I purchased the 2021 Telluride (former owner of a Sportage, Rio and Sorento). I have our local mechanic handle maintenance and service. After paying $1,400 for a tune up to address misfiring, we quickly concluded the transmission was shot and my engine was burning theough every drop of oil before it was due for a change. I went to Kia of Des Moines, since it is covered under a 200k/20-year warr…
2021 kia Telluride powertrain problems
moderate 23 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500
Complaints
23
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$2,500
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
THE VEHICLE STARTED VIBRATING WITHIN A MONTH OF THE PURCHASE AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 60-80. SEVERAL TRIPS TO KIA WITH KIA TECH LINE AND THEY DENY THE VEHICLE HAS AN ISSUE. THEY SAID THE VIBRATION MEASURED WITH A PICOSCOPE WAS WITHIN THE NORMAL RANGE. AFTER FIGHTING WITH KIA CONSUMERS, I TOOK IT TO A DRIVESHAFT SPECIALIST FOR AN INDEPENDENT DIAGNOSIS. THE FINDINGS FROM THE DRIVESHAFT SPECIALIST WERE QUI…
THERE IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH TELLURIDES AND HYUNDAI PALISADE VEHICLES RIGHT NOW WITH EXCESSIVE VIBRATION WHEN SPEEDS REACH 55MPH - 70MPH. KIA CONSUMER ASSISTANCE AND DEALERS ARE NOT BEING HELPFUL. THEY ROAD FORCED BALANCED MY WHEELS AND SENT ME HOME...I TOLD THEM IT'S NOT FIXED AND NOW THEY WANT ME TO TAKE IT BACK. THERE ARE MULTIPLE PEOPLE ON FORUM/MESSAGING BOARD WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. KIA REPLAC…
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2021 kia Telluride?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 23 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. 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.
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