IllustrationA SMALL ROCK HIT MY WINDSHIELD WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH ON THE FREEWAY. THE WINDSHIELD EASILY CRACKED AND CHIPPED. IT HAD TO BE COMPLETELY REPLACED FOR $1200. I HAVE OWNED OTHER CARS BEFORE AND NEVER ENCOUNTERED SUCH A FRAGILE WINDSHIELD.
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
Visibility/wiper complaints
135 reportsWHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 60MPH A VERY SMALL PEBBLE HIT MY WINDSHIELD ON THE TOP RHS AND PUT A DIME SIZED HOLE IN THE WINDSHIELD COMING TO A POINT ON THE INSIDE MAKING A COMPLETE OPENING. IT IS NOW STARTING TO CRACK LIKE A SPIDERWEB. SAFELITE HAS REFUSED TO TOUCH IT AND THE DEALERSHIP HAS STATED IT WILL TAKE SEVERAL W…
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WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 60MPH A VERY SMALL PEBBLE HIT MY WINDSHIELD ON THE TOP RHS AND PUT A DIME SIZED HOLE IN THE WINDSHIELD COMING TO A POINT ON THE INSIDE MAKING A COMPLETE OPENING. IT IS NOW STARTING TO CRACK LIKE A SPIDERWEB. SAFELITE HAS REFUSED TO TOUCH IT AND THE DEALERSHIP HAS STATED IT WILL TAKE SEVERAL WEEKS TO GET A REPLACEMENT AND THE COST IS UPWARDS OF $750.00+. THIS IS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS, WHEN YOU PAY THIS MUCH FOR A VEHICLE AND YOU HAVE TO RETURN TO THE DEALERSHIP TO OBTAIN A CHEAPLY MADE PRODUCT AND PAY A NOT SO CHEAP PRICE FOR IT. THIS IS ABSOLUTELY HIGHWAY ROBBERY. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDED I TURN THIS OVER TO MY CAR INSURANCE. AFTER SPEAKING WITH MY INSURANCE PROVIDER, I LEARNED MY PREMIUM WILL INCREASE DUE TO HAVING TO FILE A CLAIM. SO, BASICALLY I'M GOING TO HAVE TO PAY AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR A CHEAPLY MADE PRODUCT OR PAY AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF MONEY OVER WHO KNOWS HOW LONG FOR A CHEAPLY MADE PRODUCT. FROM LOOKING AT THE GROWING AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS, THERE APPEARS TO BE A LEGITIMATE CAUSE FOR INVESTIGATION INTO THE PRODUCT KIA IS PUTTING INTO THEIR VEHICLES AND SELLING TO CONSUMERS. ADDITIONALLY, SHOULD SOMETHING SMALL COME THROUGH ONE OF THESE WINDSHIELDS AND INJURE A PERSON INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE OR CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, I WOULD PRESUME THE AFFECTED INDIVIDUAL(S) WOULD HAVE A LEGITIMATE GROUND FOR A POTENTIAL LAWSUIT. THERE ARE FAR TOO MANY COMPLAINTS BEING FILED AGAINST KIA FOR THIS SAME ISSUE AND FAILURE TO INVESTIGATE THIS MANY COMPLAINTS BY CONSUMERS IS RECKLESS.
I WAS DRIVING MY 2020 TELLURIDE ON A TWO LANE ROAD UNDER 45 MPH WITH NO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND ONE CAR MUCH FURTHER UP THE ROAD. I DID NOT SEE ANYTHING HIT MY WINDSHIELD OR COMING TOWARD ME. I HEARD A VERY LOUD CRACKING NOISE AND MY WINDSHIELD HAD A STARBURST CRACK ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE NEAR THE EDGE OF THE WINDSHIELD. WITHIN 20 MI…
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I WAS DRIVING MY 2020 TELLURIDE ON A TWO LANE ROAD UNDER 45 MPH WITH NO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND ONE CAR MUCH FURTHER UP THE ROAD. I DID NOT SEE ANYTHING HIT MY WINDSHIELD OR COMING TOWARD ME. I HEARD A VERY LOUD CRACKING NOISE AND MY WINDSHIELD HAD A STARBURST CRACK ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE NEAR THE EDGE OF THE WINDSHIELD. WITHIN 20 MINUTES THE CRACK HAD STARTED TO SPREAD OUT SEVERAL INCHES ON EACH SIDE WITH ONE SIDE CRACKING ALL THE WAY TO THE EDGE. THERE WAS NOT A CHIP ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE GLASS THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN LEFT IF SOMETHING VERY HARD LIKE A ROCK HAD HIT THE WINDSHIELD. THE ONLY THING I CAN THINK OF THAT COULD HAVE HIT THE GLASS WAS AN ACORN FALLING FROM A TREE ABOVE THE ROAD. AN ACORN SHOULD NOT CRACK A WINDSHIELD! THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WAS 38 DEGREES AND I THE WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER HAD BEEN RUNNING FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES PRIOR TO THE CRACKING.
DRIVING ON A PUBLIC ROAD, ROCK HIT WINDSHIELD AT 15 MPH CRACKED WINDSHIELD, CRACK GROWS 1-2 INCHES EVERY HOUR REGARDLESS OF USE
WITHIN 6 DAYS OF PURCHASING MY KIA TELLURIDE, IT SUFFERED A SIGNIFICANT CHIP AND SMALL CRACKING ON THE WINDSHIELD WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH. I DID NOT SEE ANY PEBBLES, ROCKS OR DEBRIS IN THE AREA, NOR DID I OBSERVE ANY PEBBLE ACTUALLY HIT THE CAR. I DID NOT OBSERVE ANY CARS OR TRUCKS AHEAD OF ME ON THE…
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WITHIN 6 DAYS OF PURCHASING MY KIA TELLURIDE, IT SUFFERED A SIGNIFICANT CHIP AND SMALL CRACKING ON THE WINDSHIELD WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH. I DID NOT SEE ANY PEBBLES, ROCKS OR DEBRIS IN THE AREA, NOR DID I OBSERVE ANY PEBBLE ACTUALLY HIT THE CAR. I DID NOT OBSERVE ANY CARS OR TRUCKS AHEAD OF ME ON THE FREEWAY WITH ANY OPEN/UNCOVERED LOADS. IN FACT, I ONLY OBSERVED PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TIMING OF THE CHIP/CRACK SEEMED TO COINCIDE GOING OVER A SMALL DIP ON THE HIGHWAY.
WINDSHIELD CRACK DRIVING ON HIGHWAY
THE KIA TELLURIDE WINDSHIELDS ARE NOT UP TO STANDARDS. THEY CRACK AND CHIP EXTREMELY EASILY AND CONSTANTLY OVER THE SMALLEST DEBRIS OR FOR NO REASON AT ALL AND DRIVING AT 40 MPH. THIS NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED.
HAD A PLASTIC WRAP BARELY HIT MY WINDSHIELD ON HIGHWAY AND IT CRACKED WINDSHIELD.
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY A ROCK HIT THE WINDSHIELD. A SMALL CHIP TURNED INTO A CRACK ACROSS THE LENGTH OF THE WINDOW.
WINDSHIELD CRACKS EASILY. 2 WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE IN AUG, WHEN ON A CLEAN NO CONSTRUCTION AREA ON I 85, HEARD A POP AND CRACKED WINDSHIELD. NOT HAPPENED IN MORE THAN 25 YEARS ACROSS MORE THAN 3 CARS WE WON AT ONE TIME.
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.