IllustrationHALOGEN BULBS IN HEADLIGHTS ON S TRIM ARE SUBOPTIMAL FOR ROADWAY ILLUMINATION DURING NIGHTTIME DRIVING REGARDLESS OF TERRAIN, ENVIRONMENT, OR DIRECRION. UPGRADE TO LED BULBS SHOULD RESULT IN IMPROVED VISIBILITY.
2020 Kia Telluride
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Telluride years
Owner complaints for the 2020 Kia Telluride are substantially higher than the model-year median of 215.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Telluride years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
1480–25K
1525–50K
1150–75K
1275–100K
6100–150K
2150K+
194 reports with mileage · 564 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Exterior Lighting. Review the 183 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 142 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Visibility/wiper. Review the 135 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
8 crash reports9 fire reports8 injury reports
Exterior Lighting complaints
183 reportsEXTERIOR LIGHTING (HEADLIGHTS) IS TERRIBLE ON MY EX MODEL. STANDARD OE HEADLIGHTS ARE FAR TOO INADEQUATE FOR SAFE DRIVING AT NIGHT. SIDE CUTOFF OF THE HEADLIGHTS MAKES READING STREET SIGNS DIFFICULT WHEN THERE IS NO SUPPLEMENTAL LIGHT OUTSIDE OF THE CAR HEADLIGHTS. THESE HEADLIGHTS SHOULD BE LED (IT?S 2020 FOR [XXX] SAKE) AND …
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EXTERIOR LIGHTING (HEADLIGHTS) IS TERRIBLE ON MY EX MODEL. STANDARD OE HEADLIGHTS ARE FAR TOO INADEQUATE FOR SAFE DRIVING AT NIGHT. SIDE CUTOFF OF THE HEADLIGHTS MAKES READING STREET SIGNS DIFFICULT WHEN THERE IS NO SUPPLEMENTAL LIGHT OUTSIDE OF THE CAR HEADLIGHTS. THESE HEADLIGHTS SHOULD BE LED (IT?S 2020 FOR [XXX] SAKE) AND NOT SO CONCENTRATED LIKE A SPOT LIGHT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
THE HEADLIGHTS ON MY EX MODEL ARE SERIOUSLY DEFICIENT AND DANGEROUS, ESPECIALLY DURING DRIVING IN LOW LIGHT AREA DURING TURNS. AT MY OWN EXPENSE I'VE PURCHASED LED BULBS, WHICH HAVE IMPROVED VISIBILITY AHEAD OF ME. HOWEVER, THE LIGHT IS BLOCKED BY THE PROJECTOR TYPE HOUSING FROM ILLUMINATING THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDES OF THE FRONT…
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THE HEADLIGHTS ON MY EX MODEL ARE SERIOUSLY DEFICIENT AND DANGEROUS, ESPECIALLY DURING DRIVING IN LOW LIGHT AREA DURING TURNS. AT MY OWN EXPENSE I'VE PURCHASED LED BULBS, WHICH HAVE IMPROVED VISIBILITY AHEAD OF ME. HOWEVER, THE LIGHT IS BLOCKED BY THE PROJECTOR TYPE HOUSING FROM ILLUMINATING THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDES OF THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. VISIBILITY DURING TURNS IS NON-EXISTENT. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED ASAP.
THE HEADLIGHTS ON THIS CAR ARE DANGEROUS AT NIGHT AND ARE ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS WHEN IT'S RAINING. THE LIGHTS DO NO ILLUMINATE SPEED LIMIT SIGNS, STOP SIGNS, CAUTION SIGNS, YIELD SIGNS ETC... THE HEADLIGHTS DO NOT ILLUMINATE FAR ENOUGH AHEAD ON THE ROADS. IF YOUR GOING UP OR DOWN A HILL TO SEE A SAFE DRIVING DISTANCE AHEAD.
WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT IN THE EX TRIM, THE HALOGEN LIGHTBULBS ARE INEFFECTIVE FOR LIGHTING THE ROADWAY AHEAD. OUTSIDE OF CITY DRIVING WHERE OUTSIDE LIGHTING IS MINIMAL, IT IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE A SAFE DISTANCE AHEAD OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, BECAUSE OF THE CUTOFF DESIGN OF THE PROJECTOR HOUSING, STREET SIGNS SUCH AS STOP…
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WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT IN THE EX TRIM, THE HALOGEN LIGHTBULBS ARE INEFFECTIVE FOR LIGHTING THE ROADWAY AHEAD. OUTSIDE OF CITY DRIVING WHERE OUTSIDE LIGHTING IS MINIMAL, IT IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE A SAFE DISTANCE AHEAD OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, BECAUSE OF THE CUTOFF DESIGN OF THE PROJECTOR HOUSING, STREET SIGNS SUCH AS STOP SIGNS AND SPEED LIMIT SIGNS ARE BARELY ILLUMINATED AT ALL.
