462,869 Kia Tellurides, every 2020 through 2024 model with power seats, are living under an NHTSA "park outside" advisory for fire risk. That's larger than the combined 2021 and 2022 U.S. production run. Before you evaluate any specific car, confirm the repair was completed.
The Telluride is otherwise one of the better used 3-row SUVs available right now. A 3.8-liter V6, a genuinely adult-usable third row, and reliability that improved sharply from 2022 onward. The recall history requires attention.
The Recalls Every Used Buyer Needs to Know
Three separate campaigns affect used Tellurides currently on the market. Two of them cover essentially the entire 2020-2024 production run.
Power seat fire risk (2020-2024): Kia recalled 462,869 Tellurides because a stuck power seat slide knob can cause the front seat motor to overheat. The motor doesn't stall when the seat stops moving. It keeps running, builds heat, and can ignite. NHTSA issued a consumer alert; Kia sent "park outside" letters to owners. The fix is dealer-installed seat component replacement. If the repair was completed, there's a record in the service history. If not, the vehicle should be parked outside until it's done.
Rollaway risk (2020-2024): Kia recalled 427,000 Tellurides in early 2024 because the right front driveshaft splines may not fully engage the intermediate shaft. When the splines degrade, the driveshaft can't hold the front wheels stationary in Park. Kia confirmed 16 Tellurides that had already rolled away while parked. The repair is updated electronic parking brake software plus a driveshaft inspection at the dealer.
Tow hitch fire (2020-2022): A 2022 campaign covered roughly 36,500 Tellurides equipped with a 4-pin factory or dealer-installed tow harness from Mobis Parts. Moisture can reach the harness module, cause a short, and start a fire. At least 25 documented fire or melting incidents were tied to this defect, some with the vehicle off and parked. If a 2020-2022 Telluride you're considering has a tow package, verify this recall was completed.
| Recall | Vehicles Affected | Model Years |
|---|---|---|
| Power seat fire | 462,869 | 2020-2024 |
| Rollaway (driveshaft) | 427,000 | 2020-2024 |
| Tow hitch fire | ~36,500 | 2020-2022 (tow package only) |
Check the VIN on NHTSA.gov before you drive to see the vehicle. It takes 30 seconds and tells you which recalls are open vs. completed on that specific car.
Which Years to Target
The 2020 Telluride has the most owner complaints of any model year. JD Power reliability tracking gives it a 57 out of 100. Headlights are the most reported issue: the mechanical high-beam system degrades at low mileage, and over 35,000 2020 models were recalled specifically for it. Combined with the power seat fire recall and the rollaway recall, a 2020 Telluride carries more unknowns than later model years.
The 2021 improved but still logs more complaints than 2022 and newer. The 2022 is the inflection point: build quality improved, documented issues dropped significantly, and all three major recalls can be verified or ruled out on individual cars.
For most used buyers, the 2022 and 2023 are the primary targets. They've taken enough depreciation to offer real value without carrying the first-generation quality issues.
| Year | Listings (April 2026) | Median Mileage | Typical Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 709 | 79,810 mi | $18,000-$27,000 |
| 2022 | 1,202 | 66,921 mi | $24,000-$33,000 |
| 2023 | 1,292 | 38,590 mi | $29,000-$40,000 |
CarScout inventory snapshot, April 19, 2026. Prices from Edmunds and KBB; vary by trim, mileage, and region.
The 2022 is the most available with manageable mileage. One in four used 2022 Tellurides on the market has under 42,000 miles, per CarScout's mileage distribution data. The 2023 has more availability than the 2022 but starts nearly $5,000 higher on average.
What to Verify Before You Buy
Run the VIN before scheduling a visit. The power seat fire recall and the rollaway recall together cover the 2020-2024 fleet. Many have been resolved; many haven't. Know which camp the car falls into before you drive to see it.
Operate the power seat through its full range. Move the driver's seat forward and back. The early failure mode was a seat motor that ran longer than it should and generated heat. This check takes 30 seconds.
Ask for documentation on the driveshaft inspection. For AWD models specifically, recall 24V214000 included a shaft inspection alongside the software update. If service records don't show it, a Kia dealer can pull recall completion status by VIN in their system.
Note the windshield. Kia never issued a formal recall for windshield cracking, but they ran a Customer Satisfaction Initiative reimbursing owners for replacements. It won't show up on NHTSA's recall database, but a service history that includes a windshield replacement is worth noting.
Manual seat trims skip the fire recall entirely. The base LX uses manually operated seats. The power seat fire recall only covers vehicles with the powered seat system. If you want the simplest path through the recall history, an LX model removes one variable.
Trims Worth Targeting
The EX is the most widely available used trim and the one most buyers should start with. Heated front and rear seats, 10.25-inch navigation screen, sunroof, and second-row bench for up to 8 passengers. The EX uses power seats, so you'll still want to verify the fire recall. But it's the trim with the best combination of features, availability, and price spread.
The SX and SX-P add ventilated seats, second-row captain's chairs (drops to 7 seats), and a larger display. They command a $2,500-$4,000 premium over comparable EX examples.
The Nightsky edition (2022-2025) has a blacked-out exterior package and is consistently popular on the resale market. It trades at a premium, typically $1,500-$2,000 above equivalent SX pricing. Mechanically identical to the SX. Whether you pay for it comes down to aesthetics.
FAQ
Is the Kia Telluride a reliable used buy? For 2022 and newer examples with verified recall repairs, reliability is above average for a 3-row SUV. The 3.8-liter V6 has a strong track record at high mileage. The 2020 and 2021 model years have more documented issues; avoid them unless the price reflects the risk and you've confirmed all open recalls were completed.
How do I check if a used Telluride's recalls have been resolved? Enter the 17-digit VIN at NHTSA.gov to see every open and completed recall against that specific vehicle. The power seat fire campaign and the rollaway campaign both show up in this database by VIN. A Kia dealer can also pull completion status in their system during a pre-purchase inspection.
How does the Telluride compare to the Hyundai Palisade for a used buyer? They share the same platform. The 2022-2023 Palisade is a strong alternative with similar 3-row capacity and comparable reliability ratings. The Palisade skews toward more premium trims at higher price points; the Telluride has broader used availability across more trim levels. Both have significant recall histories, so the NHTSA VIN check matters equally for both.
If you're tracking used Telluride inventory by year and trim, CarScout's Kia Telluride market page shows current listings filtered by model year. Set a scout for your target specs and you'll get an alert when a match comes up in your area. Plans start at $5/week.