NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2022 Kia Telluride Safety Ratings
The 2022 Kia Telluride scores 71 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Average), with a 5-star overall NHTSA crash rating, 7 recalls, and 305 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
Six recall campaigns, including two park-outside directives, significantly depress the 2022 Kia Telluride's safety standing. This results in a defect record score of just 2 out of 20, despite strong crash-test performance. The vehicle earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 73 out of 100, placing it in the Average band. Prospective buyers must confirm all recalls have been addressed.
The 2022 Kia Telluride received a 5-out-of-5-star overall crash-test rating and a NHTSA Safety Index of 73/100 based on NHTSA data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 135 SUVs from 2022 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2022 Kia Telluride ranks 125 for overall NHTSA Safety Index.
- new and teen drivers who want standard crash-avoidance tech
- urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
| NHTSA Safety Index | 71 / 100 (Average) |
|---|---|
| Overall crash rating | 5 of 5 stars |
| Frontal / Side / Rollover | 4 / 5 / 4 stars |
| Rollover risk | 14.3% |
| Recalls on file | 7 (includes park-outside) |
| Owner complaints | 305 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 125 of 135 SUVs tested for 2022 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2022 Kia Telluride?
The 2022 Kia Telluride posts a Safety Index of 73/100, a two-point drop from the 2021 model year's 75/100, with both years sitting in the Average band. The decline is traceable almost entirely to the defect record component, which scores a notably low 2 out of 20. Six recall campaigns burden this model year, and two of them carry park-outside severity designations, one involving a power seat motor overheating risk and one tied to a tow hitch harness. That combination of high-severity campaigns and a total of six recalls is the defining safety story for this specific year. On the crash-protection side, the picture is considerably stronger: a 61 out of 70 crash-protection score anchored by a 5-star overall NHTSA rating and a perfect 5-star side result. All three crash-avoidance technologies tracked by NHTSA are standard equipment, earning a full 10 out of 10 for avoidance tech. The 305 unverified owner complaints, with alleged concentrations in visibility, wipers, and electrical systems, add texture to the defect record concern without constituting confirmed findings. The net result is a vehicle with genuinely competitive crash scores pulled toward the middle of the safety spectrum by its recall and complaint burden.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2022 Kia Telluride perform in crash tests?
The 2022 Kia Telluride AWD achieved an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA, with its strongest performance in the side-crash test, earning a perfect 5 stars. Both frontal and rollover evaluations resulted in 4 out of 5 stars. The rollover risk was assessed at 14 percent, and the dynamic tip test indicated "No Tip."
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 15957
Index breakdown
NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images
Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2022 Kia Telluride have any recalls?
Yes. The 2022 Kia Telluride carries six recall campaigns. Two are park-outside directives: one for a front power seat motor that may overheat, and one for a 4-pin tow hitch harness. Additional campaigns address the intermediate shaft and right front driveshaft, an incorrect spare tire, and excess adhesive in the instrument cluster circuit board.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST26V430000
Risk: A fire increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will install an electronic fuse assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 13, 2026. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC374. This recall replaces NHTSA recall number 24V407. Vehicles already rep
Reported 2026-07-02
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST24V407000
Risk: A fire increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will install a bracket for the power seat switch back covers and replace the seat slide knobs, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 30, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC316.
Reported 2024-06-05
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT24V214000
Risk: A vehicle roll away increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to manually engage the emergency parking brake prior to exiting the vehicle until the recall remedy is performed. Dealers will update the electronic parking brake software and replace any damaged intermediate shafts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 15, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this r
Reported 2024-03-20
TRAILER HITCHES22V626000
Risk: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will install a new fuse and a wiring harness extension. Dealers will also inspect and replace the tow hitch harness assembly, as necessary. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 12, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4
Reported 2022-08-15
TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE22V509000
Risk: Impaired anti-lock braking or traction control systems can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the spare tire, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 27, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC244.
Reported 2022-07-19
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL22V344000
Risk: A blank instrument cluster display screen will not show critical information, such as the odometer, which can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the instrument cluster assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 15, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC237.
Reported 2022-05-17
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL21V577000
Risk: A blank LCD display may be missing information, such as the digital speedometer, gear selection indicator, and odometer, which may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the instrument cluster's software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 3, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC215.
Reported 2021-07-28
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2022 Kia Telluride?
NHTSA has received 305 unverified owner complaints for the 2022 Telluride, with alleged issues concentrated in Unknown or Other (76 reports), Visibility and Wipers (72), and the Electrical System (65). Owners have also alleged 10 crashes, 4 fire-related incidents, and 9 injuries. These are unverified allegations, not established facts.
305 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2022 Kia Telluride?
The 2022 Kia Telluride presents a unique concern for consumers, driven by two open park-outside recall campaigns. Shoppers must confirm remedy completion for these, and all six issued recalls, prior to purchasing a used model. Verification should be obtained directly from a selling dealer or Kia service center.
- The 2022 model year carries two park-outside recall directives, one for a front power seat motor overheating risk and one for a 4-pin tow hitch harness, making recall verification a critical step for used-market buyers.
- The Safety Index fell two points from 75 in 2021 to 73 in 2022, driven by a defect record score of only 2 out of 20, the weakest component in this year's breakdown.
- NHTSA's crash tests awarded this specific AWD configuration a 5-star overall rating with a perfect 5-star side score, though frontal and rollover protection each landed at 4 stars and rollover risk was measured at 14 percent.
- The 305 unverified NHTSA complaints for this model year include alleged concentrations in visibility and wiper systems (72 reports) and the electrical system (65 reports), categories that overlap with the instrument cluster recall issued for excess adhesive on the circuit board.
RANKINGSWhere the 2022 Kia Telluride places
The 2022 Kia Telluride qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2022 Kia Telluride safety questions
Was the 2022 Kia Telluride crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2022 Kia Telluride, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 71 out of 100, placing it in the Average band. The index combines federal crash-test stars, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the recall record.
What are the 2022 Kia Telluride crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2022 Kia Telluride earned 5 out of 5 stars for overall, 4 out of 5 stars for frontal, 5 out of 5 stars for side, and 4 out of 5 stars for rollover. Its measured rollover risk is 14.3%. Categories NHTSA did not test show as not rated.
How many recalls does the 2022 Kia Telluride have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 7 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2022 Kia Telluride, including a park-outside or do-not-drive campaign, which is the most serious class of recall. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2022 Kia Telluride?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 305 owner complaints are on file for the 2022 Kia Telluride. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects, and include reports involving a crash or a fire.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
Other Telluride years
Rivals in SUV (2022)
| Vehicle | NHTSA Safety Index | Overall stars | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 Tesla Model Y 5-Seat | 100/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2022 Infiniti Qx55 | 99/100 | not rated | 1 |
| 2022 Buick Encore GX | 95/100 | 5 of 5 | 1 |
| 2022 Buick Envision | 95/100 | 5 of 5 | 1 |
| 2022 Nissan Murano | 95/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2022 Buick Enclave | 94/100 | 4 of 5 | 1 |
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 15957), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Kia Telluride 2022.
- SCORE The NHTSA Safety Index (0-100) weights crash protection, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the defect record. Full formula on the methodology page. It ranks 125 of 135 in the SUV class for 2022.
- EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
- VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.