
2023 Kia TELLURIDE
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2023 Kia TELLURIDE has 289 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.7x the segment average of 401. The most common issue is other problems (19% of all complaints), specifically: driving down the road, heard a noise and the sunroof exploded. thankfully we had the visor closed. There are 6 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 2 fire reports filed.
289
Total Complaints
6
Recalls Issued
5/5
Safety Stars
0.7x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
OTHER
54 complaints- • Driving down the road, heard a noise and the sunroof exploded. Thankfully we had the visor closed
- • My car was sitting in driveway and not moved for 4 days. The windshield broke and cracked completely
- • I purchased a 2023 Kia Telluride for a family vacation tow vehicle. Spec's call out 5000 lb towing capacity and "pre-wired" for a trailer. Problem is, pre-wired means a connector in the back of the vehicle, but no actual harness available that plugs into it to run trailer lighting/brakes. Contact
“Driving down the road, heard a noise and the sunroof exploded. Thankfully we had the visor closed”
— NHTSA complaint filing
When Problems Appear on the 2023 Kia TELLURIDE
Based on 24 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 15K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.
ELECTRICAL
ENGINE
Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred. This vehicle is under 5 years old, so most of the fleet hasn't accumulated high mileage yet — low-mileage peaks reflect fleet age, not necessarily premature failure.
Recalls (6)
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Telluride vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the wire harnesses for the second row seat side air bags may become damaged, causing them not to deploy in the event of a crash.
Risk: Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace, or secure the air bag wire harnesses, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 28, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC262.
Fuel Cost Calculator for 2023 Kia TELLURIDE
Live EIA pricesBased on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.
5-Year Gas Price History
EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → todaySource: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2023 Kia TELLURIDE
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Recommended Kia TELLURIDE Service Intervals
Turbo engines (Optima 2.0T, Sorento 2.5T) may benefit from more frequent oil changes.
"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.
Kia New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage
10 year powertrain not transferable to subsequent owners
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 289 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐OTHER: Driving down the road, heard a noise and the sunroof exploded. Thankfully we had the visor closed
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ELECTRICAL: The KIA Telluride Tow Hitch Harness Module has been responsible for getting humidity and dirt inside and starting a fires. So, KIA has recalled this issue BACK IN AUGUST, 2022 and told everyone not to park the vehicle inside or near any buildings and expected a solution this October. However, it's
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐VISIBILITY: Driving home from purchasing vehicle heard a pop like squeezing an empty water bottle. Did not know what it came from. Eventually noticed a fine line crack in lower corner of passenger side of windshield extending from edge of glass towards center and curving up. Length approximately 9-10 inches. Co
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS: The reverse camera remains engaged even after shifting to drive. This can remain after 10-20 seconds. As I started to drive forward, the camera remained engaged and hit on moving cars behind me causing the vehicle to emergency brake even though nothing was in front of me. Almost causing an acciden
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 6 recalls have been completed — free at any Kia dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Kia TELLURIDE — Year Comparison
How does 2023 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 289
- Recalls
- 6
- Fire reports
- 2
- Crash reports
- 7
- Injury reports
- 3
- Segment avg
- 401
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2023 Kia TELLURIDE