Kia›Telluride›2021›Overview/kia/telluride/2021/base/

2021 Kia Telluride

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 Telluride.

Transmission Automatic (S8)

The 2021 Kia Telluride pairs an eight-speed automatic transmission with a powertrain that takes 6.8 quarts of 5W-30 or 10W-30 oil and returns EPA estimates of 19 city, 24 highway, and 21 combined mpg. In the broader model history spanning 2020 through 2027, the 2021 year logged 330 owner complaints — well below the 2020 peak of 736 but above the 2027 low of 10 — and was subject to five recalls, with the leading complaint category listed as Unknown Or Other. This positions the 2021 as a mid-range reliability entry in the Telluride's lifecycle, showing meaningful improvement over the launch year while still carrying notable recall activity.

Model year2025 2023 2022 2021 2020

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6.8 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 / 10W-30OEM · verified

Lug nut torque79.0-94.0 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy19/24/21 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI Only use AGM VRLA Battery. 94R · 800 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI Only use AGM VRLA Battery. 94R · 800 CCAOEM · verified

Tire size245/50R20 102VOEM · verified

Wheel / rim7.5 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic (S8)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	196.9 in
Overall width	78.3 in
Overall height	69.3 in
Wheelbase	114.2 in
Curb weight	4343 lb
Track (front / rear)	66.9 / 66.9 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	57/43

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	19 / 24 / 21 mpg
Drivetrain	All-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume	157 cu ft
Cargo volume	21 cu ft
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Telluride of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.7–7.3 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.70 sec — 2023 SX Prestige

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2020	S 3.8L V6	6.90 sec	15.20 sec	291 hp	FWD
2020	SX 3.8L V6	7.00 sec	15.30 sec	291 hp	AWD
2020	SX 3.8L V6	7.10 sec	15.40 sec	291 hp	AWD
2020	SX 3.8L V6	7.20 sec	15.40 sec	291 hp	AWD
2020	SX 3.8L V6	7.20 sec	15.40 sec	291 hp	AWD
2020	SX 3.8L V6	7.30 sec	15.50 sec	291 hp	AWD
2023	SX Prestige 3.8L V6	6.70 sec	15.10 sec	291 hp	AWD
2023	SX Prestige X-Line 3.8L V6	6.80 sec	15.10 sec	291 hp	AWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6.8 qt of 5W-30 / 10W-30 engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 79.0-94.0 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 25.0-33.0 ft-lbs.

Lubricants & capacities

Engine Coolant	Ethylene Glycol
Engine Coolant Capacity	12.9 qt
Engine Oil	5W-30 · 10W-30
Engine Oil Capacity	6.8 qt

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs	87.0-104.0 inch lbs. ft-lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings	Use new bolts only.
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	311.0-318.0 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts	53.0-56.0 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	36.0-40.0 ft-lbs
Main Bearings	Use new bolts only.
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	25.0-33.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	15.0-23.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts

79.0-94.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Spark Plug Manufacturer	Kia
Spark Plug Gap	0.039-0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque	11.0-18.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity	2.04-2.14 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46YF
Oil Capacity	7.06-7.76 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	Only use AGM VRLA Battery. 94R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	800 cca

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)	70.0-75.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)	70.0-75.0 psi
RPM	@ Idle rpm

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque	Front: 19.0-
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt Torque	72.0-87.0 ft-lbs
ABS Sensor Torque	6.7
Minimum Pad Thickness	Disc: 0.079"; Drum: 0.039" in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for Replacement	Front: 1.024
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation	Front: NS, Rear: .0002"
Maximum Rotor Runout	.0016"

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages

28.0-30.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 118-122°, Step 3: 88-92°, Step 4: External Head Bolt: 13.7-17.5

28–30 ft. lbs

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

Bolts A-H

2.9–4.3 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 97,500 mi.

Every 7,500 mi	Air Conditioning System (inspect) · Battery (inspect) · Body Fasteners (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect)
Every 15,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Driveshaft (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (inspect)
At 30,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level)
Every 37,500 mi	Differential (inspect fluid level) · Transfer Case Assembly (inspect fluid level)
At 60,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 mi	Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Engine Valves (inspect valve lash)
Every 97,500 mi	Spark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2021 Kia Telluride represents a significant improvement in reliability metrics compared to the 2020 model, with complaints dropping from 736 to 330 and TSBs decreasing from 145 to 95. Across the generation, there is a clear downward trend in complaints and TSBs, falling from their 2020 peak to just 10 complaints and 6 TSBs by 2027. The 2021 model sits at the start of this positive trajectory, recording five recalls and zero investigations. Primary complaint areas for 2021 include "Unknown Or Other" (68), Visibility/Wiper (53), and Engine (37), though the data does not specify the root causes for these issues. The record also notes seven crash complaints and four fire complaints for this specific year. Given the substantial reduction in complaints relative to the previous model year and the overall stability of recalls, the 2021 is a good year to buy.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

330

Owner complaints

7 involved a crash · 4 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Overall★★★★★

Frontal★★★★★

Side★★★★★

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’20’21’22 ’23 ’24 ’25 ’27

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 330 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Unknown Or Other68

Visibility/Wiper53

Engine37

Structure21

Visibility14

Power Train13

Suspension11

Electrical System9

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 5 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

21V164000Air Bags: Air Bag/Restraint Control ModuleReported 11/03/2021

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… Remedy: 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…

22V626000Trailer HitchesReported 15/08/2022

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… Remedy: 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 95 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
WTY045_TSB	2026-06-04	Engine	TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: OIL FILTER HOUSING GASKET…
TSB_ELE422	2026-05-27	Electrical System	TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM SOFTWARE UPDATE USING UPDATE.KIA.COM…
TSB_CHA128_CLSD	2026-05-22	Power Train	TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: 4WD COUPLING NOISE/VIBRATION LOGIC IMPROVEMENT) - CLOSED &…
TSB_CHA129	2026-05-22	Power Train	TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: AWD COUPLER NOISE/VIBRATION LOGIC IMPROVEMENT - This bulletin…
WTY045_REIMB	2026-04-30	Engine	WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: REIMBURSEMENT FORM (WTY045) - This document is a…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Telluride. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group O battery Vehicles taking 6.8 qt

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2021 Telluride take?

6.8 qt of 5W-30 is preferred. Temperatures above 0°F: 10W-30, per the factory manual.

Does the 2021 Telluride have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Telluride get?

EPA figures are 19 city / 24 highway / 21 combined mpg.