Ford Explorer vs Kia Telluride: reliability compared
From 2020 to 2026, owners filed an average of 325 complaints per model year about the Ford Explorer and 344 about the Kia Telluride.
Side by side
| Ford Explorer | Kia Telluride | |
|---|---|---|
| Model years compared | 2020-2026 | 2020-2026 |
| Owner complaints | 2,275 | 2,061 |
| Complaints per model year | 325 | 344 |
| Recalls | 71 | 17 |
| Years to avoid | None stand out | 2020 |
| Best years | 2022 | None stand out |
| Most common problem | Transmission | Visibility |
| Crash rating | No data | No data |
| Fuel economy | 19-24 mpg combined (2026) | 20-22 mpg combined (2025) |
A car that sells more collects more complaints, so the fairest test is the number of years to avoid, which compares each year with a typical year of the same car.
Complaints per model year
Problems compared
| Explorer | Telluride | |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission | 729 | 175 |
| Electrical | 329 | 302 |
| Driver assistance | 314 | 119 |
| Engine | 261 | 361 |
| Visibility | 185 | 429 |
| Brakes | 154 | 70 |
| Lights | 76 | 211 |
| Body | 102 | 157 |
Questions about the Ford Explorer vs Kia Telluride
Which is more reliable, the Ford Explorer or the Kia Telluride?
Between 2020 and 2026, the Ford Explorer has 0 years to avoid and the Kia Telluride 1. The Ford Explorer has been more consistent from year to year. By raw volume, the Ford Explorer drew fewer complaints per model year (325 vs 344), though sales volume affects that number.
Which has more recalls, the Ford Explorer or the Kia Telluride?
From 2020 to 2026, the Ford Explorer was covered by 71 recalls and the Kia Telluride by 17.
What years of the Ford Explorer and Kia Telluride should you avoid?
Ford Explorer: no year stands out. Kia Telluride: 2020.
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VIN decoder
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