KIA Telluride window and wiper problems

428 of the 2,661 complaints filed about the KIA Telluride are about the glass, mirrors and wipers — 100% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2020.

428

Complaints

100%

Share of all complaints

1

Crashes

0

Fires

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers complaints by model year

2020 Telluride 153 35.7%

Median failure at 4,900 miles

2021 Telluride 86 20.1%

Median failure at 1,900 miles

2022 Telluride 94 22.0%

Median failure at 29,089 miles

2023 Telluride 41 9.6%

Median failure at 38,200 miles

2024 Telluride 34 7.9%

Median failure at 42 miles

2025 Telluride 20 4.7%

Median failure at 3,500 miles

What owners said

2021 KIA Telluride Spring Valley, MN

VISIBILITY/WIPER

Every time the wiper blades are in intermittent mode they randomly stop at various spots on the windshield. I have to switch to low or high or turn them off completely for the motor to engage and work again.

NHTSA complaint #11764208 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2022 KIA Telluride Davidson, NC

VISIBILITY/WIPER

Sunroof / moonroof failing close. Driving on roads / high speeds exposed to the elements for a moonroof that will not close leaving me and my family in danger when its our only vehicle and means of transportation. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? - Yes Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? - No Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? - No

NHTSA complaint #11762077 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2023 KIA Telluride Fort Worth, TX

VISIBILITY/WIPER

Three times over the past year minor debris or small rocks have hit the windshield causing major spidering affects that have run all across the windshield. Even when using the windshield repair kits.

NHTSA complaint #11761947 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2025 KIA Telluride Houston, TX

VISIBILITY/WIPER

Large crack appeared with no impact point observed. Crack originates at the bottom edge under the hood. There is an ongoing class action regarding similar incidents involving KIA windshields.

NHTSA complaint #11759693 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2021 KIA Telluride Bryant, AR

VISIBILITY/WIPER

Windshield wipers pause during use in intermittent and slow/low setting. Was initially told that the wipers were old and needed replacing and this would fix the issue. Wipers were replaced and still having same issue.

NHTSA complaint #11752077 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2025 KIA Telluride Alpharetta, GA

VISIBILITY/WIPER

The car randomly has inoperable wipers. Both in auto and non auto mode. Doesn’t happen every time but it has happened to my family on rainy days. The back wipers work fine. We took the car to the dealer and they said nothing was wrong, they blamed it on my cars window tint. Which makes no sense considering it’s not functioning in the non-auto position. After doing my own research it seems to be that multiple other owners have had similar issues, yet no recall has been issued.

NHTSA complaint #11751344 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2021 KIA Telluride Crestwood, KY

VISIBILITY/WIPER

Constant jerking and shuttering when accelerating/shifting gears. Oil consumption done last year as dealership thought it was engine related. Engine replaced. Problem continues. Fuel in MAP sensor. Continued shuttering at acceleration, shuttering at parked idle, shuttering at braking idle, engine stalls at red lights but car stays on. When car is started, exhaust is pushing out gusts of strong fuel smell and sputtering little puffs. Replaced engine, MAP, upper intake gaskets, spark plugs, cleaned throttle body, battery. Wiper pauses mid wipe (in driving view) when in intermittent setting and when turning them off.

NHTSA complaint #11750819 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2021 KIA Telluride at 75,833 miles Red Bank, NJ

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

The contact owns a 2021 Kia Telluride. While the contact’s wife was driving approximately 60 MPH, the sunroof was open, and there was a loud sound coming from the sunroof, and metal pieces flew off the vehicle and fell inside the vehicle. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was out of warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 75,833.

NHTSA complaint #11750569 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2025 KIA Telluride Ringoes, NJ

VISIBILITY/WIPER

After sitting in the driveway came out to a crack across half of the passenger side front side window. In the process of getting the window replaced. Crack originated from underneath the door trim. Window could shatter while driving if not noticed.

NHTSA complaint #11750073 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2021 KIA Telluride Saratoga Springs, UT

VISIBILITY/WIPER

The sunroof won’t close properly, it looks like wind deflector is broken

NHTSA complaint #11747081 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2025 KIA Telluride at 22,000 miles Boynton Beach, FL

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

The contact owns a 2025 Kia Telluride. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a loud sound coming from the sunroof glass before the glass shattered. There was no impact on the sunroof glass to cause the failure. Small glass fragments fell into the second and third row seats. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 22,000.

