TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: DOOR BELT OUTSIDE WEATHERSTRIP REPLACEMENT (CA2504) - This bulletin provides information to replace the door belt outside weatherstrip(s) on certain 2023-2025MY Telluride (ON) vehicles produced from August 04, 2020 through February 11, 2025. The affected vehicles maybe missing an adhesive layer, causing the outer faceplate to detach/separate from the door belt outside weatherstrip molding. If a customer has a validated complaint of a door belt outside weatherstrip detaching and/or separating, replace it and any weatherstrip(s) that have not yet been replaced under warranty (including SA535 or SA578) according to the VIN list and procedure in this TSB.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2023 Kia Telluride body problems
severe Owners of the 2023 Kia Telluride have filed 13 NHTSA complaints about the body at roughly $1,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See body across all vehicles →
Complaints
13
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,500
| Model year | body complaints |
|---|---|
| 2020 Telluride | 48 |
| 2021 Telluride | 26 |
| 2022 Telluride | 13 |
| 2023 Telluride (this page) | 13 |
| 2024 Telluride | 23 |
| 2025 Telluride | 6 |
1injury
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering body 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: REAR HVAC CONTROL CLIP REPLACEMENT (SA534) - This bulletin provides information to replace the rear Heating Ventilation and Air Condition (HVAC) control assembly retaining clips on some 2022-2023MY Telluride (ON) vehicles produced from August 1, 2022 through May 03, 2023. The affected vehicles are equipped with a metal retaining clip which can create a rattling sound while driving on rougher road conditions. New plastic retaining clips will be installed to help rectify this rattling noise concern.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: FRONT DRIVER DOOR BELT OUTSIDE WEATHERSTRIP INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT (SA535) - This bulletin provides information to inspect front driver door belt outside weatherstrip on some 2023MY Telluride (ON) vehicles produced from March 13, 2023 through June 6, 2023. The affected vehicles may be missing an adhesive layer causing the outer faceplate to detach/separate from the molding.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗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: SERVICE ACTION: CRASH PAD CENTER SPEAKER GRILL INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT (SA528) - 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 to inspect and, if necessary, replace the crash pad center speaker grill cover on some 2023MY Telluride (ON) vehicles produced from August 31, 2022 through December 22, 2022. Some center speaker grill covers in the subject vehicles may not fit properly on the crash pad.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report widespread body failures on the 2023 Kia Telluride. The most alarming involves sunroofs spontaneously exploding at highway and moderate speeds—no impact, collision, or debris involved. The tempered glass shatters completely, sending shards through the cabin. Two owners report this; one notes the roof cover was closed, which likely prevented serious injury.
Windshields also develop large cracks spontaneously, sometimes spreading after the initial appearance. One owner found a class action lawsuit underway for this exact issue, yet no recall exists. Warranty does not cover the damage; repairs run roughly $500 out of pocket.
Door belt molding trim detaches and falls off, particularly around rear doors and the driver's side window. One owner reports trim nearly flying off at highway speeds. NHTSA recall 25V494 was issued in August 2025 with no remedy parts available—dealerships report back orders. Owners say Kia has provided no assistance.
A lane recognition sensor mounted on the rearview mirror exploded at 6,001 miles, causing facial injuries to the driver. One owner's driver-side door opened unintentionally during a turn. Clearcoat peeling appeared on the front of at least one vehicle. Two safety recalls affect driveability (driveshaft engagement, door trim), but dealerships refuse to accept these vehicles for trade-in or resale because the recalls remain open without available remedies—leaving owners unable to sell vehicles they cannot keep.
Same Kia Telluride body reports on nearby years: 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2024
Failure modes owners describe
Door belt molding trim delamination and detachment
Door belt molding trim separates and falls off the vehicle body, particularly around rear doors and driver's side windows. Parts are delaminating at the attachment points and detaching completely, sometimes at highway speeds.
When: Reported from December 2024 onward; one instance at unknown mileage. NHTSA recall 25V494 issued August 2025 with no remedy parts available.
