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

Unknown Or Other complaints

143 reports

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4,000 miles · Nov 1, 2019

EngineUnknown Or Other

THE DASH SHOWED THAT MY ENGINE WAS OVER HEATING. THE TEMPERATURE GAUGHE WENT ALL THE WAY TO HOT

NHTSA ODI #11277611

2,944 miles · Oct 28, 2019

Unknown Or Other

NUMEROUS TINY CHIPS ALL OVER WINDSHIELD. MY WINDSHIELD HAS THE STAMP FROM KOREA AS WELL. HAVE ALSO READ IN FORMS/ONLINE THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. I'VE ONLY HAD VEHICLE FOR LITTLE OVER A MONTH.

NHTSA ODI #11271637

9,500 miles · Oct 24, 2019

Unknown Or Other

IN THE 6 MONTHS I HAVE HAD MY TELLURIDE, I HAVE HAD THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED AND WAS ABLE TO GET IT REPAIRED AND RECENTLY HAD A ROCK OR DEBRIS FROM THE ROAD HIT IT AND IT INSTANTLY CRACKED ALL THE WAY ACROSS THE BOTTOM AND UP IN TO MY LINE OF VISIBILITY. I HAVE NEVER HAD SUCH AN ISSUE WITH WINDSHIELDS BEFORE SO IT'S A LITTLE ODD T…

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NHTSA ODI #11270683

3,000 miles · Oct 16, 2019

Unknown Or Other

WINDSHIELD EASILY CRACKED AND SPREAD FAST.

NHTSA ODI #11268843

1,000 miles · Oct 15, 2019

Unknown Or Other

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THE KIA HAS A SYSTEM THAT CONTROLS CRUISE CONTROL IN A SPECIAL WAY. THIS SYSTEM ALLOWS YOU TO PLACE THE CAR IT THIS MODE AND WHAT IT DOES BEYOND CRUISE CONTROL LANE CHANGE CONTROL. IT DETECTS THE HIGHWAY SPEED LIMIT SIGNS EXAMPLE: I DRIVE FROM PRESCOTT AZ TO PHOENIX PERIODICALLY. THE SPEED LIMIT ON I -17 IS 75 MPH FOR MOST THE TRIP HEADING SOUTH ON I17 IT IS 75 MPH AT SUNSET POINT THE SPEED CHANGES FROM 75 MPH TO 65 MPH. THE CAR CHANGES SPEED TO 65 MPH. IT CHANGES BACK TO 75 MPH LATER EXCITING TIMES PASSING THROUGH ROCK SPRINGS. I AM DOING AT 75 MPH ( NO ONE IS IN FRONT OF ME THEY ARE IN BACK AND ONE TO THE LEFT SIDE. ). THE CAR SPEED DROPS TO 45 MPH. THE FREEWAY SPEED IS 75 MPH. HOWEVER, THE SIDE ROAD IN ROCK SPRINGS IS 45 MPH. SO NOW I HAVE 4 CARS TRYING TO AVOID ME BECAUSE I SUDDENLY GOING 45 MPH IN A 75 MPH ZONE. APPROACHING ANTHEM - THE CAR SUDDENLY DROPS TO 35 MPH IN A 75 MPH ZONE. NO ONE WAS IN FRONT OF ME. BUT THE SPEED LIMIT ON THE SIDE ROAD NEXT TO THE FREEWAY IS 35 MPH. NO ONE IN FRONT OF ME. I HAVE CARS AROUND ME HONKING AND AVOIDING ME - BECAUSE I AM DRIVING 35 MPH IN A 75 MPH FREEWAY SPEED ZONE. THIS IS DANGEROUS. THE DEALER JUST SAYS IT IS AN OPTION.

