The plastic arms of the sunroof deflector assembly broke. Part # - (81690-S8000). Now my sunroof won't close.
2021 Kia Telluride body problems
moderate 26 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,500 · see body across all vehicles →
Complaints
26
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,500
What stands out
Owners have filed 26 body complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 6 model years of Kia Telluride in our records for body problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2021 Telluride shows a troubling pattern of sunroof mechanism failures that leave owners stranded with stuck or broken glass, plus windshield brittleness causing spontaneous cracks at low speeds. Kia has not issued recalls for these body issues and denies warranty coverage, leaving repairs to the owner's pocket.
Kia Telluride body complaints cluster around two dominant failure patterns: sunroof defects and windshield brittleness. On the sunroof front, owners describe mechanisms jamming or coming off tracks during operation, plastic guide rails and deflector arms fracturing, and complete sunroof glass shattering while driving at highway speeds—with no external impact evident. Several owners report sunroofs exploding or bursting upward from interior pressure, showering occupants with tempered glass. When stuck open, sunroofs remain inoperable for weeks while dealerships order replacement track assemblies, and repair costs run to $5,000 or more for complete roof replacement when parts are backordered. Windshields crack spontaneously while the vehicle sits parked or moves at low speed, expanding rapidly; owners note replacement windshields show the same brittleness. Window frame flexing at highway speeds prevents full closure and triggers pinch-detection, forcing drivers to slow down or manipulate windows manually while driving. A fuel door panel detached at highway speeds; dealers blamed theft despite adhesive residue on the attachment point. One owner reported door belt molding trim peeling off, matching a recall pattern in newer model years but not covered for the 2021 model. Paint peeling has been observed on exterior surfaces. Kia dealerships repeatedly claim defects fall outside warranty or are design-normal, and corporate refuses coverage even when multiple owners report identical failures.
Same Kia Telluride body reports on nearby years: 2020 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024
Failure modes owners describe
Sunroof glass shattering or exploding
Sunroof glass bursts or shatters while driving at highway speeds with no external impact or flying debris. Owners describe glass exploding upward from inside the vehicle, showering occupants with tempered glass and causing momentary loss of vehicle control. Weather conditions were clear and no other vehicles were nearby.
When: During highway driving; one instance reported at 55 mph in clear 55-degree conditions
Symptoms owners cite: Loud crack or pop noise from roof; Glass shattering without external impact; Tempered glass showering interior; Jagged edges of glass pointing upward indicating internal pressure rupture
Repairs/costs cited: Not repaired by owner in most cases; Kia denied warranty coverage claiming external impact
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Kia refused coverage and denied requests for compensation; local dealers and corporate claimed it was external damage or not covered under warranty
Sunroof mechanism jamming and track failure
Sunroof becomes stuck in partially open or fully open position due to track misalignment, mechanical binding, or broken internal components. Owners hear grinding noise or snapping sounds during operation. In some cases the entire sunroof comes off the track, rendering it inoperable and leaving the vehicle exposed to rain and wind.
When: Between 10k miles and normal driving; one failure reported in May 2025, recurrence in March 2026 after repair
Symptoms owners cite: Grinding noise when sunroof motor operates; Sunroof stuck in tilted or fully open position; Sunroof will not close despite motor running; Snapping or popping sound during operation; Sunroof coming off rails on one or both sides
Repairs/costs cited: Complete sunroof track assembly replacement required; parts ordered take weeks to arrive; total cost reported at $2,907 parts plus $1,000 labor; one owner quoted $5,000 for entire roof replacement due to backorder; repair attempts multiple times (one owner returned 5 times before resolution)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall issued for 2021 models; dealerships confirm defect is recurring in multiple Telluride units but claim mechanism design is as specified; service technicians found electrical cable caught in mechanism
Sunroof deflector and guide rail plastic breakage
Plastic wind deflector arms and guide rail components on the sunroof assembly fracture or break during normal opening operation. The plastic parts snap with a popping sound and prevent the sunroof from closing fully or operating at all.
