What 329 owners told NHTSA about the 2021 Kia Telluride

Returning from a trip, driving through the mountains, I heard a noise on the passenger side window. The next day I noticed a chip spidering. This should not be.

NHTSA ODI 11511216

Windshield was hit by a TINY piece of gravel or road debris - so small we didn’t even see it. It left a ding in the windshield about the size of a pencil point - maybe a couple of millimeters in diameter. Before we could even pull off the road, the grass has cracked about three inches. Within about ten minutes the crack spread another three inches. Within a couple of hours, the crack had traveled both up towards the roof and down towards the hood - approximately two inches in both directions. This is a known problem with Kia windshields since the debut of the 2020.

NHTSA ODI 11501178

Driving on the highway on 11/20/22, at approximately 65-70 mph, when there was a loud bang above the driver’s head causing the driver to become startled and swerve. The wind noise became louder and there was also a noise like something was moving on top of the sunshade. Exited the highway and pulled into a parking lot. Got out and the front sunroof had exploded and shards of glass were on top of the closed sunshade. The glass that remained was blown outward as if something inside the vehicle caused it to explode. Luckily the sunshade was closed and contained the glass or it would have come into the vehicle cabin and potential caused an accident or injuries to the occupants, and one could have been my one year old daughter. There were no cars around, no debris in the road, and not near an overpass.

NHTSA ODI 11494501

The windshield failed spontaneously, overnight while not being driven and not having been impacted by any object. The crack began as about 10 inches long, and has grown to more than two feet long. The windshield requires replacement for safety. The problem has been confirmed by Safelite (which will replace for $1,000, as compared to Kia's $1,600), but has not been inspected by others. There was no warning or any symptom of the problem prior to the failure.

NHTSA ODI 11480810

Upon driving my new vehicle for approximately 5 months, the windshield got chipped. I took this to an individual and had this sealed. Last week, after driving my Telluride for about a year, the windshield began to crack in a different spot. The crack has grown and grown and now encompasses most of the windshield.

NHTSA ODI 11474117

The windshield cracked without getting hit by a foreign object. It happened overnight while parked in a garage. It wasn't there the day before or I would have noticed it because it was so visible. It cracked from the very top and spread down around the rearview mirror and spread across and you can't feel the crack either from inside or outside, it is very smooth and you can only see a line.

NHTSA ODI 11469632

Tiny rock, not visible to me but heard a soft tink sound, hit the windshield causing tiny chip and a huge crack from near the top of the drivers side to the bottom near the wipers. No reason for a tiny pebble to completely crack a windshield.

NHTSA ODI 11468635

Windshield cracked about 7 inches in diameter with no point of impact.

NHTSA ODI 11467900

Windshield appeared to have 6 inch crack in windshield, even though no rock or chip were noticed. Crack grew to an 18inch crack within 1 day. Crack will likely spread across entire windshield and inhibit visibility. This was 1 year to the day of purchasing the vehicle. Brought it to the dealers attention, and they are aware of the issue with 2020 models, but didn't have guidance from KIA on 2021 models.

NHTSA ODI 11467517

Chip in front windshield due to a rock quickly became an 12 inch crack.

NHTSA ODI 11460016

The windshield of the car cracked on its own. There were no chips in the windshield and nothing hit the windshield of the car but it cracked while driving and continued to grow significantly in a very short period of time affecting visibility.

NHTSA ODI 11457941

The windshield began to crack on the edge of the glass and spread across the entire windshield for no apparent reason. Nothing impacted the windshield like a rock or debris during driving. This happened overnight and then continued to spread, again, for no apparent reason. I have had windshield repair technicians look to see if I am missing something and they also agreed there were no chips or anything obvious that would start the crack on the windshield.

NHTSA ODI 11457925

Windshield cracked without reason

NHTSA ODI 11454882

This incident has happened twice in a short matter of time. While driving a small rock hit the windshield, and then the windshield cracked immediately. This seems to be a major complaint from many owners and I know it was an issue for 2019 and 2020. There are now two cracks spanning across the windshield that obstruct a clear view. This is a major safety issue and it is difficult to get a windshield due to supply issues.

NHTSA ODI 11452740

The molding on the left side of the windshield, driver's side repeatedly came lose and impaired my vision when turning left.

NHTSA ODI 11451472

We were sitting in the a parking lot (not driving), and heard a loud pop. The windshield had spontaneously cracked. There were no chips prior. The entire windshield had to be replaced. I had to pay $563 (insurance deductible) to have it replaced.

NHTSA ODI 11451473

Sustained small rock chip in lower left of windshield. After a few miles formed a crack that extended half way across windshield. Research shows that Kia claimed 2020 vehicle issues and would replace windshields for no charge. They will not for 2021 Kia Telluride. I feel they have a quality issue in the windshield of the model I own, yet they refuse to take ownership if the issue. I see forums with owners having the exact same issue. I have owned vehicles for over 50 years and have never seen a windshield crack as easily as these.

NHTSA ODI 11448838

Windshield cracked and quickly spread with no sound or impact. Inspection at dealership reveals a tiny chip along the crack that the dealership says indicates and impact. Windshield seems very fragile as I have had other cars that have suffered more serious impact and not had major cracking issues. Also windshield replacement cost is very high as the dealership claims they need to recalibrate the camera that is use for lane keep assist. The previous years also had windshield issues that were covered by warranty.

NHTSA ODI 11445791

While driving, small amount of snow fell from roof on to windshield and was unable to see the road clearly. Wipers were unable to lift the small about of snow to clear the windshield. Luckily I was not on a busy road an was able to stop. After clearing the small amount of snow the wipers were able to function.

NHTSA ODI 11444241

A tiny rock hit the windshield going 30 miles an hour. The crack has consistently grown every day. My whole windshield has to be replaced. I've never had a vehicle that has such a weak windshield. This car is only 11 months old. The crack is horizontal and affects my view if the road because it's right in the middle.

NHTSA ODI 11444011

The front windshield cracked. There was no known hit by an object and the windshield has cracked on the passenger side and continues to grow. Visibility is reduced due to this crack and it is a known issue in the 2020 model year and it appears to be continuing in the 2021 model year. The windshield will need replacement.

NHTSA ODI 11440124

Two chips are in the windshield . Low speed. Then the windshield cracked. At low speed and nothing hit the windshield.

NHTSA ODI 11438439

Windshield chipped very easily when driving on the highway. Only have 2000 miles on here. Reading this model has this issue commonly

NHTSA ODI 11437388

The windshield on my vehicle chips and crack easily. It is a common problem among other Kia Tellurides as well.

NHTSA ODI 11436384

UNKNOWN. Crack on the windshield appeared overnight. Starts at the top of the windshield and comes down the center, affecting visibility. Vehicle did not provide any warning or indication prior to the crack.

NHTSA ODI 11435703