MODEL
Kia Telluride Safety
NHTSA safety across every Kia Telluride model year we cover.
Across the 6 model years of the Kia Telluride we cover (2020 to 2025), the strongest crash-test showing is the 2025 at 80 on the NHTSA Safety Index, and the lowest is the 2023 at 69. 33 recalls have been issued across those years.
The Kia Telluride is a three-row midsize SUV that has carved out serious credibility in a competitive family-hauler segment since its 2020 debut. Positioned as a near-premium alternative to pricier domestic and Japanese rivals, it targets families who want generous interior space, a composed road presence, and strong value. The Telluride competes directly with the Ford Explorer, Toyota Highlander, and Hyundai Palisade.
Side-impact protection for the 2025 Kia Telluride achieves a full 5 out of 5 stars, a strong outcome for a large SUV. Frontal and rollover evaluations each yield 4 out of 5 stars, placing the model in a respectable, though not perfect, safety tier according to NHTSA's crash-test results. The Telluride secures a Best NHTSA Safety Index of 80 out of 100 for 2025, reflecting a generally solid performance across its strongest year. A comprehensive view of the Telluride's safety must include its recall record. Across model years 2020 through 2025, 28 recalls have been issued. Of particular note are 8 recalls carrying "park outside" or "do not drive" directives from federal regulators, indicating a significant safety concern. This volume of severe recalls warrants careful consideration. Owner complaints for the Telluride across the covered years total 1,825. These complaints include 38 reported crashes, 21 fire-related allegations, 36 injuries, and 1 reported death. While these are unverified allegations, the frequency of fire-related complaints specifically underscores the importance of thorough research. Buyers should consult the NHTSA database for their target model year and verify all open recalls are addressed prior to vehicle delivery.
WHAT REVIEWERS SAYReviewers generally regard the Telluride as one of the more well-rounded three-row SUVs in its class, praising its cabin quality, spaciousness, and composed driving character for the segment. Most professional assessments position it as a strong family-vehicle choice, though some note the competitive midsize SUV field has grown tighter in recent years.
- Eight of the Telluride's 28 recalls across 2020 to 2025 carried park-outside or do-not-drive warnings, indicating elevated urgency. Always verify whether any open recall applies to a specific VIN before purchase or continued use.
- Side-impact crash protection is the Telluride's strongest federal test result at 5 out of 5 stars, while frontal and rollover ratings hold at 4 out of 5, so the vehicle is not uniformly top-rated across all crash modes.
- Owner complaints include 21 fire-related allegations across the covered model years. These are unverified, but prospective buyers should cross-reference their target model year against NHTSA complaint records to spot any concentrated patterns.
- The 2025 model year achieved the highest Safety Index score in the covered range at 80 out of 100, suggesting Kia has made incremental safety improvements over the generation. If maximum federal safety scores matter to you, the newest available model year has the edge.
Most-recalled year on record: 2022 Kia Telluride with 7 recalls.