2021 Kia Telluride maintenance schedule

Written in plain English and reviewed by the eli5cars editorial team · Last reviewed June 2026

3.8L GDI V6 (291 hp)LXSEXMSRP $32,365

⚠ 5 open recalls for this vehicle

A recall means the manufacturer found a safety problem and is required to fix it — these aren't normal wear-and-tear repairs. Check your specific VIN at NHTSA.gov to confirm your car is affected.

✓ Recall repairs are always FREE at any dealer, no matter who currently owns the car or where it was bought.

AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021 Telluride, K5, and Forte vehicles. The Occupant Classification and Detection System (OCS/ODS) unit may not detect the presence of a child restraint system in the front passenger seat. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Why it matters: In the event of a crash, deployment of the front passenger air bag, with a child in that seat, can increase the risk of injury to the child.

The fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the OCS/ODS unit, free of charge. The recall began March 18, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC207.

Reported 11/03/2021 · Campaign #21V164000 — look up your VIN at NHTSA.gov →

TRAILER HITCHES

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Telluride vehicles potentially equipped with a Genuine Kia 4-pin tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Kia dealership. Debris and moisture accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.

Why it matters: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

The fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will install a new fuse and a wiring harness extension. Dealers will also inspect and replace the tow hitch harness assembly, as necessary. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 12, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC247.

Reported 15/08/2022 · Campaign #22V626000 — look up your VIN at NHTSA.gov →

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Telluride vehicles. The intermediate shaft and right front driveshaft may not be fully engaged, which can result in vehicle roll away while in PARK.

Why it matters: A vehicle roll away increases the risk of a crash or injury.

The fix: Owners are advised to manually engage the emergency parking brake prior to exiting the vehicle until the recall remedy is performed. Dealers will update the electronic parking brake software and replace any damaged intermediate shafts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 15, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC303.

Reported 20/03/2024 · Campaign #24V214000 — look up your VIN at NHTSA.gov →

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Telluride vehicles. The front power seat motor may overheat due to a stuck power seat slide knob, which can result in a fire while parked or driving.

Why it matters: A fire increases the risk of injury.

The fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will install a bracket for the power seat switch back covers and replace the seat slide knobs, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 30, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC316.

Reported 05/06/2024 · Campaign #24V407000 — look up your VIN at NHTSA.gov →

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Telluride vehicles. The front power seat motor may overheat due to a stuck power seat slide knob or an improper recall 24V407 repair, which can result in a fire while parked or driving.

Why it matters: A fire increases the risk of injury.

The fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will install an electronic fuse assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 13, 2026. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC374. This recall replaces NHTSA recall number 24V407. Vehicles already repaired under the previous recall will need to have the new remedy completed. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning July 17, 2026.

Reported 02/07/2026 · Campaign #26V430000 — look up your VIN at NHTSA.gov →

Jump to a mileage milestone:

30k miles 60k miles 90k miles 120k miles

Full service timeline

Mileage	Service items	Details
8k mi	Engine oil and filter change — 5W-30 full synthetic (Kia factory interval for 3.8L GDI: 7,500 miles under normal use) Tire rotation Inspect brake pads and rotors — front and rear Check all fluid levels
15k mi	Engine oil and filter change — 5W-30 full synthetic Tire rotation Replace cabin air filter Inspect brake fluid color and level Inspect AWD transfer case / power transfer unit fluid (AWD models)
23k mi	Engine oil and filter change — 5W-30 full synthetic Tire rotation Inspect steering and suspension linkage Inspect drive belt condition
30k mi	Engine oil and filter change — 5W-30 full synthetic Tire rotation Replace engine air filter Replace cabin air filter Inspect spark plugs — iridium (3.8L GDI factory interval ~105k-120k miles; inspect at 30k) Inspect AWD rear differential fluid — Kia AWD models use HTRAC on-demand AWD (inspect condition) Inspect 8-speed automatic transmission fluid condition	View →
45k mi	Engine oil and filter change — 5W-30 full synthetic Tire rotation Replace brake fluid — DOT 3 (Kia recommends every 2 years or ~30k-45k miles) Inspect fuel system and direct-injection fuel rail — 3.8L GDI carbon buildup on intake valves is a known GDI issue; inspect at this interval
60k mi	Engine oil and filter change — 5W-30 full synthetic Tire rotation Replace cabin air filter Replace engine air filter Replace AWD rear differential fluid — HTRAC AWD models (60k or every 3 years) Inspect coolant condition (Kia Long Life Coolant — first change at 100k or 10 years) Inspect serpentine belt condition and tension Inspect all CV joints and axle boots — front and rear (AWD)	View →
90k mi	Engine oil and filter change — 5W-30 full synthetic Tire rotation Replace spark plugs — iridium (3.8L GDI — inspect and replace if fouled; full factory replacement interval extends to 105k-120k) Inspect 8-speed automatic transmission fluid — replace under severe-duty (towing) schedule Inspect brake calipers, hardware, and parking brake cables Inspect power steering rack boots and EPS system	View →
120k mi	Engine oil and filter change — 5W-30 full synthetic Tire rotation Replace spark plugs — iridium (3.8L GDI factory interval: 105k-120k miles) Replace engine coolant — Kia Long Life Coolant (first change at 100k-120k miles, then every 60k) Replace 8-speed automatic transmission fluid Replace AWD rear differential fluid — HTRAC AWD models Full brake system flush — DOT 3 Inspect and service wheel bearings Inspect all suspension bushings, ball joints, and sway bar end links	View →

Upgrading your Telluride's wheels?

See verified wheel fitments for the 2021 Kia Telluride — bolt pattern, hub bore, and offset all checked.

Verified Telluride fitments at AlloyHaus →

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Common symptoms for this vehicle

Check engine light on? Get a free code scan

If your check engine light is on, most auto-parts stores (AutoZone, O'Reilly, Advance) will read the code for FREE — no purchase required, just walk in. Bring the code back here and look it up at eli5cars.com/obd2 for the plain-English explanation.

Note: a scan only helps when there's an active fault code. For purely mechanical symptoms (noises, vibrations, leaks), a scan may show nothing — the suspects listed above are your starting point.