2021 Kia Telluride Engine Problems

NHTSA component category: ENGINE · data through 07/14/2026

55Engine complaints

16.7%Of all 330 complaints

#3Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How engine ranks on this vehicle

Unspecified / other89 · 27%

VISIBILITY/WIPER60 · 18.2%

ENGINE55 · 16.7%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM35 · 10.6%

STRUCTURE:BODY30 · 9.1%

Share of the 330 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2021 Kia Telluride overview page.

What owners report

“My wife had placed our two children in the car in their car seats. She attempted to start the vehicle by pressing the brake and…”NHTSA complaint 11518264 — filed 04/21/2023

“When starting in the cold (approx 30 degrees F or less), the Kia has a very high pitch squeal. The sound appears to be coming…”NHTSA complaint 11450915 — filed 02/08/2022

“On cold mornings when the temperature falls below thirty degrees, the car emits a loud screeching noise from the area of the throttle body. I…”NHTSA complaint 11447653 — filed 01/16/2022

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Engine complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2021 Kia Telluride have engine problems?

Engine is the #3 most-reported problem area on the 2021 Kia Telluride: 55 of 330 complaints on file (16.7%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2021 Kia Telluride have in total?

330 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 7 involved a crash, 4 involved a fire, 7 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's engine category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ENGINE category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.