This Pitstop provides information regarding the disposal of the headlamp assembly desiccant/absorbent pack(s) on some 2020-2024MY Telluride (ON) vehicles equipped with either Halogen or LED lamps. The headlamp desiccant pack(s) may expand over time during normal vehicle operation. Desiccant pack expansion is normal. Desiccant packs are a consumable part and once the pack has fully expanded, it is no longer a functioning part. If the desiccant pack/bracket is determined to be expanded as shown below, it is recommended to be removed from the dust cap and then be discarded without a required replacement.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2021 Kia Telluride lighting problems
moderate Owners of the 2021 Kia Telluride have filed 8 NHTSA complaints about the lighting at roughly $250 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See lighting across all vehicles →
Complaints
8
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$250
| Model year | lighting complaints |
|---|---|
| 2020 Telluride | 172 |
| 2021 Telluride (this page) | 8 |
| 2022 Telluride | 5 |
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering lighting on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: OVERHEAD CONSOLE SUNGLASS DOOR-LATCH REPAIR - This bulletin provides information to repair the overhead console lamp assembly and sunglass door latch on some 2012-2023MY model vehicles listed in the table below, which may encounter the sunglass case of the overhead console lamp not closing properly.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFORMATION FOR HEADLAMP CONDENSATION AND MOISTURE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information relating to some Kia models that may exhibit fogging, condensation, and/or moisture inside a headlamp assembly. Generally, a fogging condition is considered normal and can be eliminated by turning on the headlamps with the engine running for up to 30 minutes or during normal driving conditions. Headlamp assembly replacement WILL NOT be necessary in most cases.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: HEADLAMP SOFT CONNECTION INSPECTION - This bulletin provides information to inspect and ensure proper internal connections of the headlamp on some 2021MY K5 (DL3a) vehicles produced from March 27, 2020 through April 14, 2021 and some 2020-2021MY Telluride (ON) vehicles produced from January 9, 2019 through April 12, 2021, which may exhibit inoperative/intermittently inoperative LED low beam or Daytime Running Lights (DRL) on K5, or low/sub-low beam on Telluride.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had lighting 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 lighting problem on the 2021 Kia Telluride?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 8 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $250 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the lighting typically fail?
Based on the 8 complaints filed, lighting issues most often appear around 34,594 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 $250 for lighting 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 lighting?
No active recalls currently cover lighting 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.