit board within the instrument cluster may cause the instrument cluster display screen to be blank. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Control and Displays."

Consequence

A blank instrument cluster display screen will not show critical information, such as the odometer, which can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the instrument cluster assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 15, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC237.

Additional Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Manufacturer: Kia Motors America

Campaign: 22V509000

TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE

Summary

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2022 Sorento and Telluride vehicles. The vehicles may be equipped with an incorrect spare tire which, when installed, can impair the anti-lock braking system (ABS) and the traction control system (TCS). As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

Consequence

Impaired anti-lock braking or traction control systems can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the spare tire, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 27, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC244.

Additional Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Manufacturer: Kia Motors America

Campaign: 22V626000

TRAILER HITCHES

Summary

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Telluride vehicles potentially equipped with a Genuine Kia 4-pin tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Kia dealership. Debris and moisture accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.

Consequence

A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy

Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will install a new fuse and a wiring harness extension. Dealers will also inspect and replace the tow hitch harness assembly, as necessary. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 12, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC247.

Additional Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.

Campaign: 24V214000

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

Summary

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.

Consequence

A vehicle roll away increases the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy

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 replace any damaged intermediate shafts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 15, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC303.

Additional Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.

Campaign: 24V407000

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST

Summary

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.

Consequence

A fire increases the risk of injury.

Remedy

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, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 30, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC316.

Additional Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.

NHTSA Investigations

2 investigations

Official NHTSA safety investigations for 2022 Telluride.

INV-2022-1000🟢 Closed

NHTSA opened investigation after receiving consumer complaints regarding Telluride performance issues.

Opened: Affected Units: 5,951
INV-2022-1001🟢 Closed

NHTSA opened investigation after receiving consumer complaints regarding Telluride performance issues.

Opened: Affected Units: 30,776

Consumer Complaints

100 total complaints

Consumer-reported issues submitted to NHTSA for 2022 Telluride.

Common Reported SymptomsAI Analysis

Warning17%
Crack16%
Explode10%
Display9%
Crash/Accident8%
Acceleration Issues7%
Noise6%
Leak6%
Shatter5%
Accident5%
Visibility🔵 Low
VISIBILITY/WIPER

I had noticed a 1" wide crack had formed in the center of the windshield after first night of cold weather (~10°F). There was no prior damage to the windshield before the crack formed. I'm concerned that the crack will continue to spread as we progress into the winter in the upper Midwest, ultimately shattering while I'm driving.

Engine/Powertrain🔵 Low
ENGINE

Plastic oil filter housing cracked after oil change around 100k miles.

Steering/Suspension🔵 Low
SUSPENSION

Noise over bumps from the rear

Engine/Powertrain🔵 Low
ENGINE

This is a very well known issue among all model years of the Kia Telluride. The plastic filter housing is made out of plastic and over time it ends up failing causing an oil leak. I ended up having to pay out of pocket for a aftermarket housing that was metal and not plastic that won’t fail.

Electrical🔶 Medium
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE,SEATS

My 2022 Kia Telluride is experiencing several serious safety-related defects. The backup camera does not work, the second-row bucket seats fold up on their own while driving, and the electronic parking brake becomes stuck on and will not disengage. The transmission hesitates and shifts harshly, creating a risk during acceleration and lane changes. The engine is consuming oil between changes. The heating and air conditioning stop working when the vehicle is idling at stoplights, and electrical components including the front phone charger and heated passenger seat have failed. The exterior window trim is deteriorating. These issues are ongoing and have not been resolved by Kia. Several of these failures match known defect and recall categories. These create a significant crash and safety risk for my family. I am requesting investigation and manufacturer action.

Engine/Powertrain🔵 Low
POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

The vehicle intermittently fails to shift gears and loses acceleration without warning, creating a serious safety hazard. The problem began in October 2024 when the check-engine light first appeared and has continued since. Despite multiple repair attempts by the Kia dealership—including replacement of the fuel pump, fuel pressure sensors, and ECU—the root cause remains undiagnosed, and the defect persists. When the vehicle was brought back in August 2025, the dealer’s latest recommendation on 9/30/25 was to replace the injector harnesses and front wire assembly, but they cannot guarantee this will resolve the issue.

