What 329 owners told NHTSA about the 2021 Kia Telluride

Sunroof won't fully close which becomes a big issue when driving or parking the vehicle in the rain. Kia dealership diagnosed that the full sunroof assembly needs to be replaced at a total expense of $6,441.56 since the vehicle is out of the 5-year warranty period. No warning messages were displayed on the vehicle prior to this issue.

NHTSA ODI 11742831

I have used the sunroof on my 2021 Kia Telluride probably less than ten times in the 5 years I've owned it. I started getting a leak in front of my rearview mirror so I searched for the drains by opening the sunroof and fond them. Cleaned them out as best I could. closed the sunroof but was still having a leak. The next time I opened it to look at it, it jammed and wouldn't open completely or close. With a little help, i was able to get it back on track and close but still had the leak. Took to the dealership for service and to have them look for a problem with the sunroof. They said it wasn't closing completely and the entire frame would need replacing at about $3400.00. This seems to be a common problem from what I'm seeing on Kia Forums. I was wondering if you are considering a recall on this issue?

NHTSA ODI 11737292

Hello, I've contacted customer service for Kia America and also, customer service in Puerto Rico since I'm a resident in Puerto Rico, so that I can address the safety recall with number SC303 and also a technical service bulletin with number BOD319. However, customer service advised that they can't pull up my SUV vehicle information with the VIN provided. I'm unable to address the safety recall and the technical service bulletin since Kia can't pull up the vehicle information. My vehicle is experiencing technical failure with the intermediate shaft as described on the safety recall. Also, the sunroof is experiencing technical difficulties compatible with the information included on the TSB. I ask for your support to address the described issues, accordingly. Thank you!

NHTSA ODI 11730234

Sunroof mechanism failure in May 2025. Had sunroof repaired and paid out of pocket at KIA dealership. The sunroof was off track therefore the roof was exposed to elements. March 2026 sunroof mechanism has broken again. Sunroof has not been operated since repair in May 2025 for fear of getting stuck open again.

NHTSA ODI 11726125

The plastic arms of the sunroof deflector assembly broke. Part # - (81690-S8000). Now my sunroof won't close.

NHTSA ODI 11707249

Wind deflecters on sunroof have broken off which is making it inoperable.

NHTSA ODI 11706337

The door belt molding trim detached. It is available for inspection. If not caught before it completely detached it would have caused a road hazard. Models from 2023-2025 have already been recalled but not my 2021 model which has the same issue. The vehicle was inspected by the dealership I bought it from but they were unwilling to take responsibility since the recall didn't encompass my 2021 model. Kia Corp also was unwilling to take responsibility after I brought the issue to their attention. I noticed the trim pealing off the car. It took little effort to remove it completely and I'm glad I did because it would have fallen off while we were driving.

NHTSA ODI 11700613

While driving at interstate speeds the sunroof window shattered outward. This was not the result of a rock or flying ice event as no other cars where near by at the time. I have found that many others have experienced this issue and Kia refuses to cover the repairs even though it appears to be an issue with Kia Telluride sunroofs. If the sun shade had been open at the time both me and my 12 year old son would have been covered with glass and this could have caused a high speed accident from the glass and the sound of the explosion. Kia needs to address this issue but our request for compensation has been denied. Also Kia refused to provide documentation of this denial as it was in an email from the local dealer to Kia.

NHTSA ODI 11636399

In November 2024, the sunroof mechanism failed in a crooked, partially open position and would no longer move. The motor operated, but there was a grinding noise and no movement of the sunroof. I had to return from North Carolina to Alabama in the rain with a partially open sunroof. The service department at Bramlett Kia in Decatur, Alabama, confirmed the sunroof mechanism has to be replaced. The service technician said the electrical cable to the sunroof was caught in the mechanism. Parts were ordered and took several weeks to be shipped. The sunroof is to be repaired next week. This is obviously a defective design and could lead to safety issues if the sunroof were to become detached while the vehicle is moving. My sunroof has stayed in place but the mechanism is bent on both sides and loose in one corner. I don't know if the sunroof is still being held safely by the mechanism. Parts invoice ($2907) is attached. Labor is estimated at $1000 but I do not yet have the invoice.

NHTSA ODI 11634123

Sunroof has got jammed in open position. You have issued a statement on this now Kia will not manufacture the parts to the roof (backorder really) and wants to charge you $5000 to put a whole new roof on -

NHTSA ODI 11631234

Vehicle sunroof has become stuck in it’s tilted open position. The spoiler at the front has detached. Since the sunroof cannot close, if there is a wind, hitting the car, the sunroof can’t detach from the car at this point, and fly into another car. This issue has been reported with the numerous Kia telluride’s as seen on the Internet. It is not nearly anesthetic problem. It is a safety issue.

NHTSA ODI 11626120

Sunroof/moonroof will no longer close. It is stuck in the open position and this will cause water to enter the cabin if it rains. The vehicle was examined by the dealer and they confirmed that a component is fault and will need to be replaced. No warning lamps or additional symptoms were noticed prior to the sunroof malfunctioning. The vehicle only has 44,100 miles.

