Here Are The Kia Telluride Years To Avoid
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As one of the newer SUVs to enter the market, the Kia Telluride doesn’t have a lot of historical data. But that doesn’t mean we don’t know which Kia Telluride years to avoid.
Quick Answer: The Kia Telluride years to avoid is actually just one, and that’s 2020.
The Telluride has been in production since 2020. The good news is that both the 2021 and 2022 models rate high and have very few problems.
As for the 2020 model, its biggest concerns have to do with visibility. To aid you in your buying decision, let’s take a closer look at what these concerns entail and whether they make or break the Kia Telluride.
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Which Kia Telluride Models Are Good to Buy Used?
Still a relative newcomer to the SUV scene, the Kia Telluride is in the process of earning its reputation. Time will tell what that turns out to be. But for now, consumers appear to be quite pleased overall with their Tellurides.
Kia Telluride is user-friendly and offers ample space for everyone. That includes space for seven to eight passengers, with cargo and seating areas that can accommodate all your adventures.
What’s more, the SUV features a rear collision avoidance system for cross-traffic to aid you during highway driving. There’s also a hill-start control to prevent you from rolling back on steep inclines.
The Kia Telluride also comes with an impressive 10-year warranty, which is always a welcome addition to vehicles. Also included with this warranty are 100,000 miles of powertrain protection.
As we’ve seen many times in the past, the powertrain has been a point of contention for consumer complaints, so it’s nice to see that Kia included this warranty on the Telluride.
Both the 2021 and 2022 models have high marks in the reliability department, with J.D. Power giving it a solid 85 out of 100.
Considering scores between 81 and 90 are deemed “Great,” it’s safe to say that you’ll be happy investing in Kia Tellurides produced during 2021 and 2022.
So before moving on, let’s look at a brief rundown of the years to buy.
- 2021 Kia Telluride
- 2022 Kia Telluride
THE MOST RELIABLE YEAR MODEL OF THE KIA TELLURIDE
If you’re interested in a used version of this vehicle, you might wonder - what is the most reliable Kia Telluride year available on the market today?
Between the two, the 2022 model has slightly more complaints from consumers and the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration). According to CarComplaints, the 2022 Telluride has 11 NHTSA miscellaneous complaints.
Furthermore, there are 10 NHTSA complaints regarding problems with exterior accessories. On top of that, there are a couple of consumer complaints concerning windshield problems.
CarComplaints reports that the windshield tends to crack easily. And thus far, each instance occurred under normal driving circumstances.
Backing these consumer complaints is also one from the NHTSA. In one instance, the 2022 Telluride owner hadn’t even owned their vehicle for a whole week when the windshield cracked overnight in mild weather conditions.
Still, it’s worth pointing out that the reports of these problems are very minimal. The rest of the vehicle rates highly on most counts and is a reliable SUV. So if you’re in the market for a used SUV, the Telluride is worth looking into.
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Kia Telluride Years to Avoid
As we discussed in the opening, the Kia Telluride years to avoid include only one, the SUV’s first year of production:
- 2020 Kia Telluride
So, what’s the chief complaint among consumers and the NHTSA? According to CarComplaints, the headlights can become faulty.
What’s more, this issue arose during low miles, so it’s something that could appear at any time during your ownership of the 2020 Telluride.
It’s worth mentioning, too, that this problem persisted after the bulbs were replaced. Adding to this fact are 37 NHTSA complaints.
In addition the existing faulty headlight problem, there are also reports from consumers that the headlights provide poor illumination.
And as with the faulty headlight issue, the poor illumination occurred during low miles. The average at the time of reporting was 15,000.
Overview of Kia Telluride Problems by Year
Now that we’ve discussed the primary points of concern on the 2020 Kia Telluride, let’s take a moment to briefly go over the main problems and what they mean to you.
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2020 Kia Telluride: Faulty Headlights
The SUV debuted in 2020, which just so happens to be the only year among the Kia Telluride years to avoid.
It’s interesting to point out that all other minor complaints have to do with headlights. Some drivers reported their high beams going out completely, while their low beams continued to work just fine.
Additionally, there are reports of the Telluride’s headlights suddenly changing brightness levels without warning or actuation.
Moreover, other users attempted to actuate the high beams but to no avail. It’s clear that there is an underlying problem in 2020 Tellurides that affects the headlights.
Unfortunately, there isn’t one primary problem that can be pinned down. As you’ve learned, there is a multitude of headlight issues than can arise.
So, does that mean that all 2020 Kia Telluride models are out of the question? Not necessarily. It’s safe to assume that due to the minimal amount of complaints that not all 2020 models are affected by headlight problems.
If you’re looking for a reliable used SUV, it’s very probable that you will be happy investing in a used model. The ratings for Tellurides, in general, are quite good.
The SUV is comfortable, has plenty of additional features and options, and is overall quite reliable. As long as the headlight issue isn’t present on the used model you’re considering buying, it should be a sound investment.
In Closing
Admittedly, the Kia Telluride is still in its infancy as an SUV. Having only entered the market in 2020, it may be many more years until other issues surface (if there are any).
But until then, we have to go on what data is available. And what we have currently tells us that the Telluride is a reliable performer that holds its own in the crowded SUV market. So if you’re looking for an SUV that rates highly, the Kia Telluride should serve you well.
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