NHTSA ODI #11268425

7,867 miles · Oct 11, 2019

Unknown Or Other

A/C NOT BLOWING COLD. PERFORMED SYSTEM EVAC AND RECHARGED SYSTEM. STILL HAS ISSUE. SET CHARGE TO PROPER LEVEL AND SPOKE WITH TECHLINE. REPLACED A/C COMPRESSOR AND CHARGED. 17 DAYS IN THE SHOP.

NHTSA ODI #11267880

4,500 miles · Oct 4, 2019

Unknown Or Other

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I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY ON A LOW VOLUME COUNTY ROAD. I WAS MOVING BACKWARDS AND ENTERED THE ROADWAY. I WAS FULLY ACROSS ONE LANE WHEN A VEHICLE IN THE OPPOSITE LANE APPROACHED. AS I WAS CONTINUING BACKWARDS CUTTING THE WHEEL TO MANEUVER INTO THE NEARSIDE LANE, THE AUTO BRAKING ENGAGED AND MY VEHICLE WAS DISABLED IN THE ROADWAY FOR TWO OR THREE SECONDS UNTIL THE APPROACHING VEHICLE IN THE OPPOSITE FARSIDE LANE PASSED MY NOW DISABLED VEHICLE IN THE ROADWAY. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE THERE WAS A VEHICLE APPROACHING IN THE NEARSIDE LANE THAT I WAS ATTEMPTING TO ENTER AND NOW I WAS DISABLED IN THE ROADWAY AS THAT CAR APPROACHED. MY ISSUE IS THAT THE APPROACHING VEHICLE IN THE FARSIDE LANE HAD ROOM TO MANEUVER AROUND ME, BUT I WAS NOW DIRECTLY IN THE LINE OF DANGER FROM THE VEHICLE APPROACHING IN THE NEARSIDE LANE I WAS NOW DISABLED IN. IT SCARED ME TO BE DISABLED IN THE ROAD WITH A VEHICLE APPROACHING. THE BRAKES REMAINED ENGAGED AND I COULDN'T DO ANYTHING UNTIL MY VEHICLE RELEASED THE BRAKES. I WAS IN GREATER DANGER FROM BEING HIT BY THE CAR APPROACHING IN THE NEARSIDE LANE THAN I WAS ENTERING THAN THE VEHICLE IN THE OPPOSITE FARSIDE LANE. THE COMPUTER IN MY VEHICLE WAS WRONG IN APPLYING THE BRAKES AND FORCED ME INTO A DANGEROUS POSITION. THE PROGRAMMING FOR REAR ASSIST BRAKING NEEDS TO BE EVALUATED FOR SITUATIONS LIKE THE ONE THAT I WAS IN. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME I HAVE BEEN PUT IN THAT SITUATION BY MY VEHICLE AND I THINK THERE IS A SAFETY PROBLEM WITH THE PROGRAMMING FOR LOW SPEED BACKING CONDITIONS.

NHTSA ODI #11266053

4,000 miles · Aug 24, 2019

Unknown Or Other

A SMALL ROCK HIT MY WINDSHIELD AND CRACKED IT.

NHTSA ODI #11246189

10 miles · Aug 7, 2019

Unknown Or OtherVisibility/wiper

WINDSHIELD CRACKED ON DAY 1 BEFORE EVEN TAKING DELIVERY OF CAR. NOT A SAFE WINDSHIELD TO DRIVE WITH.

NHTSA ODI #11242200

Mileage unknown · Aug 5, 2019

StructureUnknown Or Other

I WAS DRIVING AND A ROCK FLEW UP BARLEY HIT MY WINDSHIELD AND BROKE IT

NHTSA ODI #11241854

Official recalls

26V430000 · 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

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

Consequence: Inoperative trailer brake lights can fail to warn other drivers that the vehicle is slowing, increasing the risk of a crash.

Electrical System:wiring

Consequence: Inoperative trailer brake lights can fail to warn other drivers that the vehicle is slowing, increasing the risk of a crash.

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

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

Consequence: If a child seat is not properly secured, there is an increased risk of injury to the occupant in a crash.

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

PE23002 · 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.