2021 Kia Telluride Recalls: 4 Safety Recalls
NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls for the 2021 Kia Telluride. Here's what each one means for a used-car buyer.
4
Open recall campaigns (NHTSA)
No
“Park it” urgent warning
4
Vehicle systems affected
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Open recalls for the 2021 Kia Telluride
AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE
NHTSA 21V164000
Defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021 Telluride, K5, and Forte vehicles. The Occupant Classification and Detection System (OCS/ODS) unit may not detect the presence of a child restraint system in the front passenger seat. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk: In the event of a crash, deployment of the front passenger air bag, with a child in that seat, can increase the risk of injury to the child.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the OCS/ODS unit, free of charge. The recall began March 18, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC207.
Reported: 11/03/2021
TRAILER HITCHES
NHTSA 22V626000
Park outside
Defect: 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.
Risk: 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. Owne…
Reported: 15/08/2022
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
NHTSA 24V214000
Defect: 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.
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…
Reported: 20/03/2024
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST
NHTSA 24V407000
Park outside
Defect: 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.
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 cus…
Reported: 05/06/2024
Is the 2021 Kia Telluride safe to buy used?
4 open recalls doesn't automatically mean you should walk away — most recalls are repaired free of charge at a dealer. What matters is whether this specific car has had the work done. An unrepaired recall is both a safety risk and real negotiating leverage: you can make the repair a condition of sale or ask for money off to cover your time.
How buyers use recall data to negotiate
- Lead with the facts. Bring the NHTSA campaign numbers to the seller — it signals you've done your homework.
- Make repair a condition. Ask the seller to complete any open recall at a dealer before you pay.
- Trade it for price. If they won't fix it, ask for money off to cover the trip and downtime.
- Verify the VIN. A full ClearVIN Buyer Brief confirms which recalls are still open on the exact car.
Get the full Buyer Brief for your 2021 Kia Telluride
Enter the VIN and we'll pull this car's exact open recalls, a fair market-value range, an inspection checklist, and a 5-point negotiation script — in about 30 seconds.
Run my VIN report — $9.99
Frequently asked questions
How many recalls does the 2021 Kia Telluride have?
NHTSA lists 4 open safety recalls for the 2021 Kia Telluride. Each campaign and its remedy is listed above.
Are Kia Telluride recall repairs free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are performed free of charge at any authorized Kia dealer, regardless of the car's age or mileage and regardless of how many owners it has had.
How do I check if a specific 2021 Kia Telluride had its recalls fixed?
You need the car's 17-character VIN. A ClearVIN Buyer Brief looks up the exact VIN against NHTSA's database and shows which recall campaigns are still open on that individual vehicle.
Should recalls stop me from buying a used 2021 Kia Telluride?
Not necessarily. Most recalls are quick, free dealer fixes. Use any open recall as leverage: ask the seller to complete the repair before sale, or negotiate the price down to cover it.
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