THE HEADLIGHTS ON THIS CAR ARE DANGEROUS AT NIGHT ON STREETS WITH NO LIGHTING AND ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS WHEN ITS RAINING. THE LIGHTS DO NO ILLUMINATE SPEED LIMIT SIGNS, STOP SIGNS, CAUTION SIGNS, YIELD SIGNS ETC. THEY DO NOT ILLUMINATE OVERHEAD INTERSTATE SIGNS. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THE LIGHTS ARE W…
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THE HEADLIGHTS ON THIS CAR ARE DANGEROUS AT NIGHT ON STREETS WITH NO LIGHTING AND ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS WHEN ITS RAINING. THE LIGHTS DO NO ILLUMINATE SPEED LIMIT SIGNS, STOP SIGNS, CAUTION SIGNS, YIELD SIGNS ETC. THEY DO NOT ILLUMINATE OVERHEAD INTERSTATE SIGNS. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THE LIGHTS ARE WORKING AS DESIGNED. THE INSURANCE INSTITUTE FOR HIGHWAY SAFETY ALSO GIVES A POOR RATING TO THESE LIGHTS. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED.
HEADLIGHTS ON LX TRIM ARE EXTREMELY DIM. INSUFFICIENT FOR NIGHT DRIVING, CURVY/HILLY ROADS, RAINY CONDITIONS. LANE MARKERS ARE NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE.
THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE. THE HEADLIGHTS ON MY EX MODEL ARE SERIOUSLY DEFICIENT AND DANGEROUS, ESPECIALLY DURING DRIVING IN LOW LIGHT AREA DURING TURNS. AT MY OWN EXPENSE I'VE PURCHASED LED BULBS, WHICH HAVE IMPROVED VISIBILITY AHEAD OF ME, INCLUDING BEING, NOW, ABLE TO SEE THE SIDES OF THE ROAD, HOWEVER, VISIBILITY DURING T…
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THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE. THE HEADLIGHTS ON MY EX MODEL ARE SERIOUSLY DEFICIENT AND DANGEROUS, ESPECIALLY DURING DRIVING IN LOW LIGHT AREA DURING TURNS. AT MY OWN EXPENSE I'VE PURCHASED LED BULBS, WHICH HAVE IMPROVED VISIBILITY AHEAD OF ME, INCLUDING BEING, NOW, ABLE TO SEE THE SIDES OF THE ROAD, HOWEVER, VISIBILITY DURING TURNS IS NON-EXISTENT. AFTER 30 + YEARS OF DRIVING I HAVE NEVER BEEN SO UNCOMFORTABLE DRIVING AT NIGHT.
I HAVE A 2020 TELLURIDE AND THE HEADLIGHTS PROVIDE SO LITTLE LIGHT THAT IT'S DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. THE NORMAL BEAMS ARE SO DIFFUSE THEY PROVIDE INSUFFICIENT LIGHT FORWARD TO SEE THE ROAD CLEARLY AND PROVIDE NO LIGHT TO THE SIDES, SO YOU CAN'T SEE WHAT YOU ARE TURNING INTO WHEN YOU TURN. I CALLED KIA AND TWO LOCAL KIA DEAL…
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I HAVE A 2020 TELLURIDE AND THE HEADLIGHTS PROVIDE SO LITTLE LIGHT THAT IT'S DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. THE NORMAL BEAMS ARE SO DIFFUSE THEY PROVIDE INSUFFICIENT LIGHT FORWARD TO SEE THE ROAD CLEARLY AND PROVIDE NO LIGHT TO THE SIDES, SO YOU CAN'T SEE WHAT YOU ARE TURNING INTO WHEN YOU TURN. I CALLED KIA AND TWO LOCAL KIA DEALERS; THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT SAY THEY HAVE NO WAY TO FIX IT. GOOD HEADLIGHTS ARE FUNDAMENTAL AND, REALLY, AFTER 100 YEARS OF CARS WITH HEADLIGHTS, YOU'D THINK THEY COULD GET THIS RIGHT. PLEASE FORCE KIA TO RECALL THE CARS AND FIX THE HEADLIGHTS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THANK YOU. SANDRA THANK YOU. SANDRA
THIS IS A NEW VEHICLE, PURCHASED 8/2019. IT IS MY BELIEF THAT THE HEADLIGHTS (BOTH HIGH AND LOW BEAM), AS EQUIPPED, ARE DANGEROUSLY DEFICIENT AND DO NOT PROVIDE NEARLY ADEQUATE ILLUMINATION. I AM HESITANT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AT NIGHT. I CONSIDER THIS HAZARDOUS AND WORTHY OF CORRECTION BY THE MANUFACTURER. KIA TELLURIDE EX AWD.