NHTSA complaint #11745958 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2025 KIA Telluride Rye, NY

VISIBILITY/WIPER

I purchased a 2025 Kia Telluride on 6/23/2025. In February 2026 I started having issues with the windshield wiper system. When I spray the front windshield, it would leak fluid on the back windshield. Brought the car in for service at the end of February and they said I needed a new motor, but never called me back to replace it. On 5/7/2026, I brought the car in and they couldn’t replicate the issue. On 5/28/2026 I brought it back, they again told me they couldn’t duplicate the issue. The service coordinator repeatedly told me this was a “feature”. When I picked it up, I replicated the issue immediately and they said I had some weird setting on which is why it happened. The issue continued so I brought it back 6/3. They claimed to have opened a tech line case with Kia so they replaced the motor and switch. I went to pick it up on 6/18 and the issue was still there. Again I have the service manager telling me it’s a “feature” and all Tellurides do this. Except the loaner I had for 3 weeks was the same year and model and did NOT do it. Also my car didn’t do this for the first 8 months I owned it. They swapped a piece from the loaner I had and put it on my car because the loaner wasn’t leaking. Swapping this piece did not fix the issue. They have no idea how to fix it and they never actually opened a tech line case with Kia. Confirmed this with Kia Consumer Affairs.

NHTSA complaint #11745299 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2025 KIA Telluride Pea Ridge, AR

VISIBILITY/WIPER

On June 3, 2026, my 2025 Kia Telluride was struck by a minor piece of road debris. Rather than cracking, spiderwebbing, or chipping as federally regulated safety glass is engineered to do under FMVSS No. 205, the laminated windshield suffered a catastrophic structural and material failure. The minor piece of road debris fully pierced and put a hole entirely through the laminated safety glass, penetrating directly into the passenger cabin. This failure put my safety and the safety of my passengers at immediate, life-threatening risk. Had the projectile been slightly larger, it could have struck the driver or front-seat passenger at highway speeds, causing severe injury or death due to the safety glass failing to prevent cabin penetration. The vehicle is currently grounded and undrivable. The component has been inspected and confirmed by an authorized Kia dealership service department, where the Service Manager formally inspected the damage and stated he had "never seen anything like this before where something went through the glass." The vehicle is currently available for inspection upon request. There were no warning lamps, symptoms, or messages prior to the catastrophic failure of the glass.

NHTSA complaint #11744425 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2025 KIA Telluride at 3,500 miles Rockwall, TX

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

The contact owns a 2025 Kia Telluride. The contact stated that the windshield had significantly cracked without impact. The contact stated that the crack appeared to have started from underneath the seal at the bottom of the driver's side of the windshield. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where the contact was was informed that the vehicle could be repaired a a price lower than the insurance company estimate. The contact was awaiting a response from the dealer's finance department. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 35,000.

NHTSA complaint #11742102 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2022 KIA Telluride Fuquay-Varina, NC

VISIBILITY/WIPER

Sunroof exploded while driving in the 540 expressway.

NHTSA complaint #11741664 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2021 KIA Telluride Philadelphia, PA

VISIBILITY/WIPER

Windshield chipped and cracked. Causes a safety issue due to temperamental glass and vision impairment. McKenneys garage has viewed the damage and confirms the damage. No. No.

NHTSA complaint #11739016 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2025 KIA Telluride Jacksonville, AR

VISIBILITY/WIPER

I bought this car in August 2025 and I have already gotten three cracks in the windshield. This seems very off compared to all the other cars I’ve owned, which most have had none or maybe one small crack from debris off the road. This could cause a problem cracking so easily that I’m afraid if it hits just right, I won’t be able to see at all while driving. It is available upon request. I have not taken it to the dealership to be “reproduced” no warning signs or signals in the car

NHTSA complaint #11736401 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2022 KIA Telluride at 21,178 miles Katy, TX

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

The contact owns a 2022 Kia Telluride. The contact stated that while driving at 66 MPH, the sunroof unexpectedly exploded. There was no impact on the sunroof to cause the failure. The sunroof cover was closed during the failure. There were no injuries sustained. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 21,178.

NHTSA complaint #11734250 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2023 KIA Telluride at 38,200 miles Sparta, TN

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

The contact owns a 2023 Kia Telluride. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front windshield started to crack on the upper passenger’s side of the windshield. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 38,200.

NHTSA complaint #11733555 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2021 KIA Telluride Verdi, NV

VISIBILITY/WIPER

The sunroof on my 2021 Kia Telluride broke and is stuck open. We had to take it to Kia to have the repair quoted and they want to charge $6k to have it replaced. This is a huge safety issue, as it is winter and we have rain/snow getting in the car, as well as the potential for someone to break into my car through the sunroof as well. I have read numerous reports online of other 2021 Kia Tellurides with this same issue. Please have Kia issue a recall to have this issue addressed.

NHTSA complaint #11733089 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other KIA Telluride problems