When: During sunroof opening operation; no specific mileage pattern noted
Symptoms owners cite: Popping or snapping sound when opening sunroof; Broken plastic deflector arm visible; Broken plastic guide rail; Sunroof unable to close after breakage
Codes mentioned: Part #81690-S8000 (plastic arms of sunroof deflector assembly)
Repairs/costs cited: Plastic components must be replaced; repair details not fully documented in complaints
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall coverage mentioned; owners state dealerships confirmed issue is recurring
Sunroof spoiler detachment
Front spoiler of the sunroof assembly detaches from the vehicle frame, becoming a potential road hazard.
When: Not specified in complaint
Symptoms owners cite: Spoiler visibly detached from sunroof assembly
Repairs/costs cited: Repair details not provided
Windshield spontaneous cracking and brittleness
Windshield cracks spontaneously while vehicle is parked or driven at very low speed with no impact or rock strike evident. Cracks expand rapidly over hours; initial 6-inch cracks become 3.5-foot cracks by the next day. Replacement windshields exhibit the same brittleness and crack tendency.
When: One reported at 3 mph in parking lot; one at 3 months old with 4,000 miles; cracks expand within 24 hours
Symptoms owners cite: Spontaneous crack in windshield while parked or at low speed; No visible rock impact or damage; Rapid crack propagation across windshield over hours; Replacement windshields showing same cracking behavior
Repairs/costs cited: Windshield replacement cost $500–$1,000 deductible through insurance; replacement windshields are also defective
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Kia dealerships claim rock chip and deny warranty coverage; Kia customer service upheld dealer denial; no recall or TSB issued
Fuel door panel detachment
Fuel door body panel detaches and falls off the vehicle during highway driving. Owner notes residue on swing arm suggesting adhesive failure rather than physical damage.
When: Sometime between two fuel stops 1 week apart; discovered on 12/08/2022 after previous stop on 12/02/2022
Symptoms owners cite: Fuel door panel missing from vehicle; Adhesive residue visible on swing arm attachment point; No other damage to remaining components
Repairs/costs cited: Panel could not be recovered; dealership refused warranty coverage and claimed theft
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership denied coverage citing theft; no recall or adhesive failure investigation noted
Door belt molding trim detachment
Rubber or plastic belt molding trim peels and detaches from door, creating a road hazard if it falls during highway driving. A recall exists for 2023–2025 models with identical issue, but 2021 models with the same defect are not covered.
When: At unspecified mileage; 2023–2025 models already recalled but 2021 not included
Symptoms owners cite: Trim peeling away from door; Trim easily removable by hand; Risk of complete detachment during driving
Repairs/costs cited: Owner manually removed trim; no repair cost reported
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership and Kia corporate refused responsibility despite known recall in newer model years; no extension to 2021 model
Window frame flexing and pinch-detection malfunction at highway speeds
Front driver and passenger windows flex inward at highway speeds when windows are down, causing the glass to contact the door gasket. The pinch-detection sensor then interprets contact as an obstruction and automatically lowers the window. Kia tech line states this is normal design operation.
When: At highway speeds above 55 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Window glass flexes inward when windows are open; Glass contacts door gaskets during flexing; Window automatically rolls down due to false pinch detection; Vibration of window at certain opening positions; Air pressure issue evident from window vibration and inward flexing
Repairs/costs cited: No repair available; Kia states this is design-normal operation
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Kia tech line confirmed design as-specified; dealership can replicate the condition but does not offer remedy
Paint peeling
Paint peels off exterior surfaces in discrete areas. Owner noted this is prevalent across several Kia models.
When: By 7/8/2023 on a 2021 model; noted as a pattern across multiple Kia model years
Symptoms owners cite: Paint peeling from door surface; Localized peeling in one or more spots
Repairs/costs cited: No repair cost or details provided
Synthesized from 26 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
Wind deflecters on sunroof have broken off which is making it inoperable.
Sunroof has got jammed in open position. You have issued a statement on this now Kia will not manufacture the parts to the roof (backorder really) and wants to charge you $5000 to put a whole new roof on -
Had body trouble with your 2021 Kia Telluride?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the body problem on the 2021 Kia Telluride?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 26 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the body typically fail?
Based on the 26 complaints filed, body issues most often appear around 5,033 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,500 for body repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to body?
No active recalls currently cover body issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2021/Kia/Telluride.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.