Official recalls
726V430000 · Seats:front Assembly:power Adjust
Jul 2, 2026
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A fire increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: 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.
24V407000 · Seats:front Assembly:power Adjust
Jun 5, 2024
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A fire increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: 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.
24V214000 · Power Train:driveline:driveshaft
Mar 20, 2024
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A vehicle roll away increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: 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.
24V148000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights
Feb 26, 2024
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2020 Telluride vehicles. The high beam headlights may fail.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Inoperable high beam headlights may reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair or replace the high beam headlights, as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 9, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC299.
22V626000 · Trailer Hitches
Aug 15, 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 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
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 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.
20V436000 · Electrical System:wiring; Exterior Lighting:brake Lights; Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control
Jul 28, 2020
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2020 Telluride vehicles equipped with Smart Cruise Control (SCC). When a trailer is connected to the vehicle, the trailer brake lights will not illuminate when the SCC applies the brakes. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Inoperative trailer brake lights can fail to warn other drivers that the vehicle is slowing, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional wire harness to the main fuse box to signal the trailer brake lights, free of charge. The recall began September 10, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC194.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2020 Telluride vehicles equipped with Smart Cruise Control (SCC). When a trailer is connected to the vehicle, the trailer brake lights will not illuminate when the SCC applies the brakes. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Consequence: Inoperative trailer brake lights can fail to warn other drivers that the vehicle is slowing, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional wire harness to the main fuse box to signal the trailer brake lights, free of charge. The recall began September 10, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC194.
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2020 Telluride vehicles equipped with Smart Cruise Control (SCC). When a trailer is connected to the vehicle, the trailer brake lights will not illuminate when the SCC applies the brakes. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Consequence: Inoperative trailer brake lights can fail to warn other drivers that the vehicle is slowing, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional wire harness to the main fuse box to signal the trailer brake lights, free of charge. The recall began September 10, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC194.
Electrical System:wiring
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2020 Telluride vehicles equipped with Smart Cruise Control (SCC). When a trailer is connected to the vehicle, the trailer brake lights will not illuminate when the SCC applies the brakes. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Consequence: Inoperative trailer brake lights can fail to warn other drivers that the vehicle is slowing, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional wire harness to the main fuse box to signal the trailer brake lights, free of charge. The recall began September 10, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC194.
19V594000 · Seat Belts:front; Seat Belts:rear/other
Aug 13, 2019
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2020 Telluride vehicles. The seat belt assemblies in the front passenger, second, and/or third row seats may not tightly secure a child restraint system in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If a child seat is not properly secured, there is an increased risk of injury to the occupant in a crash.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and replace any incorrect seat belt assemblies. The repair will also include replacing the driver's seat belt which has a non-U.S. specified label, with a U.S. specification seat belt. The repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began August 30, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC181.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Seat Belts:rear/other
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2020 Telluride vehicles. The seat belt assemblies in the front passenger, second, and/or third row seats may not tightly secure a child restraint system in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Consequence: If a child seat is not properly secured, there is an increased risk of injury to the occupant in a crash.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and replace any incorrect seat belt assemblies. The repair will also include replacing the driver's seat belt which has a non-U.S. specified label, with a U.S. specification seat belt. The repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began August 30, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC181.
Seat Belts:front
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2020 Telluride vehicles. The seat belt assemblies in the front passenger, second, and/or third row seats may not tightly secure a child restraint system in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Consequence: If a child seat is not properly secured, there is an increased risk of injury to the occupant in a crash.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and replace any incorrect seat belt assemblies. The repair will also include replacing the driver's seat belt which has a non-U.S. specified label, with a U.S. specification seat belt. The repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began August 30, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC181.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1PE23002 · Complete Loss Of High Beams
Opened Jan 27, 2023 · Closed Apr 17, 2024
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:headlights
On January 27, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE23002 to investigate allegations of loss of high beams with no warning and no re-engagement resulting in reduced visibility at night in the 2020 Kia Telluride. The investigation revealed that the halogen bi-function projector beam, used in vehicles built between January 2019 and November of 2019, is composed of one halogen bulb light source that provides light for both low beam and high beam. The heat generated by the halogen bulb will inflict damage to the gear mechanism and as a result the shutter’s electric motor will no longer be able to move the shutter to the open position to reveal the high beams. A loss of high beams, prevents the driver from having proper distance illumination, therefore increasing the risk of a crash. On February 24, 2024, Kia filed recall 24V-148 for certain MY 2020 Kia Tellurides. The recall remedy provides an inspection of the high beam shield gear mechanism and will either apply a clip to secure the shield gear to the shaft or replace the headlamp assembly with one that is resistant to heat damagefrom the halogen bulb. In view of the recall action being taken by Kia, ODI is closing this Preliminary Evaluation. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.