2021 Kia Telluride Passenger Air Bag Recall (21V164)
Kia America, Inc. · 142 vehicles · Reported March 11, 2021
Kia America, Inc. is recalling 142 2021 Kia Forte; 2021 Kia K5; 2021 Kia Telluride 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." 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. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 21V164 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 21V164000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | SC207 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | March 11, 2021 |
| Manufacturer | Kia America, Inc. |
| Vehicles | 2021 Kia Forte; 2021 Kia K5; 2021 Kia Telluride |
| Units affected | 142 |
| Component | Air Bags > Sensor > Occupant Classification > Front Passenger |
| Safety risk | 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. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2021 Kia Telluride in recall 21V164?
The Occupant Classification and Detection System (OCS/ODS) unit may not detect the presence of a child restraint system in the front passenger seat.
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."
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Is it safe to drive a 2021 Telluride with recall 21V164?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: 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.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: 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.
NHTSA has not issued a do-not-drive or park-outside warning for this recall. Still, get the repair done as soon as it is available, and stop driving if you notice symptoms related to the front passenger.
Which vehicles are included in recall 21V164?
Recall 21V164 covers 142 vehicles: 2021 Kia Forte; 2021 Kia K5; 2021 Kia Telluride.
NHTSA lists 142 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Kia | Forte |
| 2021 | Kia | K5 |
| 2021 | Kia | Telluride |
What is the fix for the Telluride passenger air bag recall?
Yes. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the OCS/ODS unit, free of charge.
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.
When was recall 21V164 announced?
Kia America, Inc. reported recall 21V164 to NHTSA on March 11, 2021.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| March 11, 2021 | Kia America, Inc. filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 21V164000. |
This recall was filed 67 months ago. If your Telluride was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my Telluride is part of recall 21V164?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 21V164 is open on your Telluride, it will be listed there.
Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup. It shows any open safety recall on your vehicle, including 21V164000. Your VIN is on the registration card, the insurance card, and the driver side of the dashboard where it meets the windshield. Recent recalls can take a few days to appear in the lookup.
What should Telluride owners do about recall 21V164?
Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 21V164000 applies to your Telluride.
- Book the recall appointment with any authorized Kia dealer. Ask up front whether parts are available and how long the vehicle will be there.
- Get a repair order for every visit, even if the dealer only inspects the vehicle. Read it before you leave and make sure your complaint is written the way you described it.
- Keep a simple log of any front passenger symptoms with dates and mileage. Video of a warning light or the problem happening is strong evidence.
- Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
- If the recall repair does not fix it, or the vehicle keeps going back for the same issue, talk to a lemon law attorney.
What are Telluride owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 600 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 20 of them about the air bags.
Since recall 21V164 was reported on March 11, 2021, owners have filed 18 complaints with NHTSA about the air bags on these vehicles. 0 of them (0%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt.
How we counted: we matched NHTSA owner complaints for the model years in this recall that list the air bags and were received on or after March 11, 2021, then flagged narratives that describe a repeat failure or a problem returning after a dealer repair, recall service or software update. Data from NHTSA, accessed October 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports and may involve a related air bags issue rather than this exact defect; automated text matching can miss or misread some reports.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 600 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 20 of them involve the air bags. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.
- 2021 Kia Telluride: 365 complaints in total, 3 about the air bags
- 2021 Kia K5: 167 complaints in total, 10 about the air bags
- 2021 Kia Forte: 68 complaints in total, 7 about the air bags
Examples of what owners have reported to NHTSA (unverified excerpts):
I recently purchased a Kia k5 2021 gt line awd one month later I noticed there was recall I take to the dealership they let me know it will only take a few hours (3) and I can pick up later the same they call me 3h later and let me know sorry this case…
2021 Kia K5 owner, IL, NHTSA complaint 11661615, filed May 17, 2025
Was driving to work on freeway and a deer jumped out in front of car, i hit it between 65-70 mph and not one of the many airbags installed on this brand new car deployed. The police officer at the scene said i'm lucky to be alive.
2021 Kia K5 owner, OH, NHTSA complaint 11374198, filed November 11, 2020
I was traveling 45 mph in my 2021 k5 gt line when an older toyota camry crossed my path. I applied brakes but there was no avoiding the collision. I broadsided the camry at somewhere between 30 and 35 mph. I sustained injuries to both knees, neck and back. Air bags did not deploy.
2021 Kia K5 owner, TX, NHTSA complaint 11399278, filed March 5, 2021
Can recall 21V164 make my Telluride a lemon in California?
Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.
Owners often ask whether this front passenger recall means their Telluride qualifies as a lemon. Not by itself. Song-Beverly looks at whether a defect covered by the warranty substantially impairs use, value or safety and was not fixed after a reasonable number of repair attempts (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)).
An air bag warning light that keeps coming back after a recall repair is worth documenting. Air bag defects are safety defects, and California law can require fewer repair attempts for them.
A remedy is available. Many vehicles are fixed on the first try. If the problem returns after the recall repair, or the 2021 Kia Telluride has needed other repairs for the same defect, those visits count toward a lemon law claim.
For the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, California presumes the manufacturer had enough chances if the Telluride went in two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for the same defect, or spent more than 30 days in the shop (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Direct notice to the manufacturer is required for some of these. The presumption is a shortcut, not the only path to a claim.
An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Has your Telluride been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other Kia Telluride recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 21V164
Did the recall 21V164 fix work?
Since recall 21V164 was reported on March 11, 2021, owners have filed 18 complaints with NHTSA about the air bags on these vehicles. 0 of them (0%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt. If your vehicle still has the problem after the recall repair, go back to the dealer, get a repair order, and talk to a lemon law attorney.
Is the 21V164000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
How do I know if my Telluride is part of recall 21V164000?
Enter your 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or call a dealer. The VIN is on your registration, insurance card and the lower corner of the windshield.
What if my air bag light stays on after the recall repair?
Go back to the dealer. A warning light that returns means the system may not deploy correctly, and the visit is another repair attempt for a safety defect.
Does a recall mean my car is a lemon?
Not on its own. A lemon law claim depends on whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps the vehicle out of service. A recall repair that fails, or repeat visits for the same problem, can support a claim.
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
Sources
- NHTSA recall record 21V164000 (recall report and owner letters are posted there)
- NHTSA complaints and recalls data, accessed October 1, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.2 and 1793.22
Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page is general information, not legal advice. America’s Lemon Lawyer is not affiliated with NHTSA or Kia. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.