Body/Interior🔶 Medium
SEATS

My daughter was trying to get into the backseat of our Kia Telluride. She had one leg raised with her knee resting on the stepping area inside the rear passenger door. While in this position, she pressed the handle to fold the rear seat. The lower portion of the seat suddenly swung forward and closed with fast, strong force onto her folded knee joint, pinning it between the moving seat and the vehicle floor. She screamed immediately in pain and could not free her leg. I had to run around to the opposite side of the vehicle (the rear passenger side) and physically lift the seat off her knee to release her. The impact left a noticeable bruise just above her left knee. The folding seat mechanism appeared to move too quickly and with excessive force, and it did not stop or slow down once it encountered her knee. This presents a potential safety hazard, especially for children or passengers entering the vehicle who may accidentally activate the seat handle.

Engine/Powertrain⚠️ High
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE

Borescope inspection of the engine shows multiple signs of internal mechanical failure involving oil control, piston ring integrity, coolant intrusion, and cylinder wall damage. Excessive oil buildup is visible above the oil control ring, far beyond what is expected at 59k miles. Cylinder walls show heavy polishing where cross-hatching should be visible, indicating loss of lubrication and abnormal wear. Carbon deposits are extremely thick; in several areas carbon has flaked off and been pulled downward into the cylinder, creating scoring. Straight vertical scoring marks cut through the normal diagonal honing pattern, confirming blow-by and damage to the cylinder sleeves. Evidence of coolant intrusion is present, including orange discoloration consistent with rust/coolant contamination, excessive moisture, and steam-cleaned areas of the combustion chamber. The intake valve and combustion surfaces appear abnormally clean, consistent with coolant steam-washing. This suggests head-gasket failure, a block or head casting defect, or ring damage (possible cracked scraper ring). Coolant in the cylinders can wash away oil from the bore, leading to rusted pistons and accelerated scoring. Multiple pictures show severe scoring and loss of lubrication. This compromises the ability of new pistons or rings to seal, meaning the cylinder walls would continue to allow blow-by, oil burning, coolant intrusion, and friction. Even attempting to polish or recondition these bores would enlarge them, causing piston flutter, noise, and long-term failure. Based on the level of damage, the engine is no longer safe or reliable. A seized piston could cause sudden loss of power at highway speeds, creating a safety risk. The observed defects indicate a potential manufacturing or casting issue that may affect other engines. The dealership and KIA Consumer Affairs have been notified but there has been no replacement or resolution after 3 months of ongoing issues, and 8 weeks of holding my vehicle.

Electrical🔵 Low
EXTERIOR LIGHTING

The passenger side headlight randomly goes off. An alert comes on on the dashboard to check the headlight. The headlight comes back on randomly. I made several appointments to get it checked, but would be back on again when at the appointment. Diagnostic check showed no issues. The dealer replaced the bulb (not under warranty) and it worked for 1 year. The issue started again, another diagnostic was done, and a found no issues because the headlight came back on. A few weeks later it was out again and the whole lamp assembly was replaced. Not covered by warranty.

Other⚠️ High
UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Sunroof glass exploded

Frequently Asked Questions

"What are common problems reported for the 2022 Kia Telluride?"

"Common issues include problems with the electrical system leading to blank instrument displays and potential safety concerns regarding incorrect spare tires which can affect braking systems. These defects have led to several recalls affecting reliability ratings."

"How reliable is the electrical system in the 2022 Kia Telluride?"

"The electrical system has faced scrutiny due to multiple recalls which highlight failures in critical components like the instrument cluster. Owners should be vigilant for symptoms of malfunction as these can pose risks during operation."

📊Year-over-Year Context

📉Elevated Activity

Compared to earlier years, the 2022 model shows declining reliability trends, largely due to new electrical system components introduced in this generation. Recall frequency increased 50% versus the 2021 version.

🧭What This Means for You

Both current owners and prospective buyers benefit from reviewing this safety analysis before making decisions.

If you're unsure, we recommend starting with a VIN check or consulting a certified mechanic.

🔑

If You Own This Vehicle

  • Verify all 6 recalls have been completed using your VIN at NHTSA.gov or through your KIA dealer.
  • Unaddressed recalls pose real-world risks. Prioritize scheduling any pending repairs to maintain vehicle integrity.
  • Proactive tip: Enroll in KIA's owner notification program for real-time safety updates.
🛒

If You're Buying Used

  • Critical: Demand official documentation showing every KIA recall has been satisfied.
  • Investigate whether later Telluride iterations (2023+) rectified these persistent issues.
  • A pre-purchase inspection by a KIA specialist is mandatory given the recorded failure patterns.

This page is designed to help you decide, not alarm you.

Compare with Similar Vehicles

Data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Last updated: February 23, 2026.