NHTSA ODI 11620480

Was opening the sunroof and heard a popping sound. Wind deflector arm broke and now the sunroof will not close all the way leaving the risk of interior of car getting wet and creating mold since I live in an already humid climate.

NHTSA ODI 11619988

Sunroof started to open and came off track and bent the tracking system beyond repair. Sunroof stuck in half open position and tilted or wedged in open position. Concern that it would fly off when driving and could not shut it to protect the interior in case of rain. There has already been a recall on the Kia Sorento sunroof moving tracking system in the recent past. This should be taken into consideration to have this be a recall on the Kia Telluride.

NHTSA ODI 11614290

The sunroof came off the track on the passenger side as I was trying to open it fully.

NHTSA ODI 11613254

Driving down a 2-lane highway doing less than 60 mph, the wind from the oncoming semi-truck shattered the sunroof glass. This caused us to have to drive hundreds of miles home with water, wind and broken glass in our car with 3 children who were 6 years old and younger. I contact Kia Corporate compliants directly while the car was in the shop for several weeks and they said because it was already fixed there was nothing they could do.

NHTSA ODI 11608489

The vehicle had approx 10k miles and I simply tried to open the sunroof before leaving my driveway and something snapped. The Sunroof was then stuck in the open position, I could not close it. I called my regular dealership for help as it was under warranty and practically new. The dealership said they are too busy to help me, I have no garage and there was rain in the forecast. I called other dealerships and was able to find one who would take it in for a look. I was told it might take a few days and left the car. After a few days the dealership said they needed to order parts, that the entire sunroof track has to be replaced and it may take weeks. They were able to close the roof and I picked up the car, I had to take it back as wind was coming in as I drove and rain can too. I returned for repairs and issues approx 5 times until it was "repaired". I have not opened the sunroof again since, for fear of additional problems and no longer under warranty as many other Kia Telluride owners who have this issue with the sunroof. Being away from home and it breaking again would be a disaster and having to drive from a secluded area with unpredictable weather can be dangerous.

NHTSA ODI 11603612

Sunroof wind deflector snapped off after light use

NHTSA ODI 11589814

Sunroof guide/rail plastic piece broke upon opening and will not close. Sunroof is now stuck open. Dealer claimed entire sunroof needs to be replaced. Vehicle cannot be driven as sunroof glass feels like it'll pop off. No warning at all when it happened. Sunroof was open when driving and when we got home and parked it, it would not close and visibly confirmed the plastic part of the guide appeared broken.

NHTSA ODI 11588534

The sun roof has only be used several times during the year. The sun roof plastic mechanism parts are broken. This causes the sun roof to be unable to close. With the sun roof slightly open and unable to close, my fear is that it may flip open in the highway and hit another car behind me. The car has been brought to the dealership to inspect and it will cost over $5,000 dollars to fix and replace the whole sun roof assembly. I feel this is a manufacturer defect as many other Telluride owners are having the same sun roof issue. There were no warnings or symptoms prior to this issue.

NHTSA ODI 11570477

The sunroof got stuck in the open position. It is available for inspection. Wind/rain/foreign objects are able to enter stuck sunroof and cause injury and or vehicle damage. Kia dealership confirmed that this has happened to others with the same male and model. Others have reported issue causing whole sunroof glass to crack/break/explode. No warning lights or signs.

NHTSA ODI 11554332

Tried to open Our Sunroof and it went off the rails, sounded like something broke off while driving. When we went to close it, to see if it was an easy fix, it popped completely off and is now just bouncing.

NHTSA ODI 11549339

The sunroof track assembly broke when the sunroof was opened. Causing the sunroof to be stuck in the open position

NHTSA ODI 11533129

On 7/8/23 I noticed the paint on my 2021 Kia Telluride peeling off. After some research, the peeling of the paint on Kia cars seems to be prevalent in several Kia models. I've made an appointment with the dealer for next week, 7/17/23. At this point, the vehicle has not been inspected regarding the peeling paint by the manufacturer, police, insurance representative, or other business. I've inspected my Telluride, and as of today, 7/10/23, the paint has only peeled off of the read door in one spot. I will include a picture.

NHTSA ODI 11531265

I was pulling out of a parking lot going about 3 mph. There were no other vehicles around and the windshield cracked right in front of me. I called my insurance and explained to them the strange event that just took place, and they said that it would be a deductable of $500.00 or around $1000.00. Reasearch has proven that quote. The next day I went out to the car to start it up so the kids wouldn't be so hot. I watched the 6 inch crack from the day before, turn into a a 3.5 foot crack. Kia dealer says it's a rock chip so outside of warrenty. There is absolutly no way that a rock hit my windshield with no other cars around, and me going 3 MPH. I contacted Kia customer service, and was told that the dealer said it was a rock chip, therefore it was out of warrenty. At this point I am so terrifed to put my kids in that car, because look what happened when going at very sluggish speeds. On top of all of that, the replacment windshields are also prone to cracking, so all of us Telluride owners are between a rock, and a hard place. Someone, please look into this and force Kia to make it right to all of us who just bought a new family vehicle. I do have pictures of the windshield, however I cant upload them due to the very low upload space on this NHTSA website. Please reach out with an email and ill get them to you ASAP. Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI 11529494