Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade midsize SUVs have been recalled. The recent Telluride recall is one of the largest Telluride recalls in the history of the nameplate. Will the recall permanently scar the Telluride’s reputation and affect its position in midsize SUV rankings?

Does the Telluride have a recall?

Kia Telluride models produced from 2020-2022 are currently being recalled because of a fire risk. As many as 36,000 Telluride models are affected by the recall.

Kia sells thousands of Telluride models a month. In 2021 the automaker sold a total of 54,099 Telluride models. In 2020 the brand sold 30,198 Telluride midsize SUVs. Thus far, as of July 2022, Kia has sold 55,211 Telluride models.

Of all the Telluride models sold from 2022-2022 thus far, about 25% are affected by the recall. So, is the recall significant? Yes. The current Telluride recall impacts a large percentage of Telluride purchases. The nature of the recall is also a cause for concern.

Telluride owners are advised to park their midsize SUVs outdoors to prevent damage caused by a potential fire. The industry has seen much larger recalls in recent years, but this unfortunate event could be more than a blemish on the nameplate’s reputation.

Do Kia Tellurides have problems?

Kia Tellurides aren’t particularly problematic midsize SUVs. In fact, publications like J.D. Power have given the Telluride high reliability scores.

The South Korean midsize SUV has very few complaints registered on CarComplaints.com. So in sort, no, the Kia Telluride doesn’t usually have many problems. CarComplaints claims that the most reported issue was poor headlight illumination on the 2020 model.

Do Tellurides hold their value?

Yes, Kia Tellurides retain a high percentage of their original MSRP over time. According to Kelley Blue Book, the 2021 Kia Telluride has a fair purchase price of $32,082. KBB claims the 2020 Kia Telluride has a fair purchase price of a whopping $35,337.

The Telluride is one of the few vehicles that actually appreciates over time instead of depreciating. We’ve seen this phenomenon with the popular Toyota Tacoma. Vehicles that are in low supply and high demand tend to appreciate.

The Kia Telluride isn’t going anywhere anytime soon

The Telluride nameplate has been wildly successful for Kia. While the current recall is impactful, the odds of it derailing the midsize SUV completely are slim to none. The Kia Telluride remains one of the highest-rated vehicles in the industry by multiple automotive publications and critics.

The Kia Telluride isn’t perfect, but it dominates the competition in its vehicle class. When it comes to affordability and value, the Telluride doesn’t have a true rival in its segment (other than its cousin the Hyundai Palisade).

The 2023 Kia Telluride will feature some mild updates. The hype behind the new model year could completely eclipse any recall controversy. Current Telluride owners may be flustered by the recall, but potential buyers shouldn’t lose any sleep over it. Kia is working to address the issue as quickly as possible. It’s in the automaker’s best interest to ensure that the 2023 model year is the most reliable model yet.