Symptoms owners cite: Trim visibly loose and barely hanging on; Trim falls off completely; Trim nearly flies off at highway speeds; Delamination of trim material
Codes mentioned: NHTSA 25V494
Repairs/costs cited: Recall issued but no remedy parts available as of August 2025. Dealerships report parts on back order.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 25V494000 (Structure); recall issued August 2025 with no available remedy; manufacturer made aware but provided no assistance; dealership advised parts on back order
Sunroof spontaneous explosion and shattering
Tempered glass sunroof spontaneously explodes and shatters without impact, collision, or debris strike. Glass fails catastrophically, with shards dispersing both inside and outside the vehicle.
When: Reported at highway speeds and moderate speeds (35 mph); unclear if mileage-dependent
Symptoms owners cite: Loud explosion sound similar to gunshot; Large hole develops in roof panel; Tempered glass completely shatters; Glass shards disperse inside and outside vehicle; No external cause (no debris, collision, or impact)
Repairs/costs cited: Repair involves windshield/sunroof panel replacement
Windshield spontaneous cracking
Windshield develops large cracks spontaneously without visible cause such as debris impact or collision. Cracks spread over time and necessitate full replacement.
When: Reported at 10 months of ownership and at various undisclosed mileages; one instance at approximately 6,001 miles (related to lane recognition sensor explosion)
Symptoms owners cite: Large cracks develop with no apparent cause; Cracks spread after initial appearance; No visible chips or damage prior to crack appearance; Inability to see through windshield; Risk of further cracking or breaking
Repairs/costs cited: Full windshield replacement required, costing approximately $500 out of pocket (insurance deductible); warranty does not cover
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Class action lawsuit reportedly underway for this issue; no recall issued despite multiple complaints
Lane recognition sensor explosion
Lane recognition sensor mounted on the rearview mirror spontaneously explodes during normal driving.
When: Approximately 6,001 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Sensor explodes while driving at 30 mph; Driver sustained facial injuries from explosion; Abnormal sound preceding failure
Repairs/costs cited: Windshield replacement performed by dealer (sensor housed in windshield assembly)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware; dealer performed windshield replacement
Driver side door unintended opening
Driver side door becomes ajar or opens unintentionally during vehicle operation at low speed, triggering door-ajar warnings and interior lighting.
When: While making a right-hand turn from complete stop
Symptoms owners cite: Door opens or becomes ajar during turn; Door-ajar warning triggered; Interior lights activate; Dashboard notification of open door
Driveshaft/Intermediate shaft engagement failure
Intermediate shaft or driveshaft may not be fully engaged, creating risk that vehicle will roll away while in Park.
When: Unknown mileage; remedy available but not yet scheduled
Symptoms owners cite: Potential rollaway while in Park
Codes mentioned: NHTSA 24V214, SC303
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA recall 24V214 / SC303 issued; remedy available but not yet scheduled for affected vehicle; dealerships refusing trade-in or resale due to open recall
Clearcoat peeling and delamination
Clearcoat finish separates and peels from the front of the vehicle body, exposing underlying paint.
When: Discovered during vehicle washing; mileage unknown
Symptoms owners cite: Clearcoat visibly coming off front of vehicle
Synthesized from 13 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
2023 pearl white Kia telluride. While washing my car notice clear coat coming off front of car
I am writing to file a complaint regarding my 2023 Kia Telluride (VIN: [insert VIN here]) which has two active safety recalls: 1.SC303 / NHTSA 24V214 – Intermediate shaft/driveshaft may not be fully engaged, causing the vehicle to potentially roll away while in Park. The remedy is available but has not yet been scheduled for my vehicle. 2.SC347 / NHTSA 25V494 – Door belt molding trim may…
Had body trouble with your 2023 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 2023 Kia Telluride?
It's a meaningful issue. 13 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,500.
At what mileage does the body typically fail?
Based on the 13 complaints filed, body issues most often appear around 6,001 